₦airaland Forum

IBB Never Again Campaign: Call To Prosecute and Ban General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida From Holding Public Office In Nigeria
Posted: November 14, 2010 - 15:46

Introduction: Arisenigeria organisation is a representation of progressive thinking and the hope for the masses in Nigeria. It was setup to mobilise the Nigerian people to take ownership of Nigeria’s political machinery.

Again, Nigerians are faced with the prospect that GENERAL IBRAHIM BADAMOSI BABANGIDA, the former Nigerian dictator (August 27 1985 - 27 August 1993), who is an aspiring presidential candidate in the 2011 presidential elections, instead of answering questions on the record of his previous eight ( years misrule of Nigeria, could become the next President of Nigeria.

Whilst it is the right of any normal Nigerian to aspire to lead our dear country, General Ibrahim Babangida cannot be considered as a normal Nigerian in the type of new Nigeria, which we stand for; for the reasons of his antecedents. There is a saying in Nigeria that while the name of a king who reigns when the town is peaceful will be remembered, the name of a king who reigns when the town is not peaceful will equally be remembered; but for different reasons. Babangida in his untidy and hurried exit from the Nigerian Presidency left behind a largely negative legacy, which almost every Nigerian can remember with trepidation. He left Nigeria in disarray and turmoil; deliberately programming the country to self destruct as a result of the political impasse he created. The very fact that he wants to return to the seat of power as President 16 years after his first sojourn there still leaves us with a resentful taste in our mouths. It is said that once bitten twice shy; this is a tragedy, which we are ready to avoid at all cost and we seek the supports of every well meaning Nigerian, friends of Nigeria and the international community to help us fulfil this.

WHY NIGERIANS ABHOR GENERAL IBRAHIM BABANGIDA

The tragedy that is Babangida first befell Nigeria and Nigerians when he came to power through a coup d’états on August 27 1985. He imposed himself on us till 27 August 1993 during, which time he terrorised Nigerians physically and psychologically:

    * Babangida did not preside over Nigeria in the interest of Nigerians. Instead, he freely looted its treasury and supported her foreign detractors to do likewise.

    * Babangida devalued the naira and accepted all the conditionalities of the IMF and World Bank. He implemented the neoconservative Structural Adjustment Economic policy, which drastically increased the number of Nigerians that lived below the poverty line. The scheme single-handedly wiped out the Nigerian middle class, and left behind a mass of poverty and a docile well beaten society.

    * Babangida allowed the explosion of drug trafficking activities in Nigeria, such that Nigeria became a major drug transit and money laundering route.

    * Babangida rusticated the intelligentsia who are mainly found in the universities and other tertiary institutions, forcing them out of their jobs for daring to lead the resistance to his control. The vast majority of them have since left the country for good heading for greener pastures in the Western world causing in the process a “brain haemorrhage” from, which Nigeria may never recover. He also purged the ministries of their best brains.

    * Babangida ensured that the entire system was corrupted under his regime and there was no accountability. He also increased State organised crimes and extra judicial murders – planes programmed to crash killed over 256 military officers of Southern extraction in Jaji and another at Ejigbo as well as many other unexplained and mysterious killings took place during his era, in fact, killing became societal ethics and norm.

    * Babangida made Nigeria to join and formalized her membership of Organization of Islamic Countries OIC, without permission from the Supreme Military Council, the highest ruling body during military regimes and against the interest of the Nigerian people even though he was well aware that Nigeria is a secular State.

    * Babangida is the antidemocratic man who criminally annulled the result of the June 12, 1993 presidential election - judged to be the freest and fairest ever held in the country's history.  Nigerians went through a devastating economic, social and political turmoil because of the cancellation of the results of the June 12 Presidential election.

    * The overwhelming majority of Nigerians still believe that it was Babangida who was solely responsible for the letter bomb that killed Dele Giwa, a prominent Nigeria journalist, on October 19, 1986.

    * Babangida destroyed the Nigerian education system in, which in 2010, 98 per cent of those who sat for their ordinary level National Examination Council (NECO) examinations failed, just about 4,000 out of 234,682 candidates could get the minimum requirement of credit in five subjects, including English language and mathematics.

