₦airaland Forum

dancewith:
This means that if you are born in spain and one or both of your parents is spanish or born in spain, then you are spanish by origin

If you are born to foreigners in spain who do not hold spanish nationality but are legal resident, then you are spanish provided your parents are not under diplomatic immunity at the time of your birth. If they have immunity at the time of your birth, what this means is that technically you were not born in spain

Finally if you are born in spain and you are stateless, [b]then you are spanish by origin. Statelessness means at the time of your birth you cannot claim citizenship from any of your parents country of origin. For example, if you are born to chinese citizens in spain, china would not recognise you as their citizen as you were not born in china. Therefore you are are stateless. This used to be their custom but I understand it is now changed as chinese citizens can now pass on nationality to foreign born children

@ Dancehall

What if the parents are Nigerians? Can the child claim statelessness? Considering the porous state of Nigeria today, am sure most Nigerian parents will prefer their children to claim statelessness in this type of situation rather than claiming Nigeria. 

segzeybaba:
SMS Fee is not compulsory, u can opt out, if you have other means of tracking your application, also the service charge is only when you pay your visa fees at the VFS office, you can kindly go to a sterling bank and pay without the service charge.

My guy, the SMS fee is compulsory o! do not be deceived .

Sterling bank does not accept visa fee payments from first timers like myself; I was told to pay at VFS by sterling bank where I was now charged for the services rendered. You can confirm from them.

coolier:
12. Visa fees:

Single, double and multiple visit, valid up to 6 months  N25,000 (Not sure about this)
Longer term multiple entry (1 to 2 years)        N54,600
Longer term multiple entry (5 years)        N105,000
Longer term multiple entry (10 years)        N130,000

@ Coolier

Visa fee has some hidden extra charges not mentioned until you get there. Total cost for visa fee is actually 16,980 (i.e. Visa fee - 16080, SMS fee - 400 & Service charge - 500) all charges are per applicant.

Thor:
Eleven, it is great that you went down the official route and things worked out for you and yes it is better to be honest.
Those that present fake documents should be banned from applying for life and are no better than common criminals.

Eleven, I hope you have a great time when you visit the UK, but don't  come today, it is raining 

@ Thor

Thanks. Am actually planning to visit in May. Still trying to find the cheapest airline because am going with my wifey. It also rained in Lagos today.

@ Poser,

I submitted my tourist visa application last week friday and received my visa last 2 days ago (on wednesday).

The steps for tourist visa are simple and straight forward.

What you need are:

1. 6 months salary payslip

2. Letter of introduction from your place of work

3. detailed travel itinerary

4. detailed planned travel expense (breakdown of your expected expenses i.e. cost of flight ticket/hotel accomodation/ transport/ shopping/ miscellaneous etc.)

5. Summary of your financial status (details of landed property/ shares /other means of income etc.) clearly typed in MS word, printed and attached as additional information to your application form

6. bank reference letter (apply to your bank for it for a fee)

7. Pensions account statement (if available)

8. Confirmed hotel reservation (you can do this online with your mastercard or visa card for free)

9. Evidence of savings (cooperative savings etc if you have)

10. be honest. for documents not available, better to explain why you don't have them than to submit fake.

These were the document I submitted and was given the visa. I pray it works for you too. Goodluck!

Please anywhere in Lagos or online.

Please does anyone here know where I can get original phone batteries especially nokia phones. Tired of wasting money on batteries that do not last. Am looking for Nokia N73 battery.

hollandis:
I counted more than a million I's in her interview
I did this
I did that
I said this
I I I I
too many I's
If you are frustrated just simply resign .What is it with our political offices holders and power.Once they grab it.they feel its theirs for keep.
Waziri should resign before the ovation becomes dull

Which ovation??

lagbaja:
Now he runs down the likes of Ribadu and Sowore, the same people who were a thorn in the flesh of the corrupt Nigerians. If he says  Ribadu achieved nothing,  where was Keyamo when Ribadu recovered  $3.5 Billion Dollars that Waziri declared as being one of EFCC’s achievements. The same Ribadu changed the perception of the world about Nigeria when the corruption index dropped significantly. Festus is quick to mention a few names that Ribabu had not apprehended and brushed off all his outstanding achievements. Every corrupt politician is now wise enough to keep their dirty tracks away from the view of Sahara reporters, a credit to Sowore.

