Mar 4th, 2009
EFCC Arrests Agagu?
Information from several media house indicate the Dr Segun Agagu may have been arrest by the EFCC. Further clarification being awaited. The Punch revealed last week that “there were indications on Friday that a former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, may be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”
Some reports coming in regarding the arrest:
Channels TV: http://www.channelstv.com/newsdetails.php?news_id=11072
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] has arrested the Former Governor of Ondo state Olusegun Agagu.
Dr. Agagu was arrested at about 8.00am this morning by officials of the Anti-Graft agency.
His arrest according to sources at the Commission is in connection with the alleged embezzling of 25 billion naira belonging to the Ondo State Oil Producing Community Fund.
Nation Online: http://www.thenationonlineng.com/dynamicpage.asp?id=78811
EFCC arrests Agagu over N25 billion oil agency fund 4/3/2009
The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today arrests former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu over alleged mismanagement of n25 billion belonging to the State oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
He is being detained pending conclusion of investigations. Agagu’s arrest followed a 24 hours trail of his movement by EFCC operatives. He was trailed from his Iju odo hometown in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State to Abuja.
His arrest aborted his planned trip to Australia via London on Thursday. The Anti-Graft Agency moved in on the former governor upon hearing that he is billed to travel to Australia tomorrow via London.
Spokesman for the Commission, Mr. Femi Babafemi has confirmed the arrest of the former governor.
Sahara Reporters, however, maintains, Dr Agagu was arrested but released almost immediately:
But just as we went to press with the story of his arrest, sources told Saharareporters that Dr. Agagu has already been ordered released, following instructions to the EFCC chairperson from the Presidency to do so immediately.
26 Responses to “EFCC Arrests Agagu?”
well if EFCC could arrest Agagu it is well job done and i would like it if they could get all what he loot when he was in government..Thank God.Agagu must be jail.i have been waiting for EFCC to carry out their assigment since all these but they said that immunity was covered Agagu..no more immunity again and Agagu must be punish.Agagu was looted about billion dollars when he was minister of power and steel during his father administration..EFCC should do a good job now and make sure that Agagu must jail..i can,t wait to see what will happen to Agagu at last..
i read it today that Gov Mimiko dissolve council.it is nice.Thank you sir our Excellency.you will live long (AMEN).Sir i want you to take note on something that is happen is Akure south..it is about our shameless Leader we have in Akure south..they were not representing their people but they were representing themselves.especially leaders that came from Constituency 2 in Akure south.when we dont have people to fight for us in state or Local government level. that means we are working for nothing..look at the Constituency 2 chairman.he dont use to talk and let people know his right..it is bad.we have alot of people come from Constituency 1 and they were fight to get all the post that is coming to Akure.since 10 years or more than that they have been getting something than constituency 2 and they dont work than Constituency 2..My Excellency sir,i dont know may be you aware of what happened in 2007 in Dr Bada residence.actually we were doing rally at our ward which is ward 10 to let people know that Labour party is the party to voted for in that coming election.there is one man there.i am not expecting this man to be among us during the campaign rally in Ward 10.but this man didn,t think about his level.we all rally round Old garage to Odojoka,araromi,oja oshodi/odokoyi,ajaye,sagari.from sagari to Bada street which is Oshokoti.that is where we stopped the rally because it is bloody on that day.they mark this man with cutlass.Thank you the King Adesina Adepoju(Deji of Akure Land) for the role you played on that day..Bada boys were ready to kill anybody on that day but Thank God we all overcome them..what made me talk about it is because of this man which is aspirant of local government chairman in Akure south.he worked for Labour party in AKure south.all the other aspirant met him there.we all know what the man did in Akure south today.He was there before anybody and he worked in Labour party.this man has been nursed his ambition before anybody in Labour party..Gov Mimiko,i want you to do something on this issue.As you said that there is room enough for all..there is some decampee in Akure south going to this chairmanship post and this man get there before them.Like me,i hate cheating..well i know that Gov mimiko know how to do it so that some people we called our leader in Labour party wouldn,t deceit their followers.pls sir i dont want them to destruct what you have done.we have 7 aspirant contesting for the post of local government chairman in Akure south.6 of them come from costituency 1 and 1 come from constituency 2..costituency 1 has been doing the chairman for over 10 years..This time is costituency 2 time.they must not cheat us this time..our anspirant is the first person to come out in Akure south.and this man must be recognise in Mimiko administration..the man deserve chairman Akure south local government..the man has been worked before declaration of Labour party in Akure south..Our dear Governor i want you to do something on this issue so that this man will get his right..if you allow this people to choose for you they might choose wrong person for you..Ward 10 suffered for Labour party and they must be recognise in your government..i dont know what is doing our leader,they were after money and they dont think about their future..im not forcing any politician to give me money.i know what im looking for in Labour party..im looking for scholarship in labour party..that is why i am there..im too young for politics..This thing common in Nigerian politics.they want politician to spend what he has before he can get what his looking for..it must not be like that..asking for money from them dont help our Country.well God will help us in Nigeria..i dont know may be it is true or false.i heard it that Mimiko said that there is no primary election in Labour party.if that is case,it would give you opportunity to choose your candidate for yourself..let assume that they picked someone that met him in Labour party as Chairman how do you want the man and his supporters feel.this dont help party…pls pls pls help us in Akure south..this man has been working in Labour party and we should honour him with what his looking for..God will help you sir (AMEN)…Ondo state will be alright in your time…(AMEN)
What a story!!!!!! Hope he(Agagu) won`t come back as the adviser to the Government just like the others , like Alamisiegba(pardon the spelling if wrong) and Ibori who are now PDP`s godfathers.
