THE used to be as free as the bird of the air. Not for her a well dressed policewoman with a pistol strapped onto her waist and madam’s handbag in her hand.

Times have changed for the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – no thanks to alleged threats from indicted oil barons.

Now, there is a tight security shield around her.

Also, there were indications yesterday that extra security might be provided for other members of the presidential task force on subsidy payments.

The Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments initially indicted 21 firms for fraudulent claims that cost the nation N382 billion but the list was later increased to 25 by the Federal Ministry of Finance, based on fresh evidence.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said of the N422 billion scrutinised, N18 billion was found to be duplication; N21 billion was cleared.

But following investigation of the indicted marketers by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Minister of Finance had been under threats.

No fewer than a dozen armed anti-terrorism squad agents, policemen and State Security Service (SSS) operatives have been deployed in the Federal Ministry of Finance to protect the Minister.

The Minister’s residence is also under 24-hour surveillance.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of the indicted oil marketers and barons have been threatening to deal with Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala for insisting that those behind the fuel subsidy scam must be punished.

“The reality is that the Coordinating Minister has stepped on toes by being adamant on allowing justice to run its full course on those who amassed ill-gotten wealth through the fuel subsidy scam.

“Her major sin was the publication of the list of the indicted firms by the Ministry of Finance instead of other relevant organisations.

“Besides elaborate character assassination, planting seed of discord within the cabinet, there are fears that these oil thieves might engage in ‘physical harms’, if all other options fail to get her out of the way.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “What we have done so far is to beef up security around her in the office and at home. Also, her itinerary is now a jealously guarded secret.”

Some of the indicted oil marketers are believed to be under watch by security agencies. One of them is said to have been isolated for championing anti-Okonjo-Iweala campaign and threats. Security agencies may prevail on the court to revoke his bail anytime from now, it was learnt.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/oil-barons-threaten-okonjo-iwealas-life/

[size=14pt]RUBBISH![/size]

Na to whip sympathy!!! Balderdash

...and I was expecting to read news.

[b][/b] how e take conern me

Kobojunkie: [size=14pt]RUBBISH![/size]

Do explain.. Kobojunkie..

Minion: Ur Sickness! This woman is so security conscious, she really values her life oooo!
Hades: Shuttup Jare!What are the requirements needed in order to quickly fire a pistol?
Minion: Well My King!, there are several factors such as balance, skill, dexterity and stuff like that. Why do you ask?
Hades: You need both hands right?
Minion:Of course you do! My Lord! What does this have to do with anything?
Hades: The woman is security conscious yet she gave her hand-bag to her escort to hold for her. How will the poor escort wield her weapon efficiently if a handbag is pulling her back. See Ehn! the only reason that woman is alive is because the mumu Barons are either balless or are just bluffin. Infact I think they are both.
Minion: My King! U astound me

Are you saying that those c*lling for her resignation are taking the first steps to reduce her security before they strike

Wetin you dey do as you dey world before? No be to dey make the masses suffer?


This people actually forget that it is GOD Alone that protects life. HE is the giver and taker of it. If Security aids could stop sickness, Patience wouldn't have ended up on a german hospital bed.

GooseBaba: Do explain.. Kobojunkie..

What is there to explain?

I hope this's not a ploy to vapourize the subsidy report. We're not even hearing any encouraging news as regards this subsidy scam.

IF YOU WORK IN NIGERIA THE CABALS WILL HATE YOU AND STILL GO AHEAD TO PLANT HATRED IN THE MIND OF UNSUSPECTING NIGERIANS, PEOPLE JUST HATE NOI FOR NO JUST REASON , MAKE UNA LEAVE HER JOOO NOBI SHE KEEP UNA FOR UNA POOR CONDITION . SHEE UNA DON PURSUE NNAJI REMAIN NOI. MAKE GOVERNMENT SEND POLICE TO PROTECT ME FOR NAIRALAND BEFORE PEOPLE WEY GO COMMENT AFTER ME KILL ME.

For heaven's sake..did i ask them to invest in my Father's Oil wealth

Taking life is part of politics in Nigeria.

Having said that...m...

I think the Presidency and the PDP in general has threatened the lifes of all Nigeria.