Right under Keyamo’s nose as EFCC lawyer, Igbinedion was set free on a bail of N3.5m after stealing several billions of public funds, the case files of corrupt governors suddenly got missing. Why has Waziri not started trying the people mentioned by Keyamo ?  Does Mr. Keyamo want to pretend not to know that  the AIG and Waiziri are stooges of the same corrupt past Governors and politicians who have held Nigeria bound in mediocrity. What does Mr. Keyamo, our supposed public fighter have to say about all this ?

Nigerian History has reserved a special place for the likes of Gani Faweyimi, Femi Falana, Beko Ransom Kuti,  Wole Soyinka et al, because they unambiguously fought corruption and oppression of  the masses. In the hall of fame of Public fighters these gentlemen stands out.  What public battle has Keyamo fought except any that will land him cheap popularity? No wonder his battles never get anywhere. I am not too surprised when he began to measure his successes on the number of houses he has acquired, his choice cars and the numbers of lawyers who now works under him, that was what he was out for in the first place. Let him be reminded that this achievements cannot stand the test of time, if they did such names as Awolowo,  Nnamdi  Azikiwe, Beko, Tafawa Balewa will no longer be remembered today.

Measuring success with material wealth is poverty of the mind which our current  rulers are greatly suffering from. Nice words Lagbaja. Something for you!

Jakoko:
Debosky - You are perfectly within your right to doubt the credibility of Sahara Reports or even CNN. The issue you are confronted with here is as simple as this, this attachment by a British Press Gazette
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=38629 has said that Saharareporters did not report that Yar'adua had died as you posited severally in your blatant lies against the medium. It is your credibility that is at stake here. Every other explanation about why you don't think the earth is round is immaterial to this. To prove this wrong you ought to be able to provide evidence that SR did actually report that Yar'dy was dead, since this publication attributed that piece of news to Elendureports.. Even if they are revamping their site, you can find Google cache of popular stories such as this by doing a google search. I am still waiting , very patiently and selectively for this piece of evidence from you. Don't get upset please, do your home work, perhaps mother luck would smile on you.

Correct talk 

debosky:
He's claiming to have 'exposed' many cases - is the 'exposure' of yar'adua's death included as well? His credibility is still in doubt - publishing such a story with no factual confirmation shows he is very prone to external influences and doesn't always 'investigate' as much as he claims.

SaharaReporters never reported that. Please back up your allegation with the source link evidence.

The issue is getting more interesting. Sowore has said his part and one can see if true that he did not travel to US on medical ground though he has a right to because of our messed up health system. The implication of this impacts negatively on Keyamo's integrity for accusing Sowore without facts (something he claims in his letter as basis for his actions) of travelling out of Nigeria on medical ground and on an earlier date as claimed by him.

Keyamo would have to really understand Sowore's letter to reply otherwise he would shot himself in the foot badly. He has a lot to loose so he has to be careful. His first response was poor, full of dodgery tactics, indirect blackmail, running from the actual issue which unfortunately have opened him up to further attacks.

The challenge to undo himself is high, higher now with Sowore's mail punching holes in his response, his career might likely be affected as it is currently being put to test publicly. I admire his courage, the guy has got guts.

Lets wait another one week to hear from Keyamo because I don't expect him to rush a reply, it won't do him any good, he should take time and dissect the letter well before attempting to reply.

Sowore is currently leading 1-0 by my accessment till we hear from Keyamo. Nice night!

[quote author=bronx_dog link=topic=217342.msg3328500#msg3328500 date=1231712002]Papabrowne - B.O.S.S AND ELEVEN

Sowore will ever pray for him to tie the threads of my shoes first before giving all you moda foking goats any chance of doing so - Sahara Reports? What the hell is Sahara Report? I havent even read it for one day - it is all junk, falsehood and thrash.

B.OS.S.

I live in the UK- London, so, what the hell do you want to tell me about the diaspora?

