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JTF captures Boko Haram leader Bama in gun battle

2012-06-22T06:10:00.003+01:00

US puts Shekau, two others on ‘terrorist’ list

After a three-month search, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has arrested a Boko Haram leader, Habib Bama, who is believed to be the architect of some key bombings.

Bama, a dismissed Army Private, allegedly coordinated bombings in Mogadishu Barracks, the Police Headquarters, the UN Building, St Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla and many in Jos.

The JTF, comprising the State Security Service (SSS), the military and the police, stormed Bama’s operational base in Damaturu, it was learnt. There was a shoot-out in which he was fatally wounded. Bama was being interrogated, as at press time, in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

He may be moved to Abuja, if his condition improves, source said.

Bama’s arrest came on a day the United States put the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau and two others on the “terrorist” list.

A top JTF source said: “One of the cell-leaders of Boko Haram in the Federal Capital Territory, Suleja-Jos axis, was shot this afternoon in Damaturu by the Joint Task Force (JTF).

“He was critically wounded. We are still extracting words from him.

“He was declared wanted by security agents after the Madalla church bomb blast.”

The manhunt for Bama started on February 15 when the SSS declared him wanted.

A statement by the SSS Deputy Director, Ms Marilyn Ogar, said the suspect committed crimes against the state.

The statement said: “Habibu Bama is hereby declared wanted by the Federal Government in connection with crimes against the State.

“Bama is an ex-soldier, Kanuri by tribe and hails from Bama, Borno State . He is also known by the following names;( i )Habib Bama; (ii) Shuaibu Bama; and (iii) Habib Mamman.

“Members of the public with any information that could lead to his arrest are hereby implored to immediately contact the nearest Police Station, Military formation or any other security agency, please.”

There was no official reaction from Boko Haram as at press time on the arrest of Bama.

Bama was captured at the market, dependable military sources said.

The source said Bama, apparently affected by the curfew, was at the market and bought food items like Irish Potatoes and yam when he was captured along with two of his boys, by soldiers on patrol.

The source said the arrest of Bama was accidental because a soldier who was Bama’s neighbor during his military days saw him at the market while on patrol.

Bama was reported to have attempted to collect the gun from one of the soldiers but four soldiers overpowered him after shooting him in the leg.

It was gathered that his boys, who were guarding his car took to their heels and escaped.

Other sources said he was arrested after a fierce gun battle with operatives of the Joint Task Force when he was trying to sneak out of Damaturu town.

Top military sources said he was badly hit by bullets.

Damaturu residents who were coming out of their houses after the relaxation of the 24 hours curfew, were forced to return home as security operatives discovered an un-detonated bomb near First Bank Plc branch office along Gashua road.

The police anti-bomb squad immediately cordoned the area and got the lethal device de-wired.

By Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Duku Joel Courtesy Of: The Nation

Culture icon Segun Olusola dies at 77

2012-06-22T06:07:00.003+01:00

Culture icon Chief Segun Olusola passed on last night in a Lagos hospital. He was 77.

The late Olusola was Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Ethiopia.

Renowned artist Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya described Olusola’s death as a huge loss to the culture sector and the nation at large. He said his exit would create a big vacuum in the creative industry.

“We are going to miss him very much. In fact, the artists’ community has been rocked by his death,” he said.

Literary scholar and poet-activist Odia Ofeimun said Olusola was one of the few voices that were knowledgeable about the Nigerian arts and artists. He described the late ambassador as a man who stood up for the arts at all time. “It is sad and we are going to miss him,” Ofeimun added.

Executive director of CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale, said Olusola’s death would create a big vacuum in the sector because he was a cultural icon and an institution. “Olusola lived art, believed in it, and gave all to its development. We will miss him as a reservoir of wisdom, fountain of cultural knowledge, and as a reference personality. But our solace is that Baba left a legacy that will outlive him. His contributions to the sector will remain indelible in the annals of history.”

Prince Yemisi Shyllon described Olusola’s death as a monumental loss. He said until his death he was a friend of everyone in the sector and attended almost every art event. He said Olusola believed in the nation’s culture and did a lot to propagate it. “A leader in his own right and very artuiculate in his position,” Shyllon said.

Chief Segun Olusola will be remembered from four fronts. First is the Arts and Culture (he was an actor, playwright and a founding member of The Players of the Dawn, an amateur theatre outfit that held sway until 1959, prior to the emergence of the 1960 Masks, a more professional theatre outfit established by Prof. Wole Soyinka. He was an art connoisseur whose family gallery, Ajibulu-Moniya Gallery transformed into a full-blown commercial gallery open to public till date. In Broadcasting, he became the first African television on the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) debuted in Africa with its first transmission. In Diplomacy, he was the longest-serving Ambassador of Nigeria to Ethiopia (1987 - 1993). He was reputed as a Culture Ambassador who employed the instrumentalities and functionalities of arts and culture to drive Diplomacy. In Humanitarian circle, he was moved by his experiences as a diplomat when he dealt with many critical refugee issues, to eventually found the African Refugees Foundation in 1993.

Ambassador Olusola hailed Iperu-Remo in Ogun State. He attended St. John’s Catholic School and Wesley School, Iperu-Remo from 1941 to 1947. He did his secondary school education at Remo Secondary School , Sagamu between 1941 to 1947. He proceeded to the United States and attended Pittsburgh Universities.

He is survived by his wife, Chief Mrs. Beatrice Fehintola Olusola; his children: Ms. Aderonke Ajibulu-Moniya, Mr, Jimi Olusola III, Mrs.Toyin Laditi, Mr. Sabitu Olusola, Mrs. Toyin Adejumo and Mr. Samuel Olusola; his immediate younger sister, Chief Mrs. Biodun Kehinde and others.

By Ozolua Uhakheme Courtesy Of: The Nation

Who is who in Boko Haram

2012-06-22T06:04:00.001+01:00

Abubakar Shekau

He is the leader of Boko Haram.

He is said to be a fearless loner, a complex, paradoxical man - part intellectual, part gangster.

Fondly called imam or leader by his followers, Abubakar Muhammad Shekau was born in Shekau village in Yobe State.

Some say he is 34 or 35, others that he may be 43 - the uncertainty adds to the myths surrounding Nigeria’s most wanted man.

Shekau was once thought to have been killed by security forces in 2009 - only for him to reappear in videos posted on the internet less than a year later as Boko Haram’s new leader. He has not been seen in public since. Instead, still images and video clips of him are released from time to time, mostly online, by the group’s faceless “public enlightenment department”.

He is said to have met his predecessor in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State through a mutual friend, Mamman Nur, who is said to have masterminded the August 2011 bombing of the UN office complex in Abuja.

Under Shekau, Boko Haram has become more radical and carried out more killings. He is fluent in his native Kanuri, Hausa and Arabic languages - he does not speak English.

He is said to have married one of Mohammed Yusuf’s four wives and adopted their children.

Shekau does not communicate directly with the group’s foot soldiers - he is said to wield his power through a few select cell leaders, but even then, contact is minimal.

He is nicknamed “Darul Tawheed”, which translates as a specialist in Tawheed. This is an orthodox doctrine of the uniqueness and oneness of Allah, which is the very cornerstone of Islam.

Kabiru Sokoto was arrested in February by the State Security Service (SSS). He was earlier arrested by the police, and ‘allowed’ to escape. His escape led to the dismissal of Deputy Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu. He was declared wanted, with a N5million ransom on his head before the SSS re-arrested him at Mutum in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State. He has been with the SSS. He is believed to be giving vital information which has been helping understand how the Boko Haram sect works.

His real name is Kabiru Abubakar Dikko. The 29-year-old was born to the family of Umaru Jabbi of Gagi village in Sokoto South Local Government Area on May 9, 1983.

After the death of his father, his uncle, Abubakar Dikko, adopted him and gave him his name. He completed his secondary education in 2003 and was admitted to the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Sokoto, where he was said to have been a truant with extremist tendencies.

Abu Qaqa

The SSS is also holding a man it said was the spokesman of the sect, Abu Qaqa. But Boko Haram has insisted that the man in the SSS custody is Abu Darda, its head of public enlightenment. He was arrested in February and has been with the agency since then.

The sect said: “The person that was arrested was Abu Darda and not Abu-Qaqa. I am Abul Qaqa, the spokesman for the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad. Abu Darda is the head of the Lagina (Dept) of public enlightenment and not the spokesman.

“The arrest of Abu Darda is an outright deception and betrayal by the Nigerian government and security agents. They proclaimed dialogue and are doing the opposite. His arrest has proved to us that they were waiting for us to avail ourselves so that they can arrest us.

“We purposely sent Abu Darda to Kaduna to discuss with some key government functionaries on the issue of dialogue. Indeed, he had started talking to them but unknown to him, they (had) directed some security agents to trail him and arrest him.

“This is exactly what happened. He volunteered to present himself for the dialogue but was betrayed. Everybody knows our capability and tactics of operation. It is evidently clear that none of our members could be caught on a platter of gold and without confrontation.”

In May, his father was reported killed by the sect in Maiduguri because of his alleged revelations on the group to the SSS.

Suleiman Mohammed

He was arrested in May along with his wife and five children in the Farawa, Kano.

