Carnival in Anambra as Uba, deputy quit
From Chuks Collins, Awka

IT was a bag of mixed reactions in Awka yesterday when news of the restoration of Mr. Peter Obi as Anambra Governor hit the state capital.

The 16-day Governor, Dr. Andy Uba and his Deputy, Mrs. Stella Odife, quietly and without a word cleared their desks and bade the Government House farewell. This was a few minutes after news of the judgment spread in town at about 3.00p.m. The duo left without the usual sirens or convoy of aides.

The state was agog, particularly the workers who in ecstasy left their offices. Also, traders at Onitsha, Nkpor, Nnewi and Agulu markets jumped about, singing songs and describing Obi as a cat with nine lives.

Agulu, Obi’s hometown erupted in a carnival as the folks jubilated and embraced one another, and any other one in sight. The joy was infectious. Obi is reported to be outside the country and is expected to return today.

The transition committee chairman of Nnewi North, Mrs. Callista Adimachukwu who spoke on the phone from the floor of the Supreme Court in Abuja described the development as “the Lord’s doing”. She added: “The judiciary has once again confirmed to all that it is still the bastion of hope”. She assured that, “when we get back to Awka, we’ll put smiles on the faces of citizens”.

Also, Obi’s Deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, described the judgment as a victory for democracy, noting that was why the people were so happy. She assured the Obi administration would make everyone work harder in the interest of the development of the state.

Etiaba’s son, Echezona, thanked God for restoring Obi, saying that people should always trust in God. He thanked the press “for helping in the fight and in making sure darkness did not triumph over light.” He described the judgment as “excellence and wonderful”.

The Co-ordinator of Justice Development and Peace Commission of the Onitsha Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Martin Onukwuba, said: “We laud the judgment on two grounds mainly – that Obi courageously and tenaciously followed the rule of law to the end. It is a sure lesson for everyone to rely on judiciary as the last hope of all. Two, that Uba who just got removed, we have no sympathy for him, particular because he came in through a flawed electoral process that was widely condemned”.

Most traditional rulers in the state declined comment, especially when they just rose from a closed-door interactive session with Uba. On the development, the monarch of Agulu, Obi’s hometown, Igwe Obodoakor, had shortly before the announcement spoken eloquently in his resolve to support Uba.

Stern-looking soldiers and policemen sealed all entrances to the Government House. Uba has spent barely 16 days in office.

Dr. Dozie Ikedife, who is the current President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said: “It has shown us that our democracy is growing and we in Ohanaeze congratulate Obi for ensuring that the due processes of law are followed”.

Also, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Awka, Mr. Chukwudi Nwankwo said: “A Daniel has now come to judgment. I have to thank the Supreme Court for interpreting Obi’s case courageously, I want to congratulate Obi because it’s not easy to go into such case single-handedly and come out successfully”.

Yar’Adua, Obasanjo, Ali meet today over ministerial list
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja, 06.15.2007
Friday, June 15, 2007

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, former President and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) designate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and PDP Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali, will meet in Abuja over ministerial list.
Others expected to attend the meeting that will precede a similar one by the PDP National Executive Council (NEC) on June 25, are Chairman of PDP BOT, Chief Tony Anenih and the party’s National Secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe. A replacement for Ali will also top the agenda of the PDP NEC meeting slated for June 25, in Abuja.

THISDAY gathered that the PDP NEC meeting will take final look at the list of ministerial nominees and ratify outcome of a similar meeting by the party’s top hierarchy today. THISDAY gathered that summons of the NEC meeting was contained in a memorandum by National Secretary of the party, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, to some of the principal officers of the party.

According to one of the recipients of the summons, “the agenda of the meeting included far reaching issues that affect the nation, including list of ministerial nominees and replacement of National Chairman of the party and other members

of the NWC.” The PDP NEC input into the list of ministerial nominees was necessary before its final submission to the Senate for confirmation.

Also top on the agenda of the meeting, is the choice of who would replace Senator Ali as the National Chairman. THISDAY gathered that the meeting may examine option of the party’s Scribe, Maduekwe replacing Ali in an acting capacity pending when the party would hold its national convention in November this year. The decision to the effect that Ali will hand over to the most senior official of the party was, according to a source, taken at a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

“If the decision of NEC of the party is upheld, then Ali would handover to Maduekwe as the acting National Chairman,” the source told THISDAY.

