May 25th, 2007
Nwazota Panel Report: Agagu’s Albatross?
The findings of a panel conceived by Dr. Olusegun Agagu, as Aviation Minister, to probe the irregularities that were synonymous with the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited, threaten to consume him. SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, by Joe Nwankwo, reports from Abuja. The Independent
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When in 1999 Dr. Olusegun Agagu, the incumbent and re-elected governor of Ondo State, was appointed the Aviation Minister and he subsequently proposed the setting up of a panel of inquiry on the performance of Nigerian Airways Limited (NAL), never did he envisage that the action would later turn out to be his albatross.
The Justice Obiora Nwazota Panel was set up following the sharp decline in the fortunes of NAL and the concern expressed by many Nigerians in that regard. According to the Executive Summary of the Panel’s report: “Mr. President approved a Seven-man Panel to examine the performance of NAL from 1983 to date (1998).
The constitution of the Panel was based on the advice of the then Minister of Aviation, Dr. Olusegun Agagu. The Panel which was inaugurated on September 7, 1999 was mandated to look into all facets of the airline, now in liquidation, during the period under review, to identify reasons responsible for the decline in its fortunes, and proffer solutions.
Among the reasons for setting up the panel was to facilitate payment of debts, especially judgment debts, owed by NAL to various creditors.
The Nwazota Panel submitted its report three months after it was set up making several recommendations, among which was the indictment of some members of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) that managed the airline. It also ordered that various sums of money that were misappropriated be refunded to government.
Some of the recommendations include:
*Having regard to the findings of our Commission in its discourse of TERM B, the Commission recommends that Air Vice-Marshal (Rtd.) A.D. Bello and Captain Benoni Briggs be declared by the Government as not fit and proper persons to hold, in future, any public office of trust in Nigeria.
*That except for Major General (Rtd.) Olu Bajowa, who vociferously and consistently opposed the foreign dominated loan (as exhibit BBSS), all the other members of the PTF listed below:
i. AVM (Rtd.) Abdullahi Dominic Bello………..Chairman/CEO
ii. Mr. Paschal Dozie…………………………….Member
iii. Alhaji Isiaku Umar……………………………Member
iv. Otunba Tunji Adesoye………………………..Member
v. Chief Bassey Hogan Itam…………………….Member
vi. Mrs. Stella Ugbomma………………………..Member
vii. Capt Mohammed Joji………………………..Member, should refund to NAL:
*The sum of US$31 million, being the total instalmental payments made by NAL on the botched Lease Purchase Agreement for the DC10 Aircraft prior to the seizure of that Aircraft.
*The sum of US$5,759,323,79, representing the judgment debt awarded against NAL by the London Court on the botched transaction.
*The sum of US$412,000.00, being the proceeds of the forced sale of NAL’s Aircraft in Brussels.
*The sum of US$6,008,000.00, being the instalmental payment by Captain Mohhammed Joji on the botched lease Agreement.
*The sum of US$2,887,000.00, being the instalmental payment made by NAL’s Engineer A. Agom on the botched Lease Purchase Agreement. (This amount includes the sum of US$887,000.00 allegedly paid “in error” by
NAL’s ex-DFS, Mr. Nwagboso.
*The sum of US$1,500,000.00, being the instalmental payment made by Alhaji Ibrahim, MD. NAL, on the botched Lease Purchase Agreement.
*The sum of US$11,500,000.00, being payment made by Captain Benoni Briggs in part settlement of NAL’s financial obligations on the botched Lease Purchase Agreement.
*The sum of US$1,040,200.00, being the US Dollar equivalent of the forced sale value of the 4 NAL’s London properties sold by Equator leasing for the cumulative price of £743,000.00 (conversion rate £1-US$1-4.
*The sum of US$3.5 million being payment made by Dr. O. Agagu, Minister of Aviation in part settlement of NAL’s financial obligations on the botched Lease Purchase Agreement.
*Items (a – i) above total US$63,682,523.79.
