Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has encouraged Jaiz Bank Plc, a complete Islamic bank to venture fully into property development in the federal capital city, even as he assured that his administration would go into partnership with it for the purpose.
The minister, who received the Managing Director of the Bank in his office on Thursday, said that property development business has a lot of potential which the partnership would explore.
According to him, the partnership would make available the needed funds for the development of properties in the Territory with beneficial multiplier effects on the society. Muhammad Bello emphasized that the collaboration would stimulate economic activities in Abuja, thereby providing skilled and unskilled employment opportunities across board. “You have been known to be a very good important player in the property market and you know here in Abuja, the property market constitutes an important segment of economic activities. “The FCT as you know has mandate for the entire Territory, which includes the six Area Councils. A lot of our interventions are commercial related. Some are educational or social; but whatever service we provide, the need for financial institutions like yours is always there, so we will continue to partner with you.” The Minister said that whatever the financial institutions do in this segment of the economy, it would impacts positively on the residents of Abuja, as the FCT Administration earns revenue through such activities. “People get employed through your activities. So, overall, there is economic development and I congratulate you for that.” He said that the close collaboration with FCT Administration can be done through the Abuja Investment Company Limited, to leverage on what is available and by going into a very long-term arrangement for mutual development of good locations for continuous investment returns. Speaking earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr. Hassan Usman said that the bank has been a keen player in the socio-economic development of the Federal capital Territory, being the only financial institution with headquarters in Abuja. The Managing Director asked the Minister to assist the Bank with a plot of land to build its head office.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Bello, received in audience members of the Strong and Able Persons with Disabilities Association of Nigeria, (SAPDAN) during which time he gave assurance that his administration is desirous of developing entrepreneurship training programme for physically challenged persons in the Territory to make them employers of labour. He acknowledged that white-collar jobs had become more elusive than ever before in the country, but that he would empower people to set up businesses which would employ others. The Minister directed the Social Development Secretariat as well as the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) to brainstorm and come up with suitable programmes for disabled persons that would, at the end of the day, make them contribute meaningfully in the society. “If they are not able to give you permanent gainful employment, they could link up with you on ad-hoc basis to serve in some of the intervention committees and areas where you can do a lot of advocacy for us and provide services that are relevant to what you have studied, not necessarily those of you who are here but even some of your other members who have other qualifications.” He praised the determination of the disabled persons in the society, despite the enormous challenges that they have had to confront, even as he advised them not to allow their morale be dampened by such challenges. “For most of us here, your situation is not new. We all have someone very close to us with one kind of problem or the other and they have been able to overcome the challenges and do so many things to add value to society, which even strong and able persons without disability are not able to do.” [myad]
Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference holding from August 3 to 7 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference is with the theme: “Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.” About 300 Nigerian editors, practicing farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy makers and captains of industry are expected at the conference, which the host Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials. Uduaghan was chosen to play the role of Special Guest of Honour because of his place in the nation’s history as the Governor who made agriculture and non-oil resources alternatives to dependency on crude oil receipts a state policy through the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative. Uduaghan deployed the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises scheme to empower farmers in the state from the field through the value chain, leading to the export of home gown and processed spices among other products. The All Nigeria Editors’ Conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors. It is a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years. The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada in Osun State. It was hosted by the then Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country. The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organizations such as the West African Editors Forum, the African Editors Forum, the World Editors Forum and the World Association of Newspapers. This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil. Speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policy makers. The Founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on Agriculture as Panacea for Unemployment, while Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on Agriculture as a Foreign Exchange Earner. The Chief Executive of the Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju, would be explaining the Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing, while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, who is also the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, would experientially explore the topic: Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain. The Acting President of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said: “The sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base. This is the first the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture.”
Already, Wike has assured editors of a successful outing in August. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the Governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large. Wike said that the state is hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that it is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable. “Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration, which has improved the living standard of the people.” [myad]
The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepened on Thursday, as the Federal High Court in Abuja, affirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman of the party.
In a ruling Justice Okon Abang, held that every action the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led chairmanship of the caretaker committee has taken since it emerged through a convention the party purportedly held in Port Harcourt on May 21, amounted to nullity.
“Parties have an uncompromising duty to obey court order until it is set aside. The Lagos Division made orders on May 12 and 20, forbidding the PDP from removing the Sheriff-led Caretaker Committee. That order is still subsisting.
“Having regard to the order of the court, PDP had no lawful authority to hold the convention that led to the emergence of the Markafi-led Committee.
“The convention was unlawfully held and the Caretaker Committee was unlawfully and illegally appointed and could not take any legal decision for the PDP in view of the subsisting order of the Lagos Division of this court.
“Consequently, any action taken by the Markafi-led Committee, including the purported mandate for legal representation in this matter is hereby declared illegal.