THE TRUTH ABOUT BABANGIDA

Babangida is the most hated figure in Nigeria today. For the living, the only way IBB can get into the presidential villa again would be through a rigged election. That would still not be the will of Nigerians. Of course, he can use our stolen money to corrupt much of the deprived electorates.

A quick survey of comments from Nigerians and the international community supports our claim and this is attached here as appendix.

Arisenigeria as a Nigerian citizen led organisation is calling on President Jonathan, the Attorney General of the federal Republic of Nigeria, the EFCC and the INEC to implement the following wishes of all Nigerians:

    * That Babangida should be disqualified as a candidate for the year 2011 elections

    * That Babangida is a hated figure, who should be prosecuted for treasonable acts against Nigeria, Nigerians and humanity.

    * That Babangida remains untouchable and so rich that no progressive force can successfully compete against him. The Oputa Panel Report (A panel established by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo) would conclude that “On General Ibrahim Babangida, we are of the view that there is evidence to suggest that he and the two security chiefs, Brigadier General Halilu Akilu and Col. A. K. Togun are accountable for the death of Dele Giwa by letter bomb”. We recommend that this case be re-opened for further investigation in the public interest.

    * That Babangida be prosecuted over the US$12.4 billion Oil Windfall, which Nigeria made during the first Gulf War. The Okigbo Report clearly indicted Babangida. It stated in part, "there were many large projects of doubtful viability and many more of clearly misplaced priority. In addition to these, the Dedication and Special Accounts had become a parallel budget for the Presidency. The decision as to what expenditure items to be financed out of these dedicated accounts was made by the President alone. For example, the accounts had been utilised to defray some assortment of expenses that could not in any way be described as priority such as: $2.92 million to make Documentary Film on Nigeria; $18.30 million to purchase TV/Video for the Presidency; $23.98 million for Staff Welfare in the Presidency; $99 million for travels of the First Lady abroad; and $59.72 million for security."

We are by this letter praying you to use your good offices to ensure that General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is made to account for his crimes against Nigerians rather than given free rein to again pollute our National political space.

Nigeria shall rise again and the collective dreams and aspirations of Nigerians shall again be able to thrive!

God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Yours sincerely

Signed:

Dr Philip Idaewor                                                                 Mr Charles Eze

Chairman                                                                              Chief Operating Officer

Arisenigeria                                                                          Arisenigeria

Appendix:

A quick survey among Nigerians and international community supports our claim:

The TIME Magazine

When he came to power through a coup d’états in 1985, The TIME Magazine wrote a piece titled - Nigeria: Triumph of the Troublemaker (Sep. 09, 1985). When he was eventually kicked out of office, the same TIME reported that "the colonialists did not do as much damage to the Nigerian psyche as Babangida did." (Sep. 06, 1993)


The late revered activist and patriot, Chief Gani Fawehinmi

In May 1993, a month before Babangida fatefully annulled the June 12 elections, the late revered activist and patriot, Chief Gani Fawehinmi said of IBB: "he is a man whose words mean nothing to him". In all likelihood, when the dust of history has settled on the personalities and events that have utterly ruined Nigeria in the last three decades, this will be the verdict of posterity on the political legacy of IBB: “a man whose words mean nothing to him”.

Ten civil society groups

On Thursday, May 06, 2010, ten civil society groups fulfilled the request of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, (SAN) by sending to him, signed original copy of the late Dr Pius Okigbo Panel Report, which indicted former President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of $12.4 billion accrued oil revenue to the national till.

In a covering letter dated 5th May 2010, accompanying the 352-page original report sent to Mr Adoke, the groups stated that, “Now that we have gone the extra mile to fulfil the request by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, we expect that you would now move swiftly to prosecute former president Babangida on the basis of the Okigbo report, and ensure justice to the victims of the mismanagement and corruption documented in the report. Time is now of essence; any further delay would be justice delayed, which as you know, is justice denied”.

As you would note on pages 208 to 234 of the signed original report sent to you, there were clear and strong statements, which constituted an indictment that could not and should not be swept under the carpet for the sake of justice, and in the interest of the present and future generations.

