Former Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido, Sons, To Spend Sallah In Prison

July 9, 2015

Sule Lamido and his Sons at the court premises

The immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his two sons Aminu and Mustapha and one Aminu Wada Abubakar are to observe the Eid-el-Fitri, the Small Sallah in Prison as they have been confined there till September 28.
The quartet were remanded in prison custody today by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano after they were docked on a 28-count charge of corruption and money laundering brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were arraigned alongside four companies where the Lamidos are believed to have interest.
The companies are Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamiana Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and Speeds International Limited.
Lamido is said to have abused his position as governor of Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, by awarding contracts to companies where he has interest, using his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha as front.
One of the counts in the charge reads, “That you Alhaji Sule Lamido (while being the Governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria), Aminu Sule Lamido, Mustapha Sule Lamido, Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria Limited and Speeds International Limited between 15th October and 18th December, 2008 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did convert an aggregate sum of N124, 649, 915 (One Hundred and Twenty Four Million, Six Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Naira) paid by Dantata & Sawoe Limited into the account of Speeds International Limited domiciled with an old generation Bank at Kano which fund you reasonably ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act of Alhaji Sule Lamido who was a Public Officer within the meaning of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers as prescribed under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as amended ) to wit; engaging in private business by a public officer, using the said company in which he is a director and a shareholder, and to whose account he is a signatory; with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said sum and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14 (A) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004.”
However when the charges were read to the accused persons they pleaded not guilty.
Their counsel, Offiong Offiong, SAN told the court that he had filed application for bail and urged the court to consider granting the accused persons bail.
But prosecuting counsel, Chile Okoroma, requested for time to respond to the application.
He prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody as the EFCC holding facilities in Abuja and Kano were already overstretched.
Justice Anyadike consequently remanded the accused persons in prison custody pending consideration of their bail application and adjourned toSeptember 28, 2015.
After the judge’s pronouncement, a mild drama ensued between Lamido and the Deputy Chief Registrar of Federal High court, Barrister Solomon Akpedah.
Lamido was asked to proceed to board the waiting van taking him to Kano central prison when he exclaimed, “you mean I’m now a prisoner?!”
Akpedah, however, replied that “no sir, you are not a prisoner”
The arraignment of Lamido and his children was not without incident as an unruly crowd of supporters loyal to the former governor threatened to disrupt the court session.
It took reinforcement of the detachment of policemen at the court to maintain order.
The travails of the Lamidos began in 2012 when one of his sons, Aminu was arrested by Operatives of the EFCC at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano for failing to declare a sum of forty thousand United States Dollars ($40,000).
He was prosecuted and convicted with 50 percent of the undeclared sum forfeited to the Federal Government.
But the enquiries into the source of the funds led investigators into the closely guarded web of corruption and money laundering involving members of the former first family of Jigawa State and their cronies. [myad]

