Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has told those advising that the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, be closed down to make way for Forensic Probe, to perish the thought.
He said if that is done, what the country would have is not just militancy, it will be insurrection.
Akpabio was testifying Monday afternoon before the House of Representatives Committee, investigating the NDDC over corruption allegations.
He said that the NDDC plays a huge role in restoring peace in the region. Akpabio also emphasised that the region contributes 90 per cent of the Nation’s resources. You cannot, therefore, close it down, he warned.
He advised that those who are being owed should be paid, and the cases of those in court be looked into.
He hit the bulls eye when he told the lawmakers that what he was saying was in their interest, as over 90 per cent of the NDDC Contracts were giving to Lawmakers.
“What I’m saying is in your own interest because 90 per cent of the contracts go to members of the National Assembly”
He challenged the members to ask the Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committes on the NDDC about his allegation on who does the contracts.
As he spoke, it was obvious the members of the House Committee were uncomfortable with his revelation as one of them kept parting the female Honourable member, whose question provoked Akpabio’s damning revelation, to stop pushing for answers.
Elderstateman, Chief Edwin Clark, has backed the South-East for Presidency, come 2023.
The demand for a President of Igbo extraction, ahead of the 2023 presidential election has gained more prominence with the latest support coming from Nigeria’s nationalist and foremost Ijaw leader.
This is coming just as the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), last week, declared its full support. while also endorsing Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Also, speaking over the weekend, former Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulzeez Yari, canvassed the need for an Igbo to occupy the seat.
Clark said power should shift to the Southeast in 2023 after President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, “Nigeria’s unity demands that North and South should rotate the office of the President, and after President Buhari serves his eight years, the Presidency should return to the South, and specifically go to the South-East zone in 2023.
“Some people argue that they want people who are intelligent, who have integrity and worthy personality, I dare say that such people are not scarce in Nigeria, whether in North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-West, South-South and South-East.
“So also the Presidency should not remain in the North-West, it should also go to North-Central and North-East, similarly in the South, it should not be South-West, South-South and South-East
“Therefore, anybody who believes in the unity of this country knows its sustenance depends on quality leadership and ability of all sections of the country to aspire to any position in the country.”
Earlier on Sunday last week, Yari, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would support a power shift to the South in 2023.
In an interview, Yari said it was expected that power would shift to the South after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s final tenure, insisting, “that is how things are supposed to be.”
The late Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, had hands in the removal of Barr. Joi Nunieh, as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed Nunieh the MD, when he set-up an Interim Management Committee, IMC, to run the NDDC, instead of inaugurating members of the Board, nominated by him, and sent to the National Assembly for clearance.
After their clearance, the President set-up the IMC, and left the Board members uninaugurated, and in limbo.
However, Akpabio sacked Nunieh, citing insubordination and non qualification, picking holes in her claim that she took part in the NYSC after her Law School.
But testifying Monday afternoon before the House of Representatives Committee probing alleged corruption in the NDDC, Akpabio revealed that one of the reasons Nunieh was sacked was because she had no NYSC certficate.
Akpabio disclosed , also, that it was the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who wrote a letter to him, drawing his attention to the non- qualification of Nunieh to hold the office because she did not partake in the NYSC. He insisted that Nunieh forged the affidavit she presented.
Akpabio added that they wrote to the NYSC leadership in Kwara, the state Nunieh was mobilised to, two times to confirm, and that the response was that she did not.
Akpabio and Nunieh have engaged in a dirty altercation since the probe began, hurling accusations at each other from left, right and centre.
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, ruffled feathers Monday, when he disclosed that most contracts at the NDDC, were done by National Assembly members.
Akpabio revealed this while testifying before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating allegations of reckless spending and corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Tackled by a female member of the Committee to explain, Akpabio responded in the affirmative, saying the member may not know.
He also added that he was a member of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta, prompting the Honourable member to ask him how many contracts he collected from the NDDC as a Senator. When he denied, the obviously angry member asked him how he dared make such allegations against others
Earlier, the Committee had tackled Akpabio over his alleged interference in the running of the NDDC, and the removal of files from the offices of the Commission without the knowledge of the M.D. He struggled to answer.
He ,also, insisted that he removed the former MD, Barr. Joi Nunieh, over insubordination, alleging that a number of times she refused to attend scheduled meetings.
The former MD had alleged that she stopped attending over the Minister’s sexual harassment.
The investigation started with drama when the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, stood down from presiding over the business of the day. Even though he had the confidence of the members, he stood down over the refusal of the M.D., Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei to testify last week, insisting that Tunji-Ojo was an interested party in the probe.
The most notable drama was when Pondei collapsed, and was rushed out, 45 minutes into his grilling.
Disturbed by the State of insecurity in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari is in a closed-door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, at the State House, Abuja.
