₦airaland Forum

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, December 20, (THEWILL) – The mastermind of the 2011 Christmas Day bombing of a Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, Kabiru Umar, aka Kabiru Sokoto has been sentenced to life in prison by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The bombing left 44 persons dead while 75 others were wounded.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/christmas-day-bomber-kabiru-sokoto-gets-life-sentence/#sthash.zlBLCuaP.dpuf

SAN FRANCISCO, December 18, 2013, (THEWILL) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) now has the majority in the House of Representatives with the defection of thirty Seven (37) members of the House elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.

The party is however still short of seven (7) members to reach the 181 simple majority needed to fully take control of the House.

In a letter jointly signed by the representatives and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the lawmakers blamed their decision on the crisis and division within the PDP, while they cited the relevant section of the constitution to back their action.

The representatives are those from Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kwara, Rivers, Katsina and Adamawa States.

THEWILL recalls that five state governors elected under the platform of the PDP had earlier decamped to the APC. The Governors are those of Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa States.

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/house-of-reps-apc-topples-pdp-becomes-majority-as-37-pdp-members-defect/#sthash.wwxQnWTq.dpuf

… Data Shows CBN Governor Sanusi Presented Inaccurate Figures In Letter To President

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, December 18, (THEWILL) – A high level revenue account reconciliatory meeting between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to resolve the controversy surrounding an alleged unremitted $49.8 billion oil revenue proceeds by the NNPC into the Federation Account has cleared the corporation of any wrongdoing.

President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered the reconciliatory meeting following a leaked letter purportedly written by the Governor of CBN Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to the President alleging that the NNPC failed to remit $49.8 billion, being proceeds from crude sales between January 2012 and July 2013 to the Federation Account.

The NNPC had earlier faulted the charge by Sanusi accusing him of mischief and playing politics.

The letter was allegedly deliberately leaked by Sanusi to elements in the opposition party, the APC, according to one Presidential source.

At the end of the reconciliation exercise, the NNPC was found to have paid all oil revenue proceeds due to the federal government into the Federation Account.

The clean bill given the NNPC was announced in a joint press conference addressed Wednesday by the Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the Governor of the CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, in Abuja.

The full text of the press conference obtained by THEWILL reads:

Revenue Reconciliation Meeting among the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Department of Petroleum Resources, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Federal Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources.

Summary of Findings

1. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently reported that about USD49.8 billion could not be accounted for from crude oil exports by the NNPC over the period January 2012 to July 2013. The CBN raised this concern in the context of low accretion to the foreign exchange reserves despite sustained high oil prices. This note is the outcome of a reconciliation exercise among the aforementioned stakeholders, held at the Ministry of Finance, to clarify the issues raised by the CBN.

2. According to the CBN, based on data from pre-shipment inspection agents, over the period January 2012 to July 2013, a total of 594.02 million barrels of crude oil were lifted by the NNPC, amounting to about USD65.3 billion. However, the amount remitted into the Federation Account at the CBN amounted to only USD15.53 billion. This prompted the CBN to raise the issue of an observed gap in expected revenues.

3. A revenue reconciliation meeting was therefore convened among the CBN, NNPC, the Federal Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to clarify the observed sources of discrepancy. At this meeting, the NNPC noted that the actual proceeds from crude oil exports over the period amounted to USD67.12 billion, and was thus about USD1.79 billion higher than the revenues reported by the CBN (possibly due to timing differences and NPDC liftings which were not included in the CBN report).

4. According to the NNPC’s records, the total revenues of USD67.12 billion, was comprised of revenues which directly accrued to NNPC (for the Federation Account) of USD14 billion; and additional revenues lifted by NNPC on behalf of other parties as follows: for FIRS (USD15 billion), for DPR (USD2 billion), for NPDC (USD6 billion) and for other third party financing (USD 2 billion). In addition, domestic crude lifted by the NNPC amounted to about USD28 billion. This domestic crude component was not reflected in the CBN’s foreign accounts, but rather paid directly in Naira into the Federation Account. Taking account of these various exports conducted on behalf of the non-NNPC parties, the total of USD67 billion was mostly accounted for. This substantially addresses the issues raised by the CBN.

5. However, the Federation Account indicates that over the period January 2012 to July 2013, a shortfall of N1.716 trillion was recorded from the domestic crude oil receipts. This shortfall was acknowledged by NNPC, and explained to be the result of subsidy claims, unrecovered crude/product losses, and cost of strategic petroleum storage (which is currently not captured in the PPPRA template for refunds). This figure is also well-known to all stakeholders at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and is reported and updated on a monthly basis.

6. To tackle this shortfall in revenues, the Government has initiated various steps to address these challenges from both security and operational fronts.

7. As a result of the changing structure of the business arrangements – from joint ventures to production sharing contracts, alternative financing arrangements, and the impact of the fiscal regime on gas development – the government take in recent years has been declining. In this regard, a quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will help to reverse this trend.

http://thewillnigeria.com/news/49-8b-nnpc-cleared-of-wrongdoing-after-oil-revenue-accounts-reconciliation-meeting/#sthash.m8wAqBOI.dpuf

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 26, (THEWILL) – The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and the Governor of Jigawa State, Dr. Sule Lamido have broken ties with the group of aggrieved State Governors in the PDP known as the G7 and have not defected to the All Progressive Party (APC), THEWILL can authoritatively report.

Recall that the G7 and the splinter new PDP Tuesday merged with the APC.

http://thewillnigeria.com/news/breaking-news-governors-of-niger-jigawa-not-part-of-merger-with-apc/

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 26, (THEWILL) – The seven aggrieved Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have dumped the party and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Also, the splinter faction of the ruling PDP known as the New PDP, has merged with the APC.

Making the development public on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting of both groups at the residence of the Kano State Governor, Mr. Rabiu Kwakwanso, the National Chairman of the New PDP, and the National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande released a statement saying, “A meeting of the leadership of APC and the New PDP met this morning at the residence of the Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja.

“After exhaustive deliberations, the two parties agreed to merge in order to rescue our fledgling democracy.”

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/g7-governors-new-pdp-join-apc/#sthash.pdQBVdIb.dpuf

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 21, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is indisposed in London and has been examined and treated by doctors.

The President departed Nigeria for London on Wednesday to attend the meeting of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investors’ Council.

THEWILL has not been able to independently confirm what the President is being treated for.

A statement by Reuben Abati, the President’s spokesman confirmed the development saying, “President Goodluck Jonathan became indisposed and could not be present at the opening of the meeting today.”

The statement further said, “President Jonathan has since been examined by competent medical practitioners. He has been advised to rest for a few days.”

“The Presidency wishes to assure all Nigerians that President Jonathan’s condition is nothing serious and that the medical attention he has sought is only precautionary.”

http://thewillnigeria.com/news/nigerian-president-falls-ill-in-london/

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 18, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the controversial Anambra State Governorship election it conducted on Saturday inconclusive.

The commission, which has been receiving knocks over its poor conduct of the poll declared the election inconclusive due to the significant number of votes, it voided during counting. It said the total number of votes cancelled is much more than the difference between the candidate with the highest number of votes and the runner up.

The results declared by the commission showed that Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 174, 710; Comrade Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 94, 354, while Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressive Congress (APC) polled 92, 300 votes.