“If the Markafi-led Caretaker Committee, as apostles of impunity, missed their way to the Port Harcourt division of this court, that court could not have conveniently assumed jurisdiction to set aside the earlier decision of the Lagos Division.
“I hold that the Port Harcourt division of this court cannot make an order to neutralize the potency of the Lagos Division of this court dated 12 and 20 May“.
Justice Abang said tht he would have voided the judgment of the Port Harcourt Division for being a nullity, assuming there was an application to that effect.
He warned politicians not to cause disaffection among judges of the High Court, saying “the culture of impunity must stop in this country”.
According to the court: “Ali Modu Sheriff is the National Chairman of the PDP. Any decision not taken by the Sheriff-led Committee is not binding on the PDP”.
This was even as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), clashed in court over the suit seeking to stop the National Convention of the party billed to hold in Port Harcourt on August 17.
The SANs exchanged heated words over who was duly briefed to represent PDP in the suit which the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Whereas one of the senior lawyers, Ferdinand Obi, SAN, told the court that he was briefed by the Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, his colleague, Olagoke Fakunle, SAN, maintained that he has the mandate of the “real PDP leadership” to appear in the matter.
Fakunle’s submission infuriated Obi who drew attention of the court to the fact that its Port Harcourt Division had on July 4, sacked Sheriff from office as PDP chairman.
Obi argued that it was ethically wrong for the plaintiffs, led by Sheriff, to contract Fakunle to represent the PDP which they also sued as the 2nd respondent before the court.
“I say with the greatest respect that what is happening before this court today is unfortunate. It is on record that processes for the PDP in this matter was signed by one Bashir Maidugu who was the erstwhile Deputy National Legal Adviser of the party and the 5th plaintiff in this action.
“It is scandalous for a plaintiff to sue a defendant and arrange representation for him. In law, a man cannot be both plaintiff and defendant in the same matter”, he argued.
Obi tendered in evidence, the judgment of Justice A. M. Liman of the high court in Port Harcourt in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/524/2016, which he said settled issue of who should receive legal processes or engage a lawyer on behalf of the PDP.
“If all the plaintiffs were actually in office as national officers of the PDP, there will be no basis for them filing this suit. If there is a dispute between them and the PDP, then they should allow the real PDP they are quarrelling with, to defend its action.
“We are duly appointed by the PDP that was recognised in the judgement by Justice Liman, which is the Markafi-led group”, Obi submitted.
He said that he had on June 27, filed two separate applications on behalf of the PDP, asking the court to disqualify itself from handling Sheriff’s suit on the basis that the matter was already decided by the court in Port Harcourt.
However, Fakunle, SAN, urged the court to not only ignore Obi’s submissions, but also order him to immediately withdraw his appearance for the party.
“My lord, it is not in contention that PDP briefed us and we accordingly filed processes on its behalf in this matter.
“My learned colleague here admitted that the 5th defendant who is the National Deputy Legal Adviser of the party did not brief him.
“The judgement of the court in Port Harcourt said absolutely nothing about legal representation for the PDP. That decision is already subject of appeal.
“Moreover, no judge of a coordinate jurisdiction has the power to set-aside or vary the order this court validly made on June 30 which recognised us.
“I urge the court to hold that we are counsel for the PDP and that my learned brother should cease from appearing in this matter forthwith”.
On his part, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, prayed the court to firstly determine who between the two senior lawyers has a valid mandate to represent the PDP.
Akintola earlier prayed the court to consider the urgency of the matter and grant an injunction stopping the party from going ahead with its planned national convention, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“What we are asking for is an injunction and our application is ripe for hearing. We urge my lord to because of the urgency nature of this case and the circumstances surrounding the matter, hear this application and grant our request.
“I urge my lord to hear us out. This matter is very crucial. They want to hold a convention which we are seeking to stop”, Akintola pleaded.
He told the court that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which is the 1st defendant in the matter, was duly served with the relevant court processeson Monday.
INEC lawyer, Mr. Alhassan Umar, however told the court that the plaintiffs were yet to serve it with all the relevant processes.
In his ruling, Justice Abang refused to recognise Obi, SAN, as counsel for PDP in the matter, declaring the two application he filed against hearing of the suit as incompetent.
Sheriff and eight others had approached the court, praying it to abort the proposed national convention of the party.
Other plaintiffs behind the suit are Prof. Wale Oladapo (National Secretary); Dennis Alonge-Niyi (Deputy National Youth Leader); Alhaji Bashir Maidugu (Deputy National Legal Adviser); Mrs. Hanatu Ulam (Deputy National Women Leader); Alhaji Lawal Dutsima Anchi (Deputy National Auditor); Chief Okey Nnadozie (Deputy National Organising Secretary) and Chief Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).
The plaintiffs are contending that allowing the Makarfi-led faction to proceed with the convention would affect the ‘Res’ of the substantive suit they filed on July 4, wherein they are insisting that their tenure in office ought to expire in 2018.