The reason for the meeting, the magazine gathered is not unconnected with the Security issues the nation has been battling with – Boko Haram, banditry, Insurgency, kidnapping and more.
The meeting is also said to centered around ongoing military operations in the country, particularly in the North East and West.
It would be recalled that President Buhari, in a recent meeting with Service Chiefs and other security heads, had warned he would no longer tolerate the escalation of insecurity in the country.
He had earlier frowned at the lack of synergy among the security heads and told them to work together to bring myriads of security challenges bedeviling the country to a halt.
Last weekend, bandits allegedly killed 16 soldiers and injured 30 in an ambush around Shimfida in Jibia local government area of Katsina.
On Sunday evening, tend of people were reportedly killed in a Kaduna community.
The meeting, which started at about noon, was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
There was a scare at the Conference Room 231, venue of the House Committee probing the alleged corruption scandal at the NDDC, when the Commission’s M.D., Prof Kemebradikummo Pondei, collapsed.
He was testifying before the Ad-Hoc Committee probing the NDDC when he collapsed after 45 minutes of grilling, and was rushed out, leaving the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio to begin his own testimony.
The marching order by President Muhammadu Buhari that there should be a speedy and coordinated probe into the allegations of fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, may have forced the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the allegations to step down.
You will recall that last week, the Managing Director of the NDDC Interim Management Committee, IMC, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, and his members, walked out on the Committee.
The M.D. said he would testify only if the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, excused himself, since he is an interested party, also, accused of alleged corruption, and meddlesomeness in the affairs of the Commission.
The walk-out was one of the highlights of the NDDC scandal, last week. The House members had chided the M.D., threatening to issue a bench warrant on him.
But embarrassed by the scandal, the President ordered a speedy and coordinated investigation.
Seeing that his continued stay as the Chairman of the Committee, would likely impede the investigation, and given the order, he was forced to step aside on Monday at the resumption of the investigation.
His Deputy, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi is presiding.
The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is expected to testify Monday afternoon.
If the Presidency is to be believed, shock and surprises await Nigerians in the ongoing probe of the embattled and suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In a subtle hint that the Presidency hit the bull’s eye when it ordered for the investigation, Shehu Garba, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity said the snippets from the Hon. Justice Ayo Salami-led investigation are worth the effort.
Shehu also said the findings could embarrass the Presidency, but said in the end, it would be vindicated.
The Presidency has, therefore, asked Nigerians to prepare for surprises as the Panel prepares to submit its report.
Shehu, stated this on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Sunday.
Shehu said the Presidency had been receiving some little updates from the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel and the findings would surprise Nigerians.
He, therefore, asked Nigerians to ignore the outbursts of certain persons who have questioned the probe.
Responding to a question on claims by Magu’s lawyers that the probe was a witch-hunt, Shehu said, “I guess this is a question for the Justice Ayo Salami panel and I must say that panel is composed of some of this country’s most honoured people with integrity who will do the right thing.
“I am not going to pre-empt the panel investigation, but I just advice Nigerians to hold their hearts in their hands. By the time they are done with this job and they come out with the reports, prepare yourselves for surprises.
“I don’t know what will come out but if the hints we are getting from what is being done over there is anything to go by, I think that Nigerians should not be confused by any outbursts by anybody”.
The President’s spokesman said the probe of Magu could cause temporary embarrassment to the President Muhammadu Buhari, but in the end, the government would be vindicated.
The panel led by Salami is investigating over 20 allegations levelled against Magu, which majorly bothers on Corruption and insurbodination.
Among the many allegations brought against Magu is that he bought a house in Dubai worth over N550m while the interest accrued to N550bn recovered funds could not be accounted for.
The Presidency had suspended Magu and about 11 directors of the EFCC to allow for a seamless investigation.
The camp of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu received a boost few hours to the primary as one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Mr Ife Oyedele announced his withdrawal from the race.
He told journalists at the government house, Akure, that he took the decision after consultations with the national leaders of the party and agreed to work with Governor Akeredolu.
Oyedele declared that “I have decided to work with Mr Governor and we are very mindful of the security situation of the state not to have bloodshed.
This magazine gathered, however, that his action may have been a smart one to save himself an embarrassment as he got no delegate to back him. But he insisted that:
“The leaders of the party have impressed it on me and the governor as the national leader of the party to ensure that the election is conducted without bloodshed. We are determined to ensure that we work together to reunite the party and I want to assure you that the interest of the people of the state is more important.
“We urge other aspirants to support us on this quest.
Elated Governor Akeredolu, who confirmed this, said he and Oyedele had been foundation members of the APC, and had decided to work together to move the state forward.
Meanwhile, less than few hours to the primary of party, the venues have been changed from the 18 local government headquarters of the party in the state.
It would now hold in three centres in Akure.
It was gathered that all the delegates would converge on three centres in Akure to do the accreditation and the election would take at the International Event Centre, Akure .