EFCC Arrests Agagu Over N25b Fraud
By Alexandra Mede Snr Correspondent, Abuja
Travail piled up on Wednesday for former Ondo State Governor, Segun Agagu, as he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud worth N25 billion.
EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest but declined comment on it.
Another source said Agagu’s arrest is connected with the alleged misappropriation of money voted for the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
He said the EFCC got wind that he had made plans to escape to Australia through London today.
According to him, Agagu had been under surveillance of EFCC officials who trailed him from his Okitipupa country home to Abuja where he was arrested at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
The source explained that the investigation has been on for a long time, but that Agagu could not be arrested earlier because of his immunity while in office.
However, there are indications that Agagu may be granted ‘administrative bail’ today.
Our source added: “We are waiting to impound his travel documents because the man has concluded plans to escape from the country.
“We don’t want to take the risk of granting him bail until we are sure he cannot run away.”
Agagu was on February 23 sacked by the Appeal Court, and replaced with Olusegun Mimiko, in a verdict which upheld the tribunal ruling that Mimiko was the man duely elected on April 14, 2007.
The unanimous judgment ended the nearly six-year rule of Agagu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who began his first term on May 29, 2003.
Mimiko belongs to the Labour Party (LP).
The tribunal had on July 25 last year ruled that Mimiko proved allegations of electoral fraud and non-conduct of elections in nine councils: Akure North, Akoko North East, Akoko Northwest, Ile Oluji/Okeigbo, Okitipupa, Ose, Ese Odo, and Odigbo.
Agagu went to the Appeal Court to seek answers to 12 questions; 10 of them were dismissed.
The Appeal Court concluded that it was inappropriate for him to make fresh pleadings outside what he pleaded at the tribunal.
Within a week of the ruling, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on March 1 asked Agagu to pay N500 million for helping him to rig the election two years ago.
The Appeal Court itself ruled that he rigged the election.
MEND Spokesman, Ajija Bounanawei, demanded the N500 million as “unpaid rigging fee,” and saluted the Appeal Court for booting him out.
Bounanawei said the claim by the MEND has been vindicated that it rigged election in Ese-Odo Council in favour of Agagu and his PDP.
To him, the verdict confirmed the role played by the MEND when the court concluded that there was massive rigging and violence in the council, which led to the death of Wahidi Idepe, a 300-level student of the University of Ibadan (UI).
He congratulated Mimiko for reclaiming the mandate freely given to him by the electorate.
Bounanawei insisted that the N500 million was the contract sum agreed by Agagu and the MEND before the election, in a deal signed on his behalf by the former Secretary to State Government, Isaacs Kekemeke.
He alleged that Kekemeke, who is from Ese-Odo Council, was the link man between the MEND and the Agagu government until both sides fell out when Agagu refused to pay the fee.
Agagu has been ousted, Bounanawei noted, but he is still liable to pay the N500 million “or the MEND will go ahead and enforce payment in the usual MEND’s style.
“For the fact that Agagu has enjoyed the spoils of office of the Governor of Ondo State he occupied illegally for about two years, it becomes necessary that he pays up the debt on the purported election that brought him to power.
“The MEND will not rest on its oars until Agagu pays up the last kobo of the said fee, as we will employ every weapon in our arsenal to ensure he pays the money we have already worked for by rigging election for him and his cohorts in Ese-Odo Council.”
