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Yoruba Group Faults Gumi On Separatists, Terrorists, Says Cleric Is Dishonest |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Islamic spiritual leader, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, has been faulted on his claims that “Freedom Fighters” in the South -east and South-west are the same as terrorists and rogue herdsmen operating across the country.

In a statement on Sunday, February 5th, 2021, signed by Col (rtd) Abimbola Sowumi and Ahmed Akorede,  the Pan Yoruba coalition, Apapo O’odua Koya, (AOKOYA) said the Sheik deliberately distorted facts in other to suit his primordial ethnic interests.

The group said it now understands why Gumi did not, at any time, codemn the wanton killings, assassinations, rape and murder unleashed by his people on indigenous communities.

After meeting with some over 600 armed bandits, kidnappers and terrorists in Zamfara, Gumi said the Oodua, Igbo groups agitating for self determination are the same as armed herdsmen, terrorists and kidnappers.

AOKOYA said “It’s a shame that Sheik Gumi is comparing self determination with terrorists and violent hersmen. This is a dirty game he has adopted. He should know that terrorists kill in their bid to violently subvert the land and faith of others while self determination groups are only responding to threats of extinction brought by the terrorist groups.

AOKOYA said the demands of IPOB and Yoruba self determination groups have been submitted  and acknowledged by the United Nations, ECOWAS and Africa Union wondering what international bodies support violent herdsmen and terrorists.

“To link terrorism with self determination is mischief and a veiled  plot to distract local and international community from the plot by the terrorists and herdsmen  to rule Nigeria through violence and terror.”

AOKOYA said the fact that Gumi enjoys the goodwill and measure of respect from murderers and spineless criminals who rape and kill indiscriminately showed the whole world deep concern about Gumi’s taste for  extremism. His statement suggests that Gumi as, also, spiritual head of terrorism in Nigeria is faslely parading himself as a Clergyman.

The group said Sheik Gumi is unhappy that  Igbo and Yoruba are  resisting the violence  imposed on them by the terrorists.

“The difference is clear. Terrorists and herdsmen adopt violence, murder, rape and savage killings which includes dismemberment of bodies of their victims. Herdsmen and terrorists adopt suicide bombing. They want to introduce a theocratic state in a plural country like Nigeria. They are also imposing their brand of faith on indigenous peoples. They profess to conquer and subdue lands that do not support them. They operate outside their own traditional homeland. They are heavily armed. It is the height of dishonesty for anyone to draw any parallel lesson between heavily armed criminal herdsmen and those agitating for self determination.

“Gumi is very dishonest  He is hiding under illusion to defend his own people who are globally acknowledged  perpetrators of violence. He went to meet armed terrorists and bandists.He dined and wined with them. This means he was their respected leader. He and the Federal Government know them. They are not interested in dislodging them. Infact they are protecting them.”

AOKOYA said “Sheik Gumi is comparing Sunday Adeyemo, Nnamdi Kanu with Shekarau, whose Boko Haram has murdered more than 10,000 people. It shows how unGodly Sheik Gumi is. He is a fraud, a supporter of criminals, an ethnic chauvinist who receives inglorious trophy from blood sucking rogues and murderers”

AOKOYA said “the simple logic is this, why can’t Shekarau visit the United Nations as Kanu does? Why can’t Shekarau visit UK and Europe the way Sunday Adeyemo does? Shekarau has no fixed address and his trademark is indiscriminate violence. Igboho and Kanu have never been associated with any violence except to mobilise their people against armed invaders who are thirsty for human blood and whose mission is to conquer Nigerians by force.

“IPOB and O’odua groups are only armed with ideas while Gumi’s adopted children are armed with, sub machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.”

The group said the failure of the Nigerian state to protect indigenous peoples is pushing many indigenous peoples to arm themselves so that they will not perish.

It said Gumi is desperate to cover up the atrocities of the terrorists who have painted the Nigerian landscape red with human blood.

“With the statement credited to Sheik Gumi, he is an accomplice to murder and genocide. He wants to change the narrative of the nature and form of the conflict in Nigeria. The Yoruba  and the world are not deceived by his dirty antics”, the statement ended.

Supreme Court Justices Forge Their Age- Salami

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Justice Ayodele Salami, a former President of the Court of Appeal has kicked against the extension of the retirement age of Supreme Court justices from 70 to 75 years, adding that most justices forge their age to remain in office.