You all must go wipe your smelly butt holes with sand paper and pass it to Sowore to publish online.[/quote]@ Papa Browne/ asha 80/ B.O.S.S and All

Please I think the guy is an attention seeking idiot! he is not worth the number of characters we have type for him so far. So please lets concentrate on the real issue and ignore his distractions. He is obviously not adding value to himself and this thread.

chidichris:
lucabrasi,
that is what we are saying about facts. every nigerian has a story to tell on every issue u can think of but what matters is how far can u go to prove your opinion.
in the case of keyamo, i would want you to point to those issues that sowore pointed to where keyamo overlooked.
is it not obvious here that this set of people called pdp are using nigeria and nigerians.
the man obj selected ribadu and he selected yar adua among other things. in his war against corruption, ribadu did not lift nigeria up in reality rather he did so in the pages of the newspapers.
how do u leave objects to pursue shadows. we have the problems of nigeria right there in aso rock and u are telling me going after yahoo boys in cyber cafes will solve our problems.
what is happening to those who federal contracts were given? what happens to oil funds? what happened to the electorial system that became money controlled toy?
i bet u a 100 ribadus can never make nigeria move.
all in all,how did our economy gain from the war that took place under obj? keyamo mentioned names, are we saying ribadu was or is not aware of names like bode george, tony annenih, borishade, andy uba etc.
nigeria has three tires of govt viz; federal, state and local level. in which organisation can u just start a war from the middle of a system? is eight u start from the top or from the bottom.
the efcc under obj was designed to guide the electorial madness of obj and that was achieved.
imagine, efcc descending so low to arrest Chief T.O.Orji because he was going to challenge pdp in abia state gubernitorial election. he won from the efcc net and he was immediately released just to show what the arrest was all about.
Iyabo obasanjo's opponent was arrested by efcc evevn when the man in question never held any public position in his life. what ribadu did for obj was exactly what mustapha did for abacha and had it been that anyone outside obj boys won the election, ribadu by now would have suffered more than mustapha

My man, I hope you understand that Ribadu is just one man who served for less than 5 years in a country where corruption have taken absolute control of. While he was there the word EFCC meant something to us. All these complains should be forwarded to the new head as the guy you are complaining about has done his bit and moved on.

Sowore was wrong for publishing the e-mail online but Keyamo messed up more strategically and IMO may be the looser in this battle. In his response he went very personal and deviated from the main issue. All those talks of his achievements blah, blah, blah are rantings of a confused man and a ready arsenal for Sowore against him should he (Sowore) want to fight dirty with him.

I know this will be interesting. The days ahead will bring us back here for more discussions.

[quote author=bronx_dog link=topic=217342.msg3326745#msg3326745 date=1231672561]Sowore, the man Sowore - he was my Student Union President in University of Lagos, 1994 - the man who has eyes and nose for controversies - hmmm- the man who in the pretest of going abroad for medical treatment, now, ten years after, now writes and says he is fighting for Nigeria- fighting for Nigeria my small moda foking butt hole - these people are nothing, he studies Geography in school, he couldnt make anything out of Geography, he ran out of Nigeria and became one of those diasporians who runs the country down in the pretext of fighting for in justice, why not bring your butt hole down to Nigeria and fight, if you realy think you are fighting. How come your treatment is still on going, ten years after? I witnessed the whole cultist saga at that time, and i wonder what chemicals you were injected with - like Keyamo said, bring records forth before we can ever listen to you again, if you lied, stayed abroad under false pretext, then you should be the first person EFCC should go after.

If you want to be a public whatever, you must be transparent 100% yourself - or did you win a visa lottery to stay permanently in America, or are you still in hospital or you married an American, you need to be investigated, and if there is anything worth sniffing in how you come to make America a permanent place of abode, if there are forged papers, false marriage or anyhting, i will personaly cut your balls off, fry them in a 140degree heated saucepan, take them to Ribadu and serve it to him for breakfast - you dig?[/quote]Whoever this Nairalander is, he or she must be a BIG FOOL. The idiot is not ashamed that the guy whom most likely was either his/her set or at worst 3-4 years behind is the guy shaking corrupt leaders in Nigeria now.

