Rape Allegation: D’Banj’s Accuser Drops Charges, Withdraws Petition Against Him |The Source

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July 25, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

The rape allegation, levelled against Daniel Oladapo Oyebanji, popularly known as D’Banj, has been withdrawn by his accuser, Seyitan Babatoye.

Seyitan wrote a letter to the Police withdrawing her petition.

This happened just as the Police said it has been unable to establish a case of rape against the musician.

In a letter dated July 17, 2020, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police through her lawyer, Olamide Omileye, she said she was withdrawing from the case for personal reasons.

The letter read in part, “We hereby officially notify you of our client’s intention to withdraw and discontinue her petition against Mr. Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka D’Banj for personal reasons. Our client further humbly applies that the investigation and all other action that is currently being carried out by the police with respect to the statement.”

In his response to the letter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police on Administration, Umar Sanda, said investigation had discontinued due to lack of evidence.

The letter posted on Twitter by blogger, Kemi Olunloyo, read in part, “In view of the foregoing facts, investigation was discontinued as no substantial evidence to prove the allegation of rape against the suspect.”

Human rights group, Stand To End Rape Initiative, STER, said Seyitan decided to end the case without receiving any monetary compensation.

STER, which was actively in support of Seyitan’s quest for justice, thanked everyone.

The statement read in part, “On July 13, 2020, Ms. Babatayo informed STER that a private non-monetary agreement was reached with D’Banj’s team. We, therefore, present this statement as the full account of our stewardship on this matter.”

Seyitan had accused D’Banj of raping her at Glee Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, in December 2018, an allegation he has denied several times.

D’Banj had sued Seyitan for N1.5bn over the allegation, adding that it had caused him untold embarrassment and psychological trauma.

2023: Dogara Dumps PDP Again, Moves To APC |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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July 24, 2020

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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has met President Muhammdu Buhari following which he decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Dogara, alongside ex-senate President Bukola Saraki defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ahead of the 2019 generation elections as a result of crisis in the party at the time.

He later won back his seat into the House of Representatives, though much of him has not been heard since the ninth Assembly was sworn in.

Speaking to journalists after meeting with the president in Aso Villa, the Governor of Yobe state and Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the APC, Mai Malla Buni said the reasons why Dogara and other aggrieved members left, are no longer existing in the ruling party.

He further stated that the former speaker has returned to where he truly belongs.

Buni said Dogara “is now a member of APC,” and has come to stay in the party to build it with the Committee who will ensure that other aggrieved members are reconciled back into the party.

The Kebbi helmsman said further on the visit to the Presidential Villa “We paid a courtesy call on the President in continuation with our efforts in rebuilding the party, we are here to see Mr President and brief him on the development.”

,” Well, they (Nigerians) shouldn’t be surprised because the former Speaker is a member of the APC. He is because the reason in which he left the APC is no longer there. He is back now.”

He said President Buhari “welcomed him, he is happy with the development, that is what he is looking for. We are rebuilding the party, and these are the steps we are taking towards rebuilding the party.”

The Yobe governor assured that all those who left the party ahead the 2019 election will be brought back to the party.

“We will do justice to all our members, that is what will bring peace, that is what will guarantee peaceful coexistence, that is what will guarantee the consolidation and rebuilding of the party. Without doing justice you cannot achieve that and we are sure of doing justice to all manner of our members,” he said.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt from sources that Dogara’s decision to return back to the APC may not be unconnected with the 2023 election.

“He is nursing a governorship ambition in Bauchi state” a source close to him said.

Monumental Sleaze In Imo: I’ll Implement Recommendations of Panel Reports – Gov Uzodinma |The Source

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The Source

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July 24, 2020

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Governor Hope Uzodimma (left) receives Panel Report on Local Government of Inquiry from its Chairman, Eze Duruiheoma (SAN) at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri

For Imolites worried that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma will not have the will power to implement the recommendations of Investigative Panels and Judicial Commissions Of Inquiry set up in Imo, Uzodinma has a strong message of hope. “I will implement all recommendations. I have not come to joke”, he assures.

Uzodimma said he will do his best to implement the recommendations of the reports of panels set up by government to look into the activities of the past government as they concern Imo affairs.

A number of the Panels were set up by the immediate past Governor of the State, the Rt.Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, but was asked to continue by Uzodinma when he assumed office.

