FG freezes Jonathan’s associates’ accounts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secretly frozen the bank accounts of former President Jonathan’s associates. It learnt that the move by the anti-graft agency was aimed at scuttling the transfer of the alleged looted funds from the accounts for other reasons

A member of a transition committee of the All Progressives Congress on Friday, said the need had become necessary in view of the magnitude of the alleged theft of public resources by the affected persons.

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The APC chieftain spoke on the heels of the condemnation of President Buhari’s ongoing probe of the last administration of the Peoples Democratic Party and recovery of funds looted by public officials.

The source, who is now in the Presidency, said although he could not confirm if Jonathan’s recent meeting with Buhari discussed the issue, the action to ‘flag’ the said accounts of his associates might have been for security reasons.

The source also said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party was ignorant of the workings of the Federal Government, especially on security.

The source added, 

“This is not a matter of lobby or any politics that should be shoved aside; what is at stake is the nation’s security and nothing more.

“When the PDP says the current anti-corruption drive is selective, we continue to laugh at them because they do not seem to know what is at stake at all. If only they know, all the noise they have been making won’t be made at all.

“How many of these PDP elements know that just one individual benefitted from a single NIMASA transaction to the tune of N13bn, not to talk of about $57m he was said to have benefitted from controversial contract deals?

“Are these the things they ask us to sweep under the carpet? Certainly, we cannot because apart from the angle of the impunity and financial recklessness, does it make any sense if any responsible government allows such individuals, who had threatened war in the event that Jonathan did not win to have such huge sums in bank vaults? Such accounts must be flagged, of course.”

However, the PDP has asked President Buhari to follow the rule of law in his government’s determination to fight corruption.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh, in an interview with a Pucnh correspondent on Saturday night, asked the President not to spare anyone, including his friends and members of the ruling APC in the crusade.

Metuh said:

“We are not against the war against corruption, but what we are saying is that the President must follow the rule of law.

“The law says every accused person is innocent until proven otherwise. Then, the President must also look at his party; he shouldn’t spare his friends.

“If any of our members is found to be corrupt, let them face the law of the land. But no one should be tagged as being corrupt when the court has not said so.”

He also asked the President to fund the anti-corruption agencies adequately, while saying that the agencies should also conduct what he described as “water-tight investigations” before rushing to the court.

Source: Punch

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ICPC begins probe on Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Chima and Shema's government

The independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) have commenced investigations into the administrations of four past governors namely Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano.

According to a source who spoke with Vanguard, a team of investigators departed the commission's headquarters in Abuja on Monday August 31st to the various states to investigate petitions over alleged misappropriation of funds and contract scam during the past governors administrations.

“We will ensure that we thoroughly investigate all allegations brought before us so that no body would be left in doubt about our commitment to fighting corruption. The chairman has dispatched a team to the affected states and they are expected to report back in the next two weeks. No body would be spared if found culpable” the source said.

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Can Fashola really go to jail? Etcetera

This is an article written by Etcetera.

The APC is now being haunted by the saying, “When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you.”

If it knew, it wouldn’t have accused Goodluck Jonathan of running a very corrupt government. Most times, we forget to listen to the voice of reason that says, “Look in the mirror, brother. You might just be talking about yourself.”
It is now clear that the APC focused on the speck in Jonathan’s eye and ignored the log in their own eyes.” Who would have thought that just few weeks into a new regime in Lagos State, Fashola would be engulfed with the following accusations – Drilling of just two bore holes with N139m, remodelling and equipping of the official residence of the state’s Chief Judge at N510m, reconstructing of a car park with N640m, spending N300m to relocate cables, N175m to replace the railings of a pedestrian bridge, N220m on the facility management of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, N619m on surface repair of a road, N1.2bn on the construction of an unidentified multi-storey building, N1.6bn on the construction of a 48-bedroom hotel.

These things don’t seem like what a person as intelligent as the former governor would do; especially for those of us who regard him as one of the very few bright spots of our democracy. In fact, I am still of the belief that in the annals of corrupt governors in Nigeria, his place remains to be seen. But the question here is, can the Lagos State government come out with such weighty accusations without having evidence to back them up?
 

It was in the papers that “some in the former governor’s circle” are worried he might face charges. If that happens and if he is found guilty and if it results in conviction and if he ends up in prison-yes, four ifs-then considering his achievements in Lagos State, all other former governors from other states (especially the eastern states) should have long since been in jail awaiting his company. But yet again, does any governor go to jail in Nigeria?
 

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Over drinks at a bar around Omole Estate, Ikeja last Monday, a friend who works in one of the ministries at Alausa laughed as he finished off his beer.
 