I bet the reason why you have not progressed further that this is because of your poor mindset and the fake copy cat dirty lifestyle you live as evidence in your fake yankee accent. Useless wannabe!

Omoyele Sowore, the guy you called "nothing" is obviously 100% better than you are. Where he is now will always be very far for you. It is not a curse. Nonsense!

This is getting interesting. I think Keyamo was not smart opening himself up with all these stories because he has indirectly opened himself up for further attacks from Sowore but lets watch and enjoy this new online Nigerian soap opera, reminds me of Bolekaja President by Reuben Abati during Obasanjo and Atiku conflicts. Sowore over to you!

Keyamo is taking too much time to respond to this letter, very unlike my man to waste time like this. Please can somebody remind him that we are still waiting.

Your Troubling Silence-Letter to Festus Keyamo

THURSDAY, 08 JANUARY 2009 10:25    OMOYELE SOWORE
 
Dear Mr. Festus Keyamo:

I am personally sending you this mail regarding the corrupt activities of Mrs. Farida Waziri, the chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), even as I suspect you must have read some of our reports on Saharareporters.com detailing Mrs. Waziri's engagement in a variety of criminal acts bordering on corruption, abuse of office and outright theft of public funds since assumption of office in 2008.

Saharareporters.com has documented Mrs. Waziri's illegitimate activities since assuming office at the EFCC, and a number of these are attached to this mail.

You have spent some time justifying and defending the punishment meted out to Nuhu Ribadu, the former EFCC chairman. While this is your prerogative, we are disturbed that a vocal critic and anti-corruption activist of your stature has maintained stoic silence about the extensive acts of corruption and collusion with corrupt serving or former public officials perpetrated both by Mrs. Waziri and Nigeria's chief law officer, Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa. As one who admired your activist credentials, I must hope that your retainership with the EFCC has not become a stumbling block to your continued advocacy of justice and fight against corruption in all its appearances, guises and manifestations. It would be sad if your relationship with the EFCC becomes an excuse to shirk your responsibility as a self-avowed public conscience and commentator on matters of corruption, abuse of office and human rights violations.

In bringing these reports to your attention, I hope to challenge you to rise above any primordial interest that might have constituted a hindrance to your ability to speak up on the manifold corrupt activities involving both Mrs. Waziri and Mr. Aondoakaa.

I hope you would recognize that the times call for moral courage, and that the time to speak up and act is now.

Thanks and happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Omoyele Sowore

Below are some of the links to reports detailing Mrs.Waziri's corrupt activities.

1.http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=382:how-farida-waziri-and-top-nigerian-editors-got-abuja-land-allocations&catid=76:hot-topic&Itemid=205

2.http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=436:qmercedes-jeepq-bribe-efcc-chair-plans-arrest-of-supplier-as-efccs-international-image-plummets&catid=76:hot-topic&Itemid=205

3.http://www.saharareports.com/www/news/detail/?id=774

[b]Source: [/b]http://saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=441:your-troubling-silence-letter-to-festus-keyamo&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

Your Troubling Silence-Letter to Festus Keyamo

THURSDAY, 08 JANUARY 2009 10:25 OMOYELE SOWORE
 
Dear Mr. Festus Keyamo:

I am personally sending you this mail regarding the corrupt activities of Mrs. Farida Waziri, the chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), even as I suspect you must have read some of our reports on Saharareporters.com detailing Mrs. Waziri's engagement in a variety of criminal acts bordering on corruption, abuse of office and outright theft of public funds since assumption of office in 2008.

Saharareporters.com has documented Mrs. Waziri's illegitimate activities since assuming office at the EFCC, and a number of these are attached to this mail.

You have spent some time justifying and defending the punishment meted out to Nuhu Ribadu, the former EFCC chairman. While this is your prerogative, we are disturbed that a vocal critic and anti-corruption activist of your stature has maintained stoic silence about the extensive acts of corruption and collusion with corrupt serving or former public officials perpetrated both by Mrs. Waziri and Nigeria's chief law officer, Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa. As one who admired your activist credentials, I must hope that your retainership with the EFCC has not become a stumbling block to your continued advocacy of justice and fight against corruption in all its appearances, guises and manifestations. It would be sad if your relationship with the EFCC becomes an excuse to shirk your responsibility as a self-avowed public conscience and commentator on matters of corruption, abuse of office and human rights violations.