The National Assembly is planning to amend the Constitution to allow Court of Appeal and Supreme court justices to stay in office beyond 70 years. The lawmakers are proposing 75 years in the new amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

But Justice Salami who was retired from office in controversial circumstances by former President Goodluck Jonathan, told the Nation that many judges are already too old to work, as they constantly go for treatment abroad to keep in shape.   .

The retired justice said the present crop of justices in the higher court is too old and that they should leave to pave the way for young and vibrant set of Nigerians to be employed into the Bench.

Salami said “It’s understood that it’s being contemplated to raise the tenure of the Supreme Court justices and possibly those of the Court of Appeal to 75 years within the next couple of weeks. To be precise, before the end of March.The profession is ominously silent over it.

“I could remember that the same issue was brought up by the Senate during my screening for the President of the Court of Appeal which was persuaded by my reasoning.

“I contended that very few of us had birth certificates. Invariably we rely on declaration of age, which is generally inflated because they are inferred from incidences or occurrences the happening of which we were not sure of.”

He said many justices are unproductive, that increasing their age of retirement would be bad for the country.

He said: “So to be increasing age which is predicated on unsure parameters could be dangerous merely because their counterparts elsewhere retire at about that age without taking into account the faulty starting point.

“The living conditions in those countries as well as their health facilities are in no manner comparable with ours. Many of them are not healthy. They regularly travel abroad for treatment, and some of them forget easily in addition to memory challenges.

“In the circumstances, some of the justices would only be there as passengers to fulfill statutory conditions without ability to make meaningful contribution. This is a condition that could easily be exploited by dishonest members of the court.

“It’s my humble opinion that the present retirement age is adequate for any sincere hardworking member of the court. It’s not only consuming but also tasking emotionally, physically and mentally. There is a pool of qualified, experienced and healthier professionals from which vacancies created by their respective retirements can be filled.”

“We should have in mind their output at old age. The interest of the nation and not preference of the justices should be paramount on the minds of the senators. The employer and not the labourer determines the duration of the contract. It’s the people who make a constitution for themselves and not an institution thereof.”

Justice Salami was the Chairman of the Judicial Commission, set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate Ibrahim Magu, sacked chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

Horror In Imo: How A Lawyer Was Murdered In His Owerri Office |The Source

By
The Source
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0
N.H.Nwankwo

By Gideon Njoku

Outrage has greeted the horrendous murder of an Owerri-based lawyer in his office located in the state capital. Shock  has gripped his heartbroken colleagues. And so has fear gripped the state capital.

The lawyer, N.H.Nwankwo had left for work on Saturday. His office is located on No 43 School road, Owerri.

He went to work with his driver. When he did not return on Friday, frantic calls were made to him by his family. But there were no connections. The family then called the Chairman of the NBA, Imo State, J.I. Ogamba to relate their experience.

Ogamba acted urgently, and sent Chinedu Agu, the Secretary of the NBA , Owerri, to go and check out what was wrong.

Before then, Nwankwo’s office neighbour, Ishmael Nkwocha, had already, in response, to calls, rushed to the office.  The door was locked, but he noticed a ” splashes of blood” by the door, and called in the Police.

Along with other lawyers, the Police forced open the office, and there was his gruesomely, butchered body.

He was machetted while still working on his computer.

A machete was found in his rest room. And so was a bucket of water with which the Police suspect the assailants used to wash their hands. Blood, some already congealed, spluttered everywhere, including the roof and fan.

It is not yet known when he was murdered. Perhaps, on Saturday, since he did not go back home on Saturday.

The surprise: His driver, with whom he went to work had disappeared. And so were his car and phones. He is at large.

Following is the full text of the first statement on Nwankwo’s murder as issued by the NBA, Owerri

FROM THE SECRETARIAT OF NBA OWERRI.

N.H NWANKWO, ESQ. MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD!

At about 8.15am today on my way to Church for 8.30am Mass, I received a call from the Chairman of the Bar, J.I Ogamba, Esq. detailing me to liaise with the former Secretary of the Bar, Ishmael Nkwocha Esq., to take Police to N.H Nwankwo & Co. at 43 School Road Owerri, to ascertain the safety of N.H Nwankwo, Esq. who left home for work yesterday Saturday the 6th day of February, 2021 and was yet to return from work.