GOD IS NOT MAN THAT HE SHOULD LIE AND GOD IS NEVER MOCKED. THE EVIL DONE BY ANY MAN WILL LIVE AFTER THEM AND WE ALL SHALL BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR OUR STEWARDSHIP ESPECIALLY AS IT AFFECTS THE POOR PEOPLE OPF THE LAND. IT WILL BE JUDGEMENT DAY FOR EVERYONE ONE DAY. YOU SEE MY PEOPLE WHEN WE ARE TOLD TO “BE KIND TO THOSE WE MEET ON OUR WAY TO THE TOP FOR WE MAY MEET THEM ON OUR WAY DOWN” IT IS A FACTUAL STATEMENT. NOBODY REMAINS IN A TOP POSITION PERPETUALLY. OBJ IS NO LONGER PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, MAURICE IWU ALTHOUGH HE THINKS HE IS INDISPENSABLE COULD BE DEPOSED ANYTIME. ABACHA DIED AND WAS BURIED LIKE A DOG. WHAT MATTERS IS WHILE GOD BLESSES US WITH LEADERSHIP POSITION WE SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW OUR LORD JESUS TOOK ON HIS LEADERSHIP ROAD AS THE GOOD MASTER. HE WAS HUMBLE, INTELLIGENT, AND ABOVE ALL HE WAS THE SERVANT AND NEVER VIED TO BE HIGHER THAN OTHERS. GOD ELEVATED HIS SON FOR BEING OBEDIENT TO THE FATHER. THIS IS OUR LIFE STORY. I BEG AND PRAY ALL FUTURE LEADERS AND MASTERS IN ONDO STATE, NO MATTER WHAT POSITION YOU FIND YOURSELF, BE IT COMMISSIONER, CHIEF OF STAFF, LG CHAIRMAN AND WHAT HAVE YOU – REMEMBER YOU ARE THERE TO SERVE AND SERVE THE PEOPLE, NOT YOUR POCKETS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
AS FOR AGAGU, HOW I WISH RIBADU IS STILL EFCC BOSS SO THAT HE CAN GET THE REAL MCKOY TREATMENT HE DESERVES IN DETENTION. SHAME FOR AS PER MADAM FARIDA WAZIRI, EFCC JAILS ARE NOW LIKE HOTELS AND PEOPLE WILL EVEN KILL TO BE ARRESTED AND ENJOY THE COMFORTS THEREIN. ALSO LIKE I SAID YESTERDAY, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN EFCC FOR I AM DESPERATELY WAITING TO HEAR HOW ANY OF THE POPULAR CASES THEY HAVE TAKEN ON HAS BEEN CONCLUDED AND THE PUNISHMENT GIVEN. I REPEAT WHAT HAPPENED TO IBORI, IGBENIDION, PATRICIA ETTEH, IYABO OBASANJO BELLO, AND MANY OTHERS? THEY ARE ALL ROAMING FREE AND LOUD IN NIGERIA. DONT BE SURPRISED IF AGAGU SOON COMES OUT TO SING EFCC PRAISES IF HE ALSO MAKES A DEAL WITH THEM. ONE THING I KNOW, GOD WILL JUDGE AGAGU AND HIS GANG OF LOOTERS AND EVIL KILLERS. NO WONDER THE PEOPLE WANT TO FOLLOW MURPHY’S LAW. WELL WE PRAY FOR PEACE IN ONDO STATE. SO MY PEOPLE, LEAVE ALL TO GOD AND TO THE JUST ARM OF THE LAW.’
GOVERNOR MIMIKO GOVERN ON IN GOD’S DIVINE GUIDANCE. YOUR INTEGRITY, JUST AND ALL INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE WILL MAKE OUR DEMOCRACY FIGHT A REAL AND LASTING SUCCESS.
PEACE TO ALL
THIS NATION REPORT SHEDS MORE LIGHT ON THE AGAGU ARREST AND SOUNDS CREDIBLE:
EFCC quizzes Agagu over N25b oil areas cash 5/3/2009
From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives yesterday quizzed former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu over alleged mismanagement of N25billion vote for the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
He was invited yesterday to facilitate the anti-graft commission’s investigation of the matter.
Agagu’s invitation followed a 24-hour trail by the operatives of the EFCC from his Iju-Odo town in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State to Abuja.
But the former governor said last night: “It’s a petition written by Olu Mafo of the House of Representatives about OSOPADEC which of course is a model for other states. It doesn’t make sense to say that we stole money. I’m not detained. I’m not arrested.
“EFCC asked me to comment, I commented. That is the procedure. I don’t have any reason to run away. I’m not on the run.”
A highly-placed source said: “We have been investigating the alleged misappropriation of the OSOPADEC fund since the time Agagu was in office. Our investigation stemmed from a petition that the N25billion worth of projects meant for OSOPADEC were not really executed.
“We could not go far on the petition because, as a governor, Agagu had immunity from prosecution like his serving colleagues.
“So, when we received information on his plan to travel to Australia via London on Thursday, we mounted surveillance on his movement on Tuesday morning.
“We succeeded in trailing him to his residence in Asokoro Quarters in Abuja on Tuesday night. He was bound for London from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.”
Clad in a navy blue agbada with his usual trademark cap, Agagu was taken to the Operations Unit of the EFCC for interrogation at about 8.30am.
It was learnt that the ex-governor was asked to explain how the N25bilion was allegedly misappropriated during his tenure.
Another source added: “Already, he has been answering questions and writing statement on the projects purportedly executed with the N25billion.
“Our operatives are already after three commissioners in Agagu’s cabinet. It is too early to disclose their names to avoid evasion of arrest.”
Some of the funds being investigated are:
•N12. 2billion spent on the construction of Aboto to Deep Sea Port and Free Trade Zone at Olokola;
•N10billon on the Igbokoda to Ugbonla township road in Ilaje Council Area; and
•alleged construction of more than 200 housing units and 25 schools in the riverine areas for people displaced during the Ijaw/Ilaje communal crisis.
Other projects being probed are alleged construction of a fish pen culture for riverine communities, distribution of more than 300 outboard engines to fishermen, and one general hospital each in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government and Igbekebo, and the headquarters of Ese-Odo council area
Another source said: “Agagu will account for all the projects; we may also invite officials of OSOPADEC, apart from the commissioners.
“But by his arrest, Agagu can no longer travel abroad until we have cleared him of any complicity.”
Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said: “EFCC arrested the ex-Governor Olusegun Agagu but investigation is still in progress.” Babafemi declined further comments.
A member of the Federal Executive Council tried to prevail on the EFCC not to arrest the former governor.