In bringing these reports to your attention, I hope to challenge you to rise above any primordial interest that might have constituted a hindrance to your ability to speak up on the manifold corrupt activities involving both Mrs. Waziri and Mr. Aondoakaa.

I hope you would recognize that the times call for moral courage, and that the time to speak up and act is now.

Thanks and happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Omoyele Sowore

Below are some of the links to reports detailing Mrs.Waziri's corrupt activities.

1.http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=382:how-farida-waziri-and-top-nigerian-editors-got-abuja-land-allocations&catid=76:hot-topic&Itemid=205

2.http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=436:qmercedes-jeepq-bribe-efcc-chair-plans-arrest-of-supplier-as-efccs-international-image-plummets&catid=76:hot-topic&Itemid=205

3.http://www.saharareports.com/www/news/detail/?id=774

Source: http://saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=441:your-troubling-silence-letter-to-festus-keyamo&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

I am still waiting for Reuben Abati's formal reaction of the above. I hope we will read about it in the Guardian this Friday or Sunday.

Asper Ribadu, was shocked too the guy did not write about it but I do not agree that he did that intentionally. Mr. Abati remains innocent until proven guilty from his expected reaction by the Supreme court of Nairaland 

subice:
The position of AGF should be held by someone with a track record of consistently being on the side of human rights and justice. The position of AGF needs to be separated from the ministry of Justice, National Assembly wake-up. I'm not holding my breathe though. In my opinion an incompetent and weak National Assembly is the reason most of these rule of law violators are getting away with it.

I agree with this part.

Police recommend el-Rufai's prosecution
Written by Ise-Oluwa Ige   
Monday, 05 January 2009
*Over revocation, re-allocation of NIPOST land

The Police have requested the Attorney-General of the Federation to prosecute former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, over alleged official corruption and abuse of office with regards to revocation and allocation of lands in Abuja while in office.

The Police also advised those affected by el-Rufai's action while in office to go to court and claim damages against him.

A Police interim investigative report on alleged corrupt practices by el-Rufai while in office, signed by Commissioner of Police, Anti-Fraud Section ‘D’ Department (FCID), Abuja, Moses Anegbode, accused the former minister of under-hand dealings in the revocation and re-allocation of lands in the FCT.
The investigation on el-Rufai was triggered by a petition from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to the Inspector-General of Police.

The petition accused the former minister of official corruption and abuse of office in the handling of land allocation to NIPOST in Maitama.

Specifically, he was alleged to have revoked and re-allocated the NIPOST land to one of his friends.
After investigation of the subject-matter of the petition, the police indicted el-Rufai and recommended him for criminal prosecution.

In the recommendation, the Police said: “From the above mentioned findings, it is obvious that government parastatals’ lands were revoked and laundered at a premium.

“This pattern of abuse of office and manipulations of the Abuja land reforms by private interest is an affront to equity, justice and transparency.

[i]“Finally, it is the suggestion of the investigation that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in this present dispensation whose stance for zero tolerance on corruption and economic crimes as well as upholding the sanctity of rule of law, transparency and equity are well-known, should use his good offices to restore the NIPOST land back to the original owner, in order to minimize the huge economic loss incurred by Rosehill group.

“Meanwhile, Mallam el-Rufai be brought to book as nobody is above the law, by charging him to court for abuse of office, official corruption and should be made to pay appropriate compensation and restitution for the damages caused to both NIPOST and Rosehill group, the developer, please.”

NIPOST had petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation when Systems Property Development Consortium (SPDC) continued to develop the said property in defiance of a court order stopping all construction works on the site pending the resolution of the litigation over the land ownership.

NIPOST had reportedly gone into a partnership with a developer, Rosehill, to develop the central post office designed to serve seven districts in the FCT, and wrote to the former minister for approval, while the approval granted by FCDA on July 14, 2004, was relied upon for commencement of construction work in anticipation of the ministerial consent.

