Jonathan, contest election, face court action •Atiku group warns president
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Written by Wale Akintunde, Yola Friday, 10 September 2010
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to have a rethink on his presidential ambition so as not to undermine the Peoples Democratic Party’s principle of zoning.
The warning was given by the Turaki Vanguard, a political organisation propagating the presidential ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, who stated this on Thursday while briefing correspondents in Yola, warned that if President Jonathan succumbed to the pressure from mischief makers and undemocratic elements, the Turaki Vanguard would have no option but to seek legal redress.
“We expect President Jonathan to exclude himself from the PDP primaries, but if he insists on running for the presidency, then we will take him to court for a breach of trust and violation of the zoning principle that ushered him into office,” Eze said.
Eze stated that, “as far as we are concerned, President Jonathan is not an aspirant to the country’s presidential seat come 2011. We are insisting that he should not contemplate such a thing, considering his office as an incumbent president. It will be a national embarrassment if a serving president goes to the party’s primaries and fails to pick the party’s ticket.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki Vanguard explained that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, became a civilian ruler in 1999 based on the grand design to appease the South after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
In view of this, Eze said that “the only right and patriotic thing for President Jonathan to do is to forget the 2011 presidency to pave the way for a northerner,” adding that by so doing, “the North would have been appeased to finish its tenure, following the demise of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“The principle of zoning must be respected by President Goodluck Jonathan, because it is the process that brought him to power. The constitution of the PDP is very clear and unambigous in that regard.
So we expect Mr President to follow the path of honour and dignity to jettison the few undemocratic forces trying to lure him into the 2011 presidential race,” Eze insisted.
He explained that going by the PDP’s constitution, the party’s presidential contestant would be sponsored by the party, and argued that since the PDP had remained resolute in its position to ensure that the principle of zoning held sway, it was incumbent on President Jonathan to read the writing on the wall.
“Look, for one to be a contestant to the presidency, in particular on the PDP platform, one has to receive the endorsement of the PDP, and as far as the party is concerned, the principle of zoning should be maintained, and we expect the president to abide by that simple principle,” the Turaki Vanguard’s spokesperson added.

EU okays Jan election dates
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Written by Christian Okeke, Abuja Friday, 10 September 2010
THE European Union heads of mission say they have welcomed the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the next general election is to be held in January 2011.
INEC had fixed National Assembly elections for January 15; presidential election, January 22 and governorship and state Assembly elections for January 29, 2011.
In a statement sent to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, the EU heads of mission noted with satisfaction that President Goodluck Jonathan had taken significant decisions in signing the new amended 2010 Electoral Law confirming the holding of the elections in January 2011 and released money to INEC for preparations for the elections.
They commended the efforts to ensure that other key actions would be implemented as a matter of urgency within the tight time frame to enable credible and fair elections.
They commended the moves to include overhauling and updating of the voter register, holding transparent party primaries, announcing and displaying the results at each polling station, as well as ensuring the transparent consolidation of the results, and adequate security arrangements.
“The European Union encourages political leaders and actors in the forthcoming elections to contribute actively to promoting peaceful and credible elections, national harmony and stability and to condemn violence, intimidation and hate speech,” the statement noted.

Militants declare war on IBB’s campaign leader •Say he is persona non grata
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Written by Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt Friday, 10 September 2010
A day after the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA) suspended media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, for joining ex-military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential train towards the 2011 elections, a foremost militants’ coalition in the Niger Delta, Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), has declared him persona non grata in the Niger Delta for the same reason.
The militants made their position known in a statement released by their spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, on Thursday.
They warned Niger Deltans to steer clear of participating in programmes run by Dokpesi and his business interests, such as Raypower Radio and AIT.
Dokpesi is the director-general of the campaign organisation of General Babangida, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2011 elections.
The position of Dokpesi, an Edo high chief, is seen as being in direct conflict with the interests of the South-South which is for the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Apparently to express its displeasure, the JRC warned that any Niger Deltan “who participates in AIT programmes such as Kaakaki or advertises on AIT will be summarily punished.”
The group stated that Niger Deltans who did not support the struggle for the liberation of the region were not worthy to live among the people.
They, therefore, urged those supporting the presidential ambition of Dr Jonathan to remain resolute in the face of financial and social temptations.
The statement reads in part: “On behalf of the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), comprising alliance units of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, active combat units of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force and the Martyrs Brigade, we hereby declare Chief Raymond Aliero Dokpesi persona non grata in the Niger Delta.
“Raymond Dokpesi is a blackleg in the struggle for the liberation of the Niger Delta region and the South-South zone of the Nigerian state.
“Any Niger Deltan who will or can trade the destiny of tens of millions of Niger Delta for filthy lucre is not worthy of existence, he should not even live amongst us.
“In furtherance thereof, we demand that all Southern and Niger Delta interests should immediately cease every relationship with Raymond Dokpesi and all of his business interests.
“Government institutions and parastatal agencies, youth groups and all others are hereby warned from participating in programmes run by Raymond Dokpesi and his interests such as Raypower Radio, AIT, etc.
“Any Niger Delta interest that henceforth participates in AIT programmes such as Kaakaki, etc or advertises on AIT will be summarily punished.
“However, let us commend all those who have chosen to remain resolute and fight the Jonathan cause even in the face of grim persecution and great financial and social temptations,” the militants stated.

