₦airaland Forum

Sagamite:
He is fcking reetarded.

Did he not make $300m from the $1.1bn he and Adoke helped Dan Etete collect from oil companies as profit for awarding himself Nigeria's oil block?

Jonathief!

Jonathan silent on role in N155bn oil scandal

The Federal Government has refused to explain the role played by President Goodluck Jonathan and other government officials in a scandal allegedly involving government officials, Shell, ENI subsidiaries in Nigeria, a Nigerian oil firm and a former petroleum minister. However, on Thursday, the civil society and opposition parties criticized government’s silence, while also calling for a probe.
A report by the United States-based anti-corruption NGO, Global Witness, had said that Nigerian subsidiaries of both Shell and ENI agreed to pay $1.092bn to the Federal Government for oil block OPL 245.
The report entitled, “Shell’s obscure payments kill its case for weak US and EU transparency laws”, further alleged that the Federal Government then paid the entire N155bn to Malabu Oil and Gas, a company owned by Mr. Dan Etete, a former oil minister under the late General Sani Abacha.
An online news medium, PREMIUM TIMES, in a follow up on its earlier version of a report on Thursday, had stated that money was paid on the order of Jonathan.
It also alleged that the money was a slush fund, “with a huge chunk of it ending in bank accounts of cronies and business associates of government officials.”
Global Witness said documents in a New York court, stated that “…it does appear that the FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria) was indeed the proverbial “straw man” holding $1.1bn for ultimate payment to Malabu.”
Experts describe the process as round-tripping, adding that it is a tool widely used by corrupt government officials and businessmen for money laundering and tax evasion.
Efforts to get the President’s spokesman, Dr. Ruben Abati’s reaction to the money laundering allegation on Thursday were not successful, despite the sensitive nature of the allegation.
When called, Abati did not pick his mobile phone neither did he respond to an SMS send to him, asking for the Presidency’s reaction on the matter.
The report alleged that the President had instructed the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) to pay the money to Malabu.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of State for Finance, Mallam M. Nakoji, said he could not comment on the N155bn money laundering controversy since he was not familiar with the issue.
He said the minister could not be reached because he (Ngama) was in Port-Harcourt attending a meeting.
He, however, promised to get the response of the minister on Friday. Repeated calls put across to the minister was not picked. Similarly, a text message sent to him at 4:03pm was not replied.
Also, efforts to get a reaction from the AGF were not successful as at the time of filing this report.
Our correspondent could not see the Minister when he called at his office in the Ministry of Justice.
The AGF’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ambrose Momoh, who was also not in the office at the time our correspondent visited, did not respond to calls on his mobile telephone. A text message sent to him was not replied.
Similarly, Shell failed to address the issue of the fraud involved when contacted for comments by one of our correspondents on Thursday. The oil giant said in line with its information policy, it could not reveal commercially sensitive information. It also added that it could not comment further on the papers filed in the New York court proceedings.
“Shell remains committed to the principles of disclosure as set forth by the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative and in April 2012, we have published details of payments made to governments in 2011 of some of the main countries where we operate,” it added.
Shell, described the details of the agreement between Agip, the Federal Government and Shell as the settlement of various commercial and legal issues.
Also, Agip (ENI) refused to make comments when contacted on the telephone by the correspondent. Its spokesperson, Mr. Tajudeen Adigun, referred our correspondent to the Federal Government, saying the Federal Government was in a better situation to explain developments from the deal.
The EFCC, which was reported to have investigated the allegation also refused not comment on it on Thursday.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told our correspondent that he was yet to get confirmation from the appropriate authority but promised to “get back.”
He said, “The person is not available and I can’t reach him at the moment. I can’t reach those that would give you confirmation. But if I am able to do that before it is too late, I will let you know.”
Amidst the unexpected silence from the various interests concerned, including the Federal Government, Shell and ENI, among others, civil rights groups took the gauntlet on Thursday, decrying the discomforting silence. The groups and prominent Nigerians said the scandal was indicative of the administration’s nonchalance to the fight against corruption.
Condemning the payments, the Congress for Progressive Change, said that the Jonathan administration was more concerned about looting than governance.
The CPC spokesman, Rotimi Fashakin, in an SMS to one of our correspondents, stated, “After the death of Abacha, much noise was made on the tens of billions of naira that later became known as the Abacha loot.
“Little did we realize that successive PDP governments would dwarf his records in mindless rapaciousness and kleptomaniac impudence. But in all these sleazy records, this Jonathan administration beats them all. No inspiring governance, only looting.”
Also, the Campaign for Democracy president, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said that with the money laundering allegation, the Jonathan government had taken corruption to a new height.