Alhaji Abdulkarim Daiyabu, National President, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, Says -

“He introduced systematic looting in government. He encouraged what we today refer to as 419 or obtaining by false pretence. We still can remember Gloria Okon, how she came to die during Babangida’s time when he was using proxies for drug trafficking. We can also remember how Dele Giwa died - the unravelled mystery surrounding his death. Babangida’s tenure as military head of state recorded the proliferation of unprecedented crime and criminal activities.”

Larry Diamond, Oyeleye Oyediran, and Anthony Kirk-Greene in a book titled: “Transition without End” Observed:

“Economic hardship, political duplicity, and gross misgovernance wore thin and ultimately obliterated the enormous popularity, hope, and good will with which General Babangida began his tenure in office. Lacking the resources to co-opt all sources of opposition, the Babangida regime turned increasingly to coercion and intimidation through a growing apparatus of state repression (led by the State Security Service, SSS,).”

IBB is a joker - More than six major Igbo groups

More than six major Igbo groups rose from a meeting in Enugu recently and condemned the recent decision by former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) to run for presidency in 2011, an ambition, which they described as the biggest joke of the year.

In a resolution read at the end of the meeting by the convener and President of Igbo Youth Movement, Evangelist Elliot Uko, the groups declared that “Ndigbo were frightened by the mere thought of former military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida coming back to hold Nigeria by the jugular. We think that is the biggest joke of the year. It is not only bad dreams but a frightful nightmare. When did satisfying the economic needs of one’s cronies who have been out of power for a while become the criteria of occupying Aso Rock? We heard that some of them owe banks and believe the only way to settle their debts, is when their master returns to power and the partying of the mid 1980’s takes off again”.

“Nigeria has not recovered from the jamborees of the mid 80’s and early 90’s. We advise Gen Babangida to have a rethink, go back home and enjoy his retirement. Ndigbo will resist him with all the energy that we can muster. His antecedents and pedigree are uninspiring, his style is completely out of fashion and counterproductive. We believe it is a joke. Gen IBB cannot be serious because we will oppose him”.

The Igbo groups, which include Igbo Students Association, Igbo Traders Union, Umuada Alaigbo,

World Igbo Congress and Otu Umuigbo Lagos, said they came about the resolution after painstaking research and consultations all over Igbo land.

“We sent out 6,000 questionnaires in March and we just collated them last week and they are verifiable for anybody who would want to see them. We sampled opinions of traders at Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, Enugu, Abakaliki, Owerri and Umuahia. We also talked with civil servants, school teachers, students, traditional rulers, religious leaders and we can authoritatively say that we have aggregated the opinions of Ndigbo within the last eight weeks and the verdict is that, Ndigbo are totally disenchanted with the Federal Republic of Nigeria the way it is run presently.  [IBB is a joker – Groups. PETRUS OBI, Enugu, Thursday, May 06, 2010 Photo: Sun News Publishing]

Letter to General Babangida, by OLUFEMI ADUWO, Thursday, May 06, 2010

Democracy will only secure liberty and development when the leaders are men of virtue, because without virtue, democracy will remain a chimerical idea. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in time of comfort and conveniences, but where he stands in moment of conflict and controversy”. The PEOPLE know where you stand. The battle line is drawn, 2011 is the deadline.

General, leadership must generate and sustain trust; the trust factor is the social glue that keeps a nation cohesive and committed. Ghandi, Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Awolowo, Nyerere etc manifested a number of qualities that established trust. The pages of history are full of heroes who created for themselves roles of glorious valour, which they played at decisive moments.

These leaders would continue to live in the hearts of men and women like lilies beside the river. Likewise, the pages of history are replete with leaders who had every opportunity to engrave their names on bill boards of gold, but ended up as mere historical footnotes. General, with all sense of humility, you will agree with me that you fall within this category. [By Olufemi Akinbule Aduwo National Coordinator, Rights Monitoring Group]

OLA ODUWOLE, President, National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America:

“It would be thoughtless for Nigerians to elect Ibrahim Babangida, as their President”. “So he has no business in coming back to run in this country again. Because he has set us back many years ago. What Babangida did then is still affecting us till today because we have been drawn back economically, politically and even socially. What he did also created the kind of corrupt political system we have today.” [In an interview with Reporter, AKINWUNMI KING, Daily Independent (Lagos) 4 May 2010

Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo

The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, has urged Nigerians not to support the presidential ambition of the former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).