S/East govs hail appointment of new COAS
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Written by Sam Nwaoko, Awka Friday, 10 September 2010
THE governors of the South-East states of the country have applauded the change of the service chiefs by President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Awka and signed by the chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Mr Peter Obi of Anambra State, on Thursday, the governors said the change was a welcome development.
According to the governors, the appointment had given the Igbo nation a more sense of belonging in Nigeria.
The Governors Forum, in the statement said: “At times when we consider the contributions of our fathers and what we are getting in return, one feels pained.
“Having said this, let me quickly add that the appointment of the first Igbo Chief of Army Staff, coming a few weeks after the appointment of another Igbo as the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration is a welcome development.
“It is a testimony that, at last, we are being seen as true partners in Nigeria.
“We urge the president to continue in that direction until our neglect and marginalisation over the years is completely addressed.”
However, a rights group, the INTERSOCIETY, in a press statement signed by the chairman of its Board of Trustees, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi, and made available by e-mail, condemned the manner in which the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police were sacked.
According to the group, the appointment “is a replica of events of the military’s inglorious era.”
It said “services and conducts of these service chiefs are governed by Nigeria’s Public Service Act and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and not the oral rules and guidelines guiding family affairs.”
It argued that the president was wrong when he said “tenure of the service chiefs expired since August, 2010,” adding “that it is common knowledge that Onovo’s tenure statutorily would end in 2013, which would be when Onovo would clock 60 years and mandatory 35 years of service.”

Chief of Army Staff receives news of sack in US
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Friday, 10 September 2010
The removed Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahaman Dambazzau, was on a working visit to the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday, when President Goodluck Jonathan announced the appointment of all service chiefs.
The UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Dambazau, and other senior military officers were on the entourage of the Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, on a five-day working tour to the UN.
The visit, which began on Tuesday, was scheduled to end on Saturday.
The team, including Lt.-Gen. Chikadbia Obiakor, outgoing UN military adviser on peacekeeping operations, was on a courtesy call on Ms Susana Malcoraa, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, when repeated calls hit Dambazau’s mobile phone.
``The calls reportedly came from family members who informed him of the change of baton,''’ a close aide told NAN.
After the meeting on the eighth floor of the DC One building of UN, the former army chief and director of finance Major-General Charles Airhiavbere, hurriedly left.
The team did not attend other assignments scheduled for the day, including a briefing on UN peacekeeping missions at the UN office on Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York.
Dambazzau, was also absent at a cocktail party organised at the Nigerian Mission later on Wednesday.
Other visiting Nigerian defence officials continued their meetings but at intervals they made frantic calls to Nigeria.

ICPC boss calls for fight against corruption
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Written by Emmanuel Adeniyi Friday, 10 September 2010
AS preparations for 2011 general election hot up, with the release of election timetable, on Monday, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, has advocated a more practical way of combating corruption in the country, saying all presidential candidates must pledge their readiness and commitment towards solving the problem head-on.
He also called for a review of the nation’s statues which prevented scrutiny of government books and records.
Speaking at a lecture, entitled: “Nigeria at 50: The Realities of the Fight against Corruption,” organised by an Ibadan-based intellectual group, The Forum, Justice Ayoola stated that pledges should also be made by all those aspiring for political offices in the country, insisting that such pledges must be backed by religious leaders as a moral guarantors for the fulfillment of the pledges.
He added that pledges by whoever emerged as leaders in next year’s elections would provide the necessary impetus to demonstrate political will needed for fighting corruption through adequate funding of the existing anti-graft agencies in Nigeria.
According to him, “this is the season in which lofty promises are made to people. It is also (sic) in which the people should know that any candidate for election who promises to tackle the ills of the society or develop our nation without a clear perception of the extent nugatory and without a clear statement of now is going to tackle the vice is either insincere or naive.”
The ICPC boss said Nigeria needed to overcome corruption, saying openness, accountability and transparency were the essential elements that would reduce the perpetration of the menace in the country.

