FINALLY, the day of reckoning is here and there appears to be no hiding place for some powerful Nigerians who may soon face trial for their ignoble role in the $180 million Halliburton bribe scandal. The powerful Nigerians who may have been indicted by the Presidential Panel on the Halliburton scam are said to be making frantic efforts so as to be given soft landing by the panel headed by Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro.
National Daily usually reliable sources reveal that the panel constituted by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has concluded investigation on the matter, and is about to formally present its report to the presidency.

Members of the panel include representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), State Security Service (SSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ministry of Justice.

Sources disclosed that more prominent Nigerians that have been indicted are among those believed to be members of 'the untouchables' who benefited from the multi-million dollar loot.

Among them are Prince Ado Bayero, son of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Alhaji Abdulkadir Abacha, younger brother of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.

National Daily learned that the report did not totally exonerate three former Heads of State, General Sani Abacha, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo who are widely rumoured to have benefitted.

Sources said that the panel could not secure sufficient evidence to indict former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

National Daily learned that President Umaru Yar'Adua and the Head of the panel is under intense pressure from those connected to the Halliburtongate to “temper justice with mercy.”

Sources said that when it became obvious that the Okiro panel which itself is under international and local pressure to expose faces behind the veil was not ready to spare anyone no matter his status, some prominent Nigerians whose identities have been unveiled began to panic.

“They have been sending all sorts of people to members of the panel and making phone calls to Okiro begging him not to indict them in the final report.

You know, Okiro is a no nonsense officer, he does not fear anybody” said an informed source, adding that “the panel report is ready and will soon be presented to Yar'Adua. The whole thing is earthshaking. Some powerful Nigerians were indicted and recommended for trial.”

Sources said former Nigerian leaders, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Abdulsalam Abubakar and Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero have been appealing to President Yar'Adua and Okiro to soften the Panel's report on their role in the Halliburton mess. Bayero intervened on behalf of his son Prince Ado Bayero who was named as one of the benefactors.

These influential Nigerians were said to have also reached out to some eminent Nigerians close to the Yar'Adua, Okiro, and other members of the panel urging them not to “humiliate” them.

“Okiro was very angry when he received one popular politician who came to beg him on behalf of a former number one citizen of Nigeria. He told him in unmistakable terms that he cannot compromise his responsibilities. He made it clear to him that “if your Oga is guilty he will pay the price” said one knowledgeable source.

National Daily learned that Obasanjo, Abubakar and Ado Bayero were scared that the Okiro Panel is determined to discharge its duty to the letter so they turned to President Yar'Adua for succor.

Bayero was said to have solicited for the assistance of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'aad Abubakar while General Abubakar contacted former President Ibrahim Babangida to intercede on his behalf.

Obasanjo was said to have had several phone discussion with Yar'Adua and further interacted with him through a mutual friend of the two.

Former Chief of Air Staff AVM AD Bello and former Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Dikko Yusuf former Petroleum Minister, Chief Dan Etete and former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Gaius Obaseki were also named in the final report.

Source: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/682/1/180m-halliburton-bribe-obasanjo-abubakar-bayero-be.html

I dey laugh....

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