A source said: “We have reports that the ex-governor made a call to the top cabinet member who in turn asked the EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, to stay action on Agagu’s arrest until appropriate consultation had been made with President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“Since the EFCC was acting legally, Mrs. Waziri ignored the advice of the cabinet member.”
ONE SUCCESS SO FAR, AGAGU WILL NOT BE TRAVELLING TO AUSTRALIA SO SOON. YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE JUDGMENT MR EX -…
The unfortunate thing about history according to some historians is that “history teaches nothing” and that is why in many cases history will always repeat itself. No other place bears testimony to this statement than our situation in Nigeria. That’s why we keep going in circles. The leaders and followers never learn from anything and we suffer quickly from amnesia after every event that happens to us. We said our military rulers are not accountable to anybody and that’s why they are corrupt, we fought for democracy with the blood of Nigerians spilled all over the country for this cause and now we have democracy, our lot has not changed, rather it’s getting worse. Abacha died ten years ago stacking Nigerian money in banks in countries all over the world. Our politician has since forgotten that he died just like any mortal and was not buried with any of the money.
Dr. Agagu was not born with silver spoon in his mouth. His family was just like that of any other Nigerian family of that time. But he was able to get good education, which positioned him to where he was able to get to today. If people who were in government when he was growing up had stolen all the money like he now did, would he have been able to reach his potentials. I am sure he went to school with scholarship, became a University lecturer for many years before his foray into politics. With all his education he was never able to make a difference in the life of the people in every position God has given him the opportunity to assume. It is a sad story indeed. Dr. Agagu is 61 years old according to him. All his children are grown up and propably able to take care of themselves. What does he need all this money for? He stole while he was in Aviation, Power, and now he emptied the treasury of ondo State. He must be a kleptomaniac to have this unquenchable appetite to steal wherever he goes. He is not by any means a poor man, why all this greed for money. He really needs a psychiatrist’s evaluation.
To go back to the start of this write-up, whether we learn from history or not or from other people’s experience or not, the day of judgement will come. And on that day the just shall rejoice to see the vengeance and bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. Even before judgement the wicked will never end well. Look at our deposed governor from Alagbaka to EFCC cell. O ma se o. Even if it is only for one day. I wish he had read the story of Basorun Gaa.
@ Olaniyi Ekundayo, please share the story of Bashorun Ga so that many will learn from it, because even as we speak, there may be many that would still want to come chop cum loot Ondo Finance. We want them all to have a change of heart and FOR A CHANGE work for their living, work for the people and work to make Ondo State great. Peace
Meanwhile Agagu is still via his sponsored papers trying to tell the world that he was not arrested but only asked in for questioning and that he had done nothing wrong lol! Yeah Right? So why is his passport witheld? Good thing for I really dont want him to have the chance to escape abroad and enjoy the Ondo State loot he has kept there while Ondo state indigenes still suffer. AGAGU HAS REALLY DONE HIMSELF IN, AND SO LET IT BE WITH ANYBODY THAT AIMS OR TRIES TO LOOT IN ONDO STATE.
@Omotaylor: I read about Basorun Gaa long ago when I was in High School. It is the story of the second in hierarchy to Alaafin and the head of Kingmakers in the old Oyo Kingdom. His tyrannical activities in the 18th century somehow had fore-grounded those of Nigerian despotic rulers in recent times. The despotic inclinations of Basorun Gaa as well as those of Alaafin Majeogbe (and others before him) whom Gaa deposed and executed, claiming that he acted on behalf of the people, are vices to be checked if democracy would survive in any polity. It took a new Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu and the Aare Ona Kakanfo, the Grand Commander of Oyo army, to checkmate the tyrranical rule of Basorun Gaa. The end of Gaa was pathetic. He was buried alive with only his head above the ground and died an horrific death. It was an historic period in Yorubaland and when anybody is doing evil and terrorising the people they are always reminded of the end of Gaa. “Bo laya o sika, bori ku Gaa ko sooto”. If you dare do evil, if you see the death of Gaa you will tell the truth. I hope I did a correct interpretation.
My dear compatriots enjoy your weekend.
YEAH, JUSTICE AT LAST IN THIS STATE SUNSHINE STATE OF OURS, THAT WILL SOON CONTINUE OR IT IHAS EVEN ALREADY STARTED TO RULE OUT ITS TRUE MEANING OF ITS NAME.
I WANT TO THANK DR. OLUSEGUN RAMAH MIMIKO FOR THE BOLD STEP HE TOOK IN DISSOLVING ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS IN THE STATE, I AM VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT, EVEN IN OWO WHERE I BASED I AM THE MOST HAPPIEST, I KNOW THAT THIS WILL BRING A NEW DEVELOPEMT TO OWO AS A TOWN, I KNOW THOSE SO CALL ED COUNCILS (FORMER) CROOKS HAVE LOOTED THE TRESURY OF THE LG’S, BUT ONE THING I KNOW IS THAT THEY MUST SURELY PAY FOR IT,
STARTING FROM THE CHAIRMAN, AND ALL OTHERS CROOKS (THIEVES) WHO LOOTED THE LG’S ACCOUNT MUST FACE THE MUSIC.