Jonathan condemns plan by US preacher to burn Qur’an
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Written by Leon Usigbe, Abuja Friday, 10 September 2010
President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the alleged plan by a United States preacher, Pastor Terry Jones, to burn copies of the Qur’an, as the country marks the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
The president said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, in Abuja, on Thursday, that as the leader of a nation noted for its religious and ethnic plurality, he had a duty to speak out against any that could further break the already fragile bonds between the two great religions of the world.
According to the statement, President Jonathan urged the US preacher to rethink his plan, recalling that “the September 11 attacks have been roundly condemned the world over, even by millions of Islamic faithful, and burning the religion’s sacred book can only create more problems than it is meant to solve.”
It said the president also urged the US authorities to look into their relevant laws and find a means of stopping Pastor Jones, since the country is renowned for its tolerance of different religions and points of view.

6 dead, several others injured in Abuja road accident
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Friday, 10 September 2010
Six people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in a multiple accident on Wednesday, on Nyanya-Maraba road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mr Funmibi Olawoyi of the FCT sector command told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, that the accident occurred when a tanker, loaded with fuel with registration number ST 861 FKG, ran into 10 vehicles as a result of brake failure.
Mr Ohepo Ugbo, FRSC Unit Commander in Nyanya, said that the incident occurred around 5p.m.
He said that six people died on the spot while several others sustained varying degree of injury. One of the vehicles with registration number BM 130KUJ that was involved in the accident.
“We made spirited efforts to rescue the victims to no avail because our fire extinguishers were not enough,” Ugbo said and urged the Federal Government to do something to prevent the incessant accidents on the road.
NAN reported that the remains of those who lost their lives as well as those who sustained injuries had been taken to Asokoro hospital.

Russian sailors freed as Sss recovers $60,000 ransom
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Written by Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt Friday, 10 September 2010
Men of the State Security Services (SSS) in Rivers State have effected the release of two Russians, Ivanoc Igov and Pukky Andrey, who were kidnapped by militant group five nautical miles off Bonny Fairway Buoy on August 11, 2010.
The command also arrested one Emine, aka also called Onengie-Ofori Fubara, who acted as a middleman between hostage takers and the parent company of the victims, recovering $60,000 ransom payment from him.
Director of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Douglas Dogo, disclosed to newsmen on Wednesday, that the Russians, who were sailing on a vessel inscribed UAL Tycoon enroute Onne seaport, were abducted by a 15-member armed gang led by one Sotonye Kaneji Ikiba alias Obeys.
Dogo disclosed that that Obeys, a notorious unrepentant militant had taken the hostages to his camp at Borokiri and had nominated Emine to collect the ransom on his behalf.
However, operatives of the SSS got wind of the development and arrested Emine and after conducting a search on his residence the sum of $60,000 was recovered from him, being the ransom he received on behalf of Obeys.
According to the SSS boss, Emine had upon interrogation confessed to have received the ransome on behalf of the militant.
On how the Russians were released, Dogo said Obeys yielded to pressure mounted on him by his former boss and repentant militant Farah Dagogo and released the Russians on 6th September, 2010 at Elem Oprama in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Punch

Defence minister, ACF disagree over service chiefs’ removal
By Segun Olatunji and Gbenga Adeniyi
Friday, 10 Sep 2010