The APC, PDP, and Labour Party candidates had in a joint statement on Sunday called for the cancellation of the election citing irregularities.

The Chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, had also in an interview with a local television station admitted that the election was flawed, especially in Idemili North local government, where he said the electoral officer connived with outside interests to sabotage and subvert the electoral process.

More to follow…

- See more at: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/inec-declares-anambra-governorship-election-inconclusive/#sthash.86UIsMIM.dpuf

… Governors Likely To Attend presidential Dinner Afterwards


SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, (THEWILL) – THEWILL can confirm as at the time of filing this report that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting summoned by the Chairman of a faction of the forum and Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, is ongoing.

There was a brief that the meeting may be postponed in order to allow state Governors attend a Presidential dinner hosted by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja this night.

THEWILL gathered that the Governors may proceed to the State House to attend the Presidential dinner after their meeting.

At least 16 Governors had arrived for the meeting, our source at the venue of the meeting told THEWILL.

The NGF meeting is holding at the Rivers State Governors Lodge Abuja.

The Director General of the forum, Asishana Bayo Okauru, had told THEWILL earlier that that meeting may likely be rescheduled as the Governors are still in consultations amongst themselves to see how to accommodate their meeting as well as the Presidential dinner slated to begin at about 8.pm.

“It is almost certain that the meeting would be rescheduled but I cannot confirm it 100 percent as some of the governors are already airborne as we speak. The Chairman and his counterparts are still consulting and a formal decision would be communicated to the media as soon as possible,” the DG told THEWILL.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/21629.html

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, (THEWILL) – PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and party officials this evening told journalists as follows: "It is not true that I am resigning. Resign for what?

"We are here to run the PDP and we have done so, and we will continue to run the PDP."

More soon... www.thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, June 09, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has been dragged to court over the sealing of the Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja following the busting of an underground bunker and the Hezbollan terror cell in Kano.

A suit filed against the Federal Government by Mustapha Fawaz and his three Lebanese partners, Abdalah Tahini, Talal Rouda and Khosai Nouridine, who are the joint-owners of Amigo Supermarket, Abuja is currently at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The plaintiffs are demanding a whopping N50 billion as compensation from the Federal Government over their arrest and detention following the uncovering of the arms cache and the Hezbollah terror cell in Kano as well as the sealing of their business in Abuja.

Listed as respondents in the suit are the State Security Service (SSS), its Director General, Ekpeyong Ita and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

The plaintiffs are also praying that the court should stop the respondents from extraditing them except by a procedure permitted by law.

They prayed the court of an order directing their release and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, servants, officers, and or proxies or whomsoever, howsoever from arresting or detaining or continuing to detain them except by a procedure permitted by law.

THEWILL recalls that few days after the arrest of the suspects in Kano, the SSS sealed Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja.

The applicants are however asking the court to declare that the action “was arbitrary and a wanton violation of the right of Fawaz to own property and participate in the minor sector of the economy as guaranteed respectively by Sections 44 and 16(1) of the 1999 Constitution and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ rights”.

They therefore sought for an order directing the respondents and their agents and servants to re-open the Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park with immediate effect.

They are also demanding a public apology by the respondents in three widely-circulating newspapers for the violation of their rights.

Their counsel, Bamidele Aturu, had , in a letter to the SSS, complained that his clients had been detained without trial by the SSS in violation of the Constitution.

He also asked that they be allowed access to lawyers, members of their families and doctors within 48 hours “in accordance with their undoubted rights under both Nigerian and international law”.

But in an affidavit in support of the suit, Ali Thini who is a younger brother to Tahini stated that the SSS had ignored the letter, as he disclosed that Fawaz was arrested in Abuja at about 4 am on May 10; Tahini arrested on May 11 while Rouda and Nouridine were arrested on or about May 28 in Kano.

He disclosed further that the respondents and their officers had sealed Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja since May 31 while some staff and customers “were seen driven away by security operatives”.

According to Ali Thini , “The applicants have been held incommunicado since their arrest and have not been allowed to see their lawyers, doctors or any member of their families. The applicants have not been charged with any offence before any court of law in Nigeria. Unless this application is granted, the rights of the applicants will continue to be wantonly violated.”

He added that it is in the interest of justice that his application be granted by the court.

www.thewillnigeria.com for more

SAN FRANCISCO, June 09, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has been dragged to court over the sealing of the Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja following the busting of an underground bunker and the Hezbollan terror cell in Kano.

A suit filed against the Federal Government by Mustapha Fawaz and his three Lebanese partners, Abdalah Tahini, Talal Rouda and Khosai Nouridine, who are the joint-owners of Amigo Supermarket, Abuja is currently at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The plaintiffs are demanding a whopping N50 billion as compensation from the Federal Government over their arrest and detention following the uncovering of the arms cache and the Hezbollah terror cell in Kano as well as the sealing of their business in Abuja.

Listed as respondents in the suit are the State Security Service (SSS), its Director General, Ekpeyong Ita and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

The plaintiffs are also praying that the court should stop the respondents from extraditing them except by a procedure permitted by law.

They prayed the court of an order directing their release and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, servants, officers, and or proxies or whomsoever, howsoever from arresting or detaining or continuing to detain them except by a procedure permitted by law.

THEWILL recalls that few days after the arrest of the suspects in Kano, the SSS sealed Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja.

The applicants are however asking the court to declare that the action “was arbitrary and a wanton violation of the right of Fawaz to own property and participate in the minor sector of the economy as guaranteed respectively by Sections 44 and 16(1) of the 1999 Constitution and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ rights”.

They therefore sought for an order directing the respondents and their agents and servants to re-open the Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park with immediate effect.

They are also demanding a public apology by the respondents in three widely-circulating newspapers for the violation of their rights.

Their counsel, Bamidele Aturu, had , in a letter to the SSS, complained that his clients had been detained without trial by the SSS in violation of the Constitution.

He also asked that they be allowed access to lawyers, members of their families and doctors within 48 hours “in accordance with their undoubted rights under both Nigerian and international law”.

But in an affidavit in support of the suit, Ali Thini who is a younger brother to Tahini stated that the SSS had ignored the letter, as he disclosed that Fawaz was arrested in Abuja at about 4 am on May 10; Tahini arrested on May 11 while Rouda and Nouridine were arrested on or about May 28 in Kano.

He disclosed further that the respondents and their officers had sealed Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja since May 31 while some staff and customers “were seen driven away by security operatives”.

According to Ali Thini , “The applicants have been held incommunicado since their arrest and have not been allowed to see their lawyers, doctors or any member of their families. The applicants have not been charged with any offence before any court of law in Nigeria. Unless this application is granted, the rights of the applicants will continue to be wantonly violated.”

He added that it is in the interest of justice that his application be granted by the court.
www.thewillnigeria.com for more

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government Saturday escalated its war against the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, by grounding the State Government owned Bombardier BD700, Global Express with tag no N565 RS.

The NCAA said the private plane has been operating illegally in the country as its clearance to operate expired on April 02, 2013.

The Director of airworthiness standards, Engineer Benedict Adeyileka in a briefing on Saturday said the aircraft, which is being exclusively used by Mr. Amaechi, had its last flight clearance approved for operation on “Thursday, March 28, 2013 on Accra-PH –Accra and to terminate on April 2, 2013.”