He advised IBB to forget the ambition. According to him, IBB ruled the nation for about eight years and played some unsavoury roles, especially in the annulment of June 12, 1993 election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

In a media briefing in Lagos on Saturday, Okonkwo who is a former Vice-Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria and former President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, said the Christian community had started mobilising against IBB‘s presidential ambition. [Okonkwo flays IBB’s presidential ambition, By Success Nwogu, Published: Monday, 3 May 2010].

IBB not fit to contest 2011 presidential poll – Methodist Bishops

The Methodist Bishops described Babangida’s foray into politics, especially his current attempt at having another shot at the nation’s Presidency as an insult to Nigerians. The Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Makinde, and the Conference Secretary, Rt. Rev. Raphael Opoko, in a communiqué issued at the end of council meeting, said that Babangida’s action was tantamount to insulting the sensibility of Nigerians. The Bishops noted that Nigerians had not forgotten that Babangida annulled the freest and fairest presidential election on June 12, 1993, adding that the fallout of this infamous act led to the death of many Nigerians while millions of others were thrown into misery.

Reading the communiqué at a news conference, Makinde alleged that during Babangida’s tenure, the country witnessed an unprecedented and monumental rise in the incidences of corruption. [IBB not fit to contest 2011 presidential poll – Methodist Bishops, By Segun Olatunji, Kaduna, Published: Tuesday, 4 May 2010]

IBB and the 12.4 billion Oil Windfall- Femi Falana, Human Right Lawyer and Activist

Falana quoting from the Okigbo’s report stated, "There were many large projects of doubtful viability and many more of clearly misplaced priority. In addition to these, the Dedication and Special Accounts had become a parallel budget for the Presidency. The decision as to what expenditure items to be financed out of these dedicated accounts was made by the President alone. For example, the accounts had been utilised to defray some assortment of expenses that could not in any way be described as priority such as: $2.92 million to make Documentary Film on Nigeria; $18.30 million to purchase TV/Video for the Presidency; $23.98 million for Staff Welfare in the Presidency; $99 million for travels of the First Lady abroad; and $59.72 million for security."

[SOURCE: Femi Falana, ThisDay, April 13, 2010].

News Nov 15, 2010 By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—THE Senator representing Edo South senatorial district of Edo State in the Senate, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, and a chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state, Dr Festus Imuetinya, weekend, described the infrastructural developments witnessed in the state since the two years of administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole as magical.

“I said it is magical because many of us are wondering how he was able to utilize the lean resources that accrued to the state.

“The projects on ground are not just projects but quality projects, the type the state witnessed during the time of Dr Samuel Ogbemudia.

“It is shocking because our allocation in Edo State is not like that of Delta and other oil rich states, yet we are witnessing wonders,” Uzamere said.

The senator, who carpeted those who are claiming that there was nothing to celebrate since most of the jobs are yet to be completed, stated that “ our major problem in this state is that we politicize every thing, even when it has to do with our lives.

You can see that though we have a fair share of our problem in terms of crime, you will notice that with the coming of the street lights, places like Ring road is no longer a safe haven for armed robbers.

“Look at the city buses, water drilling machines and honestly I was marvelled when I saw the roads being constructed in Edo North. It has never been this good for the state particularly since the commencement of this democratic dispensation in 1999.

So it will be irresponsible for any body to say that there was nothing on ground and as a senator of the Federal Republic, I know what enters this state monthly and when you compare it with that of other states in the South South, you will only describe Oshiomhole as the messiah we have been waiting for,” he said.

On his part, Dr Imuetinya asserted: “We have moved now from a situation where people felt that nothing good can come out of government. Now we are seeing the difference.

The years of decay have been turned around, we now have a situation where we are experiencing good things manifesting in the state. And the one that is very gladdening to me is the attention that we are now trying to pay to education, particularly primary education.”

“ If you recall recently when the Governor inaugurated caretaker committees for Local Governments, the governor emphatically insisted that henceforth, 70 per cent of Local Government capital projects should be spent on primary schools and I can imagine the implication of that in the next few months” he stated.

EzeUche0:
AC making inroads into Igboland?
God forbid!

jason12345:
this nonsense is getting too much!!! haba!