The Federal Government accepted the recommendations and directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police Force to recover the money.
Then nothing seemed to be heard about the matter anymore, until few months to the just concluded elections. In an ironic twist of events, four indigenes of Ogun State: Akin Esanmose, Ademola Meitelewon, Akintubuwa Iseoluwa and Toyas Magbetoni, through their counsel, Femi Falana, dragged Agagu before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, challenging his eligibility to run for the governorship, having allegedly been indicted by the Nwazota Panel in 1999.
The plaintiffs sought the following reliefs.
•A declaration that Agagu is not qualified for elections to the office of the Governor of Ondo State, having been indicted by the Justice Obiora Nwazota Judicial Commission of Inquiry which indictment was accepted by the Federal Government, pursuant to Section 182 (1)(i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
•A declaration that Agagu is disqualified from contesting for election to the office of Governor of Ondo State, having given false information in his Affidavit, contrary to section 32 (5) of the Electoral Act, 2006.
•A declaration that the purported clearance given to Agagu by the INEC to contest for the office of the Governor of Ondo State on April 14, 2007 is discriminatory, illegal and unconstitutional as it contravenes section 42 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, 1999.
•An order directing INEC to delete forthwith Agagu’s name from the list of candidates cleared for the election to the office of the Governor of Ondo State fixed for April 14, 2007 .
• An order of perpetual injunction restraining Agagu from further parading himself as a candidate in the Governorship election fixed for April 14, 2007 in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.
But the case wasn’t heard before the elections. However, Agagu through his counsel, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, challenged the competence of the suit, through a preliminary objection, on the grounds that the plaintiffs lack the locus to institute the action; that the governor has immunity against prosecution and that elections having been conducted and Agagu declared governor-elect, the court has become functus officio, as the matter could only be entertained by the elections petitions tribunal, as it has become a post-election matter.
In a counter-affidavit deposed to by Godfrey Omoha, a litigation assistant of Kayode and Co., it was contended as follows:
•That sometime in 1999, the Managing Director of NAL requested approval for settlement of the Judgment debt in the “Botched lease purchase agreement for DC 10 Aircraft” i.e. the EQUATOR LEASING AGREEMENT awarded by a London Court. A Certified copy of the Settlement Agreement dated 17th February, 1999 entered into by ABDULSALAM ADMINISTRATION is attached as Exhibit D1.
•That he sought legal opinion and advice from Kanu Agabi SAN, then Honourable Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice. Attached hereto as Exhibit D2 is the legal advice dated 13th August, 1999 issued by the Hon. Minister of Justice advising that the said balance in the sum of $3.5 Million be paid to avoid further embarrassment to the government.
•That it was based on this advise that he now forwarded a memo dated 17th August, 1999 to Mr. President asking for approval to pay the said debt. Attached hereto as Exhibit D3 is the Memo and approval. It was after this approval that the payment was made sometime in 2000.
•That the recommendation concerning this “botched leased agreement” case is RECOMMENDATIONS 32 and33 at pages 28-29 of the White Paper attached to Plaintiffs Further Affidavit dated 15th May, 2007.
•That the names of the persons indicted are specifically itemised at page 28 (paragraph 33 above). He is not included.
•That items (a) – (i) totals $63,682,523.79. This is the amount that the 7 members of the PTF, excepting General Bajowa, that were indicted, are obligated to pay.
•That the attempt to take out item (i) and mischievously misread it in isolation so as to strain out an imaginary indictment against the defendant, Dr. Agagu who set up the Panel in the first place, is shocking, unfortunate and disgraceful.
•That he was never arrested or interrogated by the Police. The persons covered by Police investigation based on the White Paper report are enumerated in Exhibit D4 attached hereto. The 1st Defendant is not listed.
•That the plaintiffs have no locus standi in this matter. They have no cause of action and ought to pay the cost incurred by the defendant for defending this spurious case.
•That the 1st defendant was duly elected and returned as the Governor for Ondo State at the election held on 14th April, 2007.