SIR I KNOW ONE DAY, EVEN NOE U ARE MAKING ONDO STATE PROUD, I KNOW THAT IN YOUR REGIME THAT ONDO STATE WILL SHINE OLUT THE TRUE MEANING OF IT’S NAME
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU WITH MORE WISDOM
FROM OWO, ONCE AGAIN WE SAY CONGRATULATIONS
@Olaniyi Ekundayo, I thank you for your wonderful narration and story line of Bashorun Gaa. Yes you are right, evildoers must always be reminded of the nemesis that awaits them for vengeance shall surely come and they will pay the recompense heavily. I know of Are Onakakanfo, the gallant Yoruba leader of yesteryears.
One thing I am still miffed about… why do people do evil? what gains? what loses? Dont they think of the future? What do they do with all their ill begotten wealth and properties amassed? The story of the foolish rich man in the Bible is clear. The fools will never live long to enjoy their ill begotten wealth.
Now on the other hand, the people who care and work for others get a good name, they get peace of mind, they are blessed by God and posterity remembers them for good. “Sebi oruko rere san ju wura ati fadaka” – ( a good name is better than gold and silver). Anyway, we have a new beginning in Ondo State. Let all those loud sounding empty drums talking about impeaching a Governor who is doing all within his power to create a stable, democratic and accountable environment in Ondo State – BE SILENCED. Mimiko is a fair governor, even if he steps on toes, for very good reasons he does, and all for the good of Ondo State. The Local government elections were illegally conducted anyway, so why the noise. I pray God that the committee of Administrators set up will be allowed to do good by Ondo State. I know some of the names, they are men of integrity, fortrightness and wisdom, and this is good enough.
Anyway my people, enjoy the rest of the weekend. Omotaylor wants to continue watching the match between Manchester United and Fulham. The present score is 2-0 to ManUnited (my team
.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko, move on and never be frightened. The Master and Saviour, who indeed is a Mighty ManO War is always and forever will be on your side. It shall be well.
Peace
Omotaylor so you are a soccer mom. She laughs!! As a christian, you should not be surprised that people are evil. People are evil because it is the devil that rules the earth. It took the death of our Lord Jesus Christ for us to be reconciled with God. Unfortunately, majority of the people don’t believe in this, they only claim to do so by mouth. If they genuinely do, they should be Christ-like in their conduct both in their personal and public life and remember the story of the foolish rich man as you pointed out.
Thank God, Agagu and his ilks has been kicked out of the political sphere of Ondo State. God has vindicated our new Governor and he will continue to sustain him.
Cheers to a fellow fan……..ManU reigns.
@Olaniyi Ekundayo “Man U reigns” – and I have even more reasons to love my dear brother. But above all the Christian side of you will reign uppermost in my mind at all times. Of course I know that evil reigns supreme in the hearts of many. My questions above are not only rhetoric but also serves as a call to conscience of those who are not far gone the evil way and may be contemplating same, in our new dispensation. By the Grace of Jehovah God, there wont be room at all for such. It is the common man’s turn to enjoy in Ondo State in Jesus name.
Revelations 12:9 speaks well of the mission of the fallen angel cast into the earth to deceive the whole world. But we fear not for Revelations 14:6-7 gives us hope to carry on preaching the gospel of Christ and the gospel of GOODWILL TO ALL MEN. It is well my brother. God has started the job, God will complete it and it shall be good news all round for my people in Ondo State.
Peace
Police enforces LG dissolution in Ondo
By Femi Makinde, Akure
Following the dissolution of all the 18 local government councils in Ondo State, the State Police Command has deployed mobile policemen in all the council secretariats.
Our correspondent who visited the Akure-South Local Government observed that armed policemen were stationed at the entrance of the secretariat.
Despite the threats not to surrender their mandates, which they claimed would expire in 2010, the dissolved council chairmen did not resume at their various offices on Friday.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, told our correspondent on the telephone that the command deployed policemen in all the councils in order to forestall breakdown of law and order.
Former deputy governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance, Chief Sola Ebiseni, who is a lawyer, told newsmen in Akure on Friday that Mimiko’s action was on the side of the law. He said since the dissolved local government chairmen were conducted by an illegal Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission the governor’s action was in order.
Ebiseni, who was also the counsel to the DPA in the suit no AK/301/2007 filed by the party to challenge the Ondo State Governor, ODIEC and the nominees, argued that former governor Olusegun Agagu, under whose administration the purported LG polls were conducted, was an illegal governor as at the time the elections were conducted.
According to him, the tenure of Agagu expired on May 29, 2007 according to the judgment of the Court of Appeal which declared Mimiko as the governor, adding that anything Agagu did after May 29, 2007 was not recognised in law.
He also said there were three suits in court apart from the injunction which restrained ODIEC and Agagu from conducting the LG polls.
“Ordinarily, the governor has no power to dissolve local government council without a recourse to the State House of Assembly. But the purported chairmen were not recognised by the law and they were mere caretakers and the governor does not need the House of Assembly to dissolve caretakers,” Ebiseni said.
Ebiseni explained that all the Jones Akinmusere-led ODIEC were members of the PDP which was contrary to law.
A group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa, has also supported Mimiko’s action. The coordinator of the EMA, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, who is a lawyer, said that Mimiko’s action should be lauded by all.