The plaintiffs said they filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016, for themselves and on behalf of the Executive Committee/National Working Committee of the PDP.
Justice Okon Abang had earlier in the proceeding, posed questions which he said the Markafi-led faction should answer to enable the court to determine the issue of legal representation for the party.
Tracing the history of the case, Justice Abang noted that the Lagos division of the high court had on May 12, made an order restraining PDP from conducting any election into offices of its National Chairman, Secretary and Auditor, occupied by 1st, 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs led by Sheriff.
He said the court also barred INEC from monitoring or recognising candidates that emerge from any such election.
“That order is still subsisting and has not been vacated. Yet again, on May 20, the court made another order, directing INEC and PDP to maintain status quo on issue relating to position of the plaintiffs, pending determination of the suit before it.
“Later in the same month, PDP held a convention that removed these plaintiffs and set up a Caretaker Committee that led to the emergence of Markafi who briefed you (Obi) to appear in this matter.
“The question is, does the Port Harcourt division had jurisdiction to entertain proceedings that led to various orders made by it and the judgement delivered on July 4, which neutralised the potency of the previous over by the Lagos Division, with the judges having coordinate jurisdiction?
“That was notwithstanding the fact that under section 249 of the constitution, the Federal High Court is one.
“This is having regards to established principle of law that where an order which ought to have been made, is made in error, a court of coordinate jurisdiction has the power to set it aside”, the Judge queried.
Obi’s plea for an adjournment to enable him respond to the questions he said were “germane and weighty”, was refused by the court.
While responding to the questions, Obi, maintained that Justice Abang lacked the jurisdiction to evaluate and make findings on the judgment of another court of coordinate jurisdiction.
He argued that all the parties are already before the appellate court over the judgment.
“We submit that this court should avoid a situation whereby it will foist on the court of appeal a situation of hopelessness or render nugatory, whatever judgment that will be eventually delivered by the appellate court.
“This is why the Chief Judge of this court, on July 8, issued a circular to all the judges handling PDP leadership tussle cases to stop further action on the matters pending the outcome of the appeals before the Court of Appeal”, he added.
Justice Abang however clarified that the CJ later issued another circular on July 23, cancelling the previous one dated July 8. 9myad0
Pope Francis, suffering from a medical condition called sciatica, fell to his knee when he arrived at the Jasna Gora shrine in Czestochowa, Poland on July 28 to hold what was described as the holiest mass. The 79-year-old pope, who has been contending with the medical condition in which pain sometimes severely affects his leg and lower back, fell down in front of millions of worshipers in Czestochowa, Poland. The Pope , who hails from Argentina, was walking on a stage when he suddenly fell and was quickly helped to his feet by other religious figures. He subsequently took to his seat, continued the Mass and read his homily normally. He is on a five-day visit to Poland and was visiting the country’s holiest shrine in the city of Czestochowa, which is in the south of the country. [myad]
Former Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon has described budget padding as a strange phenomenum even as he painted a good picture of how the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his then minister of finance carefully handled the nation’s budget in his regime.
“We had the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in-charge of our finance during my time and he taught us to survive without borrowing. Such (budget padding) should stop, there is no point doing that.”
Dr. Gowon spoke with news men on Wednesday at the Health Caravan and Award Ceremony for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, who was conferred with the title of Royal Ambassador for Hepatitis Advocacy in Nigeria, by the Seham Health Care Foundation.
Gowon wondered why budget padding has become the order of the day in Nigeria, emphasizing that such never occurred during his administration.
“If that is true; If anybody is doing that, the person should be checked and stopped to ensure that such does not occur in the future. We didn’t do it during my time.”