GJ IS A VERY VERY WEAK PRESIDENT!!! ( with respect to all gj supporters)

all this mend guys need is a strong willed president. we have spent billions of dollars on amnesty for them to stop yet they continued, one of their own was made the Vice president of the country and yet they continued.

[size=16pt]WE NEED A STRONG PRESIDENT!!![/size] THIS GUYS EVEN BLEW UP OUR CAPITAL ON OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY.

can you imagine this nonsense?

Ileke-IdI:
Who are they?
Lol. Dnt why I find this really funny.

jamace:
Why are the names of the 15 govs not given? Why only Tarfa Balogun and Nwude? EFCC should list the names of the govs and their properties and their locations just like was done about Cecilia Ibru, this will enable everybody know the crook govs and to keep eyes on the property should they revert to the crooks in future.

Said Mr. Eteng, “To those of us who before now have questioned what was there to be achieved by the leadership of the National Assembly over a matter as simple as requiring the assent of the President as provided in Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution to make a law valid, other than the infestation of ego virus, we are by this judgment vindicated.”

Written by Oluwole Ige, Calabar.
Sunday, 14 November 2010

A Calabar based activist and legal practitioner, Mr  Utum Eteng has accused the National Assembly of trying to frustrate the 2011 general elections, just as he called on the legislators to apologise to Nigerians  for  their attempts to amend the 1999 Constitution without presidential assent.

Describing the attempts to amend the 1999 constitution as an avoidable legislative blunder, he lauded the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos by Justice Okeke in the suit filed by Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), challenging the propriety of the decision of the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution without presidential assent.

Reacting to the development in a press statement issued in Calabar, on Saturday, Mr. Eteng stated that the Federal High Court ruling “may have technically and temporarily put to rest the avoidable arrogance and unnecessary ego and controversy deliberately introduced into the matter at the National Assembly.”

He wondered what must have informed the National Assembly to take such a stand in the first instance, expressing suspicion over their motive. Said Mr. Eteng, “To those of us who before now have questioned what was there to be achieved by the leadership of the National Assembly over a matter as simple as requiring the assent of the President as provided in Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution to make a law valid, other than the infestation of ego virus, we are by this judgment vindicated.”

•ACN, CPC talks collapse
From FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja
Sunday, November 14, 2010


•Buhari
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Moves by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to have General Muhammadu Buhari as the joint presidential candidate of both parties for the 2011 elections may have collapsed. Sunday Sun gathered authoritatively that General Buhari has asked to be left out of the plan.


The ACN had requested a working arrangement with the CPC leadership, which would have paved the way for the two parties to adopt Buhari as their presidential candidate. The move was conveyed through fiery Lagos-based pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Tunde Bakare, who led a delegation to the former Head of State.

But after a series of meetings held to solemnize the arrangement, Sunday Sun learnt that Buhari and the CPC leadership asked to be left out when it got to issue of who becomes the running mate to the former Head of State. Much as the CPC presidential aspirant would have loved the arrangement, close sources revealed to our correspondent that the choice of the former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, as the running mate did not sit well with Buhari.

Buhari reportedly told the meeting that he could not run for the Presidency on a Muslim/Muslim ticket because it would work against him. When reminded of the late Moshood Abiola and Babagana Kingibe Muslim/Muslim ticket for the aborted June 12, 1993 presidential election, which the duo won with a landslide victory on the platform of defunct Social Democratic Party, Buhari was said to have told them that the situation in 2011 would be different from what obtained in 1993.

Sunday Sun sources further informed that Buhari explained that he was already seen as a religious bigot, which he said his detractors threw up because of his principled stand on some issues and that for him to run for the election on a Muslim/Muslim ticket would mean giving his opponents something to latch on to during the campaigns.

The CPC National Publicity Secretary, Dennis Aghanya, however, said although there have been discussions with other parties, the talks were only on the 2011 elections and that issues on the presidency were not to his knowledge.
He explained that if any party wanted a relationship with the CPC that would produce Buhari as joint presidential candidate, “it only goes to show that they recognize his (Buhari’s) worth and capability as one among equals who has what it takes to lead Nigeria out of doldrums and the mess into which the present ruling party has thrown the country for almost 12 years.”