His arrest came hours after blasts and gunfire rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Mohammed has been described as Boko Haram’s head of operations in Kano under the group’s suspected leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Three pistols, a rifle, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IDEs) were recovered from his house.

Ayuba Usman

He was arrested in May at his shop in a market in Kano following information from suspected Boko Haram members arrested in raids.

High profile suspects allegedly said Usman was providing combustible chemicals used in the manufacture of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) for attacks on innocent people in the city.

Thirty-five drums of chemicals of 240 litres each and a dozen bags of combustible items were recovered during the raid on his shop in one of the markets in Dala Local Government Area of the state.

Ibrahim Mohammed Ali

A prime suspect in the coordinated attacks on Christian worshippers at the old campus of Bayero University, Kano in which 20 persons, including 2 professor, were killed. He was arrested in May.

Ali, a diploma holder from Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, Borno State, was nabbed by security operatives who had been on his trail.

The JTF arrested him after surrounding a house located at Bubugaje, Sharada Phase III Industrial Layout in Kumbotso Local Government Area, where he was hiding.

There was a three-hour shoot-out between the JTF and suspected members of the sect before he was arrested.

Courtesy Of: The Nation

Adegbite urges US not to tag Boko Haram as terrorist group

2012-06-22T06:02:00.002+01:00

The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) chief Lateef Adegbite yesterday urged the United States not to be in a haste in tagging Boko Haram as a terrorist group.

He also urged governors in the North to work with the security agencies and the Federal Government in resolving the security challenges.

Adegbite spoke yesterday during a visit to the State House where he met with Vice President Namadi Sambo alongside other members of the leadership of Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI).

Adegbite, who was reacting to the US listing Boko Haram leader Ibrahim Shekau and two others as terrorists, told State House correspondents that such a declaration would have wider implication on the people.

He said since Nigerians are doing all things necessary to address the matter through dialogue, the US should hasten slowly.

“How do they know who are Boko Haram and those who are not? The implication will be very serious. They may see someone like me with my long beards and think I am Boko Haram; so the implication will be very serious.

“ We are appealing to them to give Nigeria more time to dialogue with our people and we hope we will reintegrate them into our fold.

“They should hasten slowly. We must see all these that are happening as a total challenge and war against all Nigerians - Muslims, Christians and none believers.”

In Adegbite’s view, the security situation “is beyond religion and against the people of this country and the people of this country must ensure that it does not degenerate into the situation like that of Afghanistan, Somalia and Mali now.”

“ We are too sophisticated for that and, therefore, we must stop the drift and arrest it . The government is doing its best because these are faceless people. They engage in a kind of mutiny against the people. So, they are not easy to identify.”

Adegbite urged Nigerian to cooperate with the security agencies by identifying Boko Haram’s operatives and backers who live among the people.

“The people know them. They are neighbours of the people. The people must be security conscious and point out these evil doers among us to security agencies,” he said. He urged the government to urgently address poverty and unemployment.

“We should give those who are unemployed annual grant and encourage them to work. When they have better work, nobody wants to be a beggar. So social security system is a must,” Adegbite said.

By Vincent Ikuomola Courtesy Of: The Nation

US puts Boko Haram leader Shekau, 2 others on ‘terrorist’ list

2012-06-22T05:59:00.001+01:00

The United States yesterday named three alleged leaders of the Islamist group Boko Haram as “foreign terrorists”.

The State Department identified the three as Abubakar Shekau, who it called the “most visible” leader of the group, Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi, who it said were tied both to Boko Haram and to al Qaeda’s north African wing.

“Under Shekau’s leadership, Boko Haram (western education is a sin) has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in the North, its primary area of operation. In the last 18 months, Boko Haram or associated militants have killed more than 1,000 people,” the State Department said in an announcement.

“These designations demonstrate the United States’ resolve in diminishing the capacity of Boko Haram to execute violent attacks,” it said.

The action by the State and Treasury departments, first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, follows growing pressure on the Obama Administration to take stronger action against Boko Haram, which has stepped up attacks on Christian places of worship this year in its drive to establish an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria.

U.S. officials say the decision to list individual Boko Haram members, rather than apply the more sweeping “Foreign Terrorist Organisation” label to the group as a whole as some U.S. lawmakers have demanded, reflected a desire not to elevate the group’s profile.

The action freezes any assets the three men have in the United States, and bars U.S. persons from any transactions with them.

The United States has signalled growing concern over Islamist extremist groups operating in Africa, particularly al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has expanded its influence in the lawless Sahel region and funds operations by collecting kidnap ransoms or siphoning off the drug trade.

The United States has also sought to curb the influence of al Shabaab, the militant group which has seized control of large areas of south and central Somalia and has been blamed for attacks elsewhere in East Africa.

Both AQIM and al Shabaab are already on the official U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, which makes them key targets in the U.S. anti-terrorism campaign.

The State Department has been under pressure to act against Boko Haram for months.

In January, Lisa Monaco, the Justice Department’s top national security official, sent a letter to the State Department arguing that the Nigerian group met the criteria for a “foreign terrorist” listing because it either engages in terrorism that threatens the United States or has a capability or intent to do so.

Boko Haram increasingly is seen as a potent threat to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous state and major oil producer, and as part of growing arc of Islamist extremist groups stretching across northern Africa.

Republican senators led by Scott Brown of Massachusetts have introduced legislation requiring the State Department to determine whether Boko Haram should be designated as a terrorist group.

Republican Representative Patrick Meehan, who chairs a Homeland Security subcommittee in the House, also introduced an amendment that would force the administration to add Boko Haram to the terrorism list or explain why it was not doing so.

But a group of academic experts on Africa sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last month, urging her not to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist group, saying such a move could backfire by enhancing the group’s reputation among potential recruits and other militants.

Courtesy Of: The Nation

‘Akingbola not responsible for transactions EFCC accuses him of’

2012-06-22T05:57:00.001+01:00

A Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, yesterday heard that the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank), Dr. Erastus Akingbola, did not carry out the transactions for which he is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

A defence witness, Mrs Ayoola Akande, spoke during cross-examination by counsel to the prosecution, Mr Emmanuel Ukala (SAN).

Dr. Erastus Akingbola and his associate, Mr. Bayo Dada, are facing charges of allegedly stealing N4.7 billion belonging to the defunct Intercontinental Bank.

Mrs Akande said Dr Akingbola did not benefit from the money transfer.

She told the court that contrary to the EFCC allegation, the $8.54 million and the 3.1million pounds were not made from the Domiciliary Account of the bank or that of its former chief executive officer.

Mrs Akande said: “It was Regal Investment that provided funds for the US dollars we purchased. The US dollars were not purchased for the use of Regal Investment.

“It was not my original statement that the US dollars were purchased by Regal Investment and not by the bank or by the first defendant, Akingbola).

“I also said that cash was lodged into the account for the transfer. There were no cash lodged into the account of the first defendant for the transfer.”

Justice Habeeb Abiru fixed further hearing in the matter till July 25.

By Our Reporter Courtesy Of: The Nation

Falana asks minister to name ‘VIP’ in airline’s delayed landing

2012-06-22T05:52:00.005+01:00

Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana has given the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, seven days to provide the name of a “very important personality” (VIP) who caused the delayed landing of an Arik aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for over 25 minutes on June 19.

He said the request, made under the Freedom of Information(FOI) Act, 2011, is to enable him sue the supposed VIP for endangering the lives of over 150 passengers on board the plane.

Falana said: “Take notice that if you fail or refuse to accede to my request within seven days of the receipt of this letter, I shall not hesitate to apply for an order of mandamus at the Federal High Court with a view to compelling you to disclose the identity of the said Very Important Personality forthwith.”

The popular lawyer made the request in a letter to the minister, entitled: Illegal Prevention of Arik Plane from Landing At the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport Due To VIP Movement.

He noted that the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, imposes a duty on all public officers to make requested information available to the public.

Falana said he and other passengers were subjected to unwarranted mental and psychological torture while the Arik plane was hovering in the air.

He said: “I boarded Arik Flight Number W3 271 from Lagos to Abuja at 10.20am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The flight, which was scheduled to land at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja, at 11.15am, was illegally prevented from landing by the airport authorities until 11.46am due to the alleged movement of a ‘very important personality’.

“Having regard to the June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash in Lagos, which killed all the 153 passengers and crew on board as well as 10 other persons in their homes, I was subjected to unwarranted mental and psychological torture. Most other passengers on board were equally traumatised as the Arik plane was forced to hover in the air for 25 minutes.

By Adebisi Onanuga Courtesy Of: The Nation

N7.8tr Fed Govt projects abandoned

2012-06-22T05:49:00.002+01:00

Vice-President Namadi Sambo yesterday decried the high number of abandoned Federal Government projects.

He said over 12,000 federal projects, valued at over N7.8trillion, litter the country.

The projects were at various stages of completion when they were abandoned, he said.

To rectify the situation, the Vice-President yesterday inaugurated a Presidential Committee on Guidelines for the Management and Implementation of Federal Infrastructure Projects.

Sambo said henceforth federal projects would no longer be done in haphazard manner.

He said: “This government will ensure the implementation of the projects in line with reference standards with all necessary checks and balances to ensure relevance, quality, economy and efficiency and on principles of sustainability.