The same aircraft was temporarily grounded in Akure on Friday by aviation authorities who said the pilot did not file a flight manifest for the aircraft.

Addressing reporters Saturday at the Aviation House, the headquarters of NCAA, Engineer Adeyileka, explained that the while the aircraft was still operating illegally, it has been sighted in several places including Owerri and Akure.

“The controversial aircraft on the service of Governor Rotimi Amaechi is operating illegally on the country.

“The aircraft a Bombardier BD 700, Global Express with registration number N565RS, has its clearance approval expired since Tuesday, April 2, 2013, by our records the last flight clearance for this aircraft was approved for operations on Thursday March 28, 2013 on Accra/Port Harcourt and Accra to terminate on April 2, 2013.

“With this development, the aircraft has exceeded the extra two days or forty eight hours leeway for it to leave the country.

“While still operating illegally, the aircraft has been sighted in several places, including Owerri and Akure, the owner of this aircraft according to the certificate of registration is Bank of Utah Trustees of Salt Lake City, Utah United States of America.

“The clearance for the aircraft was sought by Caverton Helicopters on March 27,2013.

“NCAA did not ground the aircraft prior to request for start up in Akure on Friday 26, April 2013.

Consequently, this aircraft in reference is hereby grounded at any airport that is located right now in the country."

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/20390.html

Police DPO Gunned Down As She Did School Run

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, (THEWILL) – A Divisional Police Officer has been gunned down in Kano State barely 24 hours after terrorists bombed an interstate bus terminal in the state killing at least 30 persons and wounding dozens.

Security sources in Kano told THEWILL that Esther Tarimo, a DPO in the Daurawa District was shot and killed by unknown gunmen early Tuesday afternoon.

THEWILL gathered that she was trailed from her child’s daycare where she had gone to pick the infant from school.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/19553.html

SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, (THEWILL) – A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha (DSP), 62, who suffered political persecution in the hands of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and was eventually convicted for graft, may be pardoned by the National Council of State.

Born on November 16, 1952, the impeached DSP, is amongst several other persons from across the federation to be pardoned for various offences, a source familiar with the matter told THEWILL Tuesday.

Some retired military officers are also to be considered for pardon though the source added that the name of a former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya, who was convicted for coup plotting by the Sani Abacha military administration, was removed from the pardon list.

THEWILL has not been able to get an independent confirmation of the development. Calls to the President Goodluck Jonathan’ spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati and Special Adviser on Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas were not taken.

The Council of State is made up of all living former Presidents, Serving President, Vice President, State Governors, all living former Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), Senate President and Speaker of the House.

Today’s meeting started at about 10.30am and is still on-going…

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/19420.html

It was stunning as it was deafening a revelation on Wednesday that a colossal 83 per cent of Nigeria's oil blocs are owned by past presidents, top military officers, politicians and businessmen of northern extraction,

The revelation was the high point at the resumed debate on the general principles of the controversial Petroleum industry Bill (PIB) on the floor of the Senate.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom/PDP), took his time to make a detailed disclosure with names, oil blocs and companies operating them during his contribution to the debate.

He did not stop at that; Enang further demanded that PIB,if passed, must include that all oil blocs be revoked and re-awarded to ensure a true reflection of the Federal Character principles.

According to Enang, investigations showed that the distribution of oil blocs were tilted largely in favour of the North East, North West and a fraction going to the North Central; a revelation that visibly startled lawmakers who attended plenary.

Enang said information on distribution of the oil blocs were obtained from several monitored report, which could be readily accessed by Nigerians.

“These (oil bloc awards) need to be looked into, revoked and re-awarded. The federal character which is a principle applicable in every aspect of our national existence should also be brought to bear in the application of our oil blocs, marginal fields and prospection licences,” he said.

A breakdown of the oil bloc distribution as presented by Enang read: “Cavendish Petroleum, the operators of the OML 110 awarded to Alhaji Mai Deribe of Borno State-North East, nets an average of about N4 billion monthly.

“Seplat/Platform Petroleum, operators of the Asuokpu/Umutu marginal field with Mallam (Prince) Sanusi Lamido, as a major shareholder and director.

“South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO) established by General T.Y Danjuma, who is also the Chairman of Eni Nigeria Limited. SAPETRO partnered with Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI) and Brasoil Oil Services Company Nigeria Limited to become operators of the OPL 246.

“AMNI International Petroleum and Development Company is owned by Alhaji (Colonel) Sani Bello of Kontogora, Niger State. They are operators of OML 112 and OML 117. A former Petroleum Minister and former OPEC Chairman, Rilwanu Lukman, another northerner, manages AMNI oil blocs and with very key interest in the NNPC/Vitol trading deal.

“Oriental Energy Resources Limited, a company owned by Alhaji Indimi runs three oil blocs: OML 115, the Oldwok field and Ebok field.

“Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s Express Petroleum and Gas Limited operates OML 108.

“OML 113 allocated to Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Limited is owned by Alhaji W.I. Folawiyo.

“OPL 291 was awarded to Starcrest Energy Nigeria Limited owned by Emeka Offor which was sold by Starcrest to Addax Petroleum. Emeka Offor still has a stake in Addax operations in Nigeria.

“Mike Adenuga’s Conoil is the oldest indigenous oil exploration industry in Nigeria with six oil blocs.

“Alhaji Saleh Mohammed Gambo’s Northeast Petroleum Limited is the holder of the OPL 215 License, NOREST Petroleum, which it is known as, was awarded the blocs OPL 276 and OPL 283 and closing thereupon a Joint Venture Agreement with Centrica Resources Nigeria Limited and CCC Oil and Gas.

“INTEL is owned by Atiku, Yar’Adua and Ado Bayero and has substantial stakes in Nigeria’s oil exploration industry both in Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe.”

Speaking to newsmen later, Enang said, “My argument is that for us to move forward, these persons have held these oil blocs and they are richer than the whole region or their States. Like some people who own oil bloc in the North East, they are richer than the entire six or seven States of the North East.

“Now it is still said that the Niger Delta is taking too much when one person is taking from the profit he makes from each of the oil blocs more than what even the derivation that the totality of the States are taking.

“So, I am saying No! Most of these oil blocs were awarded long ago. Most of them are so rich that the country becomes the poorer for it. We should revoke all the oil blocs, re-allocate them either through this bill (PIB) or an Act of the Executive. This is the wealth of the nation.

“We talk about people stealing oil. Oil is not stolen with teacup. It is stolen with ships and it is these big persons who have these facilities that are capable of facilitating it, not the ordinary persons that they accuse of being militants.”

It could be recalled that Senators mainly of northern extraction on Tuesday faulted the PIB’s provision which earmarked 10 per cent of the net profits of oil companies for petroleum host communities. In one, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe/ANPP) led the charge, declaring during debates that N7.3 trillion accruing from the current 13 per cent derivation fund for oil producing states have been wasted by benefitting states since 1999 when it was established, a view widely endorsed by Northern Senators at the plenary.

Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe/PDP) yesterday re-echoed the earlier position on the failings of the 13 per cent derivation fund. He said the PIB’s provision for the establishment of a Petroleum Host Communities Fund further exposed the inadequacies and misappropriation of the 13 per cent derivation fund.

