₦airaland Forum

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OAM4J:
how you go compare Oni with  Ibori? even Ibori go vex.

i.e 5.4 billion Naira versus 460 Billion Naira. Even among thieves there is honour.

But Fayemi must collect back the money.

All this embezzlement is getting too much in Nigeria. We need a way forward,

By Ola Agbaje

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The Contracts/Consultancy Review Committee (CCRC) set up by the Ekiti State Government has indicted ousted governor Segun Oni of embezzlement of public funds to the tune of N5.4 billion in the award of various contracts during his three-and-half-year tenure.


Oni


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According to the draft White Paper on the report of the panel released to the media on Tuesday, Oni was discovered to have defrauded the state in 11 contracts awarded by him while mounting the saddle of the governor.

The contracts include dualization of Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road, Igede-Eyio-Iworoko Road, cross-boundary roads, construction of five new state secretariat buildings, new House of Assembly complex, cassava revolution scheme and purchase of 600 cows from South Africa for Ikun Dairy Farm.

The panel also allegedly discovered fraud in the award of contracts for the Ado-Ekiti solar powered streetlights, boundary roads with neighbouring states, designs of most road and housing projects.

Oni was also alleged to have defrauded Ekiti people through the Government House water reservoir project, the deputy governor’s office project, among others.

The panel, led by its Chairman, Mr. Eben Alade, recommended that the Kayode Fayemi-led administration must use all legal means to compel Oni to refund a total sum of N5, 419, 506, 264.55 to the coffers of the state government.

The panel also recommended that government should involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the courts of law to recover all outstanding monies in the hands of Oni, his aides, career civil servants, contractors and consultants who allegedly colluded to defraud the state of billions of naira.

The outstanding monies, it said, were in form of overpayments, non-utilisation of monies released. The committee also urged government to carry out in-depth re-evaluation of all ongoing capital projects with a view to implementing them in phases.

The CCRC noted in the White Paper that the wholesale implementation of over 2,731 capital projects within the same period (May 2007 to October 2010) was unrealistic, wasteful as “this in no small measure affected the quality and timely delivery of the projects.”

The state government, under Section 17, Sub-Section 3 of the White Paper, expressed regrets that the Oni-led regime defrauded the people of the state and had directed the Ministry of Justice to explore all lawful means to recover what belongs to Ekiti people from Oni and its cronies.

It reads: “Government agrees with the observation of the CCRC on the corrupt and fraudulent disposition of Mr. Segun Oni’s administration.

“Government notes that the infraction on due process and fiscal discipline were deliberately perpetrated against the commonwealth of the people of Ekiti State apparently for personal enrichment and therefore directs the Ministry of Justice to recover from Mr. Segun Oni, severally or jointly with other identified in the CCRC report.”

Describing the Oni regime as one of the most corrupt and fraudulent contract administrations in the history of Ekiti State, the panel noted that over 90 per cent of the contracts awarded turned out to be scams as they were not subjected to due process mechanisms.

“Mr. Segun Oni presided over one of the most corrupt and fraudulent contract administrations in the history of Ekiti State. His administration infracted on due process leading to unpardonable and alarming waste of scarce resources.

“The administration embarked on contract bazaar by awarding a total of 2,731 contracts within a space of three years without fiscal discipline and proper consideration for the quantum of money available to government.

“Over 90 per cent of the contracts were either badly executed or abandoned while few are at various stages of completion. Not up to five projects were commissioned throughout the tenure of the immediate past administration.”

lol! lets wait and see!!!!

jason123:
Lol, did I hear you say EMOTIONAL So, you actually think APGA will sweep the SS 2015 Take my advise, take a month out and study Nigeria, then come back and we will discuss. I am very fair in my assessments on NL. EOD!!!

I dont think, but you think APGA will sweep SS 2015. Earlier you conceded to support APGA IN Delta if they produce the right candidate. And since the SS is not a region but a coalition of linguistic groups, it's a possibility for cross river, akwa ibom and definately bayelsa etc

jason123:
Lol . . . . . .did you just start following Nigerian politics ROMFL!
Well, spend sometime to understand Nigerian politics . .say about a month then come to this thread so we can discuss but now? we cannot discuss because you will not understand or it will take forever to understand!!!
Btw, is this the Ijaws leader you are talking about
http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/main-square/3624-igbos-quest-annex-niger-delta.html

Btw, have you heard about Edwin clark?