Governor Uzodimma spoke on Thursday at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, Government House, Owerri while receiving the report on the Local Government Panel of Inquiry headed by Eze Duruiheoma (SAN) and another on the take-off of the new University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences headed by Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie.

Acknowledging the Duruiheoma report on Local Government, Governor Uzodimma said: “I will do my best to implement your recommendations. I have not come to joke. I come to restore hope and sanitise the rot. I will do my best to confront whatever is before me.” He added that “humility is not cowardice and that courtesy does not mean surrender.”

Responding to the monumental sleaze which the Panel reported characterised the local government administration during the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha, the Governor described as “unfortunate and regrettable” how those entrusted with the common patrimony squander such goodwill.

The Governor thanked the Panel for painstakingly carrying out the inquiry and urged the members to make themselves available for any other assignment that is in public interest whenever they are called upon.

Earlier, Duruiheoma reported that there were attempts to frustrate the efforts of the committee at doing its work, noting that the Panel was later to discover unimaginable sleaze in the conduct of government business at the local government areas from 2011 to 2019 that saw ₦141 billion being frittered away on “funny projects.” He noted that during the period under review, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioners, Council Chairmen and contractors were involved in colossal squandering of the LGA allocations and that stealing of public fund was a past time.

Duruiheoma who pleaded with the Governor to ensure that local government areas are made to serve as the pivot for development of our society, regretted that under Okorocha, the LGA was reduced to a bedrock of fraud and criminal diversion of money meant for development.

In another development, Governor Uzodimma also commended the Prof. Awuzie-led nine-member Panel on the take-off of the new Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, which also submitted its report on Thursday.

The Governor said the take-off has become necessary as it will serve as one of the answers to the post-COVID-19 efforts at repositioning Imo State for economic recovery.

“All over the world, after COVID-19, everything in terms of intervention and stimulus package is dependent on agriculture. To meet the expectations from our people, food security must be worked out,” the Governor said.

Prof. Awuzie had earlier commended the Governor for finding the members of his Panel worthy to fashion out the modalities for the take-off of the university.

He used the opportunity to explain to the Governor how the programmes will run, the staff and facilities requirements and what potentials await the new university and the Imo State Polytechnic that will operate from Omuma, Orlu, Ehime, and Amaimo, campuses simultaneously.

2023 Presidency: Yoruba Group Warns FG; “Don’t Go Into 2023 Election Without Restructuring; Else Doom Awaits The Nation” |The Source

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The Source

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July 24, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Just like its South and Middle Belt counterparts, that recently called for restructuring of the Nation, Yoruba Summit Group (YSG), comprising Yoruba leaders drawn from different spheres of life, on Thursday said there was an urgent need to restructure the country now, warning that any attempt to go ahead with elections in 2023 without addressing the issue would spell doom for Nigeria.

The Yoruba group made this declaration in a communiqué signed by Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo and issued at the end of its meeting in Lagos, just as it noted that the ship of state was veering off precariously into a precipice, as the country was at the very edge of political subsidence.

The meeting had in attendance leaders, including the Chief Ayo Fashoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Professor Banji Akintoye, HRH Ọba Dipo Olaitan, Aare Iba Gani Adams, Dr Olufemi Adegoke, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Dr Ebun Sonaiya.

Others are: Chief Gboyega Adejumo, Mrs Tokunbo Ekukinam, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Mr. Femi Adefemiwa, Chief Aderemi Abdul, Chief Olufemi Kufo, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo- Dosunmu, Mr George Akinola, Dr Amos Akingba, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Mr Ademola Folarin, Professor Oye Ibidapo Obe, Mr Tunji Alapini, Chief Supo Shonibare and Basọ́run Segun Sanni.

According to the leaders, notwithstanding the interests of some elements in the region, it would be presumptuous to assume that the masses of the educated Yoruba Nation will dive headlong into being part of the 2023 elections, when all elements of its execution, including the military, paramilitary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the Judiciary have been rigged and appropriated by a single very tiny minority ethnic in the country.

YSG further warned that the resolve of the Yorubas not to be part of a vassal state that Nigeria has become, was better managed with due accommodation before any further degeneration and obvious consequences as the race’s quest shall henceforth be to mobilise the masses of peoples not to participate in any further elections until the goal of restructuring or self-determination was attained.