“It is for this purpose this committee of top professionals has been put together, based on the individual track records of its members.”

The Vice-President said the objective of the committee is to prepare a comprehensive standard guideline for federal infrastructural projects which Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and workers would follow.

He said this is to ensure a successful delivery of such projects.

According to him, the guideline will involve a review of policies, legal as well as the regulatory documents, examination of institutional structures, process and procedures and discussions.

The committee is to:

• examine extant policies and policy environment;

•determine their adequacy or otherwise and proffer recommendations for improvement; and

•examine extant legal and regulatory arrangements to determine their adequacy or otherwise.

It will also make recommendations for improvement.

Members of the committee include the Vice President, who is the Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Ayim Pius Ayim.

Others are: Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Finance, Justice, Mines and Steel, National Planning, Power, Works; as well as the Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters.

By Vincent Ikuomola Courtesy Of: The Nation

Corruption in Civil Service worries ex-Head of Service Yayale

2012-06-22T05:45:00.003+01:00

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed is worried over the level of corruption in the civil service.

He said it was capable of truncating the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

The way out, according to Yayale, who served in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was a total review of salary and remunerations of civil servants as a strategy for retaining high flyers and talented staff.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja in a paper titled: “Effective Service Delivery and Transformation” which he presented at a workshop organised by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to mark this year’s Civil Service Week.

Yayale said: “Sir, at this point in time, the Head of Service should know and accept it that the level of corruption in the public service is such that it will not and I repeat it, it will not ensure service delivery.

“Yes, there are challenges, they say that we are not paid commensurate level of benefits, so, we must cut corners. It could be right, but I think what is there is complete disregard to basic tenets of the civil service.

“They have been saying that we have reformed. But anytime we do rationalisation we end up having more corrupt people in the service. Anytime we replace, we end up having less efficient people.

“We have developed a culture of replacement instead of improvement.”

Yayale called for a review of salary and remunerations of civil servants as a strategy for retaining high flyers and talented members of staff in the service.

According to him, attitudinal change can at best be achieved when workers are motivated, saying that it was necessary that welfare of civil servants should be addressed to strengthen the fight against corruption.

By Vincent Ikuomola Courtesy Of: The Nation

Renaming UNILAG: Why National Assembly should reject proposed amendment

2012-06-21T12:54:00.002+01:00

Ahead of the debate by the National Assembly on the proposed amendment sent to it by the President on the renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, eminent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola (san) writes on why the lawmakers should reject the proposal.

On the 29th of May 2012, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan announced the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to rename the University of Lagos after the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola. The University according to the President is now to be known as “Moshood Abiola University, Lagos”.

Public reaction to the announcement

No sooner had the address of the President ended than the decision began to attract criticism from within and outside the country. As a former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Lagos, I felt so concerned about the development that I was compelled to issue a Press Statement describing the decision to honour Abiola as noble but the procedure adopted was unconstitutional. My view was hinged on the fact that prior to the announcement by the Federal Government, no attempt was made to amend the University of Lagos Act from which the University derived its name. In addition, the University of Lagos Act does not empower the President as the Visitor to change the statutory name of the University. The action of the President therefore amounted to a usurpation of the powers of the National Assembly which by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 is the only body empowered to pass a law to amend the University of Lagos Act.

Government appreciates the unconstitutionality of the decision

It does appear that the President has found merit in the argument concerning the unconstitutionality of his action for on the 7th of June 2012 he sent a bill to the National Assembly seeking to amend the University of Lagos Act to reflect the change in the name of the Institution.

In submitting the Bill to the National Assembly, the government failed to consider and comply with the requisite legal and other conditions precedent to the submission of a bill to the National Assembly which include the following:

•The need to first reverse the decision pronounced on the 29th of May, 2012 renaming University of Lagos after Abiola

•The need to consult with the Council of University of Lagos, the Alumni and other Stakeholders

•Respect for the court and the need to wait for the outcome of the two suits pending in the Federal High Court, Lagos and

•The adequacy suitability or otherwise of naming University of Lagos to honour a national leader of the status of Abiola

•Need to reverse the earlier decision

Consequent upon the announcement by the President, the National Universities Commission and the Governing Council of the University acted on it and indicated their preparedness to comply with the decision on name change. Students who were not prepared to welcome the decision were sent packing. This is because the decision of the President was not a mere proposal. It was a proclamation of government policy which became effective and operational immediately. What the government should have done was to first rescind the decision announced on the 29th of May, 2012 before preparing any bill. By sending the Bill without first rescinding the decision, the government is asking the National Assembly to rubber stamp and give retrospective approval to an illegal decision. However it appears that in this part of the world Governmental fallibility is a notion which some in government are not prepared to acknowledge or accept.

•No consulation before the bill was forewarded to the national assembly

One major point of disagreement with the decision by Nigerians was the failure or refusal of Government to consult stakeholders before the decision was taken. In a policy matter like this, it is the duty of the government to consult the Governing Council of University of Lagos and Alumni Association and other stakeholders before the decision was taken. This was also the advice of the former military Head of State, General Dr. Yakubu Gowon. Such consultations would have brought to the knowledge of the President, the argument that the name “University of Lagos” had itself become “a top brand” such that any other name, regardless of whatever strengths or qualities it could claim to possess would neither compensate nor be representative of the concept of qualitative academics with which the University had become associated with, within and outside the country.

•National assembly: duty to respect the court and await outcome of court decision

The President sent the Bill to the National Assembly on the 7th of June, 2012. On the 4th of June, the Alumi Association and the Student Union of the University of Lagos filed two separate suits before the Ikeja Division of the Federal High Court. By the said actions which were commenced by means of an Originating Summons, the Attorney General of the Federation is the 4th Respondent in the said suits.

It is a settled principle of law that when a matter or dispute has been submitted to a court of law for adjudication, the parties are not permitted or indeed expected to take any step capable of prejudicing or impairing the fair adjudication or determination of the matter.

The issues raised in the suits transcend the constitutionality of the President announcement to change the names of the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University before an amendment by the National Assembly. Indeed the court is being asked to determine whether or not the change of name would affect not only the university but also thousands of graduates who currently hold certificates bearing the name of University of Lagos, or whether consultation was made before the decision to change the name of Unilag to Abiola University and whether attaching Abiola’s name to University of Lagos was an adequate, fit and proper honour for a nationalist of Abiola’s stature. These and other issues cannot be addressed by the proposed amendment to the law of the University. Since these issues have been turned over to the Court, the National Assembly cannot in law consider and deliberate on the President’s Bill.

•The significance of june 12: appropriate national honour

The decision to rename the University of Lagos, and not any other University outside of the South West after Bashorun Abiola is really an attempt to brand “June 12 1993” and all that it represents as being only of regional significance.

By sending Bills for the renaming of two other Universities at the same time he sent that of the University of Lagos, Mr President has not done anything to allay but on the contrary has heightened the fears of some who argue that he regards June 12 1993 and the contributions and sacrifice of Bashorun Moshood Abiola as being only of regional significance. Thus in debating the Bills, the National Assembly will have before it, the decision of the Federal Government to rename three Universities, one from each of the major regions of the Country after a national hero. What is more, the intended honorees all hail from the region in which the University sought to be named after them are located. Therefore in the real sense, the Federal Government has debased or degraded what should be a national celebration to a regional achievement.

By sending Bills for the renaming of the three Institutions at the same time suggests an attempt to appeal to the “regional” senses or loyalties of the Lawmakers. By ensuring that each region is represented in the proposed name changes by a University and also with a beneficiary in the region, there is a clear intention that each legislator will be swayed to view, debate and ultimately pass the Bills only from the standpoint of regional considerations. Therefore, a lawmaker from a region other than the southwest who otherwise would have questioned the appropriateness of the decision regarding the University of Lagos may decide not to “rock the boat” as a University and personality from his own region of the country is also affected by the proposed amendments.

Rule of law and democracy

Democracy is rooted in the belief in rule of law and unqualified obedience to and practice of the principles that make up rule of law. With the cases pending before the court, the non consultation with the council, the alumni and other stakeholders of the university, the failure to rescind the proclamation of 29th of May, 2012 on which the university and NUC have acted and the need to honour Abiola with a befitting national and not regional honour all make it imperative for National Assembly to reject the bill.

I therefore call on all members of the National Assembly to approach the discussions of the Bill for the amendment of the University of Lagos Act devoid of party loyalty or affiliations. They should take into consideration all issues raised by stakeholders with regards to the name change. They must not appear too eager to rubber stamp decisions taken by the Executive arm of Government. They should not repeat the same errors which characterized the decision of the Government in the very first place. It is by adherence to proper procedure that the National Assembly will be seen as makers of law and believers in the rule of law. As I said in my initial Press Release, a befitting national honour is perhaps the greatest honour that could be done to the late Bashorun M.K.O Abiola. These could be the National Stadium, Aso Rock, National Assembly and the likes.

By Kazeem Ibarhym, Uyo Courtesy Of: The Nation

Senate panel uncovers idle N273.9b pension cash

2012-06-21T12:44:00.001+01:00

The Senate Committee on Investigation of Pension Administration has uncovered about N273.9b idle cash in seven major pension offices.

It has recommended arrest and prosecution of the Chairman of the Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina and two others. It also wants other members of the team found culpable in the mismanagement of pension funds tried.