Look brother, no hate or beaf but learn about Nigeria's political landscape before you can start analyzing if not, the Political section of NL will swallow you WHOLE!!!

And your point is?

Listen you cannot speak for the whole SS/SE region, lets just see how the party politics plays out come 2015, you are way too emotional to be making sense.

jason123:
@ Highlighted
That was what you typed and I simply corrected you. APGA has no ground (except here and there in the SE). Even the [b][b]SE do not believe in APGA [/b][/b]and now that Ojukwu is ill (God help him), that party is in disarray! Even Dora could not win using APGA while ACN won using Ngige. So you see? ACN has a better chance of sweeping the SS AND the SE than APGA. In fact, they are currently contesting the results in Akwa Ibom and other parts. So, I ask, why are you including the SS in the same sentence as the SE and APGA??!!

And you are the South east to make such assumption, Any serious leader from the S/S or S/E knows their faith lies in the ability to find a middle ground in that region, regardless of linguistic group. That region have some sort of cooperation GEJ is a clear example.

n

jason123:
As I said earlier in case you did not see it, STOP INCLUDING THE SS and the SE in the same sentence with APGA!!! I really do not care about party, if APGA picks the right person in Delta without tribalism involved, then, why not But you are talking as if the SS and the SE are ONE REGION, NO, THEY ARE NOT! There is the SS, SW and the SE in the South, simple!!!

If APGA will produce credible people in various states, I could careless. I would vote for them!!! If not, then, NO!!! Simple!

No, i did not see it and in case you did not see it, THE COMPARISON WAS BETWEEN ACN AND APGA AS STATED ABOVE, CAN YOU SEE IT NOW?

jason123:
Okay, first of all, are you admitting that GEJ is Igbo Or has Igbo blood in him??
Secondly, I agree that the SS is a multi-linguistic region, so why is it been mentioned here as if it is only Igbos that are there If we follow your logic, then ACN has a better chance than APGA because of Edo state (SS). So what is the point of forming this thread in the first place and include SS with APGA in the same sentence?

Like it or not as it stands PDP will soon be gone and the emerging party in the South South/ South East is APGA and you know this, but the question is will ACN keep the momentum and out shine APGA.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=665244.msg8301985#msg8301985 date=1305150676]Every party has their worse. APGA must also be an extension of PDP because PDP politicians such as Dora defected to APGA from PDP.

ACN just needs to focus on its mission and keep close eye on their members.

Politicians need to be fired if they're not doing their job right. I hope Tinubu can initiate that mandate.[/quote]Prepare yourself for Governorship election every week, because people say one thing during election and do another after they are elected and in office. I hope Tinubu has the power to sack the almighty Nigerian State Governors once in office,  Good luck with that guys.

jason123:
Mister, and you think APGA is the political party that can liberate the South or SE and SS I keep wondering why you guys keep mentioning the SS in all this Bruhaha

The South South is a coalition of linguistic group, From wat i here Jonathan is not IJAW, but a mixture of something. The South South is multi linguistic region.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=665244.msg8301844#msg8301844 date=1305148946]ACN will be taking over ofcourse. That is, if ACN is reliable to the SW for the next 4 years or so, if not, it will eventually die before it swallows up APGA.[/quote]ACN is certainly a party to watch out for in the future, but alot has been over marketed and over rated about the ACN party and its many PDP defectors. It really is an extension of PDP. its Presidential candidate was a PDP affiliate Rabadu and Lagos State clean up exercise have been also over rated and is still a job in progress.

Nigerians ought to understand that we deserve more than we are actually getting from the con men that govern the affairs of our life and should hold them accountable when they fail. Fashola hasn't really done anything but clean up the street of Lagos that can get dirty anytime again.

We need sustainable development and credible leadership not rhetoric

[quote author=alj_harem link=topic=665244.msg8301746#msg8301746 date=1305147762]yes North-east with SW vp[/quote]A day is a long time in politics and Four years is a life-tim, to make such assumption . Abosolutely anything is possible. Jonathan might not even serve the full four years uninterrupted with the way violence is kicking off in the North like wild fire since he took office. The south west don't really care for his presidency with the level of internal reform on the way. The only group that seem to bank their heart on GEJ are the south east and south south.

Don't know about the south east but the south south will be immensely rewarded,

[quote author=EzeUche_ link=topic=665244.msg8301685#msg8301685 date=1305146902]Why should we care about the South-South? One of their own has betrayed us.