The Police in their findings claimed that “while they (Rosehill) were liaising with the office of the Minister of FCT, on the 20th January, 2006, the Development Control of FCDA and a company named Systems Property Development consortium SPDC jointly carried out a demolition exercise on NIPOST offices, notice board, borehole.

“Prior to this demolition, there was no letter of revocation of the site to NIPOST and on the 22nd February 2006, after the demolition of the properties on the site, ministry of FCT submitted a backdated letter of revocation of the plot to NIPOST. The letter was backdated 18th October, 2005.

“Our investigation shows that the site meant for public use as a District Post Office was allocated to an individual company SPDC who shared the same office building with el-Rufai and partners; a Quantity Surveying firm owned by the former minister of FCT at No.1 Kandi Close, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.”

The petition against el-Rufai by Rosehill to NIPOST which was subsequently forwarded to the AGF had seen the former minister suing the private firm at an Abuja High Court, for defamation and asking for N450 million as damages for collateral effect of the allegations in the petition on his integrity.

In their response to the defamation suit, Rosehill group, through their counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) filed a counter-claim for N200 million damages “for the embarrassment, pains, stress and energy dissipation caused the defendants by the institution of plaintiff’s frivolous action.”

In the defendants’ statement of defence, they claimed that “owners of properties at the FCT were rendered homeless through compulsory acquisitions done by the plaintiff and which acquisitions were later found to have benefited him, his cronies, privies, companies and relatives.”

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/25571/41/
[/i]
The police officer is from outer space for him not to know that Aondoakaa is the current reigning most corrupt public official in this dispensation.

The defence letter he initially denied writing for Ibori but later acknowledge when the evidence was published by Saharareporters and The Punch.

Talk about a lying Minister.

Mike Aondoakaa, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice?

mikeansy:
this news is a pure lie

They just want to give credibility to an illegal and unconstitutional act. No amount of OBJ name dropping will help achieve that.

The courts will re-instate Ribadu

Well said.

With an AGF like Mike Aondoakaa (SAN), Nairalanders what are your expectations from the Ministry of Justice department especially in the war against corruption?

For me I see doom and more negative news about Nigeria in 2009.

With an AGF like this
KEMI OBASOLA

THE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa (SAN), is at it again. Aondoakaa, who is the face of Nigerian justice and is expected to ensure that the Federal Government's rule of law mantra is implemented to the fullest, never fails to let people know that corruption is not a vice which any top shot should be jailed for.
Just on Friday, the Federal Government, through a letter dated December 31, 2008, signed by the Federal Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Salihu Aliyu for the AGF, directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to stay action on the ongoing investigation of the Vaswanis.

These three brothers - Sunil, Haresh and Mahesh – were invited by the EFCC about six weeks ago over an alleged shady importation deal, which involved a sum of over N4bn. They refused to honour the EFCC invitation; and the commission in turn sealed some of their businesses last week.

Anybody who knows the antecedents of these brothers will recall that they were deported by the Obasanjo Administration in May 2003 for evading tax and import duty payments between 1999 and 2003 to the tune of N40bn.

But President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is committed to the rule of law and eradication of corruption, cleared the Vaswanis of their alleged misdeeds and revoked their deportation order in December 2007. These Vaswani brothers were prohibited from entering Ghana because that country felt their entry "would not be conducive to the public good."

And now, they are in the news again, not for some good deeds, but for allegations bordering again on corruption in Nigeria.

The EFCC probe had allegedly bordered on an alleged breach of a N4bn franchise deal with Globe Motors by the Vaswanis.

But the Vaswani brothers, through their lawyer, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, petitioned the Presidency denying any fresh deal of N4bn with Globe Motors.

They admitted a previous N40bn franchise deal with Globe Motors, which led to litigation and was adjudicated upon by the Supreme Court on July 15, 2005.

There is no gainsaying that with Aondoakaa as AGF, the Vaswani brothers and others like them will always remain above the law. Instead of honouring the EFCC invitation, they petitioned the Presidency. Who else can do that? Nobody, but the one who has the ears of the AGF .