“It is the law that when an act is done in disobedience to court order such act is null and void and is of no effect. A governor has sovereign and inherent power to dissolve an illegal entity without recourse to Assembly. The dissolved local governments are not the ones envisaged by the constitution that requires the House of Assembly’s resolution,” Ajulo said.
IROKO YI JOOOOOO, GBA SIBE
MIMIMO O JAREEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
ONDO O NI BAJE LASIKO TIRE.
The new Governor has said it all. He is not only politically correct to dissolve the illegal administration at the local level in Ondo State, he is also legally correct. No election took place, nobody voted for them, who is going to fight for them. At the local level they don’t have the support of the people they claim to represent. If they do, I know Ondo State people, they would have trooped out to protest if they see the dissolution as injustice.The Governor should not bother his head with them. They are complaining because they did not plan for their eventual sack. If they had known Agagu will be sacked maybe they would have stolen more than they did. The chairman of my local government is from my community, he knew the people did not elect him, so he felt he was not accountable to them when he was in the office. Within a spate of 1 year, I was told he had built a mansion worth 20 million naira in the community to the chagrin of the people, who knew he had no job before he became the illegal chairman. I am sure the same thing will be happening in the other 17 local governments.
As for the assembly members, where were they when Agagu was committing the illegality. Now that he is no longer in office they suddenly found their voice. Meanwhile, a lot of them came in through rigging and many have had their election quashed at the tribunal, and I am sure they will also loose at the appeal especially the guy called Bolodeoku.
The Governor should not sleep over this. Their ranting is an unnecessary distraction. God and the people are on your side.
MR DR AGAGU, FULL OF THE GIFT OF GARB AND THE SPIRIT OF THIEVING BUT NOTHING ELSE OTHERWISE IS AT IT AGAIN. PLEASE READ COURTESY OF NIGERIAN NATION ON LINE:
Agagu: I won’t contest elections again 9/3/2009
From Sanni Ologun, Abuja
Ousted Ondo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Agagu has bidden farewell to elective offices, it was learnt yesterday.
Agagu, who was sacked by the Court of Appeal on February 17, attributed his decision to quit electoral contests to age and the high level of offices he had occupied.
He spoke with reporters at the weekend at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja.
Agagu said: “I will not contest again. I am 61 years old and I have been at the top leadership level in this country for 10 years.
“I was a minister for two-and-half years, governor for six years and I was a deputy governor for two years. Almost 11 years of high level service. I think I need a break.”
On his being quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he said: “Also, if you had read the papers, you would have read that I had been arrested for stealing about N55 billion. You people should ask if Ondo State has N55 billion.
“I got invited by EFCC based on some fictitious allegations in the form of petition by a known leader of Labour Party, Prince Mafo, saying that money wasn’t spent well in OSOPADEC. I wasn’t chairman or secretary of OSOPADEC.
“That was what EFFC invited me for and, of course, I told them that I didn’t take a penny of government money and I left. To hear that I was running away, having stolen N55 billion, is nothing but irresponsible journalism.
“Today, I don’t have a valid passport because I was using a diplomatic passport which I have to return. So, how do I travel without a passport? These are the kind of stupid things people who are trying to make scary headlines go about with.
“I spent the night in my hotel room with all comfort. I was there with the state party chairman till 2.am before he left.”
WHO WILL EVER VOTE FOR AGAGU, IN NIGERIA OR ALL OVER THE 4 CORNERS OF THE WORLD? THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF AGE OR TIME SPENT BUT A MATTER OF HAVING FALLEN INTO IGNOMIMY. AGAGU IS A GONNER, GONE FOREVER. HE SAYS S**T ABOUT PASSPORT AND SO ON, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH AGAGU IS THAT HE BELIEVES HE IS TALKING ALWAYS TO PEOPLE OF LOW INTELLIGENCE WHO ARE FAR BENEATH HIM. O MA SE O.
Governor Mimiko should not relent in his efforts to probe the administration of Agagu. We want most of our money back.
All Agagu needs is actually accept his misdeeds, confess his sins, go down on his knees to beg Ondo State people and beg God to let him see heaven. Oh no he wont. Still pretending to be a saint and an aggrieved. O ma se o.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR STATE THE AGENTS OF DARKNESS ARE RARING THEIR UGLY HEADS AGAIN
Alleged plot by PDP lawmakers to impeach Mimiko foiled 10/3/2009
From Damisi Ojo, Akure
An alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – dominated Ondo State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Olusegun Mimiko has been foiled.
The 15 PDP members of the House had allegedly hatched a plot to remove Mimiko and his deputy, Alhaji Alli Olanusi.
It was gathered that a secret meeting was held between the PDP lawmakers and PDP chieftains shortly after the thanksgiving service held in Iju –Odo, the hometown of the former Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, on how to remove Mimiko.
During the meeting, it was learnt that how to illegally remove the mace, as a prelude to impeaching the governor and his deputy, was perfected.
The mace was allegedly concealed as resolved by one of the House principal officers.
There has been a lingering crisis in the Assembly over the dissolution of local governments by Mimiko.
Sources said the Speaker, Mr. Taofeeq Abdulsalaam, allegedly sent one of his aides to the Assembly complex yesterday for some items.