The two officials of the Task Team recommended for trial along with Maina are John Yusuf and B.G. Kaigama.

The committee has asked the government to compel the Pension Task Team to submit its finical records and transactions from inception to date for auditing by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

These recommendations are contained in the 108-page report of the committee, which is expected to be submitted today to the Senate.

In the report, which was exclusively obtained by our correspondents last night, the committee said the Auditor-General of the Federation should be allowed unhindered access to all the pension financial records and account books for proper auditing.

The uncovering of the N273, 941, 568, 915.55b in pension offices appears a major breakthrough.

The affected pension offices and the idle funds are as follows: Military(N23,532, 339,033.98), DSS/ NIA (N36,121,396,662.73), Police(N43,213,213,062,.63); Civilians (N58,715,239,159.66); CIPPO (N27,797,021,906.44); Parastatals(N75,783,682,992.99); Universities(N8,778,676,097.12).

The report reads in part: “That the total unspent pension funds balances in all the pension offices of the Federal Government amount to N273, 941, 568, 915.55b.

“That there are indicators of massive fraud and embezzlement of pension funds in the years 2000 to 2007 which require comprehensive audit and forensic investigation. This is because there were no credible actions for the sensitisation and validation of pension payroll during these years.

“The number of pensioners on the payroll of the Pension Department in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation alone was above 200,000 during these years. This was reduced to about 141,000 names at the first credible effort at pensioners biometric verification by the Pension Department in 2009.

“That the outstanding pension fund balances of N273, 941, 568, 915.55b in all pension offices of the Federal Government be moopped up by the Accountant-General of the Federation and be used to settle all outstanding pension entitlements.

“The activities and operations of the PFAs should be closely monitored by the National Pension Commission to ensure the attainment of the noble objectives of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

“The practice of different Ad Hoc Teams co-opting officers of law enforcement agencies and using them for inappropriate duties should be stopped forthwith. Law enforcement officials should only be invited to perform their statutory functions when necessary.

“All officers from the EFCC, ICPC and the SSS, who were co-opted by the Pension Task Team and found to have colluded, aided, and abetted corruption, diversion and siphoning of pension funds and have been used for inappropriate duties should be withdrawn, investigated, arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“That the constitutional provision of Section 173(3) which states that pension should be reviewed every five years or whenever there is review of the remuneration of public servants should be strictly adhered to. Harmonization of pension should be done to ensure uniformity of pension amount irrespective of years of retirement.”

The report said: “That the Chairman of the Pension Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, John Yusuf, B.G. Kaigama and all the members of the Pension Task Team involved should be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force for the crimes of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, misapplication, illegal virement, contract splitting, award of contracts to non-existing companies, award of contracts without appropriations and outright stealing of pension funds. And the stolen funds should be recovered from them.

“That Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina was noted to have taken over all the Federal Pension Offices, except the Military Pensions Board, FCT, and Pension Boards of Federal Parastatals.

“That the public funds expended for verification exercises were ten times more than the amount of funds saved from the verification exercises. The amount spent on the verification exercise is sufficient for payment of more than half of one year’s pension.

“That the frequent verification exercises, which are often done without convenient arrangement, have put the pensioners into untold sufferings and death.”

The report also faulted the EFCC for adopting a selective method for the arrest and trial of those who allegedly looted pension money.

The committee said: “That the EFCC has been selective in the prosecution of officials who looted, misapplied, siphoned, embezzled, and misappropriated pension funds, even when numerous petitions with incontrovertible evidences are submitted to the agency.

“EFCC was also observed to have discontinued pension fraud investigations it commenced when weighty evidences thereto linked the Chairman and members of the Task Team.”

The report indicted commercial banks for collaborating in the looting of pension funds.

It added: “That the banks were handy collaborators in the unauthorized and illegal opening of government accounts, change of signatories, transfer of funds, deposit of government funds and many other unethical financial transactions.”

By Yusuf Alli and Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja Courtesy Of: The Nation

Security chiefs meet with governor

2012-06-21T12:41:00.003+01:00

Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin and Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar were in Kaduna yesterday.

They came to see the devastation of last Sunday’s attacks, comfort the bereaved and assure all that security agents will continue to ensure that those hiding under religion to foment trouble are brought to book.

With the security chiefs were senior military and police personnel.

Kaduna has been engulfed by crisis since last Sunday’s suicide bombings in Zaria and Kaduna.

The security chiefs, who met with Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, praised the state government for the way it has handled the crisis so far. After the meeting, the security chiefs went round the metropolis to see things for themselves.

Calm is gradually returning to the city after three days of tension. Streets are deserted by residents who have been forced to remain indoors because of the 24 hours curfew imposed on the state by the government.

Investigations revealed that despite the gradual return of calm, there is palpable tension in some parts of the metropolis as residents complain about “fake soldiers” unleashing terror on people.

Although this could not be confirmed as at press time yesterday, the alleged fake soldiers were said to have shot some people in Malali.

However, residents who were caught unaware by the crisis are grappling with hunger as the markets and the banks have remained closed due to the curfew. ATM machines have run out of cash.

Two men who managed to get to one of the ATM machines located in the Kaduna south branch of Access Bank was seen throwing his hands into the air in frustration after being unable to collect money from the machine.

The one of them who refused to identify himself said “I have been to all the banks around here to use my ATM card to collect money, but I cannot. Look at the hardship this nonsense is putting us through. We just came out of the weekend into this mess. Even when I wanted to collect money yesterday, I could not because of long queues and the subsequent confusion in the town.

“I don’t even know what we are going to eat today because we don’t even have food at home. If these mad people don’t kill us, then hunger will definitely kill us. I want to appeal to those responsible for this to please give peace a chance.”

The popular Station Market where fruits are sold was deserted as traders hurriedly abandoned their goods when the crisis broke out.

Majority of vehicles seen on the road yesterday when The Nation went round the city were security vehicles with heavily armed security personnel.

Some security operatives were seen using commercially painted buses, while some operatives were stationed at strategic positions around the city, with a bit more heavy security presence seen around the Sabon Tasha market which was vandalised.

There were no indications last night that the government would relax the curfew to enable residents buy food.

Besides hunger, people are grappling with the lack of pipe borne water. There has been no supply from the Water Board since the crisis began.

By Tony Akowe, Kaduna Courtesy Of: The Nation

Federal Govt defends Jonathan’s trip to Brazil

2012-06-21T12:39:00.002+01:00

The President was yesterday fighting back on barrage of attacks for his Brazil trip which has been described as “unnecessary”, considering the violence in some parts of the North.

To Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, his critics are unfair. He has not abdicated his responsibility by travelling to attend the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, he said.

As the President spoke in Brazil, his spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati defended his boss and Information Minister Labaran Maku, in Abuja, chided Jonathan’s critics.

The minister said the President could govern from any part of the world, adding that he “is on a working visit to Brazil and not on holidays”.

Dr. Jonathan, who spoke on Tuesday night while addressing members of the Nigerian community in Brazil, said the country would make progress faster towards fulfilling its immense potentials, if all Nigerians support his administration’s transformation plan.

“One of the problems we have is that some Nigerians play politics with everything, but we cannot destroy our country because of personal political ambitions,” the President said.

“We now have a constitutional democracy and no one can stay in office forever. It will, therefore, be best for our nation if we all support whoever is there for the development of the country, instead of trying to pull him down by all means,” President Jonathan said in response to comments and questions by his hosts on the state of affairs in Nigeria.

The President who also spoke about the country’s security challenge, assured the gathering that the Federal Government was working very hard to overcome the challenges.

“We have challenges, but they are not insurmountable. We remain fully focused and committed to national development, in spite of sponsored lies against this administration. We are ready to work together with all of our people to move the country forward. We will work even harder to place concrete realities on the ground that will further prove our sincerity and commitment to all Nigerians,” he pledged.

The President, who thanked members of the Nigerian community for assembling from all parts of Brazil to receive him in Rio De Janeiro, said: “It is generally known and acknowledged that Nigeria has a very robust Diaspora and we will continue to explore ways of harnessing your skills and talents for the development of our fatherland.”

Dr. Jonathan will meet with Brazillian President Dilma Rousseff on the sidelines of the Rio + 20 Summit to discuss the enhancement of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil, including the strengthening of trade and economic relations as well as a prisoner exchange programme that could benefit Nigerians imprisoned in the South American country.

In a statement, Abati said the President needed to attend the conference because of its importance to Nigeria and because commitments had already been made on his attendance.

He said his presence at the summit was in the best interest of the country.

He said: “The conference, Rio+20, is very important and nobody can doubt that. The issues that will be discussed at this conference are also issues that are relevant to Nigeria’s interest. It is also an opportunity for Nigeria to promote its interest in terms of its place in global community.

“The crisis in Kaduna and Yobe occurred almost on the eve of the President’s departure for this event and commitments have been made.

“In any event, it is not as if government has abandoned the situation at home. Security agencies are there, they are on top of the situation.

Maku, who spoke to reporters in Abuja said: “Before the President left, he met with security chiefs. The business of leadership cannot just stop because there is a crisis there.

“I think what we can do is to appeal to the opposition not to always play politics with everything; that is the major challenge we face, people always want to play politics with everything.