The only SS that matters is the Igbo SS.

The other minority groups in the SS can fend for themselves like the rest of the minorities in Nigeria have to do with groups like the Hausa.[/quote]The South-South & South East need each other. Jonathan need the South East vote to be President and that is why he was successful. Even if the name Azikiwe and Ebele were handy. This is politics and the game is about positioning. The South East/ South South should start positioning themselves for 2015. Correct me if am wrong or is the Presidency going North to the Hausas again.

Ultimately the South East and South South Political zone is the crucial ground to gain for any potential party aspiring for national significance or president.

The demise of Ohakim has prompted speculations that APGA by 2015 will gain governace over the South East and South south region. This is in light that ACN already has a leg up with the South west region. The battle line is drawn ACN OR APGA for South/South& South/East 2015, you decide

APGA is gaining momentum in the southeast with the defeat of Ohakim and subsequently PDP. Pity we will have to wait till the next general election to see if the momentum is enduring or will the Southwest ACN sweep over the SouthEast and SouthSouth region

Its not one proble we have in the political system in Nigeria but a bunch of problems by bunch of idiots,

ha ha! to think Ohakim thought he could ride on Jonathan's popularity, THis goes to show that the Nigeria Electorate are getting mature by the day in electing their leaders, please more free and fair elections.

Imo guber fallout:
From VAL OKARA, Owerri

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Barely few days after the just-concluded Imo State gubernatorial elections, youths of the Okohia, Isiala Mbano country home of Governor Ikedi Ohakim have moved against him over alleged neglect of the community in the last four years of his administration.



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Daily Sum learnt that last Sunday, youths of the area on learning that the governor and his family were billed for a special church service at the St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Okohia stormed the church, smashing windows and sacking the priests who were expected to officiate the church service.

The youths were said to have barricaded the church entrance insisting that the outgoing governor would not be allowed to attend church service in the area until he (Ohakim) rendered account of his stewardship to the community.

According to sources, the youths numbering about 50 wanted the governor to explain what he did for his Okohia community for the last four years he piloted the affairs of the state.

When the report got to the governor who was set for the service, the Chief of Staff, Emma Ohakim was said to have gone to the church to intervene in the matter but the rampaging youths were adamant challenging him to point out to any benefit the community had received from Ohakim’s administration as the church service was aborted.

Meanwhlie, the police spokesman Mr. Linus Nwaiwu (DSP) said that the command is yet to be briefed over the matter.

Yemi Kolapo

Two critical bills before the National Assembly may not be passed if their promoters fail to make N2.5bn available to some members of the assembly, investigation by our correspondent has revealed.


Fred Agbaje

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The bills are the Petroleum Industry Bill and the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill.

Our correspondent gathered from reliable sources in the petroleum industry that members of the National Assembly had demanded $10m (N1.5bn), to be paid up front, from the promoters of the PIB before it would be passed.

It was learnt that the bill, which had been delayed since the draft was made available in 2009, was currently being given accelerated treatment because some agreements had been reached on the legislators' demand.

"That is what goes on in our democracy. I can assure you that if the PIB will be passed before May 29, 2011 as has been said, it would have cost the relevant authorities $10m. That is the price; it's like a blackmail," a top official in the petroleum industry, who asked not to be named because of the delicate nature of the matter, said.

Investigation also revealed that some members of the National Assembly were demanding "between N800m and N1bn" to pass the SWFB.

A source close to the National Assembly told our correspondent on Sunday that officials of the Ministry of Finance, which is promoting the bill, seemed not to be cooperating and might lose the chance of seeing it through before May 29.

The source, who spoke in confidence to our correspondent, said, "This is what has been happening with many other bills. Right now, however, many of the legislators will not be going back to the chambers, so, it is going to be like a final money making avenue.

"The blackmail is that once these bills, particularly the SWFB, are not passed before the end of the tenure of this administration, they will have to begin their journeys afresh in the next administration."

The source added, "The point they are making is that the bills may meet with strong opposition because new legislators are coming in. The SWFB, for instance, is not popular among governors, who would prefer to share the excess revenue accruing to the government as a result of prudential provisions rather than have it saved in one future account."

The PIB is aimed at restructuring, streamlining and promoting investment in the industry, while the SWF, to be managed by the private sector, is being proposed to replace the Excess Crude Account.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, told our correspondent on Monday that the cost of democracy had become high in Nigeria as a result of an "in-built democratic blackmail, or the illegal cost of legislating."