Meanwhile, two more aspirants – former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim and Honourable Tony Anyanwu – have indicated interest to contest election into the office of the National Chairman of the party. Anyim hails from Ebonyi State, while Anyanwu is a former member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, and also a former governorship aspirant of the party in Imo State.

Anyim told THISDAY yesterday, of his intention to become PDP National Chairman. This brings to seven the number of those contesting for the office.

Yar’Adua orders Ehindero’s arrest
By Chris Agbambu and Don Bassey, Abuja

President Umaru Yar’Adua has ordered the arrest of former Inspector General of Police (IG), Sunday Ehindero, to answer allegations of corruption levelled against him. A police source disclosed in Abuja on Thursday that the directive followed the submission of the interim report on the investigation of the N21.6 million scam, which lid was blown last week when the aides of Police Budget Commissioner, John Obaniyi, were arrested.

The report also showed that over N300 million was taken out of the police budget office a few days to the retirement of Ehindero.

The source said his movement has been restricted to Abuja, his passport seized, and his United Nations civil police job put on hold.

It was learnt that Yar’Adua was astonished on receiving the report that could open a can of worms on how police fund was managed.

According to police sources, Ehindero has denied knowing that the money was kept by Obaniyi, who they said is now poised to cough.

Obaniyi is on suspension until further notice and his movement restricted to Abuja.

Deprived police officers are jubilant that the fraud has been uncovered.

Meanwhile, acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mike Okiro, has pledged to stay away from the corrupt practices that led to the disgraceful exit of former IG, Tafa Balogun, who was sentenced to prison for using his office to line his pocket.

“I don’t want us to engage in over-generalisation. The fact that it happened once or twice doesn’t mean everyone is doing it. I am the 13th Inspector General of Police, and if out of 13, one or two deviated, it doesn’t mean we draw conclusions. So, it is unfortunate it happened, but it (Ehindero’s case) is still under investigation, and we won’t know what has happened until we complete our investigation”, he told journalists.

Okiro spoke in Abuja on Thursday when he visited Federal Capital Territory Transition Committee Chairman, Mohammed Alhassan, during which he solicited the support of the FCT Administration for police accommodation and logistics.

Despite skirmishes here and there, he stresed, Nigeria is a safe country compared with South Africa and the United States.

EFCC insists on trial of ex-governors
By Musikilu Mojeed, Abuja
Published: Thursday, 14 Jun 2007
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, insisted that it would prosecute former governors who looted state funds. AGAGU SHOULD BE PROBED FOR HIS FOUR YEAR RULE OF BLOODSUCKING NAIRAMANIA IN ONDO STATE

The commission said it might not accept the ex-governors’ request for plea bargaining. PLEA BARGANING SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION

Plea bargaining is a negotiation in which an accused person agrees to plead “guilty” or “no contest” in return for the reduction of the charges or dismissal of some of the charges against him or her.

In some situations, an element of the bargain may recommend that the accused reveal some information on the location of stolen goods or give information about fellow accused person(s) in the crime or pledge to testify against the accused.

A top official of the EFCC told our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday that the commission had realised that it “lacked the power for plea bargaining.”

The official said, “We have reconsidered our position and the former governors may not enjoy the kind of reprieve they expected. The power for plea bargaining belongs to the courts. We don’t have such a power.”

The commission had last week given some former governors the option of returning their loot, or risk being prosecuted.

In the past one week, it had quizzed Dr. Peter Odili (Rivers); Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo); Chief James Ibori (Delta); Mr. Jolly Nyame (Taraba); and Alhaji Ahmed Sani (Zamfara) over alleged mismanagement of public funds and money laundering.

Others are Chief Uzor Orji Kalu (Abia); Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (Lagos); Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); and Chief Joshua Dariye (Plateau).

Alhaji Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Mr. Boni Haruna (Adamawa); and Chief George Akume (Benue), who were also summoned by the anti-graft agency, are yet to honour the invitation.

Our source said that apart from the fact that the EFCC lacked the power for plea bargaining, its chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was resolute in prosecuting the erstwhile governors no matter the pressure.

He also said the anti-graft agency had to make a U-turn following admonitions by well-meaning Nigerians that the earlier decision not to prosecute indicted former governors might set a bad precedent.

The official said, “We toyed with that idea (plea bargaining), but have changed our mind. We are not going to do that any longer. So, once investigation is completed, we will charge them to court.