“If the President had refused to come to Rio, the same persons will turn around and say that there is an important conference attended by world leaders and the Nigerian President stayed away from it.

“It is as if there is nothing you can do to please our people. It is not that Nigeria is going to lose anything by Mr. President’s presence here; rather, the country is going to gain a lot from his presence here.

“He is here serving the interest of Nigerians it is not as if he has abandoned his responsibilities.”

“There is no vacuum, the most important thing is that the president and the vice president work harmoniously and are in constant touch.

“If the President panics, what will the people do. We must stop making politics out of the unfortunate incidents going on in Northern Nigeria.

“There are people who think that because the President is out of the country he cannot make decision for the country. It is not true. Today, with advanced information technology, every President in this world, anywhere he is, even from the skies, can give directive to any Defence chief to act on any matter in the country.

“We are leaving in a new world and I think people should understand this. We should not play politics with this, “ he said.

By Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja Courtesy Of: The Nation

More suicide bombings coming, task force warns

2012-06-21T12:36:00.001+01:00

Maiduguri residents were told yesterday to prepare for more suicide bombings.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) - Operation Restore Order (ORO) - in a statement by its spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, warned of plans by terrorists to carry Impoverished Explosive Devices (IEDs) in stolen vehicles. It warned the public to report to the appropriate bodies immediately a vehicle is stolen.

The statement reads: “Information recently available to the JTF ORO in Maiduguri indicated that there have been desperate moves by Boko Haram terrorists to steal/snatch vehicles to be used for terrorists’ activities by implanting Improvised Explosive Devices in vehicles and or through suicide bombing.

“The Task Force wishes to alert members of the public, particularly those whose vehicles have been stolen, to immediately report such incident to the nearest police station or to the JTF as such vehicles if used for terrorism acts would lead to owners of such vehicles being treated as collaborators and accomplices.”

The JTF spokesman said the task force’s troops and Department of State Services personnel have arrested six suspected Boko Haram members involved in the attack on EYN Church in Biu, Borno State, on June 17. Some worshippers were killed.

Those arrested are in JTF custody and are being interrogated.

Also yesterday, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde warned that “if something serious, strategic and meaningful is not done, we may just be working our way towards another avoidable civil war.

” Speaking in Lagos against the backdrop of the recent coordinated bombings in Kaduna and Zaria, the Prelate said:

“For how long are we going to remain silent? Here we are begging the issue while innocent people are dying and their loved ones are yet to get justice. Is it a crime to be a Christian in any part of Nigeria? Every time we raise the alarm and call for action, they will say it has no religious colouration which saddens my heart the more whenever I hear that.

“Before Sunday’s bombings, no fewer than 200 people have been killed in 12 separate attacks on churches or places of Christian worship in the North so far this year and al-Qaeda-linked Islamist terror group Boko Haram has explicitly claimed that it carried out at least 10 of them. Yet we are scratching the matter on the surface rather than intensify efforts and expose those behind these attacks. No fewer than 40 persons were feared killed on Sunday in Kaduna and Zaria as suicide bombers attacked three churches.

“And in all of these bombings and attacks on Christians and Churches, no person has been arrested or brought to book. Where are we going? Where is justice? This is what is encouraging this culture of impunity, which makes it difficult for one to ascertain if the Government has the political will needed in tackling this menace headlong.

“Considering all of these, one then begins to worry, if we ever learnt anything from the first civil war which, for me, was avoidable if the principles of justice and fairness were upheld.

“I appeal to all Christians all over the North and other parts of Nigeria to refrain from reprisal attacks as the battle belongs to GOD. God will definitely fight for us as he did during the introduction of the political Sharia in Nigeria.”

Rev. Makinde added: “ reports monitored today (Wednesday) confirms that this group, widely known as Boko Haram, has plans to launch further devastating attacks on Churches and Government buildings in the coming days and weeks. The sect said it planned to make this month the bloodiest month yet in its violent and bloody campaigns against those it tagged infidels.

“The report says they are planning a focused and bloody attack for which 300 suicide bombers have been recruited, sent to Mauritania and Somalia for training in handling weapons, bomb making and suicide bombing and they promise to start with Southern Kaduna and Plateau, two States populated with Christians, in a bid to avenge the death of Muslims who died in the reprisal attacks.

“I call on the Federal Government, to protect the lives of innocent Nigerians, especially Christians who have been so patient and have refrained from any form of violence. The constitution to which they swore expects them to do so and they have a compelling duty to uphold the Constitution to the letter. Furthermore, nobody is above the law. Without bringing perpetrators and sponsors of these acts of terrorism to book, justice cannot be seen to have been done, which is a big threat to our collective interest as Nigerians in our quest for a united nation.”

By Emmanuel Oladesu and Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri Courtesy Of: The Nation

Curfew pains hit Kaduna, Yobe residents hard

2012-06-21T12:34:00.001+01:00

Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, was groaning yesterday under the weight of a huge humanitarian crisis sparked by Monday’s violence and the 24-hour curfew that followed.

Gone are the explosions and the killings. Now the city is struggling to return to normal life amid pangs of hunger and pains of losing relations.

As it is in Damaturu, so it is in Kaduna, the North’s political capital where two churches were attacked last Sunday.

Security operatives and suspected members of the Jama’atu Ahlul Sunna Lid Da’awati wal Jihad (aka Boko Haram) were locked in a bloody test of supremacy in Damaturu on Monday.

Many residents were either trapped in their offices, market places, hotels, relatives’ home or areas considered to be safe when the fighting erupted at about 5.30pm on Monday.

Members of “Operation Restore Order 111”, otherwise known as JTF, are escorting trapped people to their homes and destinations because of the restriction of movement.

The Damaturu JTF Commander, Col. Abdulsalam said: “We had earlier distributed our hotlines all across the state for the people to report any suspicious activities. The JTF numbers came in handy as a lot of people were trapped, either in their shops, offices or other places of their endeavours.

“Since the curfew was not meant to punish anybody, we had to do our best to alleviate the sufferings of all those trapped in various locations.”

Beneficiaries of the operation praised the JTF for their foresight. Many of them, who do not want their names in print recounted ugly details of the “unfortunate” night.

Some of the workers especially paramedical and medical staff, were trapped at their working places as no one came to relieve them of their duties.

It was also gathered that top government officials who normally work late, turned their offices into guest houses until Wednesday morning when the JTF came to their rescue.

Civil servants and others, including bankers, have gone on a forced break due to the curfew.

Businesses are grounded. Many families are stuck at home without food.

Police Commissioner Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed that five policemen, 34 sect members and two soldiers were killed in the Monday attack.

He said: “What I can tell you now is that the number of dead policemen has increased to five, 34 sect members were killed and two army personnel also died. But we are yet to know the number of civilians who died in the attack.”

Four primary schools and a market at Kandahar were burnt. The primary schools are Bindigary Primary School, Pompomari Primary School, Njiwaji Primary School and Bukar Ammi Primary School - all in Damaturu metropolis.

There were unconfirmed report that the COCCIN Church in Shagari Low-cost and the home of the pastor of Unity Chapel and his church were also torched.

But the CP said those churches claimed to have been burnt were not from fresh attacks but attacks that took place in the past.

“I have gone round all those bad areas, including the churches. From the DPO’s briefing, the said churches were not affected by the fresh attacks that took place on Monday. They are actually old attacks,” Egbuniwe said.

Commenting on when the 24hour curfew will be lifted, the CP said: “It is the governor that will decide whether the curfew will be relaxed or not. It is not the decision of the CP. I am not the one who imposed the curfew but all of us will have to come together and sit at the table - the SSS, Police, JTF and the governor before a decision will be taken”.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam yesterday urged members of the public to disregard some text messages circulating in town that Yobe is boiling and that churches are being burnt.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Press and Information Affairs, Abdullahi Bego, the governor said:

“Our attention has been drawn to a text message being circulated by some mischievous elements wanting to cause disaffection between followers of different religions in our state that members of the Christian Community were being ‘attacked’, that Churches were set ablaze in Damaturu and that Yobe was ‘boiling’ following the incident between security agents and members of the Boko Haram in the State capital on Monday.

“We wish to state categorically that the entire content of the text being circulated is false, misleading, mischievous and unfounded.

“There were no churches in Damaturu that were attacked. The unfortunate incident in the town last Monday affected all residents, regardless of religious inclination but, as everyone knows, members of the security forces were able to repel the attack and restore law and order.

“People who circulate false text messages were apparently doing so to stir up religious tension but they will not succeed.

“The Yobe State Government, therefore, calls on people to discountenance the said text message and any similar false messages and to continue to live peacefully with one another.

“His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam also urges both Muslims and Christians to continue to pray the Almighty God to restore peace and security in Yobe State and the nation in general.”

Yobe State University Vice Chancellor Prof. Musa Alabe visited the school yesterday to donate food items and a ram to the students.

“I looked at the situation and decided to go and see my students. As you know, some of them were caught up by the 24-hour curfew and they have nothing to eat, So, we have to at least intervene, to cushion the effect. I called JTF to escort me to the school and they obliged.

“We gave some food stuff and a ram to be cooked and shared to the students. Even though I know that it will not be enough, but we hope that the 24-hour curfew will not last forever,” Alabe said.