[size=14pt]“It is now one day one scandal for the government. That not one person has resigned in all the mind boggling corruption scandals under Jonathan shows that the commander-in-chief is friendly with corruption and it is so sad,” she said..[/size]
Condemning the Federal Government, Executive Director, African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, stated that there was no lack of transparency in the oil and gas sector industry in Nigeria.
According to him, the Presidency must take responsibility for the absence of transparency in the industry.
He stated, “If the petroleum resources minister continues to have discretionary powers without recourse to the National Assembly, we will continue to see this kind of problem.
“This is why they don’t want the sector to be reformed. This is only one of the many corrupt cases. We have been asking question about the renewal of a contract for Exxon Mobil and there has not been any response.
“You recall that during the nationwide demonstration in January, the President promised to reform the oil industry. He said he was going to ensure the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill. What has happened since then?”
Ugolor called for a public hearing on the money laundering allegation, adding that the EFCC must probe the issue.
He stated, “What we are seeing now is just a tip of the iceberg. Lack of transparency has been the bane of oil and gas operations in the country. We also want the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to be involved in the probe. This is the way to end the culture of impunity in Nigeria.”
Also, a former governor of Kaduna State and leader of the umbrella body of the opposition parties in Nigeria, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, simply noted that he was not surprised Jonathan could be named in such act.
According to him, it was impossible for anybody in Nigeria to become president or governor without pilfering the nation’s treasury.
He said, “I am not surprise. I would have been surprised if the reverse was the case. You know I have always maintained that all Nigerian leaders are thieves. I doubt if it is possible for somebody who is not a thief to be president or governor in Nigeria under the present circumstances. So I am not surprised.”

samibode:
Let me tell u ignoramus how he made it worse: please tell me one corrupt individual or organisation that has been prosecuted, he said and promised that if we let him remove subsidy nigeria will change like new refineries, hospitals, schools, roads etc. Under him two major criminals were pardoned none was ever arrested. And u are there asking how he made it worse. Please dont be stupid ur an adult and u are clearly nit gaining anything from him. Help ur children's future and vote right.

terrimatix:
GEJ is a wolf in sheep's clothing, believe me i am not a big fan of any politician but GEJ is damn f**cking corrupt.

authority2006:
Shut up and find something better to do because you are irritating.

House to Probe Alison-Madueke for Spending N10bn on Private Jet

21 Mar 2014

• Scrutinises non-remittance of NLNG funds

Muhammad Bello in Abuja


The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the alleged squandering of N10 billion over a two-year period on the arbitrary charter and maintenance of a Challenger 850 aircraft for unofficial use by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The House also mandated its Committee on Natural Gas to scrutinise the non-remittance of funds accruing from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) to the Federation Account from 2004 to date.

Both committees were given three weeks to conduct their probes and submit their reports to the House.

The House’s decision on the private jet charter and unremitted funds by NLNG was based on a motion brought by Hon. Samuel Babatunde Adejare (APC, Lagos).

Acting on what it termed reliable evidence, the House said it learnt that Alison-Madueke had allegedly sunk at least N3.120 billion into the maintenance of a private jet dedicated to the service of herself and her family.

A breakdown of the money, according to Adejare, showed that the sum of 500,000 Euros (N130 million) was spent every month on the maintenance of the airplane, which amounts to N3.120 billion for the two years in question.

He noted that in recent weeks, Nigerians had “experienced acute fuel shortage due to dwindling revenue, which have reduced the quality of governance and deprived the people of dividends of democracy”.

He said the lower chamber of the National Assembly was not unaware that part of the money for the maintenance is spent on payments of allowances to the plane’s crew, hangar parking and rent based on a lease agreement.

Continuing, Adejare added: “This colossal waste is currently estimated at N10 billion which includes the payment of allowances to the crew for the trips, hanger parking and rent based on the lease agreement.

“If government is bankrolling this waste in the face of ever dwindling public resources, it amounts to a misplacement of priorities, impudence and breach of public trust.”

Submitting that the minister's action contravenes the “Fiscal Responsibility Act and all other laws on fiscal discipline”, Adejare further cited Section 82 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution “which empowers the National Assembly to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it”.