However, earlier to the call, Ishmael Nkwocha, who shares same office space with him had, in response to frantic calls from his family members over the uncertainty of his whereabouts, gone to his office to meet same locked.

On opening the Entrance door, he met Nwankwo’s main office locked and with traces of blood on the door to his (Nwankwo’s) office.

Not very sure of the situation, he went to the Homicide Section of the State CID, going with him Forensic Experts from the Police Headquarters to the office to have it properly opened by themselves in order not to contaminate evidential materials.

When the forensic experts arrived at 9:56hrs with their gadgets, they opened the door only for us to find his bulky frame lying lifeless inside his office in a pool of his congealed blood.

On a closer inspection, Nwankwo appeared to have been savagely matchetted by his Assailant, as a very  gaping cut was seen on his neck, a monstrous cut of not less than of about 30cm with only about less than 50percent of the flesh in his neck region holding the head.

Blood splashes were seen on the roof, fans, Printer, Computers, table, files, seats, books, bookshelves inside his office suggestive of a ferocious matchetting of his neck.

Nwankwo was suspected to have been busy working as his Printer, Computer, Standing Fan were on while a writing pad containing jottings unrelated to this incident and a Pen were found on his Desk.

A bucket of water was seen in his office, with which the Assailant must have washed his hands and Matchet used in this act.

A search of the office revealed a Matchet abandoned inside the Toilet of his office with which the Assialant was suspected to have used to cut his neck.

When his body which lay half prostrate was turned matchet cuts were seen on his Wrist also and the footprints captured by forensic experts suggested the act was done by two persons as the two footprints were unidentical.

As at the time of this Provisional report, Forensic Experts are still gathering evidential materials for their use accompanied by myself, L.C Ugorji, Uche Osuji,  Ishmael Nkwocha, J.I Ogamba, D.O Nosike and a host of other Lawyers.

Meanwhile, his Driver, who reportedly was the only person with him in the office on Saturday, is at the time of this report at large, with Nwankwo’s phones, and Car no where to be found.

Arrangement has just been concluded to take the lifeless body to the Morgue.

This is one death too many; one murder too savage!

Chinedu Agu

Secretary,

NBA Owerri

(The Heartland Bar)

07.02.2021

11:43hrs.

Ambassadors: Why Senate Should Disapprove Of Ex-Service Chiefs – Timi Frank |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Reactions have continued to trail the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari’s to appoint Ex-Service Chiefs as non-carrer Ambassadors.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, on Sunday, gave reasons why the Senate should not confirm ex-Service Chiefs recently nominated as ambassadors.

The nominees, by President Buhari, are: Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (rtd), Lt Gen Tukur Y. Buratai (rtd), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd), and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (rtd).

Frank said the Senate would be going against its many resolutions when it passed votes of no confidence on the former Military Chiefs based on incompetence.

According to him, their confirmation would amount to both chambers of the National Assembly returning to their vomit.

He listed occasions when the Senate and the House of Representatives had expressly urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the ex-military  Service Chiefs over lack of capacity, incompetence and failure to stem the tide of insecurity in the country to include:

*The attack by army personnel on residents of Naka in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State and the beheading of 67 rice farmers by Boko Haram insurgents in Zabarmari community in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.

*Senate’s resolution on a motion sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Yahaya Abudullahi, titled: “Nigerian Security Challenges: Urgent Need To Restructure, Review And Reorganize The Current Security Architecture.”

*The minority caucus in the House of Representatives again called for the sack of the service chiefs in its reaction to the attack on the convoy of the Governor of Borno State, Baba Gana Zulum, by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, on July 31, 2020.

He noted that prominent groups in the country including the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndi’Igbo and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had, at various times, called or supported calls for the sack of the Service Chiefs over their failure to secure the country – humongous annual defence budgets notwithstanding.

To crown it all, he recalled that President Buhari had passed a vote of no confidence on the ex-military  Chiefs when he told them that their “best was not good enough.”

The Bayelsa-born political activist wondered whose interest the Senate would be serving by confirming the ‘failed Generals’ as Ambassadors in the face of widespread doubt over their competence, capacity and capabilities when they were in service.

He said that Nigerians are watching to see how the Senate, especially its opposition lawmakers, will betray the confidence reposed in them by allowing this potentially egregious confirmation of the ex-military Chiefs to sail through.