But the security guards turned the aide back.
They said the aide had no business being on the premises, yesterday being a public holiday, when the House was not in session.
This development propelled the PDP lawmakers to mobilise to the House in protest against the refusal of the security agents to allow the Speaker’s aide entry to the Assembly,
The House Minority Leader, Mr. Dayo Akinsoyinu, in company of other eight Labour Party (LP) and one Alliance for Democracy (AD) lawmakers, said at a news conference in Ondo town that the PDP legislators erred by going to the House when there was a public holiday.
According to him, the Assembly had adjourned on March 3 till today. The action of the PDP legislators was a breach of the House rule, he said.
Akinsoyinu defended the governor over the dissolution of the councils.
He said the controversial December 15, 2007 council elections were conducted illegally by the ousted Agagu administration, in spite of a court injunction restraining it from doing so.
He urged the PDP lawmakers to allow peace to reign.
Akinsoyinu urged them to support the Mimiko administration in its bid to transform the state
It is high time that the PDP members of the house conceed to the fact that the government in Ondo State has changed. Mimiko is the Governor of Ondo State, and Mimiko is doing his hardest best to straighten out a lot of mess left by the Agagu led former PDP administration in Ondo State. The “mess” is not only financial but moral and legislative. The LG Council is definitely an illegal set up. The people know this. Agagu went ahead to do as he pleased under the banner of being the “governor” and in spite of court ruling not to carry on with LG elections, he flaunted the law and did. THIS IS WHY THE LG DISSOLVED BY MIMIKO WAS AN ILLEGAL SET UP.
For a long time, PDP has shown in all areas that they are not interested in the welfare of the common man in Ondo State.
They did not and still do not care if the peace of the State is disturbed and they still think they can win, BUT THEY WILL FAIL. What PDP is doing in Ondo State is boomeranging on them, They are the reason why the people are retaliating. They are bringing in problems but they are the ones that will continue to suffer. They are not ashamed to try and pin the blame on Mimiko. Anyway, PDP has never taken on any blame or held themselves accountable to anything they have done or are doing. Why cant they look inward? Why do they want to continue digging their own grave deeper and deeper? In the book of Esther, Hamman kept on trying and trying and trying to kill the children of Israel, but who in the end ended up in the pit he dug? So let it be with PDP Ondo State.
Mimiko’s administration has the support of the people and the support of GOD. He will win anyday and anytime. PDP give up. PDP get lost and DP leave Ondo State alone. Shame on you for trying to SNEAK into the Ondo State Assembly House to “steal” the Maze which by right belongs to the Chief Exec of Ondo State and not the Speaker. PDP if we remember had an unholy alliance with MEND in the past. They seem not to care how low they stoop to cause problems in Ondo State. THE PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE WILL RESIST PDP TO THE LAST. It is now the people’s government, by the people, for the people, as led by the people’s choice – DR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO.
We pray for peace in Ondo State, and God will continue to answer our prayers. PDP SHOULD WHEN THEY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE, THEIR JUST DESSERTS, SHOULD LOOK INWARD AND BLAME THEMSELVES. They either give up and give peace a chance in Ondo State or bear the consequence. Havent we cried ENOUGH IS ENOUGH enough?
Peace my beloved, no fears, God is in control
Well said Omotaylor. However, a dog that will get lost will never hear the whistle of the hunter. That’s a Yoruba proverb translated into English. Hope I got it right. The new government does not deserve this distraction. We want the governor to settle down and give to the people dividends of democracy. These assembly men should settle down to the business of law making for which they were elected, instead of wanting to truncate the peace that has returned to the state and heating the polity all over again. If they would not listen, they should remember that 2011 is around the corner. Meanwhile some of them still have cases pending at the appeal court. A word is enough for the wise.
Thank God this site is back again for I have missed it for a few days. We are already attached to this site and will want it to remain up and running for a very long time.
We thank God for the third week of the administration of our worthy Governor, His Excellency Dr Olusegun Mimiko. We know you shall do well and we support all your decisions so far and ratify them as the CORRECT THING(S) TO DO. No matter what some disgruntled elements may try to say, Dr Mimiko, you are taking the right steps and doing the right things and the sky is the limit for you and your administration.
Mimiko joooooooooo, gba sibe o jareeeeeeeeeeeee.
Long time my Dear people in this forum.I hope we all fight corruption in Ondo state.dissolving of local government councill is a right thing and i really support governor for doing that.i read it in punch yesterday where minister for labour San Kayode Adetokunbo said that Mimiko action on dissolved local is an illegal.is this man not in this world when the case is in court.he must be a stupid!!!..Labour Minister should mind his own bussiness.PDP is the party that can,t tolerate that and i want the governor to take action on the matter.let assume that labour party members are in local government and PDP were on the sit of Governor..they will do whatever it take to get their right..God will help you out on the issue and he will grant you knowledge to lead your people in Ondo state..iroko joo Gbasibe..