“The ship of state is veering off precariously into a precipice, and that Nigeria is at the very edge of political subsidence.

“We are persuaded that nothing short of Restructuring can save this country. Any attempt to go ahead with elections in 2023 without addressing the issue of Restructuring would spell doom for Nigeria.

“Notwithstanding the interests of some elements in our midst, it would be presumptuous to assume that the masses of the educated Yoruba Nation will dive headlong into being part of the 2023 elections, when all elements of its execution- the Military, Paramilitary, INEC, the Judiciary have been rigged and appropriated by a single very tiny minority Ethnic Group in a small corner of the country.

“The emerging resolve of the Yorubas not to be part of the vassal state that Nigeria has become is better managed with due accommodation before any further degeneration and obvious consequences. Our quest shall henceforth be to mobilise the masses of our peoples not to participate in any further elections until the goal of Restructuring or Self-determination is attained,” the group said.

The Yoruba leaders, while making a clarion call on President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to begin confidence-building ahead of the country’s historic 60th anniversary of its independence, urged for an urgent meeting of all nationalities to determine the nature of our relationships.

“The Yoruba Nation is, therefore, making the clarion call for confidence-building steps to taken by the Buhari regime immediately, especially as the historic 60th anniversary of Nigeria as an independent Nation beckons on October 1, 2020. Steps towards an urgent meeting of all Nationalities has to be taken now to determine the nature of our relationships,” the leaders said.

“Unless this peaceful step is heeded to so that Nigeria heads in the right direction thereafter, the clear alternative would be for self-determination quests to proceed rapidly without any further restraint. It has become patently untenable for the Yoruba Nation to tolerate further incompetence and impunity as has been foisted on all other ethnic nationalities across Nigeria,” they further warned.

The group, while observing that the essence of government at all levels is the security and welfare of the people, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the inadequate responses, closure of the borders in the Western part of the country with the negative effects on economic activities, as well as the loss of morale of the country’s men under arms due to lack of equipment to prosecute the war against Boko Haram, among others were some of the things inducing deep anxiety for the Yoruba people.

According to the group, other worrying issues are incessant banditry, kidnapping and killings across a large swathe of the country, while millions of youths were found roaming about without jobs as the value of the Naira kept falling daily.

“While all these are happening, the people are greeted daily on television with tales of massive and mindless looting of the treasury by public officials, while the country is being encumbered with massive debt for generations to come with nothing significant to show for it except private jets and palatial mansions of public officials,” YSG lamented.

“We are also aware of the initial casual manner Tolulope Arotile’s killing was treated by the authorities of the Nigerian Air Force which is capable of raising suspicion in the minds people.

“It is better to quickly douse tension and apprehension by coming out in the open. The authorities did not imagine that so much noise would be made, and so many questions would be asked. Her death was treated with levity, just as many other cases where the lives of Nigerians do not seem to matter anymore,” the group recalled.

The group, while reiterating its call for full-scale independent investigation by an inclusive panel of experts on Arotile’s case, said it noted with sadness that on the very day the first female flying officer went to her final rest, a senior military officer: Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, was being court-martialled for daring to voice out the lack of tools and equipment needed to prosecute a Boko Haram war that “has become far too prolonged and far too controversial in light of the numerous calls to the Federal Government to change the military service chiefs who have failed to provide the highest quality of security, leadership and delivery of forthrightness in their duties.”

“We, the Yorùbá condemn in strong terms, the cherry-picking of our fighters, soldiers, officers as either cannon fodders easy-targets, operational fall-guys and being used for experimental disciplinary measures, whilst the real culprits, go free!

“Critical to this development are also pieces of news items of friendly fire from soldiers of a particular part of the country using their guns on our fighters who dare carry the battle deep into the Boko Haram held territories,” YSG said sadly.

“The preponderance of permutations for 2023 presidency, zoning, selecting, rather than addressing the nature of the Nigerian union, the delipidated structure of the farcical ‘Federation,’ never known to Federalism, this unitary unworkable morass, we the Yorùbá observe will only lead to the kind of chaos never before seen and experienced in history. We the Yorùbá Nation, therefore, reject the holding of a general election before restructuring Nigeria fiscally and structurally,” the group insisted.