Kogi Central, West Forum Strategize For 2016 Governorship Polls

Greenbarge Reporters

July 9, 2015

File photo: Dr Tom Adaba @ Africast 2014

The Kogi Central and West Senatorial Districts have formed a formidable alliance with a view to clinching the governorship position of the state in the next year’s governorship election.
The two Senatorial Districts met yesterday in Abuja, under the umbrella of Kogi Central And West Peace Forum, for Equity and Justice.
A communiqué issued and signed by the chairman of the media and publicity for the group, Dr. Tom Adaba, after the meeting, said that it was attended by over 100 people from the two senatorial districts, including representatives of groups with similar objectives. The meeting, the communiqué said, was in furtherance of the Forum’s pursuit of good governance, equity and justice in the state.
The meeting reiterated its commitment to fielding a single candidate as well as a deputy in the forthcoming governorship election in the state even as it advised all major political parties to respect the feelings and reflect the interest of the two senatorial zones in the choice of their gubernatorial candidates if they are serious about winning this year’s election.
The meeting, which was jointly chaired by General J. O. S. Oshanupin (Rtd), Professor Yusuf Aliyu and Alhaji Idris Yusuf Tawari, did not foreclose the possibility of using a third platform to realize its objective if the two major political parties make the mistake of not fielding its consensus candidate in the election.
The meeting was also attended by General Chris Ali, former Chief Army Staff, Chief Clarence Olafemi, former acting governor of the state, Chief Bayo Ojo, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Abdulrahaman Adeiza, Professor Olu Akerejola, Ambassador S. A. Lawal, Ambassador P. B. Fadumiyo,Professor Angela Okatahi, Chief J. O. Omuya, Professor I. Abdulsalam.
Others are Dr..Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba, Chief Femi Ajisafe, Tunde Ipinmisho, Prince Emmanuel Omadivi, Sufyanu Abdulmalik, Dr. David Atte, Chief J.O. Yusuf, Alhaji Sheidu Ozigis, Retired DIG of Police Abdul raheem Yusuf, Prof. Adams Abere El-Okene, Dr. Tunde Arosanyin, Femi Ojo Melefa, Chief Dan Kunle, Suleiman Baba Ali, Tanko Musa, Ibrahim Usman, Idris Miyali, Hon. Matthew Keyi, Engr Sam Uhuotu, Engr. Funso Ako, Ahmed Garba, Barrister (Mrs) J. Y.Ajanah, Mohammed Aliyu, Brig-Gen. Yusuf Abubakar (Rtd), Hussain Obadaki, Prince Rotimi Obadofin, Yahaya Ade Ismail, Lamidi Itopa, M. J. Alabi, Isa Sani Omolori, Ahmed Kokori Abdul, Dahiru Musa Andullahi, Chief S. K. Adedoyin, Toyin Akanle, Henry Ojuola, A. G. Usman, Shaban Shaibu, Abdulmumuni Isa, and Ezekiel Kaura.
There were also Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, Former Deputy Governor Phillips Salawu, Alhaji Ishaq Ajibola, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, Dr Martin Makoju, Senator Salihu Ohize, Dr Abdulrahman Adeiza, Mr Jimmy Olumudi, Prof M. Ajibero and Col Olu Oloruntoba (Rtd) all of who sent apologies.

Other parts of the communiqués goes thus:

The Forum promised to search widely and transparently for a governorship candidate as well as a deputy that will win the next election and change the fortunes of the much abused and traumatized state.
The Forum vowed to halt the marginalization of the two senatorial districts, end the rot in the state and enthrone good governance and equity which have so far eluded the resources-rich state. Rather than constantly bemoaning their plight, participants resolved to come together, strategize and take their destinies in their hands. Members pledged to pool their resources together to save the state from chronic under-development and shameful stagnation.
The Forum resolved to remain focused, determined, honest and transparent in its dealings. It plans to mobilize all the people and associations in the two senatorial districts towards achieving the Forum’s aspirations.
The meeting agreed to put in the public domain statistics showing the incalculable inequity and mindless marginalization in Kogi State so that the whole world will know that the struggle for equity and good governance is truly justified and long overdue.
The Forum agreed to hold its next meetings in Lokoja, Kabba and Okene and to mobilize the people of the two senatorial districts to end the present internal colonialism in the state.
Four Standing Committees – Finance, Strategy, Media and Publicity, Contact and Mobilization and Search/Screening – were constituted with terms of reference. The committees are to start work immediately.

World Longest Serving Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal Is Dead

Greenbarge Reporters

July 9, 2015

Former Saudi Foreign Minister, considered as the world’s longest serving foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, has died. He served for 40 years on the job.
The senior level Saudi information ministry official said today that Prince Saud had passed away and that an official statement would be published soon.
Prince Saud, who was appointed in 1975, was the world’s longest serving foreign minister when he was replaced on April 29 by Adel al-Jubeir, the then ambassador to Washington.
Prince Saud served under four Saudi kings, advancing the Kingdom’s foreign policy, especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States.
He was also part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to lessen Iran’s influence in the region, including the continuing conflict in Syria, where Saudi Arabia has been supporting several rebel groups.
As the foreign minister of an important political and economic US ally in the region, Saud was reported to have been well liked and respected in diplomatic circles.
The US embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted the US secretary of state, John Kerry as saying that “Saud was not only the longest serving foreign minister, but was also one of the wisest.” [myad]

Ugandan President Museveni, Clamps Down On Opposition Presidential Candidates Ahead Of Elections