He canvassed for constitutional amendment to allow for the 13 percent derivation fund to be split into 10 per cent for the host communities and three per cent for oil producing state governors.

The debate on the PIB is expected to end Thursday.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/19319.html

SAN FRANCISCO, February 07, (THEWILL) - Enugu State Governor, Mr Sullivan Chime returned to Nigeria this morning after more than four months abroad courtesy of an undisclosed ailment.

THEWILL gathered that Chime arrived Abuja at 5.45am on a scheduled British Airways flight.

Chime is expected to depart Abuja for Enugu State later in the day.


http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/18685.html

SAN FRANCISCO, February 06, (THEWILL) - A 5NNOC HS125 aircraft belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), crash landed at the Osubi airstrip in Warri, Delta State Wednesday afternoon.

THEWILL gathered that the plane carrying top NNPC personnel over shot the runway and caused a fire in the engine. It took the swift intervention of Shell fire fighters to save the aircraft and passengers.

The incident forced the closure of the airport.

No fatalities or injuries were recorded.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/18670.html

SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, (THEWILL) - The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Tuesday, caused a stir as she slumped at the boom of artillery gunfire at the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade which held at the National Arcade in Abuja .

Apparently caught unawares, as the commencement of the artillery boom was not announced as it used to be, Obada, who was flanked by other dignitaries, was apparently shocked by the volley of deafening shots.

She therefore slumped but was helped by vigilant military aides who took her to one corner where she eventually regained consciousness.

The minister later returned to the ceremony where she joined other state officials and dignitaries in laying wreaths in remembrance of the country's fallen heroes.

President Goodluck Jonathan, along with leaders of the National Assembly, the judiciary, service chiefs and the paramilitary, had earlier on kicked off the event by laying wreaths in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.

January 15 of every year is set aside to honour and remember those who fought to keep the country as one in the Nigerian civil war.

The armed forces remembrance day is globally celebrated every December 11. It is however marked every January 15 in Nigeria because that was the day the first coup occurred in Nigeria and it eventually resulted in the Nigerian civil war.

January 15 is also the day the Biafra War ended with the concept of ``no victor, no vanquish’’ and the beginning of national re-integration.

Tuesday's event was therefore the climax of a series of activities, including prayer sessions, held at the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, which started a week ago.

The ceremony, which held at the National Arcade in the Three Arms Zone, Abuja started at 10am with President Jonathan, who is also the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion, receiving a general salute upon his arrival.

The president later inspected a parade of guards in four colours; the National colour and the three regimental colours of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

Islamic and Christian prayers were also held for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes for their contribution to the peace, security and unity of the nation.

Jonathan, who was followed by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, also laid wreaths in remembrance of the fallen soldiers..

The leaders were also joined by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, in the laying of wreaths..

Others who took their turn at the wreath-laying ceremony included the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola ibrahim; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Azubuike Ihejirika; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, the Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corp and the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Nigeria, Mrs Olumba Kombe as well as the Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col. Micah Gayya (rtd) were not left out at the sober ceremony.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim; Ministers, Presidential aides and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Others at the ceremony were members of the armed forces, and their wives; members of the Nigerian Legion and some of the widows of the departed heroes.
The ceremony was brought to an end with a general gun salutes after which President Jonathan the pigeons signifying unfettered freedom, unity, peace and harmony for the country.

The President later took the national salute at the rendition of the national anthem to bring the ceremony to a close.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/18098.html

SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, (THEWILL) - There appears to be no reprieve yet for the embattled former Bayelsa State governor, Timipriye Sylva, as a Federal High Court in Abuja, Tuesday, renewed its order for the seizure of his properties.

The court also extended the order to January 24 apparently to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) take full possession of the properties and prevent Sylva from disposing the properties.

EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo, had made a case for the extension of the order, which the court granted, when hearing resumed on the two cases against Sylva, arguing that the properties would be difficult to possess if the embattled former governor was eventually found guilty of the alleged financial crimes for which he is being tried at the other court.

Raising an objection however, Sylva's counsel, Mr. Benson Ibezim, opposed Keyamo's prayers, arguing that the court made the order in error in the first instance and upon a suppression of fact by the anti- graft agency.

Ibezim said he had filed a motion challenging the competency of the suit.

Ruling on the matter, the trial judge, R. A. Mohammed, noted that it was on the basis of that temporary confiscation order that they were all before the court and observed that without the order, the application brought by Sylva challenging the competence of the suit would not be heard.

The court therefore agreed to extend the life of the order till Janaury 24 and directed Keyamo to put Sylva's lawyers on notice for them to make contribution to the application for the extension of the order as well to hear all the pending applications.

In a related development, another federal high court will on February 20 decide on whether or not to quash the six- count charge of fraud and criminal conversion of over N2billion filed against Sylva by EFCC.

Justice Adamu Bello gave the date after hearing arguments made in support of the application by Sylva to quash the charges against him by his lawyer, Mr.Lateef Fagbemi.

Sylva is challenging the competence of the charge and the fact that the proof of evidence did not establish any prima facie case against him.

Fagbemi, who urged the court to throw out the case since the charges constituted an abuse of court process, cited relevant legal authorities to support his position.

Maintaining that it was trite law that once a charge constituted an abuse of the court process, the court should decline its jurisdiction to hear it, Fagbemi told the court that the charge as presently constituted was an abuse of court process which the court should not hesitate to dismiss.

Arguing that there was no nexus between the charge, proof of evidence attached to it and the former governor, Fagbemi concluded that there was no basis for Sylva's trial on the face of the proof of evidence.

According to Fagbemi,who urged the court to dismiss the charge, the charge and the proof of evidence filed by the anti-graft agency was defective and thus an abuse of the court's process.

On his part, EFCC prosecutor, Keyamo, opposed the application to quash the charges. He asked the court to discountenance Fagbemi's argument, arguing that the purpose of a proof of evidence was to provide a general information about a crime that one had been alleged to have committed and did not preclude the prosecution from bringing further evidence in the course of the trial.

He said that all the prosecution was asking for was to be allowed, through trial, to show that the former governor committed the crime which the anti-graft agency accused him of.

Refering to the cases of another former governor of the state, Mr. DSP Alamiesiegha, and that of former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Olabode George, both of whom were convicted on charges brought against them by the EFCC, Keyamo faulted Sylva's position that the alleged crimes were committed by his commissioners and not him personally.

He pointed out that statements of a former commissioner of finance in the state while Sylva was the governor of the state, one Dr. Sylva Opuala, as well as that of the then Accountant General of the state, Mr. Francis Okokuro, both of whom were standing trial on criminal charges at another court, revealed that they carried out the alleged fraudulent financial transactions under the instructions of the former governor.

Keyamo therefore told the court that the interest of justice would best be served if the prosecution is allowed to lead evidence in proof of the charges in the course of trial.

The court, presided by Justice Adamu Bello, thereafter adjourned ruling till Wednesday, February 20.

Sylva is standing trial before the court on a six-count charge over an alleged N2 billion loan secured by the state under his tenure from Union Bank of Nigeria Plc purportedly for the augmentation of the salaries of the state's civil servants.

He was alleged to have connived with some of his commissioners and state officials to convert the said sum into foreign currencies and frittered away.