Speaking in the same vein, the ACN National Secretary, Usman Bugaje, also confirmed discussions with various political groups, including the CPC. He stated that the democratic environment necessitated meetings and discussions with everyone. “Even you if come, we will discuss. It is a matter of interest,” he said, but refused to say whether the talks between Buhari and Tinubu had collapsed.

The ACN had mooted the idea of adopting Buhari as its presidential candidate despite the entry of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the former Sokot State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, into the party and declaring their interest in the presidency on the platform of the ACN.

However, Bafarawa’s exit from the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) may have unsettled the party as it claims the former governor was still its member. A national leader of the party told Sunday Sun in confidence that Bafarawa was still carrying the DPP registration card and that as chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, he needed to resign formally, which he had not done.

The source said the defection of the former Sokoto governor to the ACN did not mean that DPP had ceased to exist, adding that it remains a solid party and that Bafarawa was just an individual member who could join any group he wants.

Font size: Yusuf Alli 14/11/2010 00:50:00
EFCC Boss

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized 203 posh mansions worth N2trillion from a former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, a high-profile ex-convict, Emmanuel Nwude, 15 ex-governors and some politicians.

It was learnt that the assets which were seized following 46 Forfeiture Court Orders would be managed by professional property managers to generate revenue for the Federal Government.

When contacted, EFCC head of media and publicity Mr. Femi Babafemi said, “I am aware that there is something like that and it is not something unusual, it is part of the work of the commission.”

According to a report by the commission, most of the 15 ex-governors, who served between 1999 and 2007, acquired state-of -the-art mansions at “public expense.” Some of them are already standing trial for alleged misconduct while in office.

Apart from ex- Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion who has been convicted, some ex-governors on trial are Ayodele Fayose; Orji Uzor Kalu; Rashidi Ladoja; Michael Botmang; Chimaroke Nnamani; Boni Haruna; Attahiru Bafarawa; Joshua Dariye; James Ibori;

A highly-placed source in the commission told The Nation that the seized assets were worth about N2trillion at the time of seizure. The source said: “In 2008, when the EFCC chairman, Mrs. Waziri, came on board, the anti-graft commission did not have Assets Forfeiture Unit but she put one in place.

“The unit has a major responsibility to ensure that all assets forfeited to the Federal Government, through the EFCC, are identified and verified.

“Between 2008 and now, the Assets Forfeiture Unit had gone round the country to identify these properties.

“The report submitted by the Unit about two weeks ago to Mrs. Waziri shows that between 2003 and 2010, the EFCC has been able to seize 203 posh mansions (Real Estate) from Politically Exposed Persons, including 15 ex-governors from 46 Forfeiture Court Orders.

“The assets are put at approximately N2trillion. “Since the submission of the report two weeks ago, the EFCC chairman has directed that the unit should go and enforce all the court orders. Letters are now taken round to occupants of these properties at this moment.”

The source added, “Apart from the 46, there are still 16 more forfeiture orders being expected by the commission on high-profile cases being handled.

“The report noted that between 2003 and 2008, prior to the establishment of the Unit, a large number of forfeiture orders obtained by the commission were virtually not enforced.”

According to the source, “Most of the 15 ex-governors have had their assets confiscated under temporary order in line with Sections 26 and 29(a) and (b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004.

The Act reads in part: “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the commission in the following circumstances- (a) the seizure is incidental to an arrest or search or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Court following an application made by the commission in accordance with the prescribed rules.

“Whenever property is seized under any part of the provisions of this Act, the commission may (a) place the property under seal or(b) remove the property to a place designated by the commission.”

The source added: “That is why the EFCC is going to recruit professional property managers that will henceforth manage these assets well to generate revenue for the Federal Government.

“As for those forfeited after judgment, we will later sell them after tidying up the court process. You are aware that properties of a former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun and another high-profile convict, Emmanuel Nwude had been sold.”

11.13.2010

Nigeria is required to dispose of the 13 containers of military grade weapons seized at the Lagos port three weeks ago, Nigerian diplomats at the United Nations (UN) have said.
Nigerian officials at the UN, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that UN Security Council Resolution 1929 (Iran), among others, placed a  conventional arms ban on Iran.