Adetokunbo Kayode

The Minister of Defence, Mr. Adetokunbo Kayode, and the Arewa Consultative Forum on Thursday disagreed on the removal of service chiefs and their replacement by President Goodluck Jonathan.
While Adetokunbo said the action was well-timed, the ACF argued that it was ill-timed.
Jonathan had on Wednesday removed the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Paul Dike; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau; and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim.
Also removed were the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo; and the Director-General of the State Security Service, Mr. Afarkiya Gadzama.
The President had replaced Dike with the then Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Dambazzau was replaced by Onyeabo Ihejirika; Ibrahim by Ibrahim; Onovo by Uba Ringim; and Gadzama by Ita Ekpeyong.
The Defence minister, who is on a working visit to the United States told the News Agency of Nigeria, that the changes did not surprise the affected senior officers because they were aware that their tenures had expired.
Kayode added that the decision to extend or not to extend the tenures of all service chiefs, IG, DG of SSS and CDS was subject to the wishes of the President.
He said, “The timing is perfect. We have elections coming up next year and we have other issues coming up and the country is fairly stable and safe.
“They know that this changes is a normal, regular, statutory and constitutional exercise of power by Mr. President.’’
But Kayode stated that the service chiefs were not removed.
He said, “Under the rules and terms of condition of service they are entitled to two years and their tenure has expired.
“Mr. President, exercising his prerogatives under the Armed Forces Act and under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has every right to make new appointments.’’
The minister, however, said the change of guard in the nation’s security system had “absolutely nothing’’ to do with the jail break in Bauchi, Bauchi State on Tuesday.
“The Armed Forces continue to be committed to the internal security in Nigeria and, on the issue of Boko Haram, we have been on top of it and have been monitoring it overtime,” he said.
“We are already prepared, but we know that it is inevitable that this will happen because there is religion in it and we have to be very careful the way we tackle it,” Kayode added.
NAN reported that Dambazzau, who was in company with Kayode in the US on a week-long duty tour to the United Nations, left the minister’s entourage which also included other senior military officers on hearing the news of his sacking.
In its comment, the ACF argued that but for what it called wrong timing, the removal of the old service chiefs and their replacements would ordinarily not have raised eyebrow.
It argued in a text message to our correspondent by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, that the President’s action at this point in time, could fuel insinuations that it (action) was politically – motivated.
The text message reads in part, “ACF has no qualms about President Jonathan’s removal and appointment of service chiefs, as a routine administrative action, except against the timing which could fuel the views that it is politically-motivated.
“This is more so when regard is paid to the President’s recent statement that he had turned down the pressures to change the service chiefs at his personal risk.”
Also on Thursday, the Pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, said that the appointment of Ihejirika as COAS signalled the healing of the wounds that the Igbo nation had been nursing since the end of the Nigerian civil war.
“The appointment of Ihejirika signals the healing of wounds of the Ndigbo. We thank President Jonathan for the appointment and hope others will join us in appreciating him,” Ohanaeze said through its President, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue.
He said, “He (Ihejirika) is the first person to hold the position after Gen. Agunyi Ironsi was Nigeria’s Head of State.
“We hope that he will discharge his duty creditably and we have no doubt that he will. His appointment is psychological. It helps to show that whatever happened after Ironsi has been put behind us. It indicates the integration of the progressives into the Nigerian system.
Uwechue, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, argued that Jonathan had done what was required in the security service, stressing that, “the change of guard is normal.’’
He added that the president had the power to appoint people into positions he believed they could serve the country best.
‘‘Obviously, appointing new people means some will have to go. Before the former occupiers of the positions were picked, some people had to be removed. I see the appointment as a normal routine of presidential exercise of power,’’ Uwechue said.

Ogun crisis: President’s intervention ends in stalemate
By Niyi Odebode, Abuja
Friday, 10 Sep 2010



President Goodluck Jonathan

Efforts by President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the crisis in the Ogun State House of Assembly have ended in a stalemate, with both side refusing to shift ground.
Investigations on Thursday showed that the President met separately with the two factions in Abuja on Wednesday night, as part of efforts to resolve the crises in the House and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Nine members of the House had on Monday impeached the Speaker, Mr. Tunji Egetokun, and suspended 14 of their colleagues. The nine members subsequently appointed Mr. Soyemi Coker as the new speaker.
Our correspondent gathered that members of Egbetokun’s faction, known as Group 15, met with the President on Wednesday after attending a meeting with the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, at the headquarters of the party.
The G-15 meeting, which was attended by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello; the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jibril Martins-Kuye, and a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dave Salako, started at 8pm and ended at midnight.
It was also learnt that the meeting of the rival group was attended by the state governor, Otunba Gbenhga Daniel; the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Joju Fadairo; and 11 members of the group. The meeting started at 1am and ended at 4:30am on Thursday
A lawmaker, who attended the G-15 meeting, said the division in the state chapter of the PDP and the crisis in the House were among issues discussed.
According to the member, who pleaded anonymity, the President explained why the national leadership of the part had not carried out the harmonisation of the state executive of the party.
The member quoted the President as saying, “The other faction has taken the matter to court and the leaders of the party do not want to disobey a court order.”
He stated that the President condemned the impeachment of Egbetokun and promised that the leaders of the party would ensure that sanity returned to the assembly.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information under Egetokun, Dr. Tokunbo Oshin, who confirmed the meeting, said, “The attitude of the President is that of a defender of democracy. He said what happened in Ogun State was capable of tarnishing the image of Nigerians in the comity of nations. He directed that the house should return to the status quo before Monday.”
But a member of the rival group said that the President did not direct the House to reverse the removal of Egbetokun and suspension of their 14 colleagues.
The member, who pleaded anonymity, said, “We told the President that we were opposed to the harmonisation of the state executive of the PDP because the other faction was part of the process that led to the emergence of the Fadairo-led executive. The process was witnessed by Senator Ibrahim Mantu from the headquarters of the party. They cannot turn around and reject the process.”
“On the crisis, we explained that what happened on Monday was legal and that it was based on Order 15 of the house’s rules. We added that we formed a quorum, which is nine. The President reasoned with us, because what we did was in the interest of the state.”
One of the pro-Daniel lawmakers, Mr. Fasiu Bakene, who confirmed the meeting, said, “It is not true that the President said the removal of Egbetokun should be reversed. Coker is the authentic speaker. An evening newspaper had on Wednesday afternoon reported that Mr. President berated the governor (Daniel), when our meeting with the President did not start till early Thursday.”
However, a senior member of the PDP told our correspondent on the telephone that the party recognised Egbetokun as the authentic speaker of the assembly.
“The party recognises Egbetokun as the speaker. We are not in support of the actions taken by the Group of 11 lawmakers on Monday.
“We will do our best to reconcile them,” the source, who declined to be named because of the sensitive nature of the matter, said.
However, Mr. Ike Abonyi, the media aide to the PDP national chairman, declined comments when our correspondent reached him on the telephone.