Reports said the situation at the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu is deplorable, with students buying up all the food stuff, such as biscuits, bread and beverages in the kiosks.

By Duku Joel, Damaturu Courtesy Of: The Nation

Pope: end attacks

2012-06-21T12:24:00.002+01:00

Pope Benedict yesterday called for immediate end to what he called “terrorist attacks”against Christians in Nigeria and urged all sides to avoid reprisals.

The escalating violence has raised fears of wider sectarian conflict after months of attacks on churches, government buildings and other sites by the Islamist Boko Haram sect.

Nofewer than 40 people were killed in clashes between Muslim and Christian residents in Kaduna on Tuesday, triggered by the suspected Islamist bombings of three churches, according to figures from the Nigerian Red Cross.

“I am following with deep concern the news from Nigeria, where terrorist attacks are continuing especially against Christians,” the Pope said at his weekly general audience.

“I appeal to those responsible for the violence to immediately stop the spilling of the blood of many innocent people.”

He urged all groups in Nigeria to shun “the path of vendetta”and work towards building a peaceful society where people are free to practice their religion

Also yesterday, two clerics in Lagos urged the Federal Government to urgently address the bombings to avoid anarchy.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the clerics said the bombings could degenerate to a religious or ethnic war - if unchecked.

Monsignor Gabriel Osu, the Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said steps must be taken to avert the bombings and reprisal.“ We are getting to the most dangerous part; that is reprisal, and if not nipped in the bud, it can lead to a religious war.

“Security agencies should intervene more because once the people take laws into their hands to defend themselves, it is anarchy,” he said.

Pastor Femi Asiwaju, the Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, said the Federal Government should intensify efforts to check insecurity.

“We pray that this will not go out of hand; the government should urgently proffer solutions to avert a religious or even a tribal war,’’ he added.

By Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor Courtesy Of: The Nation

House invites Jonathan as 34 die in Yobe violence

2012-06-20T10:47:00.000+01:00

-Police: Foreigners behind mayhem -CPC, ACN fault President’s trip -Senate meets over insecurity -24-hr curfew in Kaduna, Damaturu

LAWMAKERS resolved yesterday to invite President Goodluck Jonathan to tell them what he is doing to rein in the violence in the land.

Also yesterday, Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, which was the scene of a gun battle on Monday, began counting its loss.

The Nigeria Red Cross, according to its official Andronicus Adeyemo, said 25 people, among them five security operatives, died in the attacks.

But a doctor said the figure of the dead is higher.

“So far, 34 bodies have been taken to the mortuary, but we expect the death toll to rise,” said the doctor, who pleaded not to be named.

A source at the hospital mortuary said: “I counted over 32 bodies, as at noon. It is over three hours now and I am sure the number may increase to 40 or even 50 because I saw police still bringing in bodies in batches.

“I also counted five dead policemen in uniform.”

In Kaduna, there was tension as clashes were reported in some areas. The government reimposed a 24-hour curfew, which it had earlier to 12 hours.

Damaturu remained deserted all yesterday. Many families have been displaced.

Commissioner of Police Patrick Egbuniwe said: “Our men are still mopping up the town. So, we cannot, at the moment, tell you exactly how many of the sect members were killed but many of them were killed.

“We lost three policemen, four hospitalised with gunshot wounds. They were not able to get the Area Command Office and the Police Headquarters. They were repelled.

“Their attack was mainly on security agents and government property. A UBE primary school in Sabon Pegi was bombed by the attackers,” Egbuniwe said.

The police chief said 32 arrests were made, adding that his men were on patrol and that the situation was under control.

Residents of Pompomari, a Damaturu suburb, have all left their homes.

Those who have relatives in the estates which seem to be relatively peaceful for now, have relocated to such places. Scores of others, mostly women and children, were seen at Waziri Ibrahim Estate Primary School and the Junior Day Secondary School Susuma. They were in deplorable conditions.

Some of the children were crying for water and food.

Our correspondent gathered that most of the families abruptly left their homes without any contigency plan.

Aisha, 34, a mother of five at the Susuma Secondary School, told our correspondent that the only thing she could think of was her children and not food.

“We only had to get out of that war zone for our safety. It is only today that we are thinking about food. Though my last child cried throughout the night for food, it’s better that we are alive,” Aisha said.

The problems of the displaced women and children, The Nation learnt is further complicated by the 24-hour curfew imposed on Damaturu as nobody could go out to search for food or water.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam imposed a 24-hour curfew within Damaturu metropolis.

A statement by Abdullahi Bego, his Special Assistant on Presss Affairs and Information, reads: “Residents are hereby directed to remain in their homes while officers and men of the Joint Task force (JTF) and other security agencies continue with their effort to ensure peace and security and the protection of lives and property.

“The 24-hour curfew directive is for Damaturu metropolis only. Restriction of movement for other parts of the State, except Potiskum Town, still remains 10pm to 6am daily. Restriction of movement in Potiskum Town remains 6.00pm to 6.00am daily.

“Governor Gaidam calls on members of the general public to continue to give maximum cooperation to the JTF and other security agencies in their effort to ensure the safety of life and property.

“The Governor also calls on people not to relent in their prayers for the Almighty Allah (SWT) to restore peace in our state and the nation in general”.

Also yesterday, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) lashed out at the President for going to Brazil when Nigeria is not at peace.

By Duku Joel, Damaturu Courtesy Of: The Nation

Rep Jagaba: I don’t have $620,000 bribe

2012-06-20T10:45:00.002+01:00

WHERE is the $620,000 bribe businessman Femi Otedola gave the suspended Chairman of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management, Mallam Farouk Lawan ?

The question remained as knotty as ever yesterday, with the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and Financial Crimes, Mr. Adam Jagaba, denying having the cash. Lawan has refused to surrendered the money, saying it is his proof that Otedola bribed him against his wish.

Otedola said Lawan mounted pressure on him to part with the “marked” cash.

The mystery may be resolved in court, going by legal advice given Lawan. He is believed to have been advised against surrendering the cash to the police to avoid it being tampered with.

It was learnt that lawyers prefer Lawan producing the dollar bills only at the discretion of a court.

Although Lawan is expected to report to the police today, he may not produce the bribe sum.

A defence team source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are actually preparing for the court battle. Whoever is in custody of the alleged bribe cash can only produce it based on the order of a competent court.

“The way the police are desperate to retrieve the money suggests a suspicious motive and it will be proper for Lawan to be protected by a court rather than by any security agency.

“In fact, we have other issues surrounding the investigation by the police, which ought to be addressed in court.

“But we decided not to take any precipitate action that will suggest that Lawan has something to hide or to give room for any excuse that he is trying to cover up his track. We are set for the worst case scenario.”

Jagaba, in a document obtained by The Nation, affirmed that he was not in possession of the cash.

Jagaba wrote: “I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that there was never a time I was in possession of the sum of $620,000 or any other exhibit (in my personal capacity or official capacity as Chairman House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes) relating to the subject matter of the above investigation.

“I hope this explanation lays to rest once and for all the claims that I or my Committee is in possession of the sum of $620,000 purportedly given as bribe to the ad hoc Committee on Monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.”

It was gathered that the letter was sent to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal by Commissioner of Police Ali Amodu who is leading the investigation.

On receiving the Police request, the Speaker forwarded it to Jagaba who, Lawan alleged, he gave the money to keep.

The letter forwarded to Jagaba on June 19 urged him to cooperate and act urgently.

It was signed by the Speaker’s Special Adviser (Legal and Legislative), Chille Igbawua.

The Police letter, dated June 15, signed by CP Ali Amodu is entitled: Re: Investigation activities: Request for handling over exhibits in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy and taking gratification to pervert the cause of justice reads:

“ In furtherance of investigation into the above case involving Hon. Farouk Lawan and his Ad Hoc Committee on Monitoring of the URL subsidy regime, the Hon. Speaker is kindly requested to avail this office with the following exhibits:

“ The sum of $620,000 which Hon. Farouk Lawan admitted to have collected from a marketer and handed over to the House Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-corruption.

“Any other material evidence that may be of use to this investigation”.

But a source said: “You will recall that Lawan admitted that he allegedly reported the matter to Jagaba alongside the bribe sum for onward transmission to the anti-graft agency.

“But the money was later retrieved from Jagaba by some people. So, it will be right for Jagaba to say that the bribe sum is no longer with him.”

It was learnt that Speaker Tambuwal has not received a letter from the police inviting any member of the House in connection with the bribery.

A high-ranking member of the House said: “The Speaker has not received any letter from the Special Task Force of the Police inviting members of the Ad Hoc Committee for interaction. If he gets it, he will read it on the floor of the House.

“What I know is that the Ad Hoc Committee is trying to conclude its work within two weeks. The House is determined to put the oil subsidy probe behind it.”

A police source, however, added: “We are still going ahead with our investigation. It is too hasty for anyone to conclude that Lawan will not honour the undertaking he signed with the police.

“We all know the consequence of entering into an undertaking without honouring it. He assured us that he will facilitate the appearance of Jagaba before us.”

On the fate of two policemen, who smuggled Lawan out from detention cell on Friday night to go home to take his bath, the source said: “They are still in detention because they have violated the service rules. The offence is considered grievous, such that none of their relations is allowed to see them.