Sylva, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges, had been granted bail.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/18100.html

SAN FRANCISCO, August 31, (THEWILL) – The controversy surrounding the alleged $15m bribe which former Chairman of the EFCC Nuhu Ribadu said former Delta State Governor James Ibori offered him as bribe continued Friday with the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Special Duties, Dr. Andy Uba, denying any involvement.

THEWILL has also published below certified copies of handwritten statements of Nuhu Ribadu and current EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and an operative of the EFCC, James Garuba – the three wrote entirely different accounts on the $15 million saga.

In an emailed statement to THEWILL by Senator Uba’s aide, Mr. Chike Okeke, in Abuja, the senator said, “When I was in the presidency, my house in the Villa was a convenient place for many top people in Nigeria to come.

"Probably, Chief Ibori didn’t want to go to the EFCC office to hand over the money and so decided to use my house.

“All I know about this matter is that Chief James Ibori brought some money to the then EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“The details of the transaction were undisclosed to me at the time. The money was handed to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who invited his then Director of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, to fetch it.

“I was never a party to the transaction between Ibori and Ribadu.

“That my house was used as the venue for the transaction is not in question as an affidavit to that effect has been sworn to by the current EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, which is probably the point of confusion.

“I hereby state unequivocally that I have no involvement in this matter beyond that stated above.

“So, I’m not involved and will not be involved in this matter. Nobody should drag me into it please."

Uba was however silent on the charge by one businessman Chibuike Achigbu, who a few days filed a suit seeking to claim the funds which he said he raised to help finance the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2007 general elections.

He claimed to have raised over N2billion by April, very close to the election, only to realise that such donation could only be made through a financial institution. In order to legitimately apply the fund, he approached Andy Uba so that relevant government agencies could certify that the money was legitimately raised to support the party. He said Uba agreed to forward the money to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But Uba’s account totally contradicts statements deposed in court by Ribadu, current EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Larmode, who was then Director of Operations and James Garuba, an official of the EFCC.

While Ribadu claimed in his statement that he was present and personally supervised the transfer of the funds from Andy Uba’s residence to the CBN, Lamorde wrote that Ribadu was not in the premises that he (Lamorde) personally supervised the transfer of the funds. James Garuba, the EFCC operative in his deposition said it was Andy Uba who personally handed the money to Lamorde and asked his aides to load it into the trunk of Lamorde’s sedan. In his account, Mr. Ribadu was not present during the receipt and transfer of the funds.

See certified copies of the depositions of Ribadu, Lamorde and Garuba, which were tendered in court by the EFCC and obtained by THEWILL earlier today.

We have also applied for a certified copy of Ribadu’s statement to the London Southwark Court which convicted the former Governor. However a transcribed copy of the statement is also reproduced below where Ribadu wrote“On the day that James said that he was going to give me the money, I told my colleagues and we went to Andy Uba’s house. My staff on that occasion would have included EFCC Head of Operations, Ibrahim Lamorde and EFCC Head of Unit and EFCC Officer James Garba. James (Ibori) was there and his servant or driver brought out the money from the house, in two (2) massive sacks containing U.S. $100 dollar bills. My staff took possession of the money. This took place outside the house, but inside the compound surrounding the house. I told my staff to take the money to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directly that same afternoon, where it was counted and lodged as an exhibit. The total amount that James gave me was exactly U.S. $15 million. James was not aware that the money had been taken to the CBN, I was of the view that James thought that I had taken it personally and possibly shared it with my own staff.”

Ribadu's written statement to the London Southwark Court also contradicts his own previous statement to the Nigerian Federal High Court.

Witness Statement
Nuhu Ahmed RIBADU

At the present time I am a fellow at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford University, as well as a visiting fellow at the Centre for Global Development, Washington DC, United States of America.

This statement concerns the period that I was Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, Nigeria, between April 2003 and July 2008. I was seconded to the EFCC from the Nigerian Police Force, which I joined in 1985.

The problem of corruption is a sad reality for most developing countries, but Nigeria happens to be one of the worst. The people, who are in charge of the country or in charge of governance, waste or divert public funds do their own benefit.

Corruption overwhelms the engine of society and becomes a way of life. Leaders, who have had the opportunity to be in control of the country and communities are beneficiaries of it and are in total control. The leadership has to have the political will to address the problem.

There is an absence of the rule of law in Nigeria. The people who are in control do what the like and regard ‘the State’ as their own personal property. The level of awareness is quite low in the sense that the people do not know or appreciate the damage that corruption is doing. Everybody seems to accept that if you are a powerful person or if you are rich then you are above the law and can do what you like.

A Nigerian State Governor, particularly a corrupt Nigerian State Governor is a very powerful person; he is King and owns his State.

Since gaining independence Nigeria has been ruled by successive military governments, whereby soldiers have taken over simply because of corruption themselves. It occurred in the 170’s and in the 1980’s and the first serious attempt to combat corruption by the civilian administration was in 1999 and by that I mean the President Olusegun Obasanjo government.

The President Obasanjo administration was responsible for setting-up the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and latterly the EFCC in 2003.

The formation of the ICPC raised public awareness of the problem of corruption, but it did not address the problem of ‘grand corruption’ and corruptors were never brought to justice.

Law enforcement in Nigeria is the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Prior to the formation of the ICPC, criminal investigations were conducted by the police force. For instance the investigation into the theft of government funds by the Sani Abacha, who died in 1998, was directed by a committee set-up by the office of the National Security Advisor, which brought in the police and security services (the SSS). In excess of USD 2 billion was recovered by and on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC was formed in the early part of 2003, following concerted pressure from the international community for Nigeria to address its chronic corruption problems.

In April 2003, I was appointed Executive Chairman of the EFCC, based in Abuja. I was appointed by the Nigerian President Obasanjo, having been approved for the position by the Nigerian Senate. The EFCC Board included representatives from the private sector and also representatives from the police force, the SSS and the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Chairman of the EFCC has executive powers and the Board members are part-time.

I worked with the EFCC Board to create an organization from scratch. We were able to second staff from the police force and working from borrowed offices, we began our work almost immediately. Our initial annual budget was approximately £1 million, which came directly from the Federal Government of Nigeria. The highest annual budget that the EFCC received whilst I was Chairman was approximately £7 million.

The Lagos EFCC office was originally used by a unit responsible for investigating 419 fraud, which became one of the responsibilities of the EFCC, as well as investigation of corruption and regulation of the banking sector. Our Abuja Headquarters were acquired at a later time. There are EFCC offices in six (6) geopolical zones, namely Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enegu, Kano and Gombe.

The European Union supported EFCC capacity building by providing approximately Euros 23 million to provide training, infrastructure, motor vehicles, computer technology, etc., as part of a five year project that commenced in 2005. Various foreign governments, including the United Kingdom, have funded training initiatives since the formation of the EFCC.

There are a number of ways in which a formal criminal complaint or allegation of crime can be made to the EFCC. It can be made in person, by letter, email, fax or via the EFCC internet website. The majority of complaints are made in the form of written petitions that people send to us. They can be made by individuals, companies, foreign governments and organizations such as the United Nations. We receive thousands of petitions per annum.