He said, "That is the unofficial vogue. Even around us here, we call it 'Toronto Allowance.' It is absurd when legislators want to be paid to perform their constitutional duties. They usually hold those affected by the jugular before they pass bills. It is democratic blackmail.

"It means that our democracy is not firmly on the ground in the sense that those elected still believe in self-aggrandisement as against what will favour the people. Democracy is not about secrecy, it is about openness. By the time these things are going on and everyone is keeping quiet, it affects our democracy."

A former Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Prof. Afolabi Soyode, said the whole issue was about the supply and demand of corruption.

Afolabi, an economist, said, "Why would anyone tell anyone to come and pay for a bill? Someone can promote a bill, but there should be no compensation for passing it. What it means is that all the companies in the industry involved will be involved in the contribution and it should not be done.

"We are starting afresh in Nigeria with these elections and those in power should not allow corruption to continue. Let the bills be passed in a clear manner and not fraudulently, no matter the effect of the delay in passage."

Text messages sent to the mobile phones of the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Mr. John Enoh, and his counterpart at the Committee on Petroleum, Mr. Bassey Otu, were not replied as at the time of going to press.

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We are seriously waiting to see Mr President Ministerial list and exactly wat they can deliver for Nigeria

This one no give me mouth, Either freak of nature or murder, amean, i never here this one before.

Ministerial list: Shock awaits PDP power brokers

Niyi Odebode and Chwukwudi Akasike

Going by facts that emerged from President Goodluck Jonathan's seven-day retreat in Obudu Ranch, Cross River State, many politicians hoping to make the President's next cabinet are in for the shock of their lives.


President Goodluck Jonathan

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An investigation on Friday by SATURDAY PUNCH showed that the President, who had begun nationwide consultations, would not limit the ministerial appointments to politicians.

It was gathered that majority of the current ministers and defeated candidates in the just concluded elections, who were very optimistic that the President would compensate them with ministerial appointments, would not make the list, which would be released two weeks after the May 29 inauguration.

SATURDAY PUNCH learnt that Peoples Democratic Party power brokers who are lobbying the President to have their nominees included in the new team might be ignored.

A source said the President was focusing on the private sector and Nigerians in the Diaspora to get technocrats, who could assist him in implementing his programmes.

Top on the President's programmes are the power sector reform, employment generation and agricultural development.

The constitution of the President's new cabinet has been generating a growing interest as it will signal the direction of his government in the next four years.

It was gathered that some members of the Presidential Advisory Council, which was set up by the President on assumption of office, had advised him against retaining non-performing ministers or appointing politicians, who could scuttle his programmes for Nigerians.

Ministers, the Peoples Democratic Party leaders and Senate President David Mark met with the President before he left the ranch on Thursday.

Many defeated candidates in the just concluded elections, particularly in the South-West, it was also learnt, had been making contacts with the Presidency to secure ministerial appointments.

Our correspondents gathered that although Jonathan was not against retaining some of the current cabinet members, the renewal of their appointments would be based on merit.

A source in the Presidency said that many of the ministers, who visited Obudu to lobby for reappointment, would be shocked when the ministerial list was eventually released.

He said, "The next four years will be critical for the country. The President cannot afford to fail as Nigerians will not listen to any excuse. Each minister will be evaluated and those who have not performed in the last one year will not come back.

"If they (the ministers) have not performed in the last one year, is there any guarantee that they will perform in the next four years? The President will take a cue from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who assembled the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (former finance minister) and Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili (former education minister)."

He said those who would make the ministerial list must be able to assist the President to reduce the inflation rate, generate employment and increase the Gross Domestic Product.

He stated that although the President would set up an all-inclusive government, ministerial appointments would be tools for political rehabilitation.

"Defeated candidates and politicians that are usually described as 'Any Government in Power' will not make the list. The President is looking for those who have names to protect and can deliver," he said.

A PAC member and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Chibudom Nwuche, urged the President to appoint qualified technocrats as ministers in his quest to transform the country.

Nwuche, in an interview with SATURDAY PUNCH in Port Harcourt, said that it would be very difficult for a country to attain substantial development without the contribution of technocrats.

He observed that Nigeria was blessed with human resources that could help to boost the political and economic fortunes of the country.

Nwuche noted that with the huge task ahead, only the best technocrats in the country would be good enough to be appointed into the next Federal Executive Council.