Speaking further, the leaders warned that they are aware that granting of licenses for prospecting for gold in Yorubaland portend dangers, including banditry, kidnapping and sundry criminalities.

The group, while commending the governors of South-West states for setting up the security outfit tagged Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn, said the outfit would fulfil the task of filing the huge gulf of various, serious insecurity issues plaguing the region, even as it urged other “states yet to put this structure in place to do so in earnest.

GEJ Meets PMB: A Lesson For Bitter- Enders |The Source

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The Source

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July 24, 2020

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By Femi Adesina

In the build-up to the 2015 general elections, the country was divided right down the middle. On one side were the Jonathanians, who supported the then incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, and wanted him to continue in office for another term of four years.

On the flip side were the Buharists (I was one, and remain one of them) who wanted the then former military head of state, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, elected civilian President. It was a pitched battle. O le ku, ija Ore (apologies to non-Yoruba speakers.

The war was robustly fought, and won by the Buharists. That was over five years ago. But you know what? Most of the gladiators are still in their entrenched positions.

Most of the Jonathanians, not able to live with the reality of defeat, turned themselves to people who cavil, finding fault with the government of the day at the slightest drop of a hat. They became wailing wailers, and whenever they began to ululate, you would think raw pepper had been inserted into their tender and sensitive parts. Or that their lollipops had been taken away. They throw tantrums.

In history, such people are called Bitter-Enders, who fight to death. What is the etymology of the expression?

The Boers of southern Africa had gone to war against the British in 1899. The Boers were being beaten black and blue, battered on every side. At a point, they found it difficult to get food, ammunition and clothing. They would take uniforms from captured British soldiers, and wear them, minus the military insignia, yet they refused to give up.

The Boers were suffering terribly, but they shunned all peace initiatives. They were fighting all the way, to the bitter end. Till 1902, when the war eventually came to an end, after almost three years.

Anyone who today persists in a cause or action despite difficult or hopeless circumstances, is called a Bitter-Ender.

There was one such legendary soldier under French Emperor, Napoleon Buonaparte. His name was Nicolas Chauvin. He was so fanatical, that he became a byword for excessive fervor, bigotry and bias. Wounded 17 different times, till he became badly disfigured, he refused to surrender, even when Napoleon had been defeated. His cry was “The Old Guard dies, but does not surrender.” Well, he died. And the English language inherited the word ‘chauvinism ‘ from his name.

What of during our own unfortunate war in Nigeria?

If my memory serves me right, I read My Command by Olusegun Obasanjo nearly 40 years ago. He wrote about some young Biafran soldiers, who continued fighting, even when Gen. Philip Effiong had surrendered to the Federal Forces. They were eventually cut down. Bitter-Enders.

The fissure among most Nigerians today is sustained by primordial loyalties, and by who they supported in the 2015 presidential election. But I have news for the Bitter-Enders.

On Tuesday, this week, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, was at State House, along with President of Ecowas Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

Dr Jonathan had been appointed Ecowas Special Envoy to Mali, to intercede in the crisis rocking the West African nation, after disputed parliamentary elections. Many lives have been lost, and the opposition members, under an umbrella called M5, are sticking to their guns that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, must leave office.

I was privileged to sit in at the meeting between our former President and the incumbent. And I took away some lessons, which should really be for everyone.

President Buhari and his guest came into the diplomatic room of the Presidential Villa together.

Our President ushered Dr Jonathan to the visitor’s seat.

A while back, Jonathan was the host in that very same room, ushering visitors to their seat. Now, he is in that same seat. If President Buhari visits the seat of power after May, 2023, he too would be ushered by somebody else. Such is life. Are you holding tight to anything today?

Vanity of vanity.

We are all birds of passage. Nothing lasts forever. Not power. Not position. Not any office. Not even life. A vital lesson I’ve learnt from President Buhari is his constant realization that he would not be in State House forever. He would often tell in private conversations: “While we are here, we shall do our very best.”

Gen Yakubu Gowon was in Dodan Barracks for nine years. He left. Olusegun Obasanjo was there, left the first time, came back again, left willy-nilly after eight years. Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Ernest Shonekan, and all former living leaders use the visitor’s seat, if they come a-visiting today. The only thing permanent in life is change.