•That only a person or political party who contested that election can challenge the return already made by INEC and this can only be in an election tribunal.
•That many Judges in the Federal High Court, Abuja have already washed their hands off this type of cases.
•It is obvious to all right thinking people that the persons indicted in this matter are the members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on NAL, with the exception of General Bajowa.
But Justice Abimbola Ogie, in her ruling on the objection, held that the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter as, according to her, it is not a post election matter. In a swift reaction, however, Agagu has rushed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the lower court, on the grounds that the judge erred in law when she held that the matter is not statute-barred and that the appellant does not enjoy immunity and thus can be sued in his personal capacity.
He is seeking an order allowing the appeal, declaring the lower court ruling a nullity and striking out the entire suit before the trial court. Attached as exhibits are the legal advice of the then Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN, that advised Agagu to liquidate the said debts. Also attached is the approved debts signed by President Olusegun Obasanjo, authorising the said payment.
As the legal tussle resumes at the Court of Appeal, a stay of execution and affidavit of urgency having been filed, it is only time that will tell whether the Justice Obiora Nwazota Probe Panel report will turn around to be Agagu’s albatross.
13 Responses to “Nwazota Panel Report: Agagu’s Albatross?”
EXPOSURES GALORE. Makes a lenghty but interesting read. Agagu is doomed for by God he will not escape all the mess he made. This will not just be Agagu’s Albatross, it will be AGAGU’S NEMESIS, DAMNATION, DISGRACE, INCALCELTRATION, AND TOTAL DEMISE IN JESUS NAME. These wickednessess in high places mostly due to greed and unabashed lust for money and power would in Jesus name be eradicated from Nigeria by and by. Even our children and posterity are already being affected by this abnormal way of life in Nigeria which has become the norm and this should not be the case. MIMIKO YOU WILL AS OUR GOVERNOR PUT IN PLACE ALL THE RIGHT MACHINERIES FOR A NEW ONDO STATE WHICH WILL BE DEVOID OF LOOTERS, AREAFATHERS AND EMBEZZLERS IN JESUS NAME. Only those who are ready to work hard and support your vision will be left in your camp by the time all this is over and your success is announced. All the AHITOPHELS, ABSALOMS AND JUDAS sorrounding you would have departed from you just as the devil departed from Jesus at HIS command. MIMIKO jareeee. God will continue to support you and guide you right.
It is always necessary every time to be fed with the word of God. Our battle for justice in Ondo state has been rekindled by the word of God through his son, Pastor Adeboye. This was said at the thanksgiving service for outgone President Obasanjo, who has become the chief masterminder of election rigging in Nigeria’s history. Hear him
(The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye advised that Nigerians must pray without ceasing, saying that in everything, they should give thanks to God.
Pastor Adeboye said that there were basically three categories of people – those who have won the battle, those fighting the battle and those who have lost the battle.”
He noted that this is applicable everywhere and at any given time in the world, adding that Nigerians must pray without ceasing because for the victor, he wants to remain a victor. To the person fighting a battle, victory is not determined always by how strong a person is but by how strong his ally is. To the person that has lost a battle, God has the ability to change the tide.”)
The tide would be change for us in Ondo state, in favour of Mimiko in Jesus mighty name. AMEN
Amen and amen in Jesus name. Psalm 20 vs 7-8 says it all “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remeber the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen and stand upright”. Our God will remeber us in these our days of trouble and the name of the God of Jacob will defend is in Ondo State and will strenghten our man MIMIKO THE TRULY DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE. Morning shows the day and the power of darkness shall not overcome light. MIMIKO shall arise and shine for his light, our light shall come. As these evildoers are leaving office, as confusion and turmoil shallbe their heritage, and as God’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, we shall all live and behold the reward of the wicked and the salvation of the children of God and light. Your Excellency Dr Olusegun Mimiko,be happy and rejoice in God always. This battle’s is the Lord’s right from the very begining, his ways are not our ways but His ways bring victory to the just and dwontrodden at all times. See the shame and disgrace of your enemies. Obasanjo departs in shame and ignominy. He leaves an enemy of the people and of God. Like King Saul he is a haunted man and still deluded. Will you play on your harp to help quieten his troubled soul? Agagu’s fate is worse. He is Haman and whatever the end of Saul and Haman so shall the end of OBJ, Agagu, Iwu, and all their followers be in Jesus name, for the way fo peace they knew not. Issiah 57 v 21 “There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked”
thank God that more revelations have emerged on AGAGU’s indictment saga. it is a pity that he is still lying depite the revelations about his indictment.well, i am not suprised that his cohorts will continue to defend him because they are all political jobbers who do not have any means of living than to praise sing agagu before they can eat.