Defending the use of a private jet by the minister, a ministry source told THISDAY yesterday that traditionally all petroleum ministers have always flown with planes belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

However, he said that Alison-Madueke had been forced to charter private aircraft because one of the planes operated by NNPC had aged considerably, while the other, a newer aircraft, was involved in a crash recently and had not been fixed.

Besides, he said the minister restricts her use of private jets to local trips while all her international trips are by commercial flights.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was also convinced that the funds accruing to the NLNG Bonny have not been remitted to the Federation Account from 2004 to date, thus seriously affecting “all critical sectors of the Nigerian economy”.

Yusluv77:
1.) May God run your Life the way GEJ is
running this country.
2.) May God give u and your family the kind of
peace GEJ gives to this country.
3.) May God subsidize your blessings the way
Jonathan subsidized the Nigerian Oil.
4.) May God secure u and your entire family the
way GEJ secures this country. As a Good
supporter of GEJ all u have to do is to type"
Amen" and disgrace the ‘Misinformed’ General
public that he is God Sent.
Be brave to type Amen b4 you start d insult

InglishTeechar:
You better dont say what you dont know like most Nigerians do...dont invite Gods wrath for saying what you dont know or confirmed...hear say can send you to hell. Be warned.

arabbunkum:
Gradually, internal democracy is being sidelined by the party leadership for their selfish interests. This era of 'endorsement' or 'Consensus politicking' will surely leave a bitter taste in our mouths. I weep for Africa.

2015: PDP, govs set to clash over aspirants

There were indications in Abuja on Tuesday that the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party may clash with governors elected on the party’s platform over what it considers as indiscriminate endorsement of some governorship aspirants in their states. Investigations showed that the PDP leadership was not happy that despite its warnings, some governors were openly endorsing those that would succeed them.
The PDP, according to a source close to its Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja, feels that the actions of the governors are capable of causing divisions among its members in the affected states. Already, members of the party in some states like Enugu and Abia are said to be angry with happenings in their states. The Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Suliivan Chime, has already announced Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as his choice candidate, an action already causing ripples among the members of the party in the state.

Chime has however defended his action, saying that only Sen. Ayogu Eze, another governorship aspirant, had expressed reservation. The governors are said to be relying on the role they played in paving the way for President Goodluck Jonathan to be endorsed as the PDP sole presidential candidate of the party for the 2015 election. It was gathered that the governors’ plan was also making some ministers to be having a rethink about their desire to contest the governorship elections in their states.

Among such ministers are Bala Mohammed (FCT); Musiliu Obanikoro (state, Defence); Emeka Wogu (Labour); Nyesom Wike (state, Education); Labaran Maku (Information), Kabiru Turaki (Special Duties); Bashir Yuguda (state, Finance); and Samuel Ortom (state, Trade and Investment). While Obanikoro wants to rule Lagos, Wogu is interested in becoming the next governor of Abia State. Wike on his part has been nursing the ambition of ruling Rivers State. Maku is interested in taking over in Nasarawa State while Turaki, a former governorship aspirant on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, is interested in taking over from Governor Saidu Dankingari in Kebbi State. Yuguda is interested in becoming the next governor of Zamfara State.

Ortom hopes to succeed Gabriel Suswan in Benue State while Mohammed is planning to take over from Isa Yiguda in Bauchi State. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, is said to be considering contesting the position of a senator from Imo State. Two of the ministers, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja, however, said they and their colleagues were now wary of leaving because of the unwritten agreement between the President and the governors. “How do we leave certainty for uncertainty?”, one of them asked. The other said only aspirants in states ruled by the opposition parties could be bold enough to take such a gamble.

A member of the National Working Committee of the PDP said the endorsement of some aspirants by the governors would deprive the national headquarters of the PDP from making money from the sale of nomination forms. He said, “Imagine a party that is this broke and one of the major areas from which we get money is through the selling of nomination and expression of interest forms. How then do we make enough money when governors are busy endorsing candidates thereby scaring other aspirants away from their states? It is that bad that they are ignoring our warning not to be part of this. I know that they are doing this because we all endorsed the President as our sole candidate.”
Efforts made to speak with the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, on the issue on Tuesday were not successful as he did not pick his call. He also did not respond to a text message sent to his mobile telephone. Metuh had however in a statement on Thursday warned state chapters of the party and governors against endorsing any governorship aspirant.