“I think they might soon face Orderly Room Trial, which is like being Court Martial in the Nigerian Army.”

It was gathered that a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Peter Gana, was on Monday at the Force CID in Area 10, where Lawan was detained, for a “wake up” call visit.

The source said: “The DIG read the Riot Act to officers and men. He asked them to sit up or face the consequence.”

By Yusuf Alli and Dele Anofi, Abuja Courtesy Of: The Nation

Jonathan to tell House of Representatives how he’s tackling insecurity

2012-06-20T10:43:00.004+01:00

The President is to brief lawmakers on how he is addressing the growing insecurity in the country, it was resolved yesterday.

This is the first time since the return of democratic governance in 1999 that a President has been invited by lawmakers to address them.

The President visits the legislature only when he is inaugurating a new Assembly or presenting the budget.

The House of Representatives adopted a resolution that President Goodluck Jonathan should address it in a closed session on the steps he has taken so far and how he is addressing the insecurity in the land.

The resolution followed a motion by Yakubu Barde (PDP Kaduna) supported by Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN Lagos).

It was in response to the weekend suicide bombings in Kaduna and Monday’s terrorist attacks on Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

More than 50 people were killed in the attacks on churches in Kaduna and Zaria. The death toll in the attacks on Damaturu is believed to be over 30. Many are displaced.

In adopting the motion, the legislators rejected the proposal to have the President address a joint session of the National Assembly.

They also rejected the proposal compelling the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer police officers from the rank of Inspector and above to their states of origin.

Barde described as unfortunate, the loss of lives and destruction of property that followed the Sunday attacks in Zaria and Kaduna, and the subsequent reprisal attack.

Barde said: “Kaduna has always been known to be peaceful but these unfortunate attacks have driven fear into the minds of the people. Now, people will say attacks are not religious, but people are now afraid of going to their places of worship.

“Not only that, businesses are now badly affected in the region. Which investor would want to go to that area to invest? In other words, poverty is being perpetrated in that region.

“To me, the question is no longer when would the next bomb blast go off or when would the next attack be launched and where, but of how long are we going to live with this?”

Benjamin Aboho (PDP, Benue) expressed regret that President Jonathan has been unable to tackle the security issues thrown up by the Boko Haram since it assumed a more dangerous dimension about two years ago.

He alluded to the President’s trip to Brazil and the bribery scandal rocking the House.”Does that mean that the climate change conference is more important to the President than the lives and property of Nigerians? It seems that the Presidency is more interested in damaging the credibility of the lawmakers instead of addressing the security situations of this country,” he said.

Contributing to another motion on insecurity in Zamfara State, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas blasted President Jonathan for his insensitivity by traveling out at a time when the country is boiling.

“I think the time has come for the House to summon the President and give him a marching order on steps to take in addressing the question of insecurity in this country. To whom much is given, much is expected,” she said.

“Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) cited the negative fallouts of the Civil War and kidnapping on the socio-economic life of the people where it started from before spreading to other parts of the country.

He warned that steps must be taken urgently before bombing takes a business dimension. “We should not see the problem as restricted to the Northeast. Now it has spread to the Northwest and, if care is not taken, the rest of the country risks being engulfed by the phenomenon.”

Gbajabiamila said the President had abandoned the last line of the oath of office he took - to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

“Rather, the President felt that travelling overseas for some climate change, not minding that the insecurity situation in this country right now is infringing on the rights of Nigerians to religion and peaceful assembly.

“The current situation has also infringed on the rights of Nigerians to free movement and rights to life. How do we relate with a situation whereby for five hours, state security agencies could not contain this attack.

“This can be pardoned if element of surprise was there like a bomb going off without warning, but for five hours, that is absurd. Does that mean that we have to look elsewhere for solution to this problem?”

Besides, he posited that the legislature must take the initiative out of the hands of the Executive through a bill that would ensure the reformation of the security system.

The Minority Leader stressed that the House must not shy away from its oversight functions over the Presidency, the President inclusive, to make him adhere to the oath he swore.

He said the President needed to appear before the Representatives in a closed session where ideas would be exchanged on way out of the security challenges.

Lanre Odubote (ACN, Lagos) said a constitutional amendment was necessary to address insecurity.

He said regional autonomy, decentralisation of fiscal authorities as well as decentralisation of security apparatus must be in place, to address the issue.

Nkiruka Onyejeocha (PDP, Abia) blamed her colleagues for shying away from discussing Boko Haram when it first reared its head. “When a member raised the issue, it was taken to executive session and I remember that it was said that we should not discuss it because of the effect it might have on us.”

She went on: “I also remember that someone said if we failed to address it then, that the problem might get to consume us. What I will say is that as leaders in whatever capacity, we should look within ourselves and seek the face of God.

“We should go to our constituencies and educate our people on security issues and do whatever is necessary to assist in bringing this problem to an end.”

Jerry Mnwe (PDP, Taraba) wanted to know what security agencies were doing with the “huge” funds allocated to them yearly. “Is it to buy AK47 only or is it to buy bomb detectors for Aso Villa or the National Assembly alone and leave the rest of Nigerians to their fate?”

Manwe felt that President Jonathan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoeye Azazi, appeared to be afraid of apprehending the perpetrators of the violence.

“Is Jonathan, Azazi and the IGP, Abubakar Mohammed afraid that they can’t arrest the people they said they know? I think Nigerians should mobilise to arrest whoever comes out tomorrow to tell us that they know those behind the attacks and cannot arrest them.”

Opeyemi Bamidele (ACN, Ekiti), Mohammed Monguno (ANPP, Borno) James Faleke (ACN, Lagos) and Oluchi Ibeji (PDP, Abia) among others added their voices to the need for the President to explain the situation.

The lawmakers condemned the attacks in Zaria, Kaduna and Damauru and in other parts of the country. They also commiserated with the victims.

They urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide the victims with relief materials.

On the modalities for inviting he President, House Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed said the House would formally write to the President.

“We will not say just by the resolution of the House we have invited him, we will formally write to him, inviting him to come along with his Security Chiefs to explain what steps have been taken so far.

“From there, we will know where we are to come in and offer assistance; from there too, we will be able to know what we are going to tell our constituents on what the government is doing about the security situation in the country.

“When we are inviting him, the public will know about it”.

By Dele Anofi, Abuja Courtesy Of: The Nation

Lawyer disowns anti-Salami suit

2012-06-20T10:41:00.004+01:00

There was drama at the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday in a suit seeking to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from reinstating the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

A lawyer, Wilfred Okoli, denied knowledge of the suit filed in his name by an Abuja lawyer, Amobi Nzelu.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) on May 10 recommended the reinstatement of Justice Salami.

Nzelu, in the suit filed on behalf of Okoli, is asking the court to stop Dr. Jonathan from acting on the recommendation sent to him by the NJC.

The defendants are the NJC, Justice Salami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Dr. Jonathan.

When the case was called yesterday, Okoli, who is listed as the sole plaintiff, promptly denied the suit.

He said: “My lord, I am not aware of this suit. My consent was never sought before it was brought before you. I have no knowledge of it, my lord.’’

Amazed by the development, Justice Abdul Kafarati asked the purported plaintiff and his lawyer to go and sort out their disagreement. He adjourned the matter till September 25.

The court also asked Amobi to serve the second defendant (Justice Salami) before the next sitting.

The plaintiff is asking the court to hold that NJC can not deliberate on an issue which is a subject of litigation, among others.

By Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja Courtesy Of: The Nation

ACN: Jonathan should have cancelled Brazil trip

2012-06-20T10:35:00.004+01:00

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on a trip to Brazil for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development at a time the country is facing ‘a national emergency’.

The party said the president must end a situation where citizens die from gun and bomb attacks.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the decision by the President to travel two days after dozens of innocent Nigerians were killed by suicide bombers is a sign of ‘insensitive and confused leadership.’

It said the fact that the trip was announced by the presidency as the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, was being terrorised by attackers raised serious concerns about the Jonathan Administration’s commitment to the security and welfare of the citizenry.

ACN said the President should have cancelled the trip as a symbolic act of a caring leadership and out of respect for the dead.

The party said: “Again, we are constrained to ask whether this President is getting quality advice from the myriad of aides surrounding him, or whether, like his benefactor, Olusegun Obasanjo, he has decided he may not even take any advice from his advisers.

“In other climes, the usual thing is for leaders to cancel foreign trips or rush home from such trips when their countries suffer tragedies.

“In April 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao cut short his Latin American tour and returned home after a strong earthquake hit the west of China. This year, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir returned home early from his visit to China, due to the rising tension along the border of his country with Sudan, and even a phone-hacking scandal was enough for British Prime Minister David Cameron to cut short an African trade tour and return home in 2011.

“Since our own President has not even left Nigeria when these latest tragedies broke, it is inexplicable that he will still hop into a plane with a huge entourage and fly out. He should realise that he is attending the conference because he is the President of Nigeria, not because he is Dr. Jonathan.

“Therefore, Nigeria’s paramount interest dictates that he stays at home and oversees efforts to prevent the precarious situation in Kaduna from degenerating into an all-out religious war.’’

The party expressed concern over the worsening terrorist attacks.

The party said it is time security agencies looked beyond Boko Haram for the solution to the bombings.