Iranian Embassy officials in Abuja had admitted that the illegal arms shipment, containing rockets, rifle rounds, grenades and explosives, originated from their country. The resolution was adopted on June 9 by a vote of 12 in favour to two against (Brazil and Turkey), with one abstention (Lebanon).
The sanction was the fourth against Iran over its lack of compliance with previous resolutions on ensuring the peaceful use of its nuclear programme.


“Resolution (1929) recommends all states to inspect all cargo to and from Iran in accordance with the Convention on the Law of the Sea and Civil Aviation agreements for prohibited items, including banned conventional arms or sensitive nuclear or missile items.
“It expects states to report within five days explanations for the search and the findings from such inspections (prohibited items).
“The resolution also empowers states to seize and dispose the prohibited items,” a Nigerian official said. 
At press time on Friday, Nigeria had not officially reported the matter to the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Iran, headed by Tsuneo Nishida, the Permanent Representative of  Japan to the UN.


Foreign Affairs Minister Odein Ajumogobia had indicated at a news conference in Abuja that Nigeria would report Iran to the UN Security Council.
NAN was reliably  informed late on Thursday that Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, was preparing a report to the council on the matter.
She was said to be awaiting an official directive from Abuja.


Ogwu was said to have met with the Iranian Ambassador to the UN, Mr Mohammad Khazaee, early last week amid ongoing investigations in Abuja over the Iranian connection to the arms shipment.
Her aide had admitted that the meeting, held at the Nigeria House in New York, discussed an upcoming debate in the council about ``human rights'' in Iran.
On Oct. 26, Nigeria's State Security Service (SSS) operatives discovered the 13 containers of illegal weapons at the Lagos port.

US to Assist Nigeria’s Probe of Seized Weapons
From Tokunbo Adedoja in New York, 11.13.2010

The international dimension of the interception of arms shipment into Nigeria from Iran is gradually unfolding with the declaration by United States to assist Nigeria with investigation into the matter.
Also, United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has named an eight-man panel of experts on Iran as specified by Security Council Resolution 1929 (2010) in respect of the sanctions imposed on the Middle East country over  her nuclear programme. Included on the panel of experts is a Nigerian, Major General Ishola Williams (rtd).


Answering questions from journalists at the State Department in Washington, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs, Mr. Philip Crowley, said: "We have talked to the Nigerian government about the discovery of significant arms."


The top US official also said he was not aware of any particular role played by his country in the interception of the arms, but added that US would “obviously encourage and assist Nigeria in any way that we can with its investigation.”
While acknowledging that there is an ongoing investigation by Nigerian security agencies into the issue, Crowley said: “if these reports are true, these are potential violations of Security Council resolutions, including 1929”.


Apparently referring to the stipulations of Paragraph 17 of Security Council Resolution 1929 which requires all states to inform the council of any such arms discovery and seizure from Iran, the US official said: “I think there’s been a public statement by the Nigerian foreign minister that Nigeria will do what is necessary.”
Though Resolution 1929 was passed in June, a panel of experts required to carry out the tasks as specified in paragraph 29 was not constituted, and analysts believe that the constitution of the panel by Ki-moon may be in anticipation of Nigeria's formal notification to the sanctions committee on the intercepted arms.


Other members of the panel as contained in the letter addressed to the President of the Security Council, Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, include Mr. Jonathan Brewer (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Mr. Kenichiro Matsubayashi (Japan), Ms. Jacqueline W. Shire (United States of America), Ms. Elena G. Vodopolova (Russian Fede-ration), Mr. Christof Wegner (Germany), Mr. Wenlei Xu (People’s Republic of China) and Ms. Salomé Zourabichvili (France).
The UN Scribe also designated Zourabichvili to serve as coordinator of the newly constituted panel of experts.
Thirteen containers, originating from Iran and labelled as "packages of glass wool and pallets of stone" but loaded with rocket launchers, grenades, high caliber guns and ammunition, were intercepted at Lagos port in October by Nigerian Security operatives.