I know that nwazuroye and some people that rigged election for agagu will never know peace all the days of their life.
they are fooling themselves by organising congratulatory messages for themselves.
can they compare the level of congratulations in 2003 t0 this present one.
it is just a matter of time.
by even sending an OSRC continuity announcer to an indefinite suspension is not enough to cover the lies.
Even as the dawn of May 29th falls on us in Nigeria, this is the time to really awaken and follow the ensuing going ons in Nigeria with dilligent interest. Yaradua is sworn in today amidst the multibillion naira saga that OBJ has released for the chop and quench to take more bites into the national cake to the detriment of the hardworking masses who suffer daily to keep Nigeria going. To think that in the midst of all these too Obasanjo’s parting shot is to INCREASE THE PRICE OF PETROL! Truly the wicked cannot change as a leopard can never wash off its spots.
As for AGAGU, honestly speaking even if he is sworn in today, I will advice him never to rest. If he sleeps let him sleep like a fish in the river – with eyes open. There will never be any rest for the wicked. Many may believe that because these false pretenders have been sworn in that this is the end. IT IS NOT. IT IS NEVER OVER UNTIL THE LORD SAYS IT IS and we shall continue this fight for justice till the right thing is done especially in Ondo State.We thank God for peace and calm and we use our obedience to God’s command as our prayer petition that the Lord should disgrace Agagu whole and totally by exposing all his hidden and dark secrets and that the law courts will find him unfit to carry the mantle of governorship in Ondo state as this is the truth. MIMIKO WILL NOT BE CHEATED OUT OF HIS HARD EARNED MANDATE. THE PEOPLE WILL NOT BE INFLICTED WITH THE EGYPTIAN TASKMASTER IN OUR MIDST. AGAGU MUST GO IN JESUS NAME.
Dear Fellow Nigerians WE ALL AGREE THAT ONDO ELECTION WAS DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, WHAT DO WE CALL THIS INNAUGURATION NAIRA INSULT ON THE INTEGRITY OF NIGERIA? Please read the details below:
Much ado about Inauguration Day
TODAY, the President-elect, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua, and the Vice-President-elect, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, will be inaugurated, respectively, as President and Vice-President of Nigeria, with pomp and circumstance, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory. This is occurring at a time when the morale among several Nigerians is at a low ebb following the fatal flaws revealed during the April 14 and 21 general elections, which produced the crop of lawmakers-elect, governors-elect, President-elect and Vice-President-elect. The ceremony in Abuja today is being replicated in each of the thirty-six state capitals, where the various governors-elect are also being sworn in.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, on Monday, last week, the out-going Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Frank Nweke, Jnr., disclosed that the inauguration ceremonies in Abuja would gulp a whopping sum of N820,306,727.10. If each of the thirty-six States of the Federation spends at least a quarter of that sum on its inauguration ceremony, the formal induction of the President-elect, Vice-President-elect and the thirty-six state Governors into their presidential and gubernatorial offices would cost Nigeria a stupendous sum of over N8.2 billion. The per capita GDP in Nigeria is a mere $1,050, and the average Nigerian survives on less than $1.00 per day.