Greenbarge Reporters

July 9, 2015

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni is believed to have began clamp down on opposition Presidential candidates as police in the country have arrested two presidential hopefuls and an aide to one of the politicians ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Reports said that the former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, a challenger to President Yoweri Museveni as the incumbent candidate in the 2016 elections, was arrested while he was on his way to meet supporters in an eastern Ugandan town near the Kenyan border.
The other detainee was three-time presidential candidate, Kizza Besigye who has been detained for his political activities numerous times. He was arrested outside his home near Kampala, the Ugandan capital as he headed out to address a rally, according to his aide Francis Mwijukye.
Andrew Felix Kawesi, Uganda Police operations commander, appeared on local television station NSB confirming the arrests to journalists in Njeru, a town just outside Kampala.
“I am telling you … I am the police and I have arrested him. He has to stick to what the law requires … there’s no going to Mbale. He’s now under incarceration,” Kawesi said.
Mbabazi was travelling to Mbale, a town near Uganda’s border with Kenya, to have a consultative meeting with his supporters and promote his candidature.
The police announced in June that Mbabazi was banned from holding meetings about his challenge to Museveni, because their party had yet to nominate a candidate.
Mbabazi had a good relationship with Museveni, who has been Uganda’s leader since 1986. Ties between them have been strained in recent years because Museveni accused Mbabazi of making decisions in the ruling party without consulting him. Museveni sacked Mbabazi from the Prime Minister position in 2014.
There are concerns within the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), that President Museveni is grooming his son to be president when he dies. President Museveni has been Uganda’s head of state since he overthrew President Milton Obote in a 1986 coup.
The ruling National Resistance Movement has endorsed Museveni to represent them in next year’s election.
There are concerns within the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), that President Museveni is grooming his son to be president when he dies. President Museveni has been Uganda’s head of state since he overthrew President Milton Obote in a 1986 coup. [myad]

Army Announces Arrest Of Boko Haram Kingpin That Bombed Zaria, Jos

Greenbarge Reporters

July 8, 2015

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of three suspects, including their kingpin who bombed Zaria in Kaduna state and in Jos, the capital of Plateau state within the week.
The suspects were caught by troops in a trailer at a checkpoint in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the suspects were already “being processed for further action.”
The statement reads: “Please recall that on Sunday, 5th July 2015, suspected Boko Haram terrorists carried out coordinated bomb and gun attacks on worshippers at Ýan Taya Mosque, Dillimi Street, off Bauchi Road, Jos , where the holy month of Ramadan tafsir was holding, and Shagalinku Restaurant, along Bauchi Road, Jos, Plateau State which led to death of over 48 persons, injuring several other persons and destruction of property.
“Similarly, the terrorists carried out another bomb attack on hapless workers undergoing verification exercise at Sabon Gari local government secretariat, Zaria, Kaduna State which resulted in the death of over 25 people including a two-year-old child and destruction of property.
“Consequently, security cordon was established in the general areas especially along Bauchi, Gombe and the North-Eastern part of the country by troops of 3 Division and Special Task Force, as well as the Department of State Services.
“This culminated in the successful arrest of the mastermind of the heinous terrorist acts and two of his accomplices at a checkpoint in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State.
“The terrorist kingpin and his colleagues who disguised in a trailer while trying to evade checks were fished out by troops of Nigerian Army.
“The arrested terrorists are currently being processed for further action and would soon face the full wrath of the law.
“The general public are hereby please requested to be more vigilant, security conscious and report any suspicious persons, movements, and facilities to the security agencies.” [myad]

Microsoft To Sack 7,800 Employees Worldwide

Greenbarge Reporters

July 8, 2015

Microsoft boss, Satya Nadella, is set to downsize the computer software giant’s workforce, with up to 7,800 people to be laid off globally, the company announced Wednesday morning. Most of the jobs are within its smartphone hardware business.
Microsoft (MSFT, Tech30) had 118,600 employees as of March 30, with about 60,000 workers in the United States. The job cuts represent about 7 per cent of its staff.
This will be Nadella’s second major restructuring. He announced 18,000 layoffs in Nokia’s devices and services business last year, following Microsoft’s acquisition of the handset maker.
Former Microsoft head Steve Ballmer’s purchase of Nokia was one of his most criticised deals. Analysts attacked him for hampering the firm with an aging legacy business.
“It is a deal that makes no sense,” Ben Thompson, an independent analyst, wrote when the acquisition was first announced. “Adding on a mobile phone business that Microsoft probably should abandon is like attaching an anchor to said straitjacket and tossing the patient into the ocean.”
After Nadella took over Microsoft, he made it clear that he would have to make aggressive changes to revitalise the company. The company’s focus is now on cloud services and mobile software.
“We are moving from a strategy to grow a standalone phone business to grow and create a vibrant Windows ecosystem,” Nadella said inWednesday’s announcement. “In the near-term, we’ll run a more effective and focused phone portfolio while retaining capability for long-term reinvention in mobility.”
The latest cuts may be especially detrimental to Finland, where many of Nokia’s employees work.
Pekka Pekkala, the communications head for the country’s prime minister, said on Twitter that 66 percent of Microsoft’s Finland staff would be dismissed.
“Finland loses 2,300 jobs…pretty much killing the city of Salo,” Pekkala tweeted. [myad]