Lekan at Akure, please read my comment under “I WILL WORK FOR YOU” which was my response to a post on Grandiose Parlor by Imnakoya. You may want to visit the site and leave your own comment. Nice to hear from you again my brother. Peace
My take on this issue is that the Governor is both politically and legally correct to dissolve the council executive and legislative arm, because the election that brought them in was conducted at the defiance of a court judgement restraining the former governor from doing so. However, there is another angle to the political aspect of it, which is the PDP as a party. They will want to use the local council as a leverage on their relevance in the state. They will not fold their hands and let the governor go away with this. I just read it in the breaking news of the Guardian that Yar’adua has ordered the council chiefs to go back. This mud fight is not what this governor want to get involved in now. It is a distraction that will slow his pace. It will be in the interest of the PDP and their ilks if this ding dong continues. Now that the case is now reopened in the courts, I think the governor should allow the third tier of government to decide on the legality of the continued stay of the council chairmen. It may be slow, but surely justice will be done.
MY PEOPLE, WHEN WE ARE TOLD TO BE PATIENT AND ALLOW GOD TO DISGRACE EVILDOERS, NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT HURTS, WE SHOULD LET GOD. OBASANJO CAME TO CAUSE CONFUSION IN ONDO STATE IN 2007 AND EVER SINCE THEN, CONFUSION AND DISGRACE HAS BEEN HIS LOT IN LIFE EVEN TILL NOW AND HEREAFTER. THE NATION REPORTS ON HIS LATEST SHAME IN LONDON. O MA SE O, HOW ARE THE SO CALLED MIGHTY FALLEN. NOBODY CAN EXALT HIMSELF ABOVE GOD. PDP ONDO STATE AND THEIR ILLEGAL SPONSORED VAGABONDS CALLING THEMSELVES LG CHAIRMEN WILL GET THEIR JUST DESSERTS IN DUE COURSE. ENJOY:
London Lecture: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo pelted with eggs, tomatoes
By Rafiu Ajakaye Senior Reporter, Lagos
On Wednesday, African students kept their word in London, where they besieged the London School of Economics (LSE), and warned the world that former President Olusegun Obasanjo represents the ugly face of Africa and does not merit the honour of having him say anything on any subject on the continent.
Nigerian Students protesting against former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the London School of Economics (LSE), London … on Wednesday
“He was held hostage for hours, with protesters throwing eggs and raw tomatoes at him. He could not immediately leave the venue even after the lecture,” a source recounted from London.
Scores of protesters were injured as they engaged the police in a bid to enter the LSE building.
And Obasanjo was booed in the hall as he spoke on the unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where he mediates on behalf of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.
He delivered a lecture on ‘Eastern DRC: What should the international community be doing?’ alongside David Leonard and James Putzel, both experts on the Congolese crisis.
The protest was at the instance of the Nigeria Liberty Forum (NLF), a coalition of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, and the Nigerian Students Union (NSU), backed by other African students.
The protesters arrived the LSE with anti-Obasanjo slogans and placards accusing him of heightening the tension in Nigeria’s Deep South, introducing anti-people economic reforms, haunting down political foes, corrupt deals, and wanting to manipulate the Constitution to stand for a third term.
They arrived the venue early enough to deny Obasanjo entry into the lecture hall. He was later smuggled in through the Students’ Union cafeteria.
“The NLF considers it a public duty to stop people like Obasanjo representing Africa anywhere, because he represents the same failed face of Africa. We cannot afford different versions of Mobutu, Idi Amin, Bokassa, Conteh, Marcias Nguema, and their ilk representing us,” NLF Co-ordinator, Kayode Ogundamisi, said in a statement.
“Obasanjo has the traits of the worst tyrants in Africa, but he seems to have the international community under his spell. They overlook his indiscretions and scandalous crimes, and shower him with credibility when he should be cooling his heels in jail or hiding away in one remote corner of the world, far, far from decent people!
“Not too curiously, the increasingly retrogressive authorities of the LSE have equally fallen under his spell. They have since revoked all accreditations given to press men for the event and have requested that the (NLF) pass whatever message it has through them to Obasanjo in an attempt to keep the public away. Well, it’s not going to happen, because the world must know who Obasanjo is.
“We can speak for ourselves in any public space and we can do so via a peaceful protest. Obasanjo is a monster, not a statesman, and no amount of lipstick or make-up will change him from who he is. We know him and every decent citizen of our world needs to know him for who he truly is as well.
“Indeed, Obasanjo’s well-known corrupt dealings are legion and it would be a bold-faced lie for those who parade him within the international community today as a worthy statesman to claim they have no idea. The series of revelations of the huge corrupt dealings that pervaded the comatose power sector throughout Obasanjo’s tenure has his imprints all over them.
“Today, they have inflicted him on the Congo – a man whose legacy of death, mayhem and spectacular failure has knocked Nigeria into comatose is being depended on to provide a pathway to peace in the Congo! Talk about a pie in the flaming sky!”
SORRY, I MEANT NIGERIA WORLD NOT NATION…
My dear people,we have heard,we have read and we are waiting,please let’s move on and direct the energy used for negative remarks to become productive and very sure if we ask the governor whats happening he would tell us “There is a lot to be done”.Time na money,9 months gone already no matter what Abracadabra we can do we can never add the 9 months to mimikos tenure again,its gone for Life.Lets make hay will the sun shines.Today one might be the talk of the town but tomorrow your are history i assure you.