New IG lists 2011 elections as main priority
By Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Rigim, on Thursday listed his priorities, barely 24 hours after he was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to take over from Mr. Ogbonna Onovo.
Ringim, who was until his appointment the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Zone Nine, with headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State, told our correspondent on the telephone that he would ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2011.
He said that his first challenge would be to prepare the force for the elections.
He added that he was aware of the challenges ahead as Nigerians were already clamouring for free and fair elections, promising not to disappoint them.
He said, “I am aware of the enormous responsibilities and challenges ahead. I must also say that I am aware that Nigerians want free and fair election.
“We will not fail them. We will also prepare our men and officers for the elections, which Nigerians and members of the international community are waiting for.
“We will play our part well by making sure that there is security before, during and after the elections.”
He also debunked insinuations in some quarters that his relationship with the President, under whom he served as police commissioner when Jonathan was Bayelsa governor could lead to compromise.
Ringim said if he did not do well as at that time, there was no way he could be remembered for this higher responsibility.
According to him, “Assuming I had soiled my hands and did not do well during that period, who I have been remembered for this higher responsibility?
“I appreciate those who may harbour that fear but I must tell them that there is nothing to fear.”
He also said he would pay attention to the welfare of members of the force, but that he would also not tolerate corruption.
Ringim also promised to instil discipline in the force, adding, “We are going to make sure that every policeman knows the importance of policing and that he needs to be disciplined in order to shun corruption.”
Meanwhile, there was jubilation among senior police officers in Abuja on Thursday, as the removal of Onovo and all the six deputy inspectors general had been seen as good omen that would lead to the promotion of some of them.
Apart from these DIGs, our correspondent gathered that three other AIGs might also leave the Force.
The AIGs are Mrs. Ivy Okoronkwo, Mr. Azubuike Udah and Mr. Ganiyu Dawodu, who became AIGs before Ringim.
A source in the force said these senior officers were expected to retire as soon as the new IG assumes office.
Meanwhile, Ringim is expected to assume duty at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Monday, as the 15th indigenous police chief in Nigeria.
He is expected to effect a major change in the operational direction of the force, which is widely believed to lack the necessary ability to fight crime effectively.

Governorship poll in Bayelsa is 2012, Sylva insists
By Niyi Odebode and Segun Olatunji
Friday, 10 Sep 2010



Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva

Contrary to the Independence National Electoral Commission’s plan to hold the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State next year, the governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, has said that the election will hold in 2012. The governor spoke to the Financial Times of London during an interview published on Monday.
“There are no arguments there. Actually, because the annulment, the verdict of the judge, was very clear that there was no election and that a fresh election should hold. That means I was not elected until 2008.” Governor Sylva, who won a rerun in 2008, a year after he was first elected as governor in 2007, insisted that his term should begin after the rerun.
However, INEC which had earlier said that it would organise governorship elections next year, in six states where rerun polls were held after 2007 general elections, said its position was backed by law.
In an interview with our correspondent, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said, “INEC has made a policy announcement based on the provisions of relevant laws. It was not dealing with individuals and has no intention to do so.
“But if anyone has issues with those provisions, he/she can approach courts for interpretation. INEC as a law-abiding body will be fully guided by the provision of the extant law.”
Responding to a question on the graft allegation by the EFCC against the state government, the governor said, “It’s a very sad thing. The problem with the EFCC in Nigeria is that it has become a tool for political witch- hunting.”
Sylva claimed that the anti-graft agency was in the habit of going after those it perceived to have had misunderstanding(s) with the then President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration.
The governor also said that the allegation against the state government might be a fallout of the disagreement he had with President Goodluck Jonathan when he (Jonathan) was vice-President.
He said, “In any relationship, there are some disagreements. It happens sometimes. But I mean, once the EFCC perceived there were disagreements, they moved against me, because they have to take the sides of their boss. So that is the kind of thing you see.
“The problem with the EFCC today is that they just convict in the public eye. I mean, in my case, they said they’ve come up with an interim report that I stole N105bn. And at the end of the day the final report didn’t come out.”
He, however, added he now had a cordial relationship with Jonathan.
“I’ve been all about the place drumming support for the President.
“I see a very patriotic Niger Deltan. I feel that this is an opportunity for us. And I think he should get it (presidential ticket),” Sylva said.
He agreed with his interviewer that there was ‘widespread corruption’ among governors.
“I cannot say I would hide my head like an ostrich in the sand. Because we saw a lot happening, but that was also because of the background, where we are coming from.
“We are coming from a military background, and we had a situation where there were no systems, and you go into government, and the military were just about doing things ad hoc. ”The EFCC and INEC have, however, faulted the governor.
Reacting to the governor’s allegations in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the commission was able to establish a case against the governor’s aides, on the strength of which they were charged to court.
Babafemi said, “If we were not able to come up with concrete infractions, we would not charge them to court. That should first be noted.
“The governor should also be asked if it was not established that funds were laundered through bureau de change. The fact that these people are standing trial means we have something concrete against them.
“It has become a tradition for them to say that we are witch-hunting them. This is a petition that we have investigated over a year ago for which the aides were charged to court.”