The former Head of State advised President Muhammadu Buhari to firm up the ailing economy in order to alleviate the suffering of the masses. [myad]
Zainab Dokubo-Asari, the first wife of Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has died in a motor accident on her way to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Her death was announced on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Oyo State Muslim community, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni. Alhaji Ishaq Sanni said thatZainab was already a Muslim years before she married Dokubo-Asari. He said in a statement: “when their lives were in danger during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, she and Mujahida, the second wife moved to my house with their children in Ibadan. When Jonathan came on board, their husband wanted them to move to Port Hacourt but she begged him to allow her to stay in Ibadan, the atmosphere she found very Islamic being a pious Muslim lady. “Eventually she had to locate to Yenagoa capital of Bayelsa when she was appointed Secretary of the pilgrims board. Even then there was hardly any month she was not in Ibadan for one Islamic programme or the other. She was a member of many Islamic organizations in Ibadan, including Oluyole Muslim community under the Imamship of Imam Mudashir Bada. “It is interesting she was coming to her preferred town Ibadan when she met her destiny. “She was survived by four children: Amirah, Hassan, Hussain and Osama. “May Allah accept her multifarious and multidimensional jihad as acts Ibadah and admit her to jannat Firdaus.” [myad]
A Constitutional Court of South Africa has ordered the country’s President, Jacob Zuma to return to the public coffers, the sum of $500,000 which he had used to upgrade his ancestral home in Nkandla. According to a South African anti-corruption watchdog, the total cost was $23 million. The 2014 report revealed that Zuma and his family had “unduly benefited” from the upgrades. Thuli Madonsela, a government appointed public ombudswoman, had earlier described the upgrades as “unethical and unnecessary.” President Zuma had been ordered to repay some of the money spent on the renovations. In March, the Supreme Court of Appeal found that President Zuma had breached the constitution by defying this order and was asked by several veterans of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), to step down. The Treasury said that President Zuma should pay back $509,000 for the upgrades to his home. He has been given a 45-day ultimatum to follow through with this request. The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), said that the sum was too low, but the findings still constituted a “damning” indictment of the President. DA spokesman. Mabine Seabe told AFP Africa: “the president should pay back 100 per cent of the non-security upgrades – previously we determined that amount to be up to 52.9 million rands ($3.4 million).” Speaking on the implications of the report, Seabe added: “this (the treasury’s report) sends out a clear message to those involved in corruption, especially those in the ANC, that you will be held accountable for your actions, even if you are the President.’ The calculations by the Treasury will be reviewed by the Constitutional Court. Amidst scandals that included the sacking of two finance ministers in four days last year which led to the rand currency plummeting and a dismissed appeal from against the ruling that he should face almost 800 corruption charges that were dropped in 2009 shortly before he came to power, Zuma retains widespread loyalty in the ANC. South Africa’s revolutionary socialist party, the Economic Freedom Fighters has said: “Zuma paying is an admission of guilt. The next step is criminal charges.” [myad]
Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection has finally captured a man who was said to have been arrested for more than fifty times in the past for operating beggars syndicate in the capital city and has been escaping justice. The man, whose name was given as Baba Gwarma from Kaduna State, was said to be operating with three personal vehicles for movement of beggars in and around Abuja as well as neigbouring states of Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states. Baba Gwaram, who is said to live in Karma-Jiji, a suburb of Abuja with the leader of the syndicate called simply as Sarki, in the same vicinity. The man was believed to own houses which he used to rent out, providing shelter for the beggars in Karma-Jiji near the Abuja city centre. The Chairman of the FCT Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection, retired Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel, who paraded the suspects at the FCDA Police Station in Abuja said that the suspect has been arrested more than 50 times in the past, but that this time, he would be charged to court. The Task Force Chairman said that the arrest was effected with the collaboration of security agencies in the Task Team through intelligence sharing. Squadron leader Monjel said that the suspect uses dangerous weapons to attack law enforcement team. Meanwhile, the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has paid an unscheduled visit to Kubwa Satellite Town in Bwari Area Council where he predicted that the communities around the new rail station in Kubwa would gain tremendously from various business opportunities which the railway will bring to the area. “These communities by their virtue of playing host to the railway lines and stations, have the unique opportunities of witnessing increased business activities, which could bring tremendous development to the area within a short time frame”. “Kubwa, being much closer to the expressway as well as the point before the final station at Idu, chances are that most passengers would embark and disembark in this satellite town, with its attendant effects on economic activities. “If these communities handle the environment well, they could witness tremendous development within the next few years. “Before you know it, the whole of this place will become good commercial area and the land values here will all appreciate. So, your people will benefit and you are going to get a lot of revenue and employment opportunities.” The Minister called on the Area Councils’ authorities to cleanup and beautify the environment by planting attractive trees to make it conducive for those coming to Abuja by rail, especially considering that it would be their first point of contact. Responding, the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Musa Diko appreciated the thoughtfulness of the Minister to wake them up of their responsibility. He promised to immediately move in to clean up the areas using community efforts to ensure that the people own the project. [myad]
Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole has beaten his chest that in his eight year administration, he has been able to revoke acres of land illegally acquired by the Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and that the next government of Godwin Obaseki will revoke more of such land from the same person.
Governor Oshiomhole, who spoke at a political rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Okada community, in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state; the home of Chief Igbinedion, on Wednesday, said that such retrieved land would be handed over to investors. He told the parties supporters who thronged the campaign venue that his administration has granted waivers to investors to encourage them in the industrialization process of the state. The governor declared that he is determined to stop any Benin Chief from taking over the position of the Oba of Benin, stressing that the Oba’s position cannot be faked but must be respected as a divine institution. “I will stop any Benin Chief who wants to take the position of the Oba of Benin. I am aware that I have had cause to revoke some lands illegally acquired by Chief Igbinedion. I will revoke more and give to investors. “We granted waivers to investors in order to encourage investors to set up companies in the state. “With Godwin as the next governor, you will have nothing to fear.