BringBackOurGirls Group Demands Apology From Former President Jonathan For Laxity

Greenbarge Reporters

July 8, 2015

The BringBackOurGirls (BBOG), a campaign group for the return of the over 200 school girls abducted by Boko Haram from Chibok, has demanded an apology from the government of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for laxity in addressing the issue before it turned into complex matter.
The group, led by a former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, marched en-mass to the Presidential Villa today, where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari and made it clear that the apology is needed also for the failure of governance that led to the abduction.
They also demanded an apology for the failure of governance that caused failure to rescue the girls for over 400 days and asked the government to come out with; strategies for curbing the emergence, and growth of curious sects.
The group also wanted the government to immediately set up a structured feedback and communication system that is composed of the Federal and Borno State Governments through designated security and ministerial authorities, the parents of the abducted girls.
The group said there should a feedback mechanism so that the affected parents and the public can have regular updates on efforts to rescue the 219 ChibokGirls.
The group requested President Buhari to personally visit Chibok to make him have a first-hand impression of the plight of the families who lost their children a year ago. The girls were abducted on April 14, 2014.
The failure of then President Goodluck Jonathan to visit the community, and his handling of the Boko Haram crisis, drew wide national and international condemnation. The former president also refused to meet with the BringBackOurGirls group.
“The entire Chibok community anxiously requests that Mr. President visit Chibok within the first 100 days of this administration to have a first-hand view of the plight of our people, while we look forward to the safe return of our daughters very soon,” said Dauda Illiya, who spoke on behalf of Kibaku Area Development Association, an association of indigenes of Chibok community.
Responding, President Buhari said that the issue of the Chibok abduction was handled by the Jonathan government with levity, saying that the conflicting report between the security agencies and the federal government had put the country in bad light locally and internationally.
“The delayed and late reaction by former government and its agencies was very unfortunate” he said.
He however assured that his government will do its best to restore the respectability of the country and its institutions, adding that strategies, which cannot be made public at the time, have been put in place to defeat the Boko Haram scourge.
The President said that he was pleased that the Boko Haram terrorists were blowing up themselves in the process of their attacks and should “change their names from Boko Haram to something else, because no religion will kill the innocents.
“You can’t go and kill innocent people and say Allahu Akbar! It’s either you don’t believe it or you don’t know what you are saying. So, it has nothing to do with religion, they are just terrorist and Nigeria will demobilise all of them.” [myad]

Senate Gives CBN Marching Order: Retrieve N30 Billion Waivers By Jonathan To Rice Importers

Greenbarge Reporters

July 8, 2015

The Senate has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to collaborate with the Nigerian Customs Service to retrieve about N30 Billion allegedly granted as waivers by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to some firms, which imported rice into the country.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, gave the order at a news briefing today after a three-hour meeting between the upper chamber and the management of the CBN, led by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Saraki said that the meeting deliberated extensively on the specific steps needed to be taken in order to diversify the nation’s economy from import dependent to export-based with priority given to locally produced agriculture and textile products.
“We must also show the big signals in things that will bring out the success of this policy. For example, you (CBN team) brought to our notice, the issue of the waivers on taxes and duties especially on rice, which is about N30bn that were granted to certain companies. This money must be paid back to the Federal Government.
“We have mentioned this to the Governor of Central Bank. It will be our resolve too after we resume to get the Nigerian Customs to act on this. Even before that, we cannot be taking some of these top positions while some people will get away and will not pay what they are supposed to pay, what they should return to government.
“We have told the governor of CBN as well. He should also go and collaborate with Customs to ensure that this N30bn come back to the government coffers. So that we will be seen to be doing things to make this policy successful.”
Senator Saraki made it clear that the Buhari administration is committed to the policy which was intended to encourage local production of some selected items, particularly key ones that has to do with agricultural products like rice, chicken, palm oil, and even in the areas of textiles.
He said the policy was a step taken in the right direction to help the economy in the area of import and export substitution. [myad]