“We have it on good authority that they have earmarked funds to the tune of $100,000.00  per Senator to have their way but the Senators need to show patriotism by rejecting the money and the nominees in the national interest and as true representatives of the people,” he declared

Investigations by this magazine shows that the bribe allegation, by Frank is not supported by any proof, and is one of such wild bribe allegations that remain unproven and false.

Insecurity: Fulanis Not Criminals; Fish Out Rogue Herdsmen –NGF |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Northern Governors Forum, NGF, has expressed its disappointment at the generalization from certain quarters that Fulanis are criminals.

The NGF has challenged States in the South to fish out criminal herdsmen, isolate them,  and make them face the wrath of the law.

The Northern Governors expressed worries that the activities of criminal elements were being used to tag a particular ethnic group criminals.

Chairman of the Forum, Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State, in a statement, said the NGF believes strongly in the rights of Nigerians to reside wherever they so desire without any molestation or discrimination.

It warned that there could be danger to peaceful coexistence and national unity if a particular ethnic group is being molested and discriminated upon.

Lalong said instead of tagging a particular ethnic group as criminals, and subjecting them to danger, criminal elements among them should be exposed, isolated, and made to face the law.

The Northern Governors Forum called for calm across the country and cautioned citizens, particularly those in the South West and East, which is the most affected areas, who might have been aggrieved or targeted, to exercise restraint.

The Forum noted that the country is currently going through a lot and escalating such tensions would definitely not resolve any grievances, but rather aggravate the situation to levels that could threaten national security.

“Leaders across political, ethnic, religious and community lines should avoid utterances and actions that further fan the embers of distrust, hate, violence and retaliation which can easily escalate the situation and cause chaos.

“Relevant Government officials, traditional rulers and opinion moulders must also send the right signals to those who want to take the laws into their hands and trample on the Nigerian Constitution by attempting to deny others the rights to live and pursue their legitimate business in whatever place they choose to reside.

“They should, also, send clear and unambiguous message to those threatening the peace that they will act decisively to stop them from plunging the nation to anarchy,” the Forum’s statement said.

$500m Electricity Fund: SERAP Asks World Bank To Publish Documents On Funded Projects In Nigeria |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the gale of corruption that Electricity Projects are known for in Nigeria, in which successive administration since the nation experienced uninterrupted Democratic rule has used as conduit pipe to defraud the nation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged the World Bank President, David Malpass, “to exercise the Bank’s prerogative to release archival records and documents relating to spending on all approved funds to improve access to electricity in Nigeria between 1999 and 2020.”

It, also, said that the Bank’s role in the implementation of any funded electricity projects is important to be made public, in order to identify and name any executed projects, and Nigerian officials, Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in the execution of such projects.

The World Bank Board of Directors had, last week, approved $500m “to help boost access to electricity in Nigeria and improve the performance of the electricity distribution companies in the country.”

But in the application dated 6, February, 2021, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy  Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged the Bank to “explain the rationale for the approval of $500m to implement electricity projects in the country, despite reports of widespread and systemic corruption in the sector, and the failure of the authorities to enforce a court judgment ordering the release of details of payments to allegedly corrupt electricity contractors who failed to execute any projects.”

SERAP said: “This application is brought pursuant to the World Bank’s Access to Information Policy, which aims to maximize access to information and promote the public good. There is public interest in Nigerians knowing about the Bank’s supervisory role and specifically its involvement in the implementation of electricity projects, which it has so far funded.”

According to SERAP, “The $500m is part of the over one billion dollars available to Nigeria under the project titled: Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Program. We would be grateful for details of any transparency and accountability mechanisms under the agreement for the release of funds, including whether there is any provision that would allow Nigerians and civil society to monitor the spending of the money by the government, its agencies, and electricity distribution companies.”

SERAP also said: “Should the Bank fail and/or refuse to release the information and documents as requested, SERAP would file an appeal to the Secretariat of the Bank’s Access to Information Committee to challenge any such decision, and if it becomes necessary, to the Access to Information Appeals Board. SERAP may also consider other legal options outside the Bank’s Access to Information framework.”

The letter copied to Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, read in part: “SERAP believes that releasing the information and documents would enable Nigerians and civil society to meaningfully engage in the implementation of electricity projects funded by the Bank, contribute to the greater public good, and enhance the Bank’s oft-stated commitment to transparency and accountability.