“But we encourage them to return their loot all the same. If they do that, they may get forgiveness from God. By doing that, they will be helping their conscience as they will be moving from a blemished conscience to a good one.

“If they like to plead guilty before the court, that is their business. No more deals with them.”

Another source in the commission said that the loot-for-freedom offer was part of the investigative technique of the EFCC.

He said the commission made the offer as a bait for those who had fled the country to return home.

”We have succeeded in getting what we wanted to achieve. The offer is what encouraged Nnamani and Dariye to return home. Now that we have them in the bag, we will prosecute them,” he said.

The official said that operatives of the EFCC would start visiting the states next week to verify projects that some of the governors claimed to have executed during their tenure.

Before travelling to London on Wednesday, Ribadu reportedly instructed the commission’s Director of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, to intensify work on the investigation of the former governors.

Ribadu, who will attend a meeting in Norway before returning to the country, was also said to have advised Lamorde to seek the assistance of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the investigation of some projects that required technical input.

The official added that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would be questioned again on his management of the finances of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund.

Abubakar is expected back in the country on Thursday.

The official said all the interrogated former governors were released on bail after they surrendered their passports as proof that they would not flee the country.

He said, ”All of them (former governors) who came here were released on bail. And the bail was not based on personal recognition.

“I can confirm to you that because of the gravity of the matter involved, the bail conditions were stiff.

“One of the conditions was that they had to surrender their diplomatic and Nigerian passports.

“Now that we have their travelling documents in our custody, we are sure that they won‘t run away. We believe that as law-abiding citizens, they will honour the EFCC‘s invitation whenever we ask them to report to our office.”

Yar’Adua advises well-wishers to stay away
By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja
Published: Thursday, 14 Jun 2007
President Umaru Yar‘Adua on Wednesday advised well-wishers coming to Abuja to congratulate him to stay away and allow him to concentrate on his job.

The President made this appeal while receiving a Kaduna State delegation that came to congratulate him.

The Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Namidi Sambo, led the over 300-man delegation to the Presidential Villa, which included traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians and government officials.

Yar‘Adua, however, expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that it would have been better if they had stayed at home.

The President said he did not allow his own state delegation to pay him a solidarity visit.

He said, ”I thank you for your visit, although I had actually wanted you to stay at home. Well, you are the lucky ones. All those, including Katsina State, that wanted to come with a strong delegation to congratulate me, I told them to stay at home and do their work and allow me and my colleagues in Abuja to also do our work.”

The governor said they had all come together under a unity government to move Kaduna State forward.

Yar‘Adua commended the governor for reconciling with the opposition in his state. He explained that he intended to do the same at the national level.

”This is a worthy example the federal level is trying to copy”, he said of the reported reconciliation.

The President, however, said that the prevailing political culture in the country needed to be changed.

He said, ”We need to change our political culture. The entire political class needs to adopt and develop a political culture whereby we can compete in general elections as brothers that we are, and after the elections we should be able to have a common front and unite ourselves to contribute to issues that affect our nation and put behind us problems that affect our persons and parties.

”We must put the interest of this country above any personal or particular political interest. Like in all competitions, we must compete for power; after the competition is over, we must all work together for the best interest of the nation.”

Earlier, Sambo had said the delegation was at the Villa to congratulate the President.

He also said they wanted to pledge the state‘s loyalty to the President.

The governor said that his state ”will give all it takes to support” Yar’Adua’s government, adding that the current government in Kaduna State had adopted all the programmes in the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Sambo added, ”We are working as one family with all the other parties, the Action Congress, the All Nigerian Peoples Party. We are already working in Kaduna as one political party because in Kaduna State we are progressive people.

“We are looking for the progress of Kaduna State and Nigeria in general. The election has passed; everybody now is looking towards how we shall enhance the development of Kaduna State and Nigeria in general.”

The governor said his predecessor, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, left N2.3bn for him in the state‘s coffers.

PRESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar’Adua yesterday described his emergence as President of Nigeria as the will of God. He said: “I am President today not because I am better or wiser than anybody but rather because that is the will of God. That imposes on me enormous responsibility. And for that, I consider every Nigerian who has meaningful contribution on the way forward for our nation as my adviser.”
He stated at a meeting with the Council of Ulama, (a delegation of Islamic scholars). The President pledged to set up a joint committee of Islamic and Christian leaders to serve as a forum for peace building in the country.

Yar’Adua also asked the NNPC to come up with immediate plans for increased supply of gas to the local economy, instead of the current focus on export of the product.