Screening: We’re waiting for list of service chiefs – Senate
By Oluwole Josiah, Abuja
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





The Senate has described the decision of the Presidency to subject the new service chiefs to legislative confirmation as a welcome development.
It, however, said the decision to screen them immediately or until after its resumption from recess would be taken as soon as the President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for confirmation reached the office of the President of the Senate.
Jonathan had while appointing the new service and security chiefs on Wednesday said they would go through the process of confirmation by the National Assembly, in line with Section 18 of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20.
Section 218(2 & 4) of the 1999 Constitution states, “The powers conferred on the President by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.
“The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the regulation of: (a) the powers exercisable by the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation; and (b) the appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of members of the armed forces of the Federation.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze, who confirmed the legislative chamber’s readinnes for the screening to our correspondent on Thursday, said the President’s decision was a vote for transparent governance.
He said, “Anything that will improve accountability is a welcome development. I think it is a healthy development.”
He, however, said the request had not been officialy communicated to the Senate, adding that the legislative chamber would only take a decision after receiving the document.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Bode Olajumoke, told our correspondent that it was implied in the 1999 Constitution that such appointments had to be confirmed by the Senate. He expressed regret that Jonathan’s predecessors never complied with the constitutional requirement.
He said, “I think this decision is good. It has always been my view that portfolios should be attached to those appointed by the President before screening by the National Assembly.
“That is the only way they can be properly screened against the background of their past experiences so as to ensure that they justify their appointments.”
Olajumoke said the confirmation exercise should wait until the Senate’s resumption, as there was no sense of urgency in the matter.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olorunibe Mamora, in his reaction, noted that the decision of the President to subject new appointments to its confirmation was in line with the law.
He, however, observed that past leaders might have ignored the rule because of their dictatorial style of governance.
He said the President’s decision was an indication of his respect for the rule of law.




Damilola Taylor’s killer freed
By Agency Reporter
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





One of the killers of Nigerian-born Damilola Taylor was released from prison on Wednesday, after serving just four years, according to the Mail of London.
Ricky Preddie, 23, and his brother, Danny, 22, were jailed for eight years in October 2006 after being convicted of the 10-year-old’s manslaughter.
Damilola’s father Richard Taylor on Wednesday refused to comment on Ricky Preddie’s release. But last month, he spoke of his torment at knowing the killer would be back on the streets.
He said he feared Preddie was the ‘same arrogant’ individual who appeared in court and would continue his life of crime. Damilola bled to death after being stabbed with a broken bottle on a council estate in Peckham, South-East London in November 2000.
Danny Preddie is due to be released early next year.
Sentencing the brothers in October 2006, an Old Bailey judge said that neither had shown any remorse over the killing.
Damillola was born in Lagos, Nigeria and travelled to the United Kingdom in August 2000 with his family to allow his sister to seek treatment for epilepsy. He moved with his family into the North Peckham estate and began to attend the local school.
Three days before his death, he returned home to tell his mother he was being called names and had been beaten up. On November 27, 2000, Damilola set off from Peckham Library at 4:51pm, on his way home.
But as he approached his estate, he received a gash to his left thigh. Running to a stairwell, he collapsed and bled to near death in the space of approximately 30 minutes.
In 2002, four youths, including two 16-year-old brothers, went on trial at the Old Bailey for the murder of Damilola. The trial led to all four suspects being acquitted.
Two were acquitted on the direction of the judge after he ruled that the prosecution’s key witness, a 12-year-old girl, was unreliable; the jury found the other two not guilty. As well as questioning the reliability of the young witness, the defence presented the evidence suggesting that Taylor‘s wounds were consistent with his falling on a broken bottle and that he had not been the victim of an attack.
Despite the setback, police vowed to keep the investigation open. New DNA techniques led to a re-examination of the evidence obtained at the time of the murder. In 2005, fresh arrests were made, this time on charges of manslaughter.
Police arrested Hassan Jihad, 19, and two brothers aged 17 and 16, who could not be named due to their age.
On January 23, 2006, Hassan (now 21-years-old) and his co-accused appeared at the Old Bailey to face charges of his manslaughter and assault before the start of their imminent trial. The trial commenced on January 24, 2006 and on March 29, 2006, the jury retired to consider its verdict.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges of manslaughter against the two brothers, so they were set free, but with the possibility of a re-trial on those charges. On April 6, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the two would be re-tried.
On August 9, 2006, the Preddie brothers, after a 33 day re-trial, were convicted of the manslaughter of Damilola. In reaching their verdict, the jury of six men and six women accepted defence arguments that the fatal wound was caused by a fall (as claimed by Alastair Wilson, a consultant at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel).
During the retrial, it was noted that, while the police did follow procedure collecting evidence, lapses occurred in the prosecution.
Although it was widely reported in the media that Damilola’s parents were unhappy that the sentences had not been longer, the judge, Mr. Justice Goldring, went to some lengths to explain the factors he was forced to take into account.
These included the age of the offenders at the time (12 and 13) and the fact that there was no evidence to suggest that there had been a plan to kill Damilola. In addition, the weapon used had not been carried to the scene of the crime, but found lying on the ground.