How was the atmosphere between President Buhari and Dr Jonathan? Calm, friendly, characterized by absolutely no tension. No animosity. While uncountable Jonathanians and Buharists were spitting in one another’s eyes round the country, abusing one another’s father and mother at the same time, here were the two men, the perfect picture of geniality. I say again, no tension, absolutely none. They were both perfect pictures of civility.

Dr Jonathan gave a rundown of the situation in Mali.

When he concluded, and made his recommendations, President Buhari was full of praises for him, saying he had elucidated clearly the Malian conundrum.

“Thank you for updating me so effectively. I have a very good brief of events now, “ President Buhari said. He promised to wade into the Malian situation, along with some other key Ecowas leaders.

With the briefing concluded, Dr Jonathan went into other issues. He thanked the President for giving him an official jet to make his travels convenient, and equally expressed appreciation for the Itakpe-Warri railway complex named after him last weekend.

“It’s a big present for me. Thank you so much,” he said.

Time to go, and the former President made a move for the visitor’s exit door. But President Buhari would have none of it. He led him through the exit exclusively meant for a sitting President. Very impressive.

Meanwhile, out there, the Bitter-Enders are knocking their heads against the wall, sitting on the complaint counter and wailing endlessly. But here are the two main men, treating each other like brothers.

May the wailers stop wailing. May the Bitter-Enders be purged of bitterness.

Amen, somebody!

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

South, Middle Belt Forum Rejects 1999 Constitution, Calls For Restructuring |The Source

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July 24, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The South, Middle Belt and Northern Minority Forum, (SMBNMF), has rejected the 1999 Constitution and is calling for the restructuring of Nigeria.

This call was made public after the Forum ended its meeting in New York on Wednesday, with a call for the unity of all progressive groups across the country to save Nigeria from raging violence and blood-letting. The group said the best way to save Nigeria is to restructure the country and adopt a new Constitution as against the 1999 Constitution which it described as “imposed by the military.”

“Nigerians need a united from of all progressive groups to save the country and prevent a violent break up” the Southern Nigeria, Middle Belt and Northern Minorities Alliance said in a resolution after its three-day meeting in New York.

The meeting hosted in Manhattan, New York City via zoom was attended by about 500 delegates from across the United States representing Southern, Middle Belt and Northern minorities. The group condemned the recent killings in Southern Kaduna saying that minorities in the North have become puns exploited and humiliated by the social, political and economic system.

The group’s resolution has been sent to political leaders in Europe, North America and the United Nations, (UN) Security council. The resolution read by the group’s President, Sidney Imobhio Esq, a prominent lawyer in New York said Nigeria is at the verge of a major calamity occasioned by poverty, armed conflict and violence adding that the prospect of a violent break up is real unless the progressives come together to save the country.

“Reports from local and international organisations show that Nigeria is dancing on a blade edge. The political class appear helpless. Corruption is killing the country and elections have become rituals that make no direct impact on the livelihood of the people. Only a unity of purpose of all progressive groups will lift the country from stupor.”

Imohbio said the political class is not meeting public expectations and that mis-governance continue to fuel violence and ethnic militia that may attack the foundation of the country”

SMBNMF expressed full support for any genuine efforts aimed at restructuring Nigeria to prevent violence and spike in armed conflict.

Speaking on the need for unity of the progressive groups across the country, the SMBNMF said “All members were visibly excited to see Nigeria emerge from the constant stories of violence and killings. Nigeria needs a new movement with the hope to rescue our country from the claws of Nazism.

This is a dream every rationale Nigerian would want to see come true. Dictators all over the world never give up power or freedom to the masses voluntarily. We admire the guts of the members of this new political movement. In fact, we have been expecting this type of move by some well-meaning Nigerians. We still believe that more groups will emerge as time goes on.”

The coalition however said only the unity of all the groups across South, Middle Belt and Northern minorities can save Nigeria from her quagmire.

The group is the largest coalition of Southern, Middle Belt and Northern Minorities in the Diaspora with branches in all the continents. The group also has some 24 state chapters in Nigeria

“The more oppositions to this regime, the merrier and better for all Nigerians. Judging from the predictions of our facts finding in Nigeria, the emergence of a new movement was not breaking news to most of our members. However, we agreed that there are a lot of very important huddles we must first go through to save Nigeria before 2023,” the group said.