The state APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaiye confirmed the development .
He said, ” Initially, it was scheduled to hold local government by local government but now everything will now be done on Akure.”
Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice who likes to portray himself as the champion of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption is now being seen as the protector of highly corrupt but rich Nigerians.
In a recent interview, his media aide Dr Umar Gwandu, said Malami “is the one championing the anti-graft campaign of the government”, adding that “All the successes recorded in that direction were a result of” Malami’s “commitment especially in initiating and supporting justice sector reform, Executive Orders, anti-money laundering strategies, reparations and recovery of looted assets, among others.”
But in the light of recent revelations by Oluwatosin Ojaomo, a prosecutor with the dissolved Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property, SPIP that Malami is trying to shield two brothers, Ibrahim and Tijani Tumsah from prosecution, the nation’s chief law officer has unwittingly walked into the trap of those who claimed that he dines with highly corrupt individuals in the country.
The panel headed by Obono Obla was dissolved last year by President Buhari under controversial circumstances.
Itsey Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC has accused Malami of being “very lukewarm to the anti-corruption war; he doesn’t play his own part. As AGF, he is supposed to coordinate common platforms involving the fight, common platforms where PACAC, ICPC and EFCC operate; he has not been forthcoming at all.”
The senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN was responding the suspension of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC by President Muhammadu Buhari on the recommendation of the AGF.
Ojaomo in a petition sent to President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Inspector General of Police, IGP and other top government officials, the prosecutor alleged that Malami, has failed to bring the two brothers to justice, contrary to his oath of office.
Ibrahim and Tijani, he said have been found to embezzled public funds running to several billions of naira, by the defunct Obono Obla Presidential Advisory Council on the Recovery of Public Assets but are still moving about as free men.
Ibrahim is a former director of Finance in the defunct Ministry of Power, Works and Housing while his brother, Tijani was Vice President of the now dissolved Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative.
Tumsah: Alleged to Have Stolen Public Funds
Ibrahim, the elder was described by the Nigerian Monitor as the ‘most corrupt’ civil servant in Nigeria, while online Magazine known as BizWatch profiled him in August 2017 as a “Corrupt Billionaire ……. Who is Richer Than Four Northern Governors.”
The duo were alleged to have acquired properties, including mansions in Abuja and exotic cars with public funds, which the Obla committee, seized from them based on an order from a federal high court, but has now been handed over to them by the AGF.
The properties include four houses in Wuse 2 and Jabi and a quarry plant in Kuje, Abuja, as well as 86 exotic vehicles comprising Wrangler SUV; Audi ASL; Toyota Hilux van; Ford Taurus; Mercedes Benz S550; Mercedes Benz GL 550; Toyota Land Cruiser; Toyota Prado SUV and many other expensive vehicles.
In the letter referenced no. OOC/TOL/12N/07/2020 dated July 14, 2020, entitled, ‘Request for the prosecution of Ibrahim Tumsah and Tijjani Tumsah for contravention of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, 2004,’ the prosecutor said the AGF has failed to prosecute the two brothers despite damning evidence that they stole from the public.
The suspects, he explained would have been prosecuted by the Obla Panel, which could not do so because it lacked powers in that respect.
This later led to the striking out of the matter by the Court of Appeal last year.
Ibrahim is now the Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC Caretaker Committee set up last month by President Buhari and headed by Governor of Kebbi state.
In the letter which the Inspector General of Police is also copied, the prosecutor said all the cases inherited by the AGF Ofiice, including that of the Tumsa brothers have gathered dusts in the Ministry.
He said “Until the removal of the members of the panel, your office refused to give the approval which led to the dismissal of the suit against the duo (Ibrahim and Tijjani) and other matters instituted by the panel.
One would have expected you to use your good offices as the AGF to save this matter by taking over and prosecuting them, but the ones that were taken over by your office were either withdrawn or application made for them to be struck out.
This action has struck big damage (sic) to the anti-corruption war of this government as most of the criminal suspects indicted after investigations are back to town enjoying the stolen assets.”
He said Malami’s action is having a great toll on the administration’s war against graft.
According to him “The petition observed that it had been close to one year since the SPIP was dissolved by the President with a directive that all the matters handled by the panel should be handed over to the AGF for review and possible prosecution.
None of the suspects has been charged to court as the case files are currently being kept in view at your office without any action and in clear violation of section 1 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015,” the lawyer admonished Malami.”
The Tumsah brothers are now allowed to enjoy their loots because “the properties which were seized from them worth billions of naira had been returned to them under suspicious circumstances,” the lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Malami has faced public backlash following his lavish wedding party held for his son Abdulazeez Abubakar Malami, on July 11.
The party, attended by top government officials and private sector CEOs, witnessed the spraying of American dollars and other currency while guests openly flouted the COVID 19 safety protocols.