Four killed, many injured in Delta youths clash
By Simon Utebor, Warri
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





No fewer than four persons were feared killed and several others sustained injuries as rival youth groups clashed in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday.
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started on Tuesday when some suspected miscreants from Ekpan clashed with youths at the JJC area of the metropolis over leadership tussle.
An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, said the fracas was triggered by an attempt to bury the remains of one of the youths, identified simply as Abel, who was allegedly killed by some miscreants.
He said that a certain ‘kingpin’ on Airport Road area insisted the corpse must not be buried since his permission had not been sought.
This development, he told our correspondent, infuriate youths leader from JJC, who decided to invite some youths from Ekpan to attack the ‘kingpin.’
He claimed, “It started about 10pm on Wednesday. When the Ekpan youths came, the situation changed. The Ekpan youths in collaboration with the JJC youths overpowered the youths from the Airport Road area and the burial was carried out. However, this did not go down well with them as they decided to fight back. That was what threw the entire metropolis into pandemonium.
“I can say that more than four persons died. Many people also sustained serious injuries. We did not see policemen during the fracas. So many people who were scampering to safety sustained injuries while running for their lives. It was such a black night. I will never forget it.”
Another eyewitness, who identified himself as Charity, told our correspondent that the rival youths employed all sorts of dangerous weapons, including machetes, clubs, pump action riffles in the fracas.
Our correspondent gathered that policemen did not come to the scene of the fracas, but only showed up after the situation had calmed down.
But the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpan police station, Mr. Mohammed Muazu, told our correspondent on the telephone that if the police did not intervene, the matter would have assumed a more dangerous dimension.
He confirmed that people were killed in the fracas but he did not clarify the exact number of persons who died during the confrontation.
Muazu promised that his division would take appropriate steps to ensure that those behind the fracas were apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Mr. Charles Muka, were unsuccessful as his telephone line was switched off as at press time.




Why ‘Boko Haram’ may strike again — Tsav
By Agency Reporter
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





A retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, on Thursday, gave possible reasons why the extremist Islamic sect, aka Boko Haram struck and predicts that they could strike again.
The former CP said government and security agencies, especially the police, were largely to blame for resurgence of the violence because they failed to take pro-active measures after the last crisis was brought under control.
He complained that intelligence was not properly harnessed to nip the problem in the bud, adding that a careful study of the environment would have given a hint about things to come.
Tsav said, “The Boko Haram crisis is likely to occur again because the government and the Police do not take the issue of security seriously.
“At the end of the Boko Haram crisis the police did not take follow –up or mopping up action against remnants of the sect members for the purpose of rehabilitation and orientation.
“Secondly, government failed to take action against policemen who engaged in extra-judicial killings of the sect members. This neglect created element and that is what we are having now.