“The formation of a new movement or political party at this crucial time cannot be considered as one of the only very urgent issues for now. We believe that our problems are not with the parties alone, but with the structure, the system and operators. It is therefore instructive for us to remain focused on how to correct these problems now. Let us stop chasing the shadow. If we make any mistake this time, one may not be surprised to see Nigeria go into flames.”

The group said further “If such situation is allowed to develop, then we should be prepared and expect to witness an unimaginable trouble that might consume the soul of the ailing fragile country called Nigeria. We must be bold to say that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is not helping issues and cannot deny overt knowledge of an impending imbroglio of great magnitude. If nothing is done now to quickly correct and avert such calamity, we think the catastrophe might be bigger than what anyone can imagine.”

The group listed four areas to address which are lopsided appointments; restructuring of the country; total revision or replacement of 1999 constitution with the outcome of 2014 National Conference.

The group said “The so-called constitution (Yadudu Textbook) with sixty-eight obnoxious exclusive lists and twelve meaningless concurrent lists is a fraud on Nigerians.

It also listed the need to retire the Service Chiefs and all other “spent members” of security agencies and inject new blood into the system saying it will inspire the young officers to follow and obey your instructions to the letters.

“We are very much afraid that this regime is continuously doing wanton damage to the already weak foundations of the country. We cannot fold our hands and allow things to continue this way. We all have responsibility to save our country.

The country has been balkanized into tribal, religious, political, economic and in fact, social strife. And yet, the destructions continue unabated” the coalition said adding that Nigerians must do something now to “rescue the country from the claws of this Nazism.” The group called on Nigerians to adopt non-violence in addressing the challenges facing the country.

NDDC House Committee Chair, Pressured IMC To Pay N9bn; Why I Will Not Publish Names – Akpabio |The Source

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The Source

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July 23, 2020

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By Adesina Soyoye

The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, pressured the Commission’s Interim Management Committee, to pay for old contracts amounting to the sum of N9billion.

He, also, explained why he would not publish the names of NASS members who were awarded contracts in the NDDC.

Akpabio had, while answering questions from the House Ad-hoc Committee investigating corruption allegations in the NDDC, alleged that most contracts at the Commission go to NASS members.

Embarrassed, Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave Akpabio a 48-hour ultimatum to publish the names of those NASS members, or face legal action.

But in a letter to the Speaker on Thursday, Akpabio said because he was a member of the 8th Senate, and the Minority Leader, he had a lot of respect for the House, and so, he would not publish.

He also said that the two Chairmen – Senate and House -may have kept other members in the dark of what went on, and denied accusing members of the 9th Assembly of taking 60% of the Contracts since the Commission was yet to implement any NDDC budget.

He, however said the Chairman of the House Committee insisted that N9billion from 19 old contracts be paid.

Akpabio: “I never referred to members of the 9th House of Representatives as beneficiaries of NDDC contracts as the NDDC is yet to fully implement any NDDC budget since the beginning of the 9th National Assembly.

On the N9bn, he said: “The Director of Projects forwarded, to me ,19 old contracts amounting to nine billion Naira, which the NDDC Chairman in the House insist the IMC must pay for”

He said he “will not make the entire document on the old contracts public as I got it from the Lead forensic auditor in confidence.”

The Acting M.D. of the NDDC IMC, Prof Bonfei had insisted that Tunji-Ojo rescued himself, from the investigation Panel, being an interested party.

Speaker Gbajabiamila on Thursday instructed the Clerk of the House, to institute criminal charges of perjury and civil defamation of character against Minister Akpabio.

Akpabio Denies Accusing NASS Of Cornering 60% NDDC Contract |The Source

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The Source

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July 23, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied saying that 60% of NDDC Contracts were given to National Assembly members.

Akpabio had ruffled feathers while testifying before the House Committee Ad Hoc Committee, investigating corruption allegations at the NDDC, when he said that most contracts at the NDDC were awarded to NASS members.

Angered and embarrassed by the allegation, Speaker of the House, the Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, had given the Minister a 48-hour notice to publish the list of the NASS members who had collected contracts.

The ultimatum expired Thursday. Akpabio published no list. Instead, he sent a letter to the Speaker denying he said 60 % of contracts were awarded to NASS members.