Without any apology, when I look at how Aondoakaa has been thwarting the efforts of those who are serious about the war against corruption, I do not think that he means well for this country. It baffled many people when Yar'Adua retained him even when other ministers were removed; but, most people now have a clearer picture of what is happening.

It has become obvious that the Federal Government is not serious about its anticorruption war and Aondoakaa was apparently retained so that those who find themselves in the net of the EFCC can always have a soft landing.

Aondoakaa as the AGF oversees the EFCC and he sees nothing wrong in people not honouring the commission's invitation? How does he want people to perceive the commission?

If the AGF were truly an apostle of due process and the rule of law, he would ensure that he is seen by all and sundry as a man who is fully in support of the anti-corruption commission's activities.

This is a man who was at the United Nations Convention Against Corruption sometime back to say the country would be introducing a new crime bill that would pave the way for a continuing and effective anticorruption approach.

At the convention, Aondoakaa had said, "For too long, due process and the observance of the rule of law had been lacking in the nation's quest to bring corrupt officials to justice. Our objective is to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the system in place, to deprive corrupt officials and offenders, including their families and associates, of the benefits of their crime. Of more importance is the aim of reinforcing public trust in the rule of law, protecting the economic value of seized assets and ensure investment of the assets for public good."

Where is the new crime bill? Nigerians can count the number of corrupt officials who have been brought to justice. How many corrupt officials and offenders, including their families and associates, have been deprived of the benefits of their crime?

Just like he promised, Aondoakaa has been busy doing nothing but "curbing the excesses of the EFCC" and implanting plea bargaining in our country's psyche.

Take Lucky Igbinedion for example. A man who as governor of Edo State plunged his people into poverty by enriching his own purse got away with a slap on the wrist and is walking the streets as a free man.

A man who had his 191-count charge narrowed down to one after a plea bargain he entered into with the EFCC; and at the end of the day, after looting the treasury of his state to the tune of about N4.4bn, he got away with a fine of a paltry sum of N3.5m with no option of a jail term.

Yet, the people are the losers because the N3.5 m and the three houses that Igbinedion forfeited were awarded to the Federal Government.

It was this same Aondoakaa who wrote the British Court on behalf of a former Delta State governor, Mr. James Ibori. Aondoakaa wrote when the British authorities were investigating Ibori's UK-based assets on the allegation that they were the proceeds of crime. Although the AGF initially denied communicating with the British Court, it was his letter that influenced the British authorities' decision in lifting a previously placed restraint order on Ibori's assets.

The AGF said in the case of the Vaswanis, that he acted on the basis of previous court judgements. A good thing, but, on what basis were the Vaswani brothers acting when they refused to honour the EFCC invitation?

The government should begin to put its house in order, especially as it pertains to the EFCC and the AGF It is likely that the .

EFCC did not inform Aondoakaa before inviting the Vaswanis for interrogation and the commission's boss must have been severely scolded for that.

It is unfortunate that those in positions of authority continue to jeopardise our national interest because of a few corrupt people.

It is a pity that even foreigners know that the Federal Government is only paying lipservice to the anti-corruption war; an abnormality that our country can serve as a place of refuge for people who were denied entry by countries that are not even as strong or as wealthy as ours.

With an AGF like this, the EFCC can go to sleep, while the Federal Government can forget its anti-corruption war.

Source: http://www.e-punch.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=04_01_2009_018_003&mode=1

Uche2005:
Shut up, as an igboman , how do you expect me to like the useless nuru. He was bias. Nuru ribadu was the one that hate the igbos so much that stop Igbos presidency in 2007.

Which of the governor was not a thief. but he pass the one from his ethnics group and fail one the one from my own ethnics group.  Is that a fair man?? both of them were thiefs.

An Igboman would have been inside Aso rock for the first time, expect for the bias Nuru Ribadu.

Why did Nuru Ribadu never arrested his people why,  Are you saying that fulani/hausa people are saint,  ?? Nonsense,  Let the idiot go,  let him go find job in security or something.

He was an igbo hater,  common igbo hater.

Another very stupid arguement.