“We will build more roads, schools and bring more investors to the state. “PDP wants to come through the back door back to power because they want to continue to use your money to feed the god fathers and we must stop them. This was even as the governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Obaseki admitted that governor Oshiomhole had laid the foundation for growth and development of the state. “My job is to raise the house upstairs because the foundation will carry sky scrappers. “We will continue to build on infrastructure, build more roads in the Local Governments, build more schools and recruit more teachers. “If elected as governor of the state, we will put more money into Usen Polytechnic to improve the standard of teaching in the school so they can be one of the best in Nigeria. “The polytechnic will groom students into becoming land inspectors, surveys that can be employed in the state Ministry of Works. We will give small loans to market women. “Our major priority is to create empowerment for women and youths.” At the campaign, over 1,500 persons, including a cousin to the Esama, Ewemade, defected to the ruling APC.
The defectors said they decided to dump the PDP due to the giant strides and developmental achievement by the Oshiomhole-led government in the state. [myad]
The former chairman of House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has asked the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to go ahead and sue him, even as he insisted that the speaker is corrupt.
This came on the heels of Dogara’s threat to sue him if within seven days he did not withdraw the allegation of corruption and apologize.
Jibrin, who floated the kite that Dogara was involved in a fraudulent attempt to pad the budget with projects worth about N40 billion after he was removed last week as chairman of the appropriations committee over allegation of breach of trust, said: “I know he will rush to court in order to invoke the house rules that matter in court cannot be heard on the floor. He failed to realize that the law is not intended to protect corrupt people. It is such a shame.”
He vowed not to withdraw the allegations against the Speaker and three others, namely, Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf; Chief Whip, Alhassan Doguwa; and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor.
“I have responded to their allegations rather than respond to mine, he is rushing to court. I stand by my allegations and will not withdraw them!”
He said: “I am happy to announce that my lawyers have officially approached the EFCC and the ICPC towards working out a date for me to personally submit my petition against Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf, Whip, Alhassan Doguwa and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor.”
Jibrin also responded to counter allegations of fraud by the House against him.
Text of his full statement goes thus:
THREAT OF LEGAL ACTION BY YAKUBU DOGARA AND MY RESPONSE TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY HON ABDULRAZAK NAMDAS ACTING ILLEGALLY AND WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE HOUSE ON BEHALF OF THE QUARTET OF SPEAKER YAKUBU DOGARA, DEPUTY SPEAKER YUSUF LASUN, HOUSE WHIP ALHASSAN DOGUWA AND MINORITY LEADER LEO OGOR
After going through the press text by Hon Namdas, I had made up my mind not to bother wasting my time responding to a much publicized press conference that turned out an anti climax but for my Hon Colleagues and general public who may fall for such cheap blackmail, I had to respond. All the accusations were a compendium of lies put together by the QUARTET who are desperately looking for something to nail me but can’t find anything. Again for the purpose of emphasis I did nothing wrong neither have I abused my office, public trust or corruptly enriched my self. The press statement surely failed to make allegations on me with precision like the specific allegations that I have raised against the QUARTET which they are yet to respond to a single one!
I will respond to the lies they told one after the other and explain other issues I believe my Hon colleagues and the public should know. As I mentioned in the past, I had written a lot on some of these issues especially the 2016 budget which I intend to publish in my personal memoir LIFE AT 40: MY STORY as part of my 40th birthday in September. The memoir when published will give an insight on my life so that the public will understand some of these issues in proper perspective.
Let me also state that the way and manner Hon members of the house, civil society groups, security and anti corruption agencies and the general public handle these issues and allegations will certainly determine if people in different sectors who have the courage to fight corruption, abuse of trust and offices will have the necessary support and encouragement to step up. Just imagine if these QUARTET and their accomplice like Hon Herma Hembe are found guilty and sent to jail. It will be a defining moment and a huge accomplishment for our fight against corruption.
Today, my lawyers have officially approached the EFCC and ICPC towards working out a date for me to submit my petition and brief the agencies. Rather than respond to my allegations, he is threatening me with court action. I stand by my allegations against Speaker Yakubu Dogara and 3 others and I shall neither apologize nor withdraw my statement. I know he will rush to court in order to invoke the house rules that matter in court cannot be heard on the floor of the house. He failed to realize that the rules are not intended to protect corrupt people. It is such a shame.
MY RESPONSE
DISPLAYED IMMATURITY AND LACK TEMPERAMENT, DEALING WITH TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AMONG OTHER SIMILAR LIES
At the level these matter had gotten to I expected that what ever they will accuse me of should be backed with instances. They failed to cite such instances where I had displayed such qualities.
This is how we have systematically destroyed our institutions because “maturity” and the right “temperament” is when you can cover corruption, injustice and abuse of office and public trust and you cannot stand up anywhere you are for the truth without minding whose ox is gored. If that is the definition of maturity to the QUARTET, then I shall gladly remain immature for the rest of my life. I am not new to dealing with highly placed government officials.