“The World Bank has been and continues to be involved in overseeing the transfer, disbursement, spending of funds on electricity projects in Nigeria. The Bank also reportedly approved a $750 million loan for Nigeria’s electricity sector in June 2020 to cut tariff shortfalls, protect the poor from price adjustments, and increase power supply to the grid. As such, the World Bank is not a neutral party in this matter.

“SERAP is seriously concerned that the funds approved by the Bank are vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement. The World Bank has a responsibility to ensure that the Nigerian authorities and their agencies are transparent and accountable to Nigerians in how they spend the approved funds for electricity projects in the country, and to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.

“The Group also believes that the release of the requested information and documents is of paramount importance  to the public interest in preserving the legitimacy, credibility and relevance of the Bank as a leading international development institution. The Bank ought to lead by example in issues such as transparency and public disclosure raised in this request.”

“It would also demonstrate that the Bank is willing to put people first in the implementation of its development and governance policies and mandates, as well as remove any suspicion of the Bank’s complicity in the alleged mismanagement of electricity projects-related funds.

“The information is also being sought to improve the ongoing fight against corruption in the country and the provision of regular and uninterrupted electricity supply to Nigerians as a fundamental human right.

“The information requested is not affected by the “deliberative” “corporate administrative matters” or “security and safety” exceptions under the Policy. The information requested is crucially required for Nigerians to know how the funds released to the authorities to improve electricity supply in the country have been spent, and monitor how the funds are being used.”

SERAP’s report, titled: “From darkness to darkness: How Nigerians Are Paying The Price For Corruption In The Electricity Sector,” documents widespread and systemic corruption in the sector, and reveals, allegedly, how about N11 trillion electricity fund was squandered by successive administrations in Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.

“This report raises specific questions of public interest, and the World Bank ought to be concerned about how Nigerian authorities are addressing reports of widespread and systemic corruption in the electricity sector, and to seek some answers from the authorities on the problems.

“However, as the report shows, the Bank’s funding of the electricity sector has not resulted in corresponding access of Nigerians to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply. Successive governments have failed to provide access to regular and reliable electricity supply to millions of the citizens despite budgeting trillions of naira for the power sector.”

“Millions of Nigerians still lack access to free pre-paid meters. Authorities continue to use patently illegal and inordinate estimated billing across the country, increasing consumer costs, and marginalizing Nigerians living in extreme poverty, disproportionately affecting women, children and the elderly.”

SERAP, therefore, urged Mr Malpass to:

  1. Disclose and release information and documents relating to spending of funds approved and released to Nigeria between 1999 and 2020 to improve access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply, including copies of supervision reports, periodic reviews and other appropriate reports on the Bank’s role in the spending and disbursement of the funds, as well as specific projects on which the funds have been spent;
  2. Disclose implementation status and results and completion reports on the electricity projects that the Bank has so far funded in Nigeria;
  3. Disclose information on the of level of involvement of World Bank in the implementation of electricity projects between 1999 and 2020;
  4. Disclose information on agreements and the mechanisms the Bank is putting in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of all funds on electricity projects in Nigeria;
  5. Disclose the terms and conditions of all electricity projects related funds that have been approved for Nigeria between 1999 and 2020.

Herdsmen Crisis: Soyinka Warns Buhari Against Looming Civil War |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has sent a strong warning signal to President Muhammadu Buhari against a looming civil war in the country, following the kidnapping, killings, maiming and assaults of some rogue Fulani Herdsmen on their host communities and residents in the Southern part of the Country.

The Ogun State born-Professor urged President Buhari to speak up now, and not allow herdsmen to cause another civil war in Nigeria.

Soyinka said it was necessary for Buhari, who is also a Fulanin,  to caution his kinsmen, and speak out urgently, to stop the herdsmen crisis before it snowballs into a civil war.

The Fulani Herdsmen heinous activities have led to insecurity in most South Western and South Eastern States. The Ondo State Government led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu took the initiative to  evict  the rogue Fulani Herdsmen from Forest Reserves, and asked genuine herders to officially register with  the state, or leave the State.

The attrocities committed by the rogue herders,  also led to the eviction notice given to them by Yoruba Activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho in Ibarapa, Igangan area in Oyo State.

Ex Gov Fayose On Tweeter, Says Buhari Has Enslaved Nigerians For The Next 50 Years |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose tweeted at the weekend that Nigeria’s fortune has been mortgaged for the next 50 years.