He explained that the only time he mentioned 60% was when an Honourable member asked why a medical doctor, Cairo Ojougbo was appointed an Executive Director for Projects. He said he told them that 60% of the problem in the Niger Delta was medical-related.

Many, including this magazine, confirm that Akpabio never attributed any percentage to the contracts awarded NASS members. What he said was that most of the Contracts were awarded to them.

However, the Speaker, in fulfilment of his threat, has instructed the Clerk to begin a legal process against Akpabio.

The grounds: lying on oath and defamation of character.

Why I have Sued Akpabio For Defamation And Perjury – Gbajabiamila |The Source

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The Source

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July 23, 2020

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By Femi Gbajabiamila

Last Tuesday I issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to substantiate his allegation that over 60% (sixty per cent) of contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) went to members of the National Assembly.

I said then that the Honourable Minister owed it to himself and the country to provide evidence to support these serious allegations.

The Honourable Minister has failed to respond to my request. Therefore, I must conclude that his statement intended solely to gaslight the nation to avoid accountability for the evident maladministration and malfeasance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In my time in the House of Representatives, I have held every leadership position from Minority Whip, through to Minority Leader, Leader of the House (Majority Leader) and now Speaker.

I recognise that the House has not always lived up to the high expectations of the Nigerian people. As much as we still have a lot to do in that regard, I refuse to sit here in good conscience and allow anyone to assassinate the character of the House in an attempt to deflect accountability for their conduct in office. Such mendacity as was witnessed at the public hearing will not be tolerated from anybody no matter how highly placed.

This morning, I asked the Clerk of the House of Representatives to engage the services of legal counsel, and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the Minister.

At the same time, we will instruct counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against the Minister.

The House of Representatives is a public trust placed in our care for the duration of our term in office. We must prove ourselves worthy of this public trust or risk the censure of history.

Therefore, we will resist every attempt to undermine this institution, whether such attempts come from within or from outside. This House will live up to the highest expectations of the Nigerian people. This is our commitment, and we will not fail.

Gbajabiamila is the Speaker of the House of Representatives

NDDC: After N15 tn Allocation, Niger Delta Children Walk Through Rivers To School |The Source

By

Bayo Bernard

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July 23, 2020

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By Ola Samuel

A viral picture on the internet showing young school children walking through the river to their schools has elicited more criticism for the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC over the mismanagement of trillions of naira allocated to the interventionist agency since it was created 20 years ago.

Nigerians watching the ongoing probe of the NDDC at the National Assembly have come hard on its management, past and present for embezzling huge funds allocated for the development of the oil bearing states.

BudgIT Nigeria, a transparency organisation has accused the managers of the Commission of mismanaging over N15 trillion allocated by various administrations since its creation in 2000.

Two years ago, President Muhammadu Buhari was so livid with the sleaze in the agency that he approved a forensic auditing of its spending.

In spite of this, the commission has lately be in the eye of the storm following stark revelations that the Interim Management Team, IMC appointed to supervise the agency, pending the appointment of a substantive management, have also dipped their hands into the coffers of the multi-billion agency.

Angry Nigerians have called for the repeal of Act setting up the Commission, while others insist that the appointment of honest Nigerians into its board will turn its fortune around.

Senator Godswill Akpabio — Akpabio: Fingered In Alleged Sleaze

The probe by the Senate and House of Representatives committees have not exonerated the lawmakers either, many of whom were believed to have collected contracts worth several billions without executing them.

A senator named in the scam was said to have collected over N3.5 billion for the supply of plastic chairs for the commission. He never did, neither returned he, the huge funds collected.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio on his part was alleged to have approved 30 contracts, for the clearing of water hyacinth in the Niger Delta to himself, on his first meeting with the IMC led by Joy Nunieh.

Apart from this, over N80 billion was alleged to have been spent by her successor, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei within six months of his appointment without approval.

Pondei however collapsed on Monday when he was being grilled by the House Committee on Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians are calling on President Buhari to make sure that his administration get to the bottom of the mismanagement of funds in the NDDC; punish those involved in the sleaze and ensure that men and women appointed to head the agency are those of proven integrity.

This will not only ensure that the suffering people of Nigeria’s oil bearing areas experienced development, funds allocated to NDDC in the future will not end up in the hands of corrupt and selfish political leaders, watchers of the ongoing probe say.