When the EFCC was formed Nigerian State corruption was identified as being a huge problem and consequently we investigated a majority of the States as soon as the EFCC became operational.

In deciding whether and who to investigate, we would take into account petitions perceived from ordinary Nigerian citizens, who see at first hand what is going on. We would review intelligence received from the banking community via our Financial Intelligence Unit, to see whether there were suspicious money movements into accounts of politicians that required or warranted investigation.

I had absolute authority to decide who to investigate. I would reiterate that more than 90% of the people that we investigated were people of the same political party (as President Obasanjo), that being the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). I had never met President Obasanjo (before I was appointed) and it was not until sometime after I had begun my work with the EFCC that I met him. He never told me who to investigate or who not to investigate.

I discovered that when you fight corruption it will always fight back. These are people not used to being brought to justice. They will attempt to corrupt you. If you are not corruptible they will attempt to blackmail you. If that fails they will just try and give you a bad name.

Legislation allows the EFCC to prosecute its own cases. When investigators feel that they have gathered sufficient evidence to prosecute, the case will be referred to the EFCC Prosecution Department, which is staffed by lawyers. The decision as to whether an individual should be prosecuted in made by the Prosecution Department and their decision is final.

The EFCC is empowered to transmit Letters of Request directly to other jurisdictions for execution. Similarly, the EFCC is empowered to receive Letters of Request from another jurisdiction for execution in Nigeria. There is no requirement for the EFCC to seek authority from the Nigerian Attorney General to deal with a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty request.

However, the then Attorney General Mr. Bayo Ojo was informed of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty requests concerning high profile cases involving the Nigerian State Governors, as was his successor Mr. Michael Aaondonkaa. There was no legal requirement for us to do this, but we felt that it was appropriate because the Attorney General is responsible for the administration of justice in Nigeria and these were cases which had serious implications for Federal and State governance.

The EFCC investigation into the activities of Nigerian Delta State James Onanefe Ibori: I cannot remember when exactly the EFCC commenced the investigation into his activities. I do recall that we received a lot of petitions from people alleging that he had stolen money from Delta Sate and taken it out of the country and/or invested it in companies that he controlled. This was in addition to intelligence that we had received from our Financial Intelligence Unit. I would expect the original petitions to be filled with the case papers at the EFCC.

I have met with James Onanefe Ibori (James) on numerous occasions prior to and during the period that he was under investigation. When I began investigating him he asked me what cold be done to stop the investigation (into him). He told me that everybody was corrupt and that he was doing it because everybody else was doing it. I would not describe myself as a friend of James, but I am not his enemy. I cannot remember when I first met him, but it was before we began our investigation into him.

I personally did not receive any direct pressure from the Nigerian government to drop the Ibori case. This was due to the fact that I was totally focused on my work and mentally blocked out all the outside influences and pressure, which were unrelenting.

James was very aware of how our investigation was progressing. For instance the moment that we went into a bank to obtain financial evidence, somebody would tell James about it.

One of the charges that we brought against James related to a bribe that James paid me in order to stop the investigation. The bribe was made on 25 April 2007 and this was during a difficult period for him because he was going to lose his immunity (as State Governor) at the end of May 2007.

The issue of immunity from prosecution is always a factor in investigations relation to serving politicians. In Nigeria, the President, Vice-President and State Governors are immune from investigating them, whilst they are in office.

We were talking and engaging with James throughout the investigation. He sated that he wanted to give me money to stop the investigation. I wanted to make him feel comfortable, so I did not refuse his offer. I stated that he had money to give me. I initially thought that he was going to give me money to return to the United State Government, to make restitution for his crimes. He did not want to come to our offices, and I did not want to go to his house and I didn’t not want him to come to my house. He stated that he would make the money available to me at Andy Uba’s house in Abuja. At the time Andy Uba was Special Advisor to President Obasanjo.

I briefed my colleagues at the EFCC, about everything that was going on. On the day that James said that he was going to give me the money, I told my colleagues and we went to Andy Uba’s house. My staff on that occasion would have included EFCC Head of Operations, Ibrahim Lamorde and EFCC Head of Unit and EFCC Officer James Garba. James (Ibori) was there and his servant or driver brought out the money from the house, in two (2) massive sacks containing U.S. $100 dollar bills. My staff took possession of the money. This took place outside the house, but inside the compound surrounding the house. I told my staff to take the money to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directly that same afternoon, where it was counted and lodged as an exhibit. The total amount that James gave me was exactly U.S. $15 million. James was not aware that the money had been taken to the CBN, I was of the view that James thought that I had taken it personally and possibly shared it with my own staff.

At the time that he gave me the money James was immune from prosecution, so I could not arrest him. I did not tell him that I had banked the money, because I did not want him to flee the country. The first time that he would have realized that the bribe had not been successful was when he was arrested.

James was an remains a very powerful and influential figure in Nigeria, so much so that five (5) days after I had charged him in connection with out investigation I was ‘asked to go to school ‘ and by that I mean that I was taken off the case.

My position became very difficult, almost untenable, following the appointment of the new Attorney General Michael Aandonkaa, who was part of the new administration in mid-2007. His very first act was to state that he was taking over prosecutorial power from the EFCC. However, he was not legally empowered to do this because a previous Supreme Court ruling stated that the EFCC had authority to prosecute.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Mr. Aandonkaa interfered with many of our cases, by exercising his right of audience in the courts and destroyed cases relating to corrupt State Governors discontinuing hearings and trials. From the moment that the Attorney General was appointed my position was under threat. Every day brought new pressures upon me, from Mr. Aandonkaa.

Shortly after we charged James (on 12 December 2007), the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro made a public announcement through a national newspaper that I was going on a course at the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in the city of Jos in Plateau State. I was not informed in advance of the fact that I was going on this course, which was for one (1) year. In fact the course was of no benefit to me, because I had taught at the Institute for three (3) years previously and I was already over-qualified for it (the course). The course was actually aimed at middle-career public officers aspiring to higher office. At that time I was still a serving police officer.

I went to the Institute and eventually complete the one (1) year course.

I was not dismissed from the EFCC at the time I went to Jos, because they had no reason to dismiss me. The impression that they (the authorities) created was that I would complete the course and then return to my work at the EFCC.

Whilst I was studying in Jos, a new Chairman was appointed to the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri. I was told by the authorities that I had been wrongly promoted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (my rank at that time) and that I would have to revert two (2) ranks back to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police. My deputy Ibrahim Lamorde was appointed acting Chairman in my absence for a brief period of time before he too was returned to the police force.

Whilst I was studying in Jos an attempt was made on my life. One evening at about 6-6:30pm, I was driving along on the road from Jos to Abuja in my car, which was a bullet-proof vehicle. I noticed a little Japanese make of care following me. I pulled into a filling station and then pulled out again and noticed the same car, which had four (4) occupants, including the driver. The care pulled alongside me, the rear passenger window came down and one of the occupants aimed a pistol (firearm) at me and fired three (3) shots at my car. Fortunately I was not hit and sped off. I knew what was going on, it was an assassination attempt. I decided to go back into Jos town, where I stayed for two (2) or three (3) hours, before returning to Abuja. I did not tell the police in Jos, because I believed (and still do) that they were behind the attempt on my life and when I say police I mean the Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro. If I went to any government agency they would come under pressure if they helped me, people would lose their jobs, so I kept quiet and old told those close to me. The care still has the bullet marks.