Anya, Agagu chart path to national development
By Olalekan Adetayo, Ibadan
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





A former Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Prof. Anya O. Anya; and former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu on Thursday took a critical look at Nigeria’s development since independence and agreed that a lot still needed to be done.
They were among dignitaries who spoke at a town square meeting tagged “Overcoming the obstacles to the development process,” organised by the Development Policy Centre in commemoration of its founder’s day in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Anya, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the nation’s development has been retarded because of the absence of some necessary values such as savings, productivity and innovation.
He said that for the Vision 20: 2020 to be achieved, there was the need for the population to be educated and mobilised to share in the dream.
He added that since the nation had an economic management that encouraged development process, there was the need for the establishment of science and technology management team.
This, he explained, was essential because of the role of technology in nation building.
In his lecture titled “Political reforms for good governance,” Agagu said that the polity needed to be restructured in a way that would ensure that the powers, functions and resources at the federal level were trimmed to reduce the inefficiency at the centre.
The former governor said that more powers devolved to the other tiers of government would not only promote efficiency and closer scrutiny by the people but would also help all the different peoples of the country to develop at their own pace and in accordance with their peculiarities.
He said, “This strange structure with the Federal Government sitting on more than 52 per cent of the nation’s resources and dipping its hands in virtually every aspect of our lives has endangered so much confusion.
“The development has led to inefficiency and waste in our governance, culminating in disgraceful development indices that we are now facing.”




‘Police yet to conclude investigation into Ayaga’s killing’
By Femi Makinde, Ado-Ekiti
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





The Ekiti State Police Command has said that it is yet to conclude its investigations on the killing of an Action Congress of Nigeria’s aspirant to the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kunle Ayaga.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Jimoh Mohammed, said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.
Ayaga, 33, was on August 8, killed by a suspected member of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ilawe-Ekiti during this year’s Ogun festival in the town.
The killing was said to have angered some youths who visited the police station in the town and killed two policemen on duty while the divisional police officer in charge of the station was allegedly wounded by the rampaging youths.
The PPRO had earlier said that the two suspected policemen had been arrested and put in police detention while the investigations into the killing continued.
Two persons suspected to be among the mob which killed the two policemen had also been arrested by the police.
But, one month after the incident, the PPRO said,“ Investigation is the ongoing.”
Asked when the policemen would be charged to court, the PPRO said that the report of the investigation would determine who to prosecute.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Adewale Ayaga, a retired journalist, claimed that his son was assassinated by some politicians in the community.
The ACN had further claimed that the killing of Ayaga was masterminded by some politicians who saw his rising popularity as a threat to their political ambition.
The Chairman of the ACN in the state, Chief Jide Awe, had accused a top government official of being behind the killing.
He also accused the SARS in Ekiti State of being the killer squad of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
But the PDP had through its Director of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, denied the allegations against his party saying that Ayaga’s party men were behind the killing.
The ACN had also at a press briefing on Tuesday accused the police of bias following the arrests of the two suspected persons for the killing of the policemen.
Awe accused the police of being used to harass and intimidate its members ahead of the voters registration as he claimed that the development would enable the PDP have a field day to rig during the 2011 elections.




Drug trafficking drops at Lagos airport —NDLEA
By Oyetunji Abioye
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said that cases of drug trafficking has reduced at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
A statement by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchel Ofoyeju on Thursday said the rate of drug trafficking at the flagship airport took a nosedive in August by about 69.35 per cent in drug seizures and 65 per cent in number of arrests.
The agency said it arrested seven suspects, four males and three females with 8.620kgs of cocaine in the month of August.
According to the agency the development is in contrast to the month of July where total number of suspects is 20, comprising 18 males and two females, with 28.130kgs of narcotics made up of 25.185kgs of cocaine, 1.445kgs heroin and 1.500kgs of cannabis.
But the NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said the reduction might not be unconnected with the recent incident involving a suspected drug trafficker, Hakeem Habeeb, who was said to have died of cocaine ingestion.
The deceased, a 45-year-old trader in Surulere, Lagos , allegedly ingested substances that tested positive to cocaine.
But the NDLEA claimed that Habeeb could not survive the complication caused by a leakage in one of the wraps.
“The drastic reduction is suggestive of a natural response to the fear of death which is the ultimate punishment.
“It is hoped that drug traffickers will consider the consequences of their action and quit the criminal act,” Umar added.
The commander also ascribed the reduction in drug trafficking to the commitment of the agency to arrest and prosecute drug suspects.
The Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, described the reduction as a good development.
“Our cardinal objective is to have a drug free society. We are however poised for the next line of action by drug barons and major drug traffickers” he noted.




Fashola to mark 1200 days in office
By Agency Reporter
Friday, 10 Sep 2010





In continuation of the promise of providing updates on the activities of his administration every 100 days, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will on Friday (today) commemorate his 1,200 days in office with a meeting with the people of the state across senatorial district.
Tagged “Inclusive governance for more rapid and sustainable development,” the “meet the people” programme is aimed at briefing Lagosians about the progress of the Fashola-led administration.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Information and Strategy, the interactive forum will afford the governor the opportunity of giving account of the general plans and programmes of his administration.

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