The estimated sum of N8.2 billion could have been used to address the critical and chronic infrastructural defects nationwide. In the realm of education, for example, no Nigerian university featured among the best 500 in the recently conducted ranking of universities worldwide; the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike for better conditions of service. In the energy sector, the 3,500 megawatts of electricity which the outgoing Obasanjo administration inherited in 1999, and which it promised to increase to 7,000 megawatts in 2003 and to 10,000 megawatts in 2007, have plummeted to an all-time low of about 1,500 megawatts. Whereas the Obasanjo administration inherited a N20 pump price per litre of petrol in 1999, it is bequeathing a N75 per litre of petrol to its successor.
The health sector is in shambles, so that foreign hospitals have become a rendezvous for the rich only; the roads for which Nigerians were told billions of Naira was spent to build and repair are the worst in contemporary Nigerian history. Many citizens of this country continue to drink water from disease-infested lakes, pools and rivers into which they defecate. When the Obasanjo administration assumed office in 1999, the official market rate of the Naira to the dollar was N93.95. Today, the Naira-dollar exchange rate is in the neighbourhood of N130.00; violence in the Niger Delta is boiling over; everywhere in Nigeria, insecurity to life and limb stares everybody straight in the face. The litany of woes is endless.
All that notwithstanding, the prodigious sum of N.820 billion was approved for a ceremony to inaugurate a President and a Vice-President whose election is the subject of fervid litigation in the Court of Appeal having original jurisdiction to determine whether any person has been validly elected to the office of President or Vice-President. The National Assembly Election Tribunals and the Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunals are similarly inundated with election petitions filed by alleged victims of the electoral pillage perpetrated by the outgoing Establishment in April, 2007.
Where the Judiciary lives, as it has done more often than not, to its billing, many, or, at least, some, of the election results triumphantly announced by the party-minded, so-called Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), may be upturned by the election petition tribunals. So what are we jubilating about now? Why are we making May 29 an occasion for which we must kill the fatted cow?
If it is disheartening that, in a country where over 71 per cent of the citizens live below the poverty line, a colossal sum of over N.8 billion is being spent (in Abuja alone) on an inauguration ceremony, it is disturbing and revolting that the Minister of Information and Communications considered that sum of money quite prudent and meagre because, according to him, “contrary to false media reports, the amount approved for the ceremonies is only N820, 306,727.10 and not billions of Naira…”!
Not a few Nigerians have begun to ask, first, whether this amount of money was budgeted for in the 2007 Appropriation Act, in the first place. Secondly, what is the rationale for the gala inauguration and the deification of this day, May 29, 2007? We consider ludicrous Nweke Jnr.’s response to the latter question, that “the event is worthy of celebration because it would be the first successful civilian-to-civilian transition in the country”, as it ignored the fact that the farcical events that took place on April 14, 21 and 28, 2007, cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be dignified with the name of elections, let alone be regarded as successful.
Local and international monitors, including an assemblage of 48 distinguished Nobel Laureates as well as the overwhelming majority of the Nigerian electorate, had rated the 2007 elections as the worst ever both in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. So what are we celebrating-is it democracy or the brazen rape of democracy and the barefaced subversion of the popular sovereignty?
In our earlier editorials, we had advised that the inauguration day ceremony should be low-keyed and should be a day for sober reflection. We had drawn attention to the fact that after the recent beauty of a Presidential election in France, Nicolas Sarkozy was sworn in without fanfare, and that immediately thereafter, he swung into action, as President of France. Why do we revel in squandermania in a country whose economy is in the doldrums and the overwhelming majority of whose citizens live from hand to mouth?
There is a sense in which it might be correct to regard the unnecessary jamboree organized for May 29, 2007, as a variant of corruption. First, the contractors and the officials who disbursed the frightening sum of over N.8 billion are the out-going, and not the in-coming, public officers. Secondly, the fact that the out-going officers who have squandered the said sum of over N820 million may never be held to account for the money is hardly ever in doubt.
Doubtless, the intention of the initiators and organizers of the inauguration fiesta is to use the occasion to paper over the cracks of the universally discredited elections and present a fa?ade of legitimacy to the international community, many of whose leaders have been invited to watch the swearing-in extravaganza. It doesn’t work that way.