It said: ‘’Are there elements within and outside the Jonathan Administration who may be benefitting from this mindless killings? Is the recent escalation linked to the huge sum of money (almost a quarter of the budget) allocated to security in the current budget? Are there fifth columnists within the Jonathan Administration who are fuelling this crisis, considering that the President himself has said his government has been infiltrated by Boko Haram? These and other questions must be answered by security agencies as part of efforts to end this festering crisis.’’

Courtesy Of: The Nation

Senate: moves to plunge Nigeria into religious war ‘ll fail

2012-06-20T10:31:00.003+01:00

The Senate yesterday held a three-hour closed session on the security situation in the country.

It declared after the session that far-reaching decisions on how to address insecurity in the country had been taken.

But its spokesman Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe did not disclose the decision when he spoke to reporters after the session.

He also said the Senate had not received any request for the declaration of state of emergency in Kaduna and Yobe States.

Abaribe said the tensed meeting was dominated by discussion on the increasing state of insecurity in the country especially the Sunday suicide attacks on three churches in Kaduna and Zaria and the subsequent reprisal attack.

As the meeting lasted, it was speculated that the Senate might be considering the option of imposition of a state of emergency on Kaduna and Yobe States as a means to contain increasing violent activities.

But Abaribe said the Senate could only consider imposition of a state of emergency if it was requested by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Senate President David Mark, before adjourning plenary session, reported that the Senate in closed session, discussed issues of national interest and took “very robust decisions to ensure that increasing insecurity in the country is halted.”

Abaribe said: “You are all aware of what happened over the weekend and the fact that effort is being made to plunge this country into a religious war.

“But we know that such will not happen. The Senate agreed that it (Kaduna , Zaria mayhem) was an effort to pitch Nigerians against one another and the Senate urges Nigerians not to fall for this odious attempt.

“Secondly, the Senate supports all the actions being taken now by the Federal Government.”

The Senate, he said, is taking very seriously, the issue of national security “because we know that one cannot have development without peace.”

“You cannot have any amount of infrastructure without having those who will enjoy that infrastructure.

“You cannot in any way say you can open your economic indices without people there and we understand that if you want to have development in the country, you have to first deal with your internal security and therefore, that is why we are doing that in our retreat.

“We will look at every side and if there is anything we are going to do, be it an amendment of the constitution, we will go ahead and do it to make sure that Nigeria remains one, indivisible country.

“The Senate also noted that there may be some foreign dimensions to this but the Senate acknowledges that we must put our house in order.

“The Senate is in full agreement that all hands must be on deck and that every Nigerian, no matter the level, has a duty to continue to preserve the unity and the structure of Nigeria as it is today.”

On House of Reps members Farouk Lawan’s bribery scandal, he said, “The Senate does not think it has to protect its own image because it does not think that the image of the National Assembly is in any way affected by the action of an individual within the National Assembly.”

The Senate, he said, “believes that the institution of National Assembly is intact and any member who has infringed on the law of the land will answer for it.”

He said the Senate is “very worried about the state of the nation, if not, we would not have spent a whole day today in a closed section.”

He said the reason for closed session was so that “we can speak frankly; the reason for closed session is that when they have camera on them, they will play to the gallery. So, we are so worried that we have to spend three to four hours in a closed session just to get to what is going on and it was productive.”

By Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja Courtesy Of: The Nation

Police: Foreigners behind mayhem

2012-06-20T10:19:00.000+01:00

KADUNA State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar yesterday alleged that foreign nationals especially from three African countries were involved in the acts of terrorism currently ravaging parts of the north.

The Commissioner told reporters in his office that citizens of Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon were among those involved in the terror activities and warned foreigners coming to cause disharmony in the country to desist from such acts.

In what looks like a riot act, Abubakar said the police will no longer care about the Africa Charter on the free movement of citizens and will treat foreigners arrested with iron hand, adding that the nation’s hospitality should not be taken for granted.

The police boss showed newsmen 15 Improvised Explosive Divices (EIDS) and their accessories recovered by the police, adding that each each of the explosives was capable of causing massive harm to structure and humans.

The police commissioner however refused to give casualty figures from the reprisal killings in Kaduna, following suicide attacks in Zaria and Kaduna on Sunday

The Police Commissioner said “we want to warn all foreigners entering Nigeria to breach the peace and cause disharmony among us to desist from doing so.

“We have arrested many nationales of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, who are among those engaged in mass killings and bombings in Nigeria. We want to warn that we had enough of this. We will no longer care about the West Africa Charter of Freedom of Movement for its citizens if we arrest anyone from now. Our hospitality must not be taken for granted”.

The police chief said that the bomb maker was a well known mechanic living in Kaduna.

According to him, when the police raided his compound, they uncovered a shocking arsenal of IEDS, arms and ammunition, saying “when we raided the compound, he ran into the ceiling of his house. By the time we pursued him up the ceiling, he had escaped through a hole. This was last Friday.

“The idea was to start the bombings on Friday. But we were quick to stop that. If not, last Sunday bombings could have been worse.

“Exhibits recovered include, 15 high calibre EIDS that could have caused serious catasphy in the state in un-intercepted.

“Others are A Honda Accord (EOD) with registration number Kano BE 520 BE KMC.; One AK 47 rifle, two revolvers pistols, one FNC rifle, three FNC rifle magazines, three AK 47 rifle Magazines and 110 rounds of live ammunitions”.

He put the death toll from the two explosions in Zaria at 18 including the suicide bombers, while 32 were injured.

He also confirmed the death of a soldier from the explosion at Shalom church in Kaduna, adding that “on the same date, some mobs had taken to the streets in some parts of the metropolis to unleash violence on innocent people leaving in their trail some deaths.

“Other sustained various injuries. Some property wee also destroyed. Prompt intervention of the Police and other security agencies brought the crisis under control. 1046 persons were rescued but the Police and the army. They are now safe in their homes”, he said.

“The dead and the wounded were taken to nine hospitals in Kaduna. Some were taken to some hospitals that we have not known. So we are still comparing notes”, he said.

By Tony Akowe, Kaduna Courtesy Of: The Nation

How 10 Agencies were Removed from the Ports

2011-10-29T09:13:00.002+01:00

Two weeks after the federal government released a list of agencies that have been barred from operating at the nation’s ports, facts have emerged about what informed the sack of the agencies from the ports.

According to a report obtained by THISDAY, the sacking of 10 agencies from the ports was based on the recommendations of a working group set up by the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a bid to ensure a seamless clearance of goods at the ports.

A few weeks after assuming office, Okonjo-Iweala had constituted the study group to proffer solutions to the persistent gridlock at the ports. Her ultimate ambition is to ensure that 48-hour cargo clearance is achieved in Nigeria.

The body, dubbed the Presidential Working Group on Ports Decongestion, recommended the streamlining of the number of agencies at the ports to 5, leaving the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Health, Immigration, Nigerian Police and NPA. It was strongly recommended that the NCS should be the leading agency in the clearing process.

"Other agencies should relocate outside the port premises and be invited only on need basis," said the report.

The panel members drawn from her office, the Nigerian Customs Service, Ministry of Transport and the private sector, and which had names like Omar Suleiman (MD Nigerian Ports Authority) chairman; Bolanle Onagoruwa (DG, Bureau of Public Enterprise); Emeka Ezeh (DG, Bureau of Public Procurement); Julius Nwagwu (Customs); A.O. Ibeh (Director, BPE), recommended that the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria be barred from operating in the ports.

Other agencies include the Directorate of Naval Intelligence; Nigerian Plant Quarantine Services; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission; The State Security Service; National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the report, said to have been submitted to the finance minister early in October, the working group noted that the operations of Nigerian ports over the years had been associated with inefficiency and corruption. A copy of the summary of the report made available to THISDAY blamed the problems at the ports largely on poor infrastructure, poor work ethics by all the agencies at the port as well as multiplicity of agencies at the port.

It noted: "These agencies through their daily activities have made business at the port very unfriendly as it causes delay in clearing of goods which ultimately adds to the cost of importation. It is against this background that this working group has painstakingly considered the inherent challenges and came up with short term, medium term and long recommendations to ensure 48 hours cargo clearance."

A source told THISDAY that: "Okonjo-Iweala obtained presidential approval to implement the recommendations within a few days after receiving the report. This resulted in her trip to the Apapa Ports in Lagos on October 10, where she unveiled the new deal for Nigerian ports to industry stakeholders.”

Also, the report expressed concern about lack of operational guidelines for shipping lines and terminal operators in Nigeria and recommended thus: "The Shipping line and terminal operators should have direct traders input.

The Shipping lines should carry 70 percent of empty containers when they are leaving in order to solve the problem of excessive empty containers at the ports."

Six agencies were retained at the ports by the government instead of the five recommended by the study group. They are the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, The Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force and Ports Health. The State Security Service was also allowed to remain at the ports.

But, investigations have shown that the desired result of the policy has yet to be achieved as the problem of congestion, especially at the Apapa port, in Lagos, still persists, with a stretch of container-bearing lorries regularly spilling onto the streets.

The minister’s decision been hailed and condemned almost in equal measure with a few agencies apparently staging a last ditch effort to be retained at the ports.

By Ojo Maduekwe Courtesy Of: ThisDayLive