"We need the best for this country. Mr. President should appoint technocrats for the task ahead. This will help in the speedy development of the country," he stressed.

In an interview, the President's Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas, said Jonathan's next government would be "all-inclusive."

He said the President, in all his actions (appointments inclusive), would be God-fearing and pay "attention to fairness, equity and justice."

Friday Olokor, Abuja

A major tragedy on Saturday befell the family of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, whose wife, Mimi, died after a big tree fell on her at her family home in Alu Village, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.


Mrs Katsina-Alu

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Although her age could not be ascertained as at press time, the incident was said to have occurred at about 8pm during a rainstorm.

One of the trees in the compound was said to have fallen during the rainstorm and landed on the couple.

The fate of the CJN could not also be ascertained, although a source said he wasn't killed. A source at the Judicial Service Commission, in Abuja, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Sunday evening, refused to confirm whether the CJN was also affected.

Confusion was said to have enveloped the community over what residents described as a "strange development."

It was further gathered that the entire village had been thrown into mourning as a result of the tragedy.

A delegation of Benue State Government has visited the family to pay condolence on behalf of Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The couple were said to be under a mango tree when a strong wind began to blow. A source privy to the incident said that Mimi then stood up and ran towards the main building when a heavy tree branch fell and hit her on the head.

Another branch was said to have knocked the CJN to the ground after hitting him on the back. The source said that if Katsina-Alu had not fallen, he could have suffered a fate similar to his wife's because a bigger branch later fell and shattered his empty chair.

May God save us in this country. This is exactly how wars start, before it escalates.

na liar!!!!!!!!!!not happening,

At least 16 people have been killed in an attack on a predominantly Christian village in northern Nigeria.

Police said late on Friday that unidentified assailants had also burnt a number of houses in the village in Bauchi state, near Tafawa Balewa.

Bauchi is in Nigeria's middle belt, where the predominantly Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south.

There are long-standing tensions in the area rooted in power struggles and land disputes, correspondents say.

This has caused violence in the past between indigenous Christian or animist groups, and Muslim settlers from the North.

Hundreds have died in clashes in Nigeria following national elections last month in which Goodluck Jonathan, a southern Christian, won the presidential poll against a Muslim, Muhammadu Buhari.

The worst of the violence was in Bauchi and Kaduna states.

At least 16 people have been killed in an attack on a predominantly Christian village in northern Nigeria.

Police said late on Friday that unidentified assailants had also burnt a number of houses in the village in Bauchi state, near Tafawa Balewa.

Bauchi is in Nigeria's middle belt, where the predominantly Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south.

There are long-standing tensions in the area rooted in power struggles and land disputes, correspondents say.

This has caused violence in the past between indigenous Christian or animist groups, and Muslim settlers from the North.

Hundreds have died in clashes in Nigeria following national elections last month in which Goodluck Jonathan, a southern Christian, won the presidential poll against a Muslim, Muhammadu Buhari.

The worst of the violence was in Bauchi and Kaduna states.

At least 16 people have been killed in an attack on a predominantly Christian village in northern Nigeria.

Police said late on Friday that unidentified assailants had also burnt a number of houses in the village in Bauchi state, near Tafawa Balewa.

Bauchi is in Nigeria's middle belt, where the predominantly Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south.

There are long-standing tensions in the area rooted in power struggles and land disputes, correspondents say.

This has caused violence in the past between indigenous Christian or animist groups, and Muslim settlers from the North.

Hundreds have died in clashes in Nigeria following national elections last month in which Goodluck Jonathan, a southern Christian, won the presidential poll against a Muslim, Muhammadu Buhari.

The worst of the violence was in Bauchi and Kaduna states.

At least 16 people have been killed in an attack on a predominantly Christian village in northern Nigeria.

Police said late on Friday that unidentified assailants had also burnt a number of houses in the village in Bauchi state, near Tafawa Balewa.

Bauchi is in Nigeria's middle belt, where the predominantly Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south.

There are long-standing tensions in the area rooted in power struggles and land disputes, correspondents say.

This has caused violence in the past between indigenous Christian or animist groups, and Muslim settlers from the North.

Hundreds have died in clashes in Nigeria following national elections last month in which Goodluck Jonathan, a southern Christian, won the presidential poll against a Muslim, Muhammadu Buhari.

The worst of the violence was in Bauchi and Kaduna states.