The President who, together with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, met with an NNPC management led by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun for three and a half hours, directed that in line with his determination to tackle the nation’s power crisis, the NNPC’s future plans must be anchored on the policy that domestic need for gas must be satisfied before (that of ) foreign markets.

According to him, “as I keep saying, we cannot begin to address, in a fundamental manner, the problems of the economy, until we successfully tackle the power and energy issue. It is critical to all my plans. So I am more interested in how much gas we can tap for domestic use than what we can get for export. We must power this economy.”

He, therefore, directed the NNPC to come up with a workable plan to ensure that there would be adequate supply of gas to the nation’s power generation plants.

Yar’Adua also said that he would tackle the Niger Delta problem by meeting the developmental challenges in the region and enforcing law and order.

He said he: “My plan is for a massive intervention and after consulting with all the stakeholders, we will take our plan to the National Assembly so everyone can buy in. Once we can address the development issues, it will be easy to tackle the criminal element of the problem.”

Presidential candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Muhammadu Buhari, has asked President Umaru Yar’Adua to sack Independent National Election Commission (INEC) Chairman, Maurice Iwu, as condition for him to withdraw his election petition.

He also wants all INEC Commissioners fired.

Buhari was said to have proposed that the INEC be reconstituted with members who have no allegiance to any political party.

He reportedly gave the conditions when Northern opposition party members and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) tried to persuade him to withdraw the case against Yar’Adua to ensure the smooth running of government.

He also advocated an all embracing federal cabinet in line with Yar’Adua’s proposal for a Government of National Unity (GNU).

However, the pressure on Yar’Adua may not count because the appointments of Iwu and his Commissioners are constitutionally backed for a five-year tenure, and cannot be reversed mid way unless approved by the National Assembly.

Pressure has also been mounted on the National Assembly to sanction the INEC.

Yar’Adua is not comfortable with the idea, which he believes is a tall order, even though he admitted in his inaugural speech that there are imperfections in the electoral process and promised to set up a panel on its reform.

In any case, he is handicapped to change the system until the election petition tribunals complete their tasks.

On top of that, a senior official of the INEC, who did not want his name in print, insisted that their appointments, based on the Constitution, cannot be reversed with a stroke of the pen.

“We are appointed for a specified time”, he argued.

10 houses traced to Ehindero
Thursday, June 14, 2007

No fewer than 10 houses have been traced to immediate past Inspector General of Police Mr Sunday Ehindero, all reportedly built during his two years as top cop.
Ehindero, who gave the police a new motto: “To serve and protect with integrity,” ran into trouble last week, after some of his former aides were arrested as they were attempting to smuggle over N21 million cash out of the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, in Abuja.

As Ehindero is being probed following the orders of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Daily Sun has been able to locate the palatial mansions he reportedly built in Abuja, Ondo and Lagos States.

The most imposing of the mansions was found opposite Sunview Hotel, Alagbaka quarters in Akure. He also reportedly built another exquisite block of flats situated along Oda Road in the town.

Investigations further revealed that the former IGP built a house similar to that on Oda Road at Oyin Akoko and made sure the road leading to the house was tarred.

Other property in Ondo include blocks of hostel in Akungba, which he let out to students of the Adekunle Ajasin University.

In Abuja, Ehindero is said to have built a mansion at Gaduwa Estate, Constitution Crescent and has one under construction at Wuye.

Ehindero’s houses in Lagos are situated at the Ekoro area of Abule Egba and Ajah, where he had built an expansive school for the wife.

Meanwhile, detectives at the ‘D’ Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja told Daily Sun that Interim Investigation has been completed and a report is being compiled.

Daily Sun also learnt that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget, Mr John Obaniyi who had sent his aides to fetched the over N21 million, which he claimed was for Ehindero, had kept the money in his office toilet and inside a television set.

On the heels of the scam, an independent survey has again confirmed the Nigeria Police as the most corrupt institution in the country.

Closely following the police is the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Education Ministry (particularly higher institutions and examination bodies) and the customs service.

The survey also listed the Health Ministry, Justice Ministry, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Railway Corporation and Agricultural Development Authorities as institutions least likely to collect bribe.

These are part of the findings of Nigeria Corruption Index (NCI) 2007 which was released in Lagos on Wednesday by Independent Advocacy Project (IAP), a leading anti-corruption group. The NCI 2007 is a follow up to the 2005 edition.