Now that we are at the extreme end of our patience,I will conclude they deserve to be threatened.

I reckon it might cost less than $500,000 to hire expat professional contract killers/mercenaries to take out any Nigerian VIP protected by these incompetent policemen and SSS.

If the so-called oil thieves really want her dead, then she would be dead. Simple. What's the point of all this sentimental rubbish? If she is tired or scared, she might as well resign and run back to the World Bank. She's not indispensable.

Kobojunkie:

What is there to explain?

. The report says her life is in danger ... You say rubbish..How so?

Propaganda.

Kobojunkie:

What is there to explain?

Hello Kobo...

NOI, Deziani and GEJ should stop trying to form "smart".
Who authorised the payment for goods not supplied?
Who gave import license to brief case companies?

The so called "cabal" submitted their documents, it was left for NOI and Deziani to verify the claims of the "cabal" and pay them accordingly. The duo failed to do their jobs and are now crying foul.
They should both be fired for negligence of duty and investigated as the prime suspects.

This is what we call fallacy of Red herring. A move to divert our attention from all the fraud allegations levied against her. Dezani too said her own in d money instead of clearing their names. GEJ, it is apparent your cabinet has a problem or you have a problem. From Sambo ( allegation of being part of Boko H, Labaran Maku senseless minister,Doyin Okupe (having a frau case to answer, Dezani and Ngozi recently indicted, etc. Gej, pls show me your friends and I will tell u the kind of person you are. Corrupt president. Subsdy moved from 300b to 1.7trillion for the first time in your first year as president. Too poor.

in dis times of suicide bombing &sniping,wetin b security,na dem neva ready to carry out dea threat

The hatred a lot of Nigerians show to this woman makes me wonder if she is their problem. This woman is trying to make things right but Nigerains are easily decieved by those oil thieves.

With this mindset of a lot of Nigerians these country will remain as it is if they don't change the way they think and start thinking reasonably

Fa fa faaaaa....fowl!

I can't stop laughing...
Danger? When she and her cohorts has since endangered the lives of Nigerians,abegi make una pass me better news jare.

Name them please...

gboss4sure: The hatred a lot of Nigerians show to this woman makes me wonder if she is their problem. This woman is trying to make things right but Nigerains are easily decieved by those oil thieves.

With this mindset of a lot of Nigerians these country will remain as it is if they don't change the way they think and start thinking reasonably

She is part of the problem. The "Cabal" only started "scamming" the nation when GEJ came into power. Is it that the "cabal" only became greedy recently?

veraponpo: This is what we call fallacy of Red herring. A move to divert our attention from all the fraud allegations levied against her. Dezani too said her own in d money instead of clearing their names. GEJ, it is apparent your cabinet has a problem or you have a problem. From Sambo ( allegation of being part of Boko H, Labaran Maku senseless minister,Doyin Okupe (having a frau case to answer, Dezani and Ngozi recently indicted, etc. Gej, pls show me your friends and I will tell u the kind of person you are. Corrupt president. Subsdy moved from 300b to 1.7trillion for the first time in your first year as president. Too poor.

This is a report from the nation newspaper, not a statement from the presidency so I dont which one you are saying nansense. Nobody is telling any falacy. The nation in the course of their job found something out and came to tell you and you are campaigning here. Abi na GEJ get the nation again? Some of you cannot even pretend about your partisan stance. lol

pro01: I reckon it might cost less than $500,000 to hire expat professional contract killers/mercenaries to take out any Nigerian VIP protected by these incompetent policemen and SSS.

If the so-called oil thieves really want her dead, then she would be dead. Simple. What's the point of all this sentimental rubbish? If she is tired or scared, she might as well resign and run back to the World Bank. She's not indispensable.

A couple hundred Naira is really all you need to kill anyone in Nigeria, even NOI. There are so many hungry people there that would accept just that to get rid of anyone you want. I mean it is not like she has some mafia gang guarding her 24/7. She is in Nigeria where near everything still functions at the dysfunctional level. To kill any of those incompetent leaders will be the easiest thing to do and probably get away with. I mean look at how some of them have met their deaths in the past. Nothing elaborate. So all this nonsense, every other month, needs to stop already.

I think GEJ should set up committe to look into it