In a democracy, sovereignty belongs to the people from whom government, through the Constitution, derives its existence and all of its powers and authority. The new President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, looks urbane and modest. We condemn the antics of professional leeches and unblushing sycophants, who may have embarked on these grandiose inauguration ceremonies to deceive the nation.
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NIGERIA, N-I-G-E-R-I-A, A—–N——J——R—–I—–Y———-A——.
SO DA BE, EYIN ARA MI. KI AWON KAN MA JIYA, KI AWON KAN MA KO OWO WA MI. AH OLORUN WA MA SUN O. BO SE SE AIYE ABACHA BASHA BASHA NI KI O BA WA SE AYE AWON OTA EMI ATI ILOSIWAJU WA NI NIGERIA. OLUWA WA, MA GBAGBE PE AGAGU JE OKAN NINU WON O. BA WA MU AWON ENI IBI KURO LORI AGA ALEFA TI WON YAN RA WON SI. Iya yi ti poju fun wa ni Nigeria, Oluwa wa. Jowo ma je ka jiya odun merin si ni Ondo State. Fun wa ni olori oko ti a dibo fun oooo. Dr Rahman Olusegun MIMIKO ni gomina wa ooooooo. Eyin ara mi ni Ondo State – E gba sibeeeeeee. THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES. We shall emerge victorious and praise God together Amen.
Interesting piece. I am not surprised that Tokunbo Kayode is defending Agagu; It’s two of a kind especially as T.K. is well versed in ICPC matters; A customer. This is a clear example of the Nigeria we live in – A Nigeria where shameless people rule, where Leaders lack integrity. Imagine Agagu thinking of a second term after all these. Anyway Pascal Dozie became Chairman of All States bank after this same indictment and see what became of the bank. Are we going to wait till Agagu turns Ondo state to All states bank or we are going to get up and fight for the integrity that Ondo state is known for and protect our heritage. With the number of well bred and learned people we have in Ondo state i don’t know why Obasanjo has decided to force a ‘cowboy’ like Agagu on us. Well, this is the end of Agagu. He has decided to fight the women, the widows and the children and he (Agagu) shall incur the wrath of the Lord, Amen.
INAUGURATION!!!!!!! #.8billion in a country where my people in Akoko, Ondo state can hardly feed. This is my prayer: Oh Lord, ‘ Do not banish us (Nigerians) from your pesence and do not take away your Holy Spirit from us’. If not for the amount of prayers said by the masses daily I am sure there would have been more calamities in Nigeria. But the Bible tells me something in Isiah 26 vs 10 and 11; ‘Even though you are kind to the wicked, they never learn to do what is right. Even here in a land of righteous people they still do wrong; they refuse to recognize the Lord’s greatness. Your enemies do not know that YOU will punish them. Lord, put them to shame and let them suffer; let them suffer the punishment you have prepared. Show them how much you love your people.’ Very soon, The Lord will show his love to the good people of Ondo state and indeed to all the downtrodden Nigerians.
Pardon me once again. I am a Christian but christianity does not teach succumbing oneself to evildoers. Matthew 11 v12 says “And from the days of John the Baptist until now, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERED VIOLENCE AND THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE”. – This was the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. If evil doers do not allow for peace in Ondo State, the Heaven help those who help themselves. This is no longer an idle plea to the Electoral Tribunal, this is a firm stance that we will take in Ondo State. WE SHALL SAY NO TO AGAGU. WE SHALL SAY NO TO DAYLIGHT ROBBERY. The people have suffered enough, with such wickednesses still going strong in high places, there is no room for complacency. We do not advocate or support violence and shedding of blood, but…… we would resort to force if need be. Everything is in God’s hands and we pray for spiritual guidance and divine intervention. The moral here is that we are not just foolish people ready to sit and allow evil to permeate our dear Ondo State. This is geting serious by the day and I repeat Agagu, when you sleep PLEASE SLEEP WITH YOUR EYES OPEN FOR YOU SHALL BE VISITED BY THE WRATH OF GOD AND THE PEOPLE AND THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES IS HANGING RIGHT OVER YOU.