I have longed registered my protest in the site. Everyday I monitor the progress and it is growing as at this moment 871 people have registered their displeasure. I think it is a nice way of doing things. Also read about it lately in Punch newspaper.

For progressives, please register, you never can tell what your support could do for this country.

@ poster

I think you do not need to waste time and energy replying a senseless, ill informed and confused person as Chidichris or whatever. Afterall "Silence" they say is the best answer for,  you know whom. Keep up the good spirit!

Needed to relax my head from stress today so i had to dig up this video again. Can't stop laughing. nuttin wey person no dey see for Nairaland

Dale1:
Again, it's no wonder why Nigeria is in the current moribund state despite it's vast resources. This board is a gathering of Nigerians right? Ok imagine the partisan blindness shown by some on this board to corruption (widely recognized as a deeply ingrained national malaise) - Look closely and see how passionate some people here will give their lives to ensure that Nigeria continues on the same path of ruination while other nations are progressing.  Ok now translate this scenario on this board to the national stage. You get the picture? multiply the insincerity and confusion on this board to the local govts, states and national polity. What do you see? progress? Naaah. What you see is what you get! You can imagine how hard Ribadus work must have been amongst the likes of certain people here who see no wrong in the direction this rudderless ship is going! Unfortunately, most Nigerians cry for things to change but can't stomach the actions that are necessary for true change to happen.!! So no surprises regarding the backlash at the work Ribadu tried to do no matter how imperfect it was. Moreover, that was the very first time ever that anything like that would happen in or be attempted in Nigeria. If it needed some tweaking, then do it, but don't throw away the baby and the bath water!!! Sadly, the president has no liver to effect any positive change so the lunacy continues.! The insanity, confusion and groping in the dark will continue while other countries are moving on!!! So dance on everybody!!. If you are on the side of the looters as is very apparent here with some of you, go on, enjoy! You don't even need to post anything here to justify your corrupt nature! We understand. It's in the genes, trust me it's not your fault! That's why it's hard for you to see it! For the few who know we MUST do things different if Nigeria is to change, more grease to your elbows!!! We need at least another 100 years before a new generation of right thinking Nigerians will be in the majority!! This is no exaggeration. Look at the kids of the current looters? where is the hope? All the best and happy New Year to all (except the thieves and crooks of course!)

Just saw this and must commend your high sense of reasoning. Your thoughts are well thought of and are sincere in all ramifications. I feel you my man.

This topic no doubt interesting because it chronicles the reality soap opera currently being played in our beloved country.

Some people here are yet to get the point or pretending to understand the deep mess corruption has put us as a nation and seem not to or pretend not to understand the enormity of the fight against corruption.

Corruption is deeply embedded in each and everyone of us here either directly or indirectly, advertently or inadvertently though some of us are in deeply in it but do not like it because our minds are opened to the harsh implications of it, some are a bit comfortable with it, it all depends on our body reactions to the benefits and implications of it.

Someone here tried to compare NAFDAC with EFCC, my dear both are not comparable because the former deals with only a section or arm while the later deals with every section.

Back to my man, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, he did say from the begining that he know he can not eradicate corruption but he will use selective targets to send down the message that the war is on going and that to my opinion he did very well irrespective of who is invloved either friends or foes of Obj as far as none of the victims have come out to claim innocence.

Until we really understand the menace corruption is to our country, we will NEVER fully appreciate the herculean task this young, fine, intelligent officer was face with and really measure his performance fairly.

As for me and my household we will continue to be eternally grateful to this fine officer for atleast bringing fear to the highly corrupt and untouchable politicians and will NEVER regret it except events prove us otherwise.

For his critics, keeping on criticizing the guy but do so constructively with documentary facts to back up your claims because all I read from you guys every time are just vague allegations without substance. Imagine someone posting a topic on Nairaland Politics titled "I have forgiven Ribadu- Shekirau" JESUS! are we so dumb? Whatelse do that person want Shekirau to say to the SUN (product of corruption, in doubt? Come to Abia state where I live) of all newspapers.

I pray for Ribadu, that he survives his current travails not really because of him as a person but so that others in the future are not discourage from his experience.

I wish you all Happy 2009 in advance!