After the assassination attempt they attempted to stop me graduating from the college. The Attorney General himself personally went to the college and gave instructions that the President had asked them not to allow me to graduate, that I should not be given my certificate. It was terrible, for my children and for my family, for all of us. I was eventually given the certificate in November 2008. Prior to receiving my certificate, I was sacked from the police force, a decision that I immediately challenged in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

When I returned to live in Abuja, having finished the course in Jos, there was a second attempt on my life. I was followed from [sic] by car from my house in Abuja and an effort was made to block my car, which I managed to avoid and get away.

I left Nigeria shortly after the second attempt (on my life) and went to the United Kingdom in November 2008, as I recall. I left because I would have been killed if I remained.

When I left Nigeria, the authorities circulated a rumour that I had fled the country because I was wanted. They sated that I had ignored the rule of law, that the EFCC had ignored the rule of law in prosecuting cases under my Chairmanship. I returned to Abuja in December 2008 and went to the EFCC Headquarters. I met with the Secretary and Mrs. Waziri’s Assistant Bala Sanga and they said that they had nothing to ask me and that if ‘Madam’ comes (that is how that referred to Mrs Waziri) they would call me. I remained in Abuja for about two (2) weeks to allow them time to contact me, but no-one did. I left them (the EFCC) my telephone numbers, but remained in hiding whilst I was there. I returned to the United Kingdom in January 2009.

Since leaving Nigeria in January 2009, I was subsequently charged to the Code of Conduct tribunal with not filling out my Code of Conduct declaration properly. These are statutory asset declarations that have to be completed when taking up a post and leaving a post. In fact I had properly completed my Code of Conduct declarations. I have not returned to Nigeria since and I believe that the Code of Conduct charges were brought in an effort to try and let me to return to Nigeria, where a further attempt would be made on my life.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/15870-Uba-Denies-Delivering-15m-Bribe-THEWILL-Publishes-Ribadu-Lamordes-Contradictory-Statements.html

SAN FRANCISCO, April 05, (THEWILL) - Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) boss, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru has stepped down from office after an impressive term as the federal government's chief tax collector.

She confirmed her exit in a telephone conversation Thursday with THEWILL.

Ifueko said her last day of work would have been next Monday had it not been that it was declared a public holiday.

"I decided to step down today because it is the last working day before Monday," she told THEWILL.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/13447-Nigerias-FIRS-Boss-Steps-Down.html

BORNO, March 27, (THEWILL) - Foster father of Abu Dardaa (otherwise known as Abu Qaqa), the captured former spokesperson of the Boko Haram Islamist fundamentalist sect, was shot dead in Maiduguri on Monday evening by gunmen believed to be members of the killer group, THEWILL can authoritatively reveal.

Also put down on Monday evening by the sect were Abdullahi Bello, a retired deputy comptroller of Nigeria Prisons Service; and another retired Prisons Service officer whose identity was yet unascertained at the time of filing this report.

Speaking anonymously to THEWILL, a top security source disclosed that Abdullahi Bello (popularly known as DC) and his friend were performing ablution in preparation for the sunset (Magrib) prayers at Bello’s residence located around Bayan Quarters when they were shot dead.

Abu Dardaa’s foster, who like Abu hails from Kogi State, had recently returned few days earlier to his house just by the demolished compound of Mohammed Yusuf, the slain Boko Haram leader, having been out of town for long.

“The gunmen came and shot him and his friend while rounding off their ablution at about 6.30pm,” a resident confirmed to THEWILL.

Although the reason for the unexpected killing is a mystery, the resident said that the sect may be sending a message to the arrested Abu, as it is believed that he has been volunteering information to his captors on the sect’s activities.

“The arrested chieftain of the sect has been divulging information to the security operatives and this has given them an edge in their battle against the fundamentalists,” he observed. “Perhaps the only way to keep him quiet is to send a message to him that if he cannot be killed, he could be touched in a way; and that is by killing some of the people who are dear to him.”

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has announced that it will continue with its house-to-house search in the flashpoints of Boko Haram attacks within the metropolis, as it has proven to be an effective means of apprehending the criminals.

In a statement on Tuesday, spokesman of the task force, Lt Col Sagir Musa, said: “What you are seeing (searching of houses in the area by soldiers) is a routine patrol conducted by the JTF in areas considered as hot spots. We will continue with targeted and deliberate cordon-and-search in places like Abbaganaram, Budum and Jajeri.”

But he urged innocent residents not to panic because they would not be molested. He also begged for their support in the maintenance of law and order.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/13241-Boko-Haram-Guns-Down-Abu-Qaqas-Father-Retired-DCP-Too.html

SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, (THEWILL) – Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, President Goodluck Jonathan’s anointed and preferred candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship seat suffered a major political setback Wednesday afternoon when he was defeated at the North East Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State.

PDP’s acting National Secretary, Musa Babayo defeated Tukur to emerge consensus candidate for the Chairmanship of the party which has been zoned to the area.

The national convention of the party is slated for Saturday.

At the congress, which had governors from the North East and party leaders in the zone in attendance, Musa Babayo polled 14 (Fourteen) votes to beat Tukur who polled 2 (two).

The governors of the zone who appeared to have snookered Jonathan and Tukur are however alleging that the process was hijacked by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, who is believed to have a deep dislike for Tukur.

One source familiar with the development told THEWILL after the election that “the governors are just playing games with Jonathan. Bauchi (Yuguda) couldn’t have pulled this off without the support and knowledge of the Governors of the zone.”

Bamanga Tukur, a former Presidential candidate who is in his 70’s, had received the backing of top PDP bigwigs like Chief Tony Anenih and most governors of the Niger Delta States including President Jonathan’s home state Bayelsa.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/13128-Bamanga-Tukur-Defeated-North-East-Zonal-Congress.html

SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, (THEWILL) – The documents attached below which were tendered before the House of Representatives Tuesday by Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Markets, Hon. Herman Hembe, clearly shows that embattled Director General of the Securities and Exchange (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh and SEC management initiated and offered the House Committee on Capital Markets the sum of N30, 000, 000 as ‘sponsorship’ for the public hearing on capital markets.

The sum according to the memo would cover the cost of live coverage which was put at N26, 203, 800, while Secretariat needs got N412, 500, 000.

Meanwhile, Oteh in a statement Tuesday by one of her aides tried to dismiss Hembe’s allegation that the offer to bank role the public hearing was an attempt to bribe the committee.

“We note the allegation made by Hon. Hembe on the floor of the House and on live television that it was Ms. Oteh who made financial overtures to him. We wish to state unequivocally that at no time and in no place did the SEC, Ms. Oteh offer Hon. Hembe any financial inducement.

Despite Hon. Hembe’s claims even as he said he had copies of internal memos, which he purportedly obtained from the SEC, however Ms. Oteh did not issue or cause to be issued any correspondence to Hon. Hembe, which offered him financial gratification.

We confirm that the SEC received a document in respect of the public hearing with a list of items with cost implications totaling N39, 844,490.00.