They probably failed to research properly about me. With the risk of sounding immodest, I started very in life. I started business at the age of 19. I started meeting a Nigerian president in my mid twenties. I have had an extensive experience over the last two decades in the process building a massive network in both the political, business, academia, traditional, religious, union and civil society among others in Nigeria and beyond. I was prepared for leadership.
COLLATING SENSITIVE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION TO BLACKMAIL AND COMPLAIN OF HARASSMENT
Who did I blackmail? No instances were provided just complete lies. It is a no news that I will have access and insight on a lot of government information both classified and non having served as chairman of the sensitive finance committee of the House and until recently appropriation committee. But because of my family upbringing, experience in life, training and mentorship I have enjoyed all my life, I grew up to be very organized by nature. I document everything that should be documented.
I keep a diary of events. Hardly is there any record regarding my job that I cannot produce and hardly is there anything you will ask that I cannot explain or defend. I thought that should not scare or intimidate any upright leader who has nothing to hide but should attract any leader to utilize such qualities effectively. No, that will not attract Speaker Dogara and his 3 cohorts who are so small minded and prefer to have a small group of mediocres around them. I think they were shocked to realize that I have everything documented.
I did NOT document it to blackmail anyone but just to keep the records as part of my responsibility. However, if the need arises to use such documents to expose corruption and abuse of office, I shall not hesitate to give it out even at the risk of such blackmail and propaganda from the QUARTET
Here again they failed to cite just a single instance. Which agency did I harass? For what? It is my tradition in the House except under such necessary circumstances, I do not see heads of MDA’S like the way Speaker Dogara has converted his office and home, and guest houses to center of pilgrimage for head of MDAs. I don’t go to government offices except on oversight. I will wait for Speaker Dogara to tell the country who I harassed.
LEADERSHIP LAUNCHED AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION AND FOUND ME GUILTY
This accusation alone is enough for my colleagues and Nigerians to clearly see the desperation, manipulation, lies, blackmail and the poor quality of leadership of the QUARTET. When was the internal investigation instituted? Who are those that conducted the investigation? How come I only knew I was investigated through your press statement yesterday?
Why wasn’t I given fair hearing? Under which house rules was I investigated without my knowledge? Where is the report of the investigation? Isn’t this the same speaker Dogara that openly defended our 3 colleagues accused of sexual harassment in the US on the grounds that they were not granted the right to be heard? Now Nigerians can imagine and start seeing the heavy witch hunt that they mounted on me. This is a huge shame and an embarrassment to the Speaker and the 3 other principal officers. I challenge Speaker Yakubu Dogara to answer the questions. This is completely baseless.
DAURA PROJECTS IN 2016
Yes, I take responsibility for this as I will on any matter that I know I am responsible for. I don’t know how to lie. I don’t need permission or consent of Mr President to put in the budget water scheme, agricultural and rural development projects in Daura.
I have said severally and will repeat, are people of Daura not Nigerians? During the budget process, people come to the House from all over the country to lobby for projects in their constituencies but nobody from Daura including Mr President came to lobby. At a meeting with Mr Speaker and some principal officers, I admit I told him that I have looked at the budget, there was almost no project in Daura.
I reminded him that Mr President will NEVER lobby us for such but he is human and will appreciate if Nigerians in Daura enjoy a bit of the budget so long as what ever projects taken there is not too much compared to other states. I also reminded them that he is twice the Head of this country we should not abuse the fact that by his nature he will never ask. If he is a selfish leader, he can turn Daura to a small London instantly. But he believes in fairness for all. That is why great Africans like Mo Ibrahim instituted the monetary award for African heads of states like Buhari who will not steal under any circumstance. What I did was in tandem to this.
Now you can imagine the quality of leaders like Speaker Yakubu Dogara who wants to turn this against me and set me on collusion with the presidency. It is such a shame that our so called leaders can not appreciate and support such a simple cause.
A man like Mr president who has held every position in the country and twice president without any success to blackmail him, is it the very few projects I put in Daura that will be used to blackmail such a man? When Speaker Dogara and the 3 other principals inserted projects worth over 20billion in their constituencies? God Almighty is with the innocent. PROJECTS WITHOUT LOCATIONS OR CLEAR DEFINITION
This is a non issue. They are just looking for more flesh to tidy up their blackmail and lies. In EVERY BUDGET YEAR such situations are found. The secretariat work extremely hard during the budget period to insert all items into the budget template. Since this job is done by human beings like us, there are bound to be some errors like the aforesaid and even more. It is such a simple issue and there is a standard way of dealing with it instantly through what we call CORRIGENDUM. It is a correction to any appropriation act. Indeed the first CORRIGENDUM I signed with respect to the 2016 budget was for the projects of Speaker Yakubu Dogara. One of such projects I later discovered was a water project he diverted to his personal farm somewhere in Nasarawa. Both of us have the records.
I FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO ARMS OF GOVERNMENT
This I found very laughable. What did I do and how did I do that? Again, a case of desperate Speaker Dogara looking for something against me. Let me use this window to explain something. After the standing committees of the House forwarded their reports we discovered that over 2000 projects were inserted into the budget by just 10 out of the 96 standing committees of the House.
My self and Sen Goje had to find a balance between the executive submissions and standing committees reports. It was during that period that we met the president. Mr President belongs to all of us. Nobody be it presiding or principal officer has the right to stop any member from seeing the president. Immediately we came out of the villa, i went straight to brief Speaker Dogara.
To say I was shocked with his reaction was an understatement. He went ballistic! And kept shouting, why should you go to the villa, why? I looked at Dogara and remembered the quote “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Well, I ignored his selfish reaction and briefed him what we intend to do moving forward. In the following days, we consulted wildly with ministers and got their key inputs. We prepared two scenarios, one to provide a balance between the House submission and that of the executive while the other is to carry largely the standing committees recommendations.
I discussed everything with Mr Speaker and he asked me to stay action to allow him consult with other principal officers. In between he travelled to London. It was from London that he called and instructed me to adopt the committee version. At that point all the great consultative work we did with the ministers became a waste. And I knew he did that deliberately to embarrass me and ensure we fail in the eye of our executive counterparts.
That is how vindictive Speaker Dogara can be. At a meeting of Principal officers of the House, When Mr president returned the budget because he considered insertions by NASS too much, I explained that we had worked out a balanced scenario for the budget with the executive but the Speaker directed that we forward the other version. The Speaker unfortunately tried to deny and the atmosphere became tensed.
The duo of Lasun and Ogar took time to direct that when we go into the executive session that morning, I should talk less to members when I am asked to give my briefing and specifically say nothing about the N40billion they took. I rejected that. I told them my reputation is at stake. At that point everybody in the country was attacking me.
Where on earth will I say I took N40 billion to? Even the best accountant in the world cannot hide such huge sums. Lasun and Ogor almost brought down the roof of the office. I maintained my calm and apologized to Mr Speaker and the rest of them. It was at that meeting that I was asked to stop further comments to the press.
God Almighty is a living witness. We proceeded to the executive session, I briefed my colleagues and told them the truth. Since then Speaker Dogara and the 3 others effectively blocked me from further meetings and briefing sessions and sponsored an extensive internal and external propaganda against me to give my colleagues and the general public the impression that everything about the 2016 budget is Hon Jibrin. That is why many members carried on without the true picture of what transpired and of course their anger towards me.
But since I started opening up, I have received hundred of calls from my colleagues querying why I didn’t let them know all these. They will soon realize that I am not alone and members will not allow such serious allegations of corruption to be swept under the carpet. I kept pressure on the Speaker to allow me opportunity to brief my colleagues to no avail.
The insincerity and conspiracy of silence from the few standing committee chairmen that inserted about 2000 projects into the budget and unnecessary movement of huge sums of money didn’t help my case. Some of the biggest culprits are chairmen of standing committees on Power Hon Dan Asuquo, Higher education Hon Zakari Mohammed, Water resources Hon Aliyu Pategi, health Hon Chike Okafor, interior Hon Jagaba Adams, FCT Hon Herma Hembe and police affairs Hon Haliru Jika among few others.
So I was taking heat both within the House and outside. It was a very trying moment for me but praise be to God Almighty.
INCREMENT OF SIZE OF BUDGET BY 250 BILLION NAIRA, 4.1 ALLEGATION AND THE KANO FILM VILLAGE PROJECT
There has never been any version of the 2016 budget that was produced with an increased size of 250billion naira. It is an extension of the wicked propaganda and and desperate search for lies and blackmail by Speaker Dogara and the 3 others. If at all there is, let them bring it out.
One Single allegation that I may probably carry on with it and keep explaining for the rest of my life is the 4.1 billion worth of project I allocated to my constituency. When this allegation came out, I was already under instruction by Speaker Dogara to stop talking to the press. I could not respond. By the time it became convenient for me to speak, the tempo had died down.
I decided to simply include it in my 40th birthday memoir to be released in September. There was nothing like projects worth 4.1billion naira in my constituency in any version of the budget. It was a huge blackmail which I only later realized it was instigated by Speaker Dogara and the 3 others. Aside few projects in my constituency, I was more interested in projects that will help not only kano but the whole of Nigeria like the Kano Film Village, Irrigation projects, dams and roads. At the end I succeeded in promoting the Kano film village which has raised unnecessary controversy.