soroptimist:
All the Initial Gra Gra of Atiku means nothing in the scheme of things in APC

APC had already been formed before Atiku came to join and he doesnt even have the political clout and leverage to pick the Presidential ticket against Buhari

Buhari remains the only name people like me want to hear with regards to us supporting APC........and he remains the only one we can lend our resources and assets to without requesting for even one Kobo from him

Buhari has become a colossus and remains the only true and real grassroot political mobiliser which the likes of Atiku save for his money cant untie his shoe lace

We do not need Buhari's money because we are not TAN........We only need his integrity,discipline and incorruptibility

NgeneUkwenu:
The damage done to Nigerians psyches by jonathan would take years if not decades to erase.

This man single handedly destroyed whatever is left of our democracy in order to fester his inordinate ambition of auto-piloting Nigeria against the wishes of the masses!

He must be tamed! And the time is now!

Tolexander:
Why is the National Executive committee of PDP afraid to organise a primary election, giving the chance to anyone who is ready to challenge the President for the tickect?

What has been happening to the internal democracy which PDP members claim to be the major reason why the party is better than APC?

Moreover, President Goodluck Jonathan hasn't declared he is contesting the 2015 election. Why is the NEC trying to kill the morale of those that have declared and trying to declare just to favor someone who hasn't declared?

Johnnyessence:
falana av spoke well ekiti will be boil in fayose's govt.he's a thug breeder he should not be sworn in ooooooo.

OneNaira6:
Stop whining like a little baby just because I think the girl do not deserve a title listed as "most beautiful". Even the picture you posted trying to prove her "beauty" is at best very average and that says alot. Despite the tons of makeup, hair extensions and all that BS women do to their face to form beauty, she didn't even graze past a five. I'm even scared to see a picture of her all natural. Anyway, it is safe to conclude, if she won the title of "most beautiful" in that school then the rest of the girls attending that school has to ugly as Bleep for a below average girl to win a title meant to illustrate a hot girl. That's why i made the comment "unilag girls must be ugly as f2k".

And spare me with your whining BS. Always whining. If i think a chick is unattractive, I'll state it even if it pains you to the core or whatever it is that got you disturbing my handle with your whin. Am i the one the told her to contest for the title. Obviously, her willingly participate on the pagent meant she wanted her looks to be judged therefore, all have every right to make any comment regarding her looks. So spare us with your whins. is by force to have the same taste as you or is she your daughter? Abeg comot for road

whitecat1:
She's the most beautiful because the judges brains have not been whitewashed. I know if she were to be some bleached up ape with enough make up to cover 20 circus clowns faces, she would be beautiful.

UncannyGenius:
Sometimes, I hate the Yorubas and when politics is involved, I can never support them or the party, APC, they control.

Enahi:
Hey am female not male,don't refer to me as Bro. I get your point.

Enahi:
Stop been tribalistic, I didn't want to comment but I have to because of you. Sincerely speaking there are better looking girls in Unilag than Dami. My cousin who graduated from Unilag would beat her hands down just that her Parents won't allow her participate in beauty pageant,am talking about pure natural beauty with no make up. This Miss Unilag no fine na,she is just there. You will definitely see more negative comments because we all know there are better looking girls in Unilag than Dami,tribe doesn't matter.

Igbos say "agwa bu nma nwanyi" meaning good character is the beauty of a woman but that doesnt mean we dont know beauty when we see one.....you feel me? And by the way I went to a restaurant called "lagos island" in southwest Houston and asked for egusi soup and I havent eaten egusi in years. Food was served and my hommie got ogbono and immiediatelly I glanced at the food I told my buddy this food is gonna be sh..itty cause yoruba ppl cooked it and I dont eat their food. The egusi was so oily and tasteless and I got so mad and left the danm place. Yoruba women cant cook for sh..iit!

Descartes:
Thanks for pointing out my error but that has not change the fact. Your paper General is about to be court-marshalled for COWARDICE displayed at Bama. Epistle writer continue with your VEBOSITY. It pays to be a paid-agent. Keep it up Elder Gbawe.

Descartes:
Yea you are write.

Descartes:
It is act of cowardice embedded in their DNA.

OdenigboAroli:
How is this akpuda the most beautiful girl in unilag...and she no even fine.....SILLY PEOPLE!

OneNaira6:
She the "most beautiful girl" in unilag.

Unilag girls must be ugly as f2k then