The correspondences which the Director General sent to Hon. Hembe comprised a letter dated 5th March 2012 which expressed her support for the Public Hearing in line with the SEC’s role as the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital markets and a cover letter for SEC’s submissions to the Public
Hearing dated 12TH March 2012. She had hoped that the Hearing would offer a platform for an objective examination of the market with a view to identifying the factors militating against its full recovery. She had expected that the outcome of the Hearing would facilitate realization of the SEC’s vision of a world class capital market that constitutes the engine room for our country’s rapid socio economic growth and development.

It is sad that a genuine act of support to the process of fair and transparent review of our capital market has been twisted into something reprehensible. We totally disagree with the claim that we tried to financially induce or influence Hon. Hembe or anyone else. It goes against everything that the Director General stands for and has been known for, internationally and locally, by those who have known her in her professional career of over 25 years,” Obi Adindu stated.

http://thewillnigeria.com/business/13107-SEC-Memos-Prove-Oteh-Offered-House-Committee-N30m.html

ABEOKUTA, March 19, (THEWILL) – Late Egba chieftain, politician and architect, Apagun Wole Olumide did not commit suicide as is being circulated in media spaces but was rather strangled to death at the artificial lake beside the Golf resort Hotels, according to the result of an autopsy carried out by the family, THEWILL can authoritatively confirm.

Apagun Olumide died on Friday in a manner that has been speculated as suicide, after excusing himself from his driver only to be found lifeless in the lake hours later. His remains, recovered by local divers, was intercepted by the Police on Saturday morning and later deposited at the morgue of the Neuropshychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta.

However, divulging to THEWILL the details of the autopsy released on Sunday, a family source said the late right-hand man of former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, was strangulated to death.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/13090-Apagun-Olumide-Was-Strangled-Death-Reveals-Autopsy.html

“Information at my disposal reveal that the Egba High Chief, Chief Apagun Oluwole Olumide, whose mysterious death has kept tongues wagging, was actually strangled to death,” wrote the source, who discussed with THEWILL solely on the note of anonymity.

“According to the autopsy report just released this evening, and which is being kept secret by family members ahead of his planned burial on Monday, the late Apagunpote of Egbaland was strangled in the neck.”

Until his death, Wole Olumide, an architect, was the Apagunpote of Egbaland — a chieftaincy titled he held with glamour and was respected for. He was also the chairman of the hotly controversial Golf Resort Hotels, alleged to have been employed by the former governor to siphon state funds. And as a right-hand man of Daniel, he has been fingered in allegations of looting of Ogun State’s funds in past years and he has allegedly been implicated in the ex-governors hunt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

For the latest Nigerian Gospel Tunes visit www.gospelmusicnaija.com follow us on twitter for latest updates @GospelMusic9ja

Listen to My Worship by Playnea http:///kY9dI

Previously on SERIES; The duo of Snatcha and Kleva prepared for and set out on their quest by first acknowledging the Ultimate power of God.

This week our characters are at a point where they feel overwhelmed and all alone. With the help of Karl Nova and Eben the duo remind themselves that as dark as it may seem, God their ever present help, will not leave or forsake them and He is constantly at work in and through them. Realising He is in them and surely they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them energises the duo and they progress with their Quest.

This song is a reminder to all who carry this “Gene” of divinity, you are never alone and through Christ we have all become HEROES!!!

http:///W0UQz

LAGOS, March 06, (THEWILL) – Nigerian immigration officials Monday night refused 28 South African nationals entry into Nigeria in what appeared to be a retaliatory move following the deportation of 125 Nigerian passengers from South Africa, who had arrived onboard an Arik Air flight last weekend, THEWILL can report.

The South African immigration officials had accused the deported Nigerian passengers of being in possession of fake yellow fever certificates. But the federal government of Nigeria through the foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru Monday issued the South African Government a warning to either behave or face sanctions from Nigeria.

The South African government has however not issued any formal communication concerning the incident.

The barred South African nationals had arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport onboard a South African Airways flight which originated from Johannesburg and touched down at about 9.30 pm

A senior immigration official at the international airport confirmed the development to THEWILL on Tuesday morning, saying, the South African passengers have been deported.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/12833-NigeriaSouth-Africa-Row-Escalates-Nigeria-Refuse-South-Africans-Entry.html

… No Plea Bargain Deal Between Ibori and Crown Prosecution

… 30 Percent Reduction In Jail Sentence Guaranteed

… To Get Credit For Time Served In Dubai, London Detention Facilities

LONDON, February 27, (THEWILL) - Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori will plead guilty to select charges bordering on money laundering today, Monday, February 27, 2012, THEWILL can exclusively report.

THEWILL has also been informed that there is no plea bargain deal between Chief Ibori and the Crown Prosecution Service.

In a twist that is expected to shock the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police Monday, Ibori through his lead counsel Nicholas Purnell QC will ask the court to read out the indictments again to him and thereafter he would plead guilty to some of the charges from the 13 charges as amended in Trial One and then also plead guilty to a few of the charges in Trial Two; the V mobile matter, which trial is slated to commence in January 2013.

“JI (James Ibori) is not seeking a plea bargain and neither does he want any favours or concessions from a system that is out to destroy him but instead he is wary of the impact and cost of a long trial and just wants this whole chapter of events to be done with, so that everyone can move on with their lives,” one source told THEWILL on Sunday.

Ibori had before now repeatedly maintained that he is innocent of the indictments filed against him and instead blamed some key players in the Nigerian and British establishments for what a large number of his political associates have described as persecution.

A few years ago, a Federal High Court in Asaba threw out more than 170 criminal counts bordering on similar money laundering and corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In exchange for a guilty plea, the British legal system usually rewards an accused with a 30 percent reduction in jail sentence. With Ibori’s bold move, the trial judge, Judge Pitts will apply the 30 percent incentive when he is sentenced. Also, Ibori will also have to his credit the months he was detained in Dubai before his extradition to London as well as months served inside a London detention facility. Ibori was arrested in Dubai on May 12, 2010 at the instance of the Metropolitan Police of London.

Chief Ibori’s stunning decision and sudden maneuver is expected to stir the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution team led by Sasha Wass QC, who have personalized and sensationalized Ibori’s trial using some sympathetic Nigerian online blogs to promote anti-Ibori sentiments.

However, the trial of Mr. Elias Preko, a Financial Adviser to Chief Ibori will proceed as Mr. Preko has said he is innocent of the charges filed against him. Preko and Ibori were jointly charged in the money laundering suits.

THEWILL gathered that the British government has expended over $20 million in a bid to successfully build a case against Ibori.

Ibori’s sentencing will however be put on hold until Preko’s trial is concluded.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/12657-THEWILL-Exclusive---London-Trial-Ibori-Stuns-MET-CPS-Plead-Guilty-Today.html

JOS, February 26, (THEWILL) – A bomb has gone off inside a church in Jos, Plateau State.

The headquarterd of the Church of Christ in Nigeria church (COCIN) was rocked by an explosion on Sunday morning at about 8.am.

The church is located in the center of the city near a branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria. It is predominantly attended by Plateau indigenes. The Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang also worships at the Church. It is however unclear whether he was at the church when the bomb went off.

Two sources have confirmed the explosion to the THEWILL.

An Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for several bombings in northern Nigeria.

There are casualties.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/12645-Bomb-Explodes-Jos-Church.html