According to him, Nigeria’s economy may not recover 50 years after the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari due to foreign capital inflow that reached its lowest in the past four years.

In a string of tweets, the former Governor commented on foreign capital flow into Nigeria in recent times, citing record from the National Bureau of Statistics alluding that there was a pitiable downfall.

He observed that it plummeted by more than half in 2020 to $9.68bn, its lowest level in four years.

The National Bureau of Statistics, in its capital importation report for the fourth quarter and full-year 2020, said the total value of capital importation into the country fell by 59.65 per cent or $14.3bn last year from $23.99bn in 2019.

Fayose was of the view that the decline in foreign capital flow is an evidence of how the Buhari regime has ‘killed’ Nigeria.

“Just read that our country’s foreign capital inflow sunk to $9.68bn, its lowest in four years. That’s according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

“This is another evidence that Buhari has killed Nigeria. Economy, security and the unity of Nigeria are in trouble now.

“50 years after Buhari, this country may not recover from these economic and security woes,” he declared.

OPINION: Cryptocurrency: My Condolences, Nigeria |The Source

By
The Source
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0
Cryptocurrency

Dr Nnaemeka Obiari

In an age where,  serious Federal Reserve Banks in the world and top global banks are already preparing a world ruled by cryptocurrencies .

In a world where the market capitalization of cryptocurrencies being traded is over $1trillion

In a world where the promoters of PayPal are already thinking ahead of developing digital payment cards .

In a world that is looking to  genesis technologies and companies supporting it will be poised to create over $1.8trillion new wealth by 2027, the analogous and fossilized mannequins , who run Nigeria are hunting for crypto traders in Nigeria to close their accounts.

I am not surprised.

The lives of the average Nigerian had been taken back to the medieval age under this incompetent, unaware and atrociously ignorant fossils.

I can bet a finger that a majority of those who sit on the Board of the CBN and FEC do not even know much about AIs, not to talk of where the world is moving to .

How, we got saddled with this mass of incompetent, retrogressive and analogous bunch still baffles me .

All that they are after is cows, Ruga, sell oil , pay bandits and BH etc .   Nothing innovative and forward thinking.

I weep for Nigeria.

AMCON Shuns Court Orders; Moves To Sell Company’s Properties; CLO Cries Foul |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, has berated the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, for failing to obey court orders on an ongoing case involving the agency and Peace Global Satellite Communications Limited.

The Human Rights Organization made this disclosure in Lagos, Friday  during a press conference.

The organization stated its findings after a thorough investigation of the dispute between Peace HGlobal and AMCON.

Following  is the Press Statement issued and signed by its Chairman, Comrade Abiola Bakare and Secretary, Comrade Enitan Joseph .

The Antecedents of the Matter

Our Organisation ( CLO) acknowledged a complaint from Barrister Oreye U.L. MD/CEO Peace Global/ Peace Hotels Limited, Omole Lagos State.

He narrated his predicament on how AMCON went to obtain an ex-parte order to take possession of his properties in Omole Estate Lagos when the matter of the exact quantum of Debt owed by Peace Global Satellite Communication Ltd is on appeal at the nation’s Apex Court. The Supreme Court, which he believed very strongly that the ex-parte order was to undermine or truncate the course of Justice.

He further narrated how Peace Global borrowed N178 Million from Wema Bank Plc. In 2004 to roll out the wired phone network in Omole Estate Phase 1,2 and it’s environs N162 Million was paid back after obtaining the loan, remaining a balance on principal of N16million. 2 years later, thunder storm destroyed the network that was acquired through the loan and Wema Insurance Brokers failed to process the thunder storm claim.

Barrister Oreye stated that at a point Wema Bank Plc attempted selling the collateral used in securing the loan without due process hence Peace Global went to court in 2009.

Upon the creation of AMCON in 2010, Wema Bank misrepresented to AMCON that the balance on the principal was N240 Million instead of N 16 Million, which made AMCON bought the loan at N123 Million in 2012. Upon detection of the padding by Wema Bank of the loan amount. Peace Global wrote immediately to AMCON alleging false misrepresentation of figures.

Let’s actually straight line function of AMCON. You would recall that Asset Management Corporation Of Nigeria (AMCON) was established on the 19th July, 2010, when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed the AMCON act into law.

AMCON was created to be a key stabilizing and re-vitalizing tool aimed at reviving the financial system by efficiently resolving the non-performing loans assets of the banks in the Nigerian economy. AMCON being a machinery of Government meant to protect the productive sectors of the economy and depositors / customers alike.