The Kano Film village is designed by the Nigerian Film cooperation NFC Jos to be a world class film village with ultra modern training institute, cinematography center, theater, premiere square, diverse skill acquisition center, male and female hostels, hotel accommodation, 1,500 capacity conference hall, shopping mall, eateries, mini zoo, Nigerian and world culture exhibition center, history and documentation center, clinic and every conventional facilities that are required for a world class film village.
When I saw the proposal of the project and knowing the massive potentials of the Kannywood, I did not hesitate to buy into it for many obvious reasons. It will create massive employment opportunity for our teeming youth, open up sources of revenue for the federal government, boost economic activities in kano which is the 2nd largest commercial city in nigeria, serve as a center to promote our country, culture, people and many more through films.
Today, it’s a shame we have no standard films on the lives of our founding leaders like Awo, Zik, Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu kano and the host of others. We do not take advantage of films to promote our good culture and sell every aspect of our country from our economic potentials to tourism attraction.
We don’t even care that we don’t have documentary and films of our great religious leaders like Oyedepos, kuka, Shiek Gumi, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi and many others. No films on our great traditional leaders and institutions.
If it were in Europe or America, they surely would have commenced films on the great lives of the late Oni of Ife and his highness the late Emir of kano or even their charismatic successors like ours, his Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Do we have to wait for foreigners to make films on our great Gani Fewehinmi, Olusegun Obasanjo or the greatest leader today on the African continent, a natural successor to Nelson Mandela, President Muhammadu Buhari?
Unfortunately, the whole idea was misrepresented with Speaker Dogara playing a clear script behind the scene using a member from kano to oil the misinformation that the center was going to be a dancing club and center for all sorts of negative social activities.
Some of Our religious leaders in kano fell for these lies and commenced protest against the project. A very sad situation.
PROOF OF EVIDENCE AND INACCESSIBILITY AND APPROPRIATION MEMBERS
I have and will provide evidence on all the allegations at the appropriate time. When the secretariat of the appropriation committee was taken away from me twice how much more members of the appropriation committee. I have shortchanged no one. I left the committee in harmony with my members that is why most of them were seated with me when I announced my resignation. A lot of them sympathized with me because they understand very well the dirty game that was played by Dogara. The few occasions when I attempted to open up to members of appropriation committee, I was accused of trying to topple the leadership of the House. It was a very difficult situation. I had lived life on a fast lane, I have slowed down considerably. Everybody knows my schedules. I try to retire home as early as I can. I avoid late night meetings or unnecessary socializing like frequent parties organized by the Speaker. I keep my weekends for my parents, family, relatives and constituents. I go to work early enough and hardly will you ever find a file lying down on my table unattended. I mind my business as much as I can but they will not let me be. So if anyone is accusing me of inaccessibility, he is not being honest. May be they want me to join the gang of late night plotters.
MY TENURE AS CHAIRMAN FINANCE
As chairman finance, I had a very eventful tenure. I conducted many investigations and left an unblemished record. The committee was vibrant and we recorded so many milestone. I won so many awards both home and abroad and got inducted as fellow into several professional bodies. I have never been accused of corruption or any wrong doing all through my tenure. I lobbied and attracted some projects to my constituency which were executed and some are yet to be paid for by government. The allegations in these regards are not different from all others. Desperate people looking for something to nail me. It is a wild wild goose chase, baseless allegation and arrant nonsense. They should forward what ever they have to the EFCC.
TRADITION OF N40BILLION OUT N100BILLION GOING TO LEADERSHIP
I am not aware of any tradition, rules or decision of the House that grants 40billion out of the 100billion naira constituency funds to the leadership. This is a clear case of fraud and abuse of trust committed by Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the 3 others. This is one question they must answer.
CONCLUSION
I have written so much about the House which will further address these and many other issues to be published in my 40th birthday memoir. Some people may never understand why it is imperative that I fight this to its logical conclusion. It will force an internal reform in the House for the benefit of the country. It will send a strong message to anybody no matter how highly placed you are in the house, if you get involved in corrupt acts or abuse your office, you will face the law. It will also scare corrupt people from attempting to get into the house. And finally, I am 39 and will be 40 in September. I am fairly blessed with everything that a man can ask for from God on earth. I consider myself extremely lucky. All I have left is my integrity. Many people including my colleagues don’t know the facts of the issues. I must continue to explain so that all the facts will be laid out. I will never allow anybody to destroy my hard earned integrity especially corrupt people like Speaker Dogara and the 3 others when they fight back.
Finally, I have responded to their allegations within 24hrs, they are yet to respond to mine almost a week after. I am once again calling on all Hon Members of the House of Representatives and the general public to call on Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the 3 others to answer the 20 allegations I have raised against them and reconvene the House immediately to allow for an independent investigation by the House.
Thank you
Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin PhD MBA APC-Kano Kiru-Bebeji Federal constituency Kano. [myad]
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