Resolution 1747 (2007), adopted by the Security Council at its 5647th meeting on March 24, 2007 against Iran's nuclear programme, mandates all states to prohibit the procurement of any arms from Iran by their nationals, just as its forbids Iran from supplying or selling any arms.

alj harem:
what about me

jason12345:
and you think that would ever happen? imagine the east without massob? imagine the north without arewa or ciroma ? imagine the west without opc or afenifere? moreover, you and i know that the people in these organisations would still be politically relevant to the region.

jason12345:
i don't mind! infact, for this country to work we have to definitely refine our system. but for us to go with federalism while mend, mosop, opc,boko haram, arewa and massop are still around would be a bit stupi.d. what do you think? . i mean, all this organisations would simply take control of the regional governments since the people would feel a sense of security around them.

becomrich5:
if they name enugu airport after him, igbo people would stop visiting enugu state

Kobojunkie:
A couple of years? You mean you have years to give up for another MAYBE-MAYBE NOT? Months should be enough for the people to know if he is of substance or fluff. . .  this is the people lives we are speaking of here, not some abstract entity here.

Na so we do give yar adua another year, and another year, and another year. If say papa God no pity us carry that man go the other life, na so we go siddon for here dey talk giving the man another year, another term  . . .  ROFLMAO!!!

Come to think of it, we had almost the same situation during Abacha's turn at the seat. God dey help us a lot for that country ooo . . . ROFLMAO!!

alj harem:
becomerich, i am seeing reason in what u are saying
lets wait tell the enugu airport is built finish and hear what they would name it after
how would yorubas go without causing trouble

jason12345:
i should have said maybe the ijaws. the problems of oil exploration cannot be solved by regional governments. the reason is, its not them that dictates how, when or the amount that is drilled. this is dictated by the world powers. also, "how" its drilled (ie prevent oil spill) is decided by the company cost, profits and if the community is going to be heard by the international committee.

if its to seek happiness then only a form of "semi-federalism" can work. if not, the regions would break away. you have to see this coming guys!


thats exactly whats happening now,not when federalism will be in play.

odua nation will not care if biafran decide to leave as long as they don't take part of their land.

alj harem:
gbam
really mumu president
why can,t he name the new airport in enugu as awolowo

becomrich5:
why dont you want the army to come. The civilian all rigged the election. They are illegal people in power. the military too would be illegal like the civillian too. 1 + 1 = 2

If the civillian do not want the military to kill all senators and house of representative members and thier families. The senators and house of representative should remove edo,delta and yorubas into benin republic, even bayelsa.

Larufa:
The renaming of Liberty Stadium after the late sage is an INSULT to every sensible Yoruba. The stadium is nothing but an abandoned FGN property -- THERE IS NOTHING WORKING THERE AS AT TODAY, I'm born and bred at OSOSAMI road, a stone throw from the stadium. I know the stadium inside out. Why did Jonathan not name it after his political Godfather (OBJ)but the best Yoruba man ever to live after our Oduduwa.

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i dont know for how long the hopeless and visionless politicians will continue to cling to Awo's name to get votes. GEJ visited Ogun State and renamed a stadium in Oyo State, he really lack ideas. He should rename Nigeria Nnamdi Azikwe to get vote from the Ibo's. What an insult! Mumu president.

Source: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5641861-146/jonathan_renames_liberty_stadium_after_awolowo.csp

jason12345:
no, thats not my point.

my point is, federalism would lead to the break up of this country (and a war). i am starting to follow a nationalistic view instead of a tribal one.

Dawgpound:
Even a poultry farm named after Awolowo would have been a better choice.

jason12345:
my brother, even "true federalism" would not be good for nigeria in this early stage of the country!

why do you think Gj, yes even Gj from niger delta, would not implement federalism?
i have already posted the reason above. pls read it.

Ileke-IdI:
^^^ Can someone delete this plz?

Kobojunkie:
Not for me it doesn't. I don't really care to read much of what our politicians have to say since it rarely translates into substance, if you know what I mean. Fayemi was recently declared Governor and I would rather he get to doing the job instead.

Ileke-IdI:
LOL.
Get used to becommrich. . . .he'll say anything to make ppl support his YORUBA/EDO ==>BENIN case lol. It doesnt matter if the stadium is old or new jare.

silami:
Niger Delta Militants introduced kidnapping to Nigerians, now they have moved to bombing. Please Mr President suspend the so called amnesty, lets smoke out these criminals from the creeks and highways. Nigeria military has the capability to round off these elements. Like the present mess of kidnapping, we can't watch watch innocent people being bomb!

Ileke-IdI:
LMAO!!! OMG I loff becommrichh