Barrister Oreye also informed us that AMCON which was created in 2010 and the debt was bought on 20th June, 2012 when the matter was over 3 years old in court and after AMCON had had been joined by Order of Court on 23rd of February, 2012.

Based on issues raised by Peace Global concerning padding of Peace Global’s debt which AMCON bought from Wema Bank, the letter which Peace Global wrote to AMCON was passed to WEMA to respond to and in Wema Bank’s reply Wema Bank denied telling Peace Global that debt on principal was N240 Million but claimed that the debt on principal was N60 Million. In a nutshell, the suit which has been in court was dismissed on the technical ground that claimants failed to file the CMC whereas the claimant filed the CMC form, but was yet to serve the parties.

On the 24th July, 2020, Barrister explained that without being served any court process, a bailiff of Federal High Court Sheriff was at his property presented Court Orders dated 9th March, 2020 issued by Federal High Court, Abuja which it expires if no motion on notice is served within 14 days of the ex-parte for possession was not appropriately obtained and executed hence, it was invalid and fraudulent.

Writ of Summons was filed on the 20th March, 2020 and served on them on 28/08/2020 in the supporting Affidavit, it was claimed fraudulently that the matter was not pending before any court whereas it was pending before the Supreme Court.

Despite all these fundamental flaws, Barrister Oreye together with his wife and family were dehumanized and humiliated, traumatized by AMCON locking up the gates of his business and writing “POSSESSION TAKEN TODAY 24-07-2020 BY COURT ORDER IN SUIT NO.FHC/ABJ/156/2020 IN RECEIVERSHIP BY AMCON” on the gate and the wall of his business. At his residence where he lives with his family, similar signage was written boldly respectively.

Having carefully gone through relevant documents on the matter brought to our office, the CLO found it expedient to intervene in the matter so as to protect Barrister Oreye and his family’s fundamental human rights. This has done great havoc, violence to their fundamental human rights to reputation, privacy, to own properties, and to do business in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chapter IV (43). (Human rights).

Moreover, Barrister Oreye (MD Peace Global) had been working very hard in adding value to the youths in Nigeria by providing legitimate employment and services to people via his companies. Such a man should be supported and be encouraged to do more rather than exposing him and his wife , children to unscrupulous embarrassment and traumatized torture The siege of 8 uniform guards that are still monitoring the movement of the family at their residence and Peace Hotels Customers is traumatizing and in human.

We however, wrote to the MD AMCON, in our letter dated 3rd of December, 2020 in respect of the matter, where we requested AMCON to withdraw 8 nos uniform guards workers stationed at the residence and business premises of Barrister Oreye MD/CEO of Peace Global/Peace Hotels Limited Omole, Ikeja , Lagos. More so when our organization heard about the reappointment of Mr. Ahmed Kuru as Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation, Mr. Eberechukwu Uneze and Mr. Aminu Ismali as Executive Director for the final term of five years which the nominations were forwarded to the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for confirmation in accordance with section 10(1) of the AMCON act, 2010.

We equally wrote to the Senate President Hon. Ahmed Lawan, on our letter dated 15th December,2020 to use his prestigious office in prevailing on Mr Ahmed Kuru to respect court order before confirmation of the 2nd term in office. But all to no avail. We have not heard any response from anyone so far hence this press conference.

For these reasons, we are calling on the President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retired), we are also calling on the senate President, Hon. Ahmed Lawan, the speaker Federal House Of Representatives, Hon. Speaker Gbajabiamila and the Inspector General of Police to immediately prevail on Mr. Ahmed Kuru (MD AMCON) to obey court order and withdraw with immediate effect the 8 AMCON security guards that had been laying siege at the business centre of Barrister Oreye and his residence despite the vacation order in obedience to the judgement order on vacating / discharging dated 24th day of November,2020 before his lordship.

The Hon. Justice A.I. Chikere (Presiding Judge) in the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Holden at Abuja, on Tuesday 24th day of November, 2020 suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/156/2020 pending hearing and determination of substantive suit.

The CLO said it would continue to campaign for good governance, rule of law and true democracy.

We cannot keep watching, but must do something, for in the words of Edmund Burke,”all it takes for evil men to take over the society and poison it, is for good men to stand aloof and do nothing.”

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