Court Locks Up Ex Imo Governor, Ohakim Over Alleged Money Laundering

Greenbarge Reporters

July 8, 2015

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that a former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over money laundering charges.
Ohakim was arrested by the EFCC yesterday alongside his colleague, the former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako and his son, Abdul-aziz. They were arraigned in court today, Wednesday.
The judge, Ademola Adeniyi, ordered that Ohakim should remain in the custody of the commission until tomorrow for hearing on his bail application.
Ohakim is accused of making a cash payment to the tune of $2, 290,000.00 (about N270,000,000.00) for the purchase of a property at Plot Number 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as Number 60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro in Abuja.
The amount is above the threshold approved for an individual, going by the provisions of Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
The former governor is also accused of deliberately neglecting to disclose all his assets in the declaration submitted to the EFCC.
One of the three count charges against him reads: “That you, Ikedi Ohakim, on or about the January 26, 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, while under arrest for an offence under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004 knowingly failed to make a full disclosure of your assets by not declaring your ownership of the property known and described as Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District- it is also known as No.60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(3)(c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004 and punishable under the same section.”
The former governor pleaded not guilty to all the three charges against him.
In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison custody pending trial.
However, Mr. Adeniyi ordered that Ohakim be remanded in the EFCC Custody and adjourned hearing on the bail application to Thursday.
Similarly, former governor Nyako of Adamawa State, his son and two others, were also remanded in EFCC’s custody by Justice Kanu Agabi of the same Federal High Court in Abuja.
They are facing criminal charges bordering on laundering N15 billion. The hearing on their bail application was adjourned till Friday. [myad]

Group Raises Eye-Brow Over Alleged Fraudulent Sale Of 3 Oil Mining Leases To Mobile Producing Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

July 8, 2015

A coalition of over hundred and fifty Anti-corruption organizations under the umbrella of Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has raised eye brow over the alleged fraudulent renewal of three oil mining leases to Mobile Producing Nigeria at $600 Million. The three oil mining leases are OMLs 67, 68 & 70.
The group said that it’s primary aim is to constructively combat corruption vigorously and ensure the effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption and contribute towards the enthronement of transparency, accountability, probity and total commitment in the fight to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
In a petition to the Economic and Financail Crime Commission (EFCC), titled: Request To Investigate Act Of Economic Sabotage And Fraud Regarding The Renewal Of Three Oil Mining Leases (OMLs 67, 68 & 70) For Mobile Producing Nigeria For 600 Million US Dollars, the group wanted EFCC to investigate “this act of economic sabotage fraud.”
The petition which dated June 29 and signed by the chairman of the group,
Olanrewaju Suraju reads in part:
“It was widely reported in the media sometime ago that the Federal Government had renewed three Oil Mining Leases OMLs 67, 68 & 70) for Mobil Producing Nigeria. However, the details of the terms of the renewed leases were not disclosed to the press.
“It would be recalled that based on the valuation conducted by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mobil and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as equity holders, were required to pay $6.375 billion as 100% of the reserve fee. Mobil’s 40% share in the lease was fixed at $2.55 billion and a commitment to invest additional sum of $1.2 billion in a refinery and gas infrastructure for the domestic market.
“But Mobil rejected the said terms and paid $600 million for the renewal of the three oil blocks which have a combined output of 580,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Curiously, the payment was accepted by the then Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, who purportedly signed the deal.
“However, the predecessor of the erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Resources refused to endorse this questionable and shady transaction. The said leases were however, renewed for 20 years by the erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Resources on behalf of the Government of the Federation.
“In the light of the foregoing, and in view of the demand of the Nigerian people for the transparent management of the oil and gas industry, we are compelled to request that you investigate this act of economic sabotage fraud regarding the renewal of the said three Oil Mining Leases (OMLs 67, 68 & 70) for Mobil Producing Nigeria. More so, that a Chinese company had offered to pay the difference of $4.85 billion for 30% equity interest in the NNPC-Mobil Joint Venture.” [myad]

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