Your Excellency Dr Rahman Olusegun MIMIKO, it is the respect that the people have for you and your call for calm that is keeping us quiet so far. Ibadan was rocked by violence two weeks ago. Akala is not given such a free hand by Ladoja. Ondo State is a state of the elitist and we are keeping our cool but hardly containing our boiling anger at these insults added upon injury sir. WE INSIST YOU CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR THE RETURN OF OUR STOLEN MANDATE. AH LORD GOD WILL SEE US ALL THROUGH FOR NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR HIM.
Someone please help answer my question – is AGAGU GOING TO BE INNAUGURATED WHEN THERE IS AN APPEAL ON? WHEN THERE IS ALSO AN INDICTMENT CHARGE ON?
my fellow compatriot, mr akin taylor; your views concerning is well understood and much appreciative.
well the tribunal will conduct their sittings for the next three months and after that, the agrieved person can go to court where the case will be determined within 30 days.
so swearing in agagu now does not mean that the governance of our state has been handed over to him entirely, his stay in alagbaka are numbered, and by the special grace of God he will be disgraced out of office.
remember, EFCC is still investigating him for some misappropriations, his case was among those OBJ deleted from the list.
AGAGU – shouldnt sit comfortably and for all those who think it is over, please think twice for it is not over and this is a real test of Faith and patience for MIMIKO and all well meaning people of Ondo state. AGAGU had to be sworn in, in the midst of tight security! He is wanted to Embezzlement and has an indictment charge, he is being investigated by EFCC and is in the Electoral court for election malpactrices and fraud; and this is the governor that Ondo state wants to boast of? God forbid. So we have to wait a bit longer than i thought? It doesnt matter. I was very much convinced that the truth will be out by August and Mimiko sworn in by September. Anyway the sooner the better for Ondo State. Let us keep the fire burning and reserve more oil in our lamps for the bridegroom will surely come and we should be all ready to recieve him in Jesus name. MIMIKO gba sibeeee, you are a true Iroko and even the earthquake and tremors will never shake you or shake our faith in you. Iroko jareeeeeeeee. Agagu is already a fish out of water, gasping and only time will tell, the truth will be revealed and history will be made in Ondo State.
I thank the owner of this website for giving people the opportunity to express their opinion freely.
I have read Justice Obiora Nwazota’s report very carefully and my personal opinion is that Dr Olusegun Agagu the governor of Ondo State was implicted in the report, which was subsequently submitted to the federal government, hence all the recommendations were upheld.
By implication, if the federal government should accept all the recommendations as published in the white paper, then Chief Olusegun Agagu is indicted, therefore he couldn’t have contested the 2007 governorship election. Paying back millions of dollars to the federal government did not change the subject matter.
The indictment of Dr Olusegun Agagu do not automatically make Dr Mimiko the governor of Ondo State. But the tribunal have the final say, to either cancel the last governorship election and call for fresh election, which is more than likely, or do the add up for INEC and declare Dr Mimiko, which is very remote. Anyway, the bottomline is that all the progressive forces in Ondo State should come together without delay and reposition the State.
How? Labour Party, Action Congress, Democratic Party Alliance, Alliance for Democracy and Nigeria Democratic Party should merge into one political force like what it used to be prior to 1999 general elections, so that we can build a formidate force to block any form of rigging by PDP.
If the tribunal rule in favour of a fresh governorship election, it will not be so easy as we thought, because Obasanjo will use all illegal means to scuttle the electoral process, therefore, we must be ready to work together as a progressive, and use all our available resources to prevent illegality and rigging.
I contested the last election on the platform of Action Congress as the House of Representative Candidate in Ile-Oluji / Oke-Igbo / Odigbo Federal Constituency without any regrets, because that is where i belong. I am a progressive.
Gba won danu, Gba won sigbo.