“Everything’s messed up, and nobody goes to jail,” he said. “Etcetera, that’s your whole article right there. Hell, you don’t even have to write anything more. Just write that.”
 

I put down my phone. “Just that?”
 

“That’s right,” he said, signalling to the waitress for the cheque. “Everything’s messed up, and nobody goes to jail. You can end the piece right there.”
 

Sounds funny but sincerely, “Nobody goes to jail” should be the mantra of our democracy, one that has seen virtually almost every public office holder embroiled in obscene criminal scandals — and nobody went to jail. Nobody, that is, except Alamieyeseigha, and that was probably because of the attention he brought on the nation as a result of his dress sense from the UK. And the Federal Government has apologised for the mistake by granting him full pardon.
 

If Fashola is found guilty of these allegations, he should face the music. That’s the way the system is supposed to work. But a veritable mountain of evidence indicates that when it comes to government officials, the justice system not only buckles at punishing criminals, it has actually evolved into a highly effective mechanism for protecting them.

This institutional reality has absolutely nothing to do with politics or ideology — it takes place no matter who’s in office or which party is in power.

To understand how the machinery functions, you have to look back, at least, at Obasanjo’s time in Aso Rock, as case after case of financial malfeasance was pursued too slowly or not at all. Indeed, the shocking pattern of no enforcement with regard to corrupt public officials is so deeply ingrained in our democracy that it raises a profound and difficult question about the very nature of our society: whether we have created a class of people whose misdeeds are no longer perceived as crimes, almost no matter what those misdeeds are.

The Justice Department has evolved into a bizarre species of social surgeon serving this untouchable class.

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Shun corruption or quit, Buhari warns civil servants

President Buhari has warned civil servants to shun corrupt practices or be shown the way out of the civil service. The permanent secretary in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Muhammed Bukar, who spoke with NAN, said President Buhari gave the warning while receiving notes on the activities of the General Services Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“We have received a mandate to work harder. He has given us a very strong warning that change has come and every public servant has to sit up. We will give our best to support the government. We told him what we have been doing in support of the government’s policies and the president promised to give us the support and the political will to do our job better.’’he said

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FG Names 13-Man Panel To Probe Yar’Adua, Jonathan

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, set up a 13-member panel to probe two of his predecessors, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on procurement of arms and ammunition for the Armed Forces.
The investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.
The committee, which was constituted by the the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd), on the directive of the President, is headed by AVM J.O.N. Ode (retd.) while Brig-Gen. Y. I. Shalangwa is secretary, Mr. I. Magu (EFCC) amongst other members.
A statement from the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said
“The establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service.
“It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects on troops’ morale.
“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment”
The Presidency declared that Buhari’s administration is not a government of probes but of due process, law and order.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who spoke yesterday stated that the administration of President Buhari will not shy away from probing the government of former President Jonathan in the face of alleged fraud and corruption.
He said this following an accusation of selective probe against Buhari by a prominent northern leader, Tanko
Yakassai.
The presidential aide said there are sensitive matters arising from briefings and official engagements, which the President cannot overlook.
He said:
“Let me say that officially, nobody is under probe, even Dr. Jonathan. People should not make mistakes about the fact that what is going on are routine investigations. These are matters that the President has found on the table.
“So, there is nothing like a probe. If Jonathan will be probed, you would have heard of, may be, an administrative panel of enquiry or judicial panel of enquiry. But it hasn’t come to that. These are matters of routine engagements of due process of law and order.
“President Buhari in his campaign said his government was not going to probe into the past. We are not probing but as a responsible government, you cannot bring to the table matters such as we are dealing with and then, the President will wave them off.
“The Office of the President may be powerful but it is controlled, regulated by due process and the constitution of the country. The President cannot wave away matters that are arising from either handing-over or the routine briefings. How can anybody say he was part of the Obasanjo military regime and that’s why he’s not probing them?
Speaking further, he said:
“Let me tell you, if Obasanjo and Yar’Adua and all of the past governments before Jonathan needed to have been probed, why did Jonathan shy away from his responsibility? Why didn’t he probe them while he was in office? Why didn’t Tanko Yakassai ask Jonathan to probe Yar’Adua, Babangida, Obasanjo? Why do they have to wait for Buhari to come and do what he should have done?
“It is common sense. So, if he didn’t probe them, why should his people ask some other person to probe them? If they felt it was desirable to probe the past administration, as a party, why didn’t they do it themselves? Why do they have to wait for President Buhari?
“This is not a government of probes. It is a government of due process and law and order. President Buhari is dealing with the matters he has found on the table and he has no power under the constitution to wave them. If somebody had stolen Nigeria’s one billion dollars of oil, President Buhari is not authorized to wave it off under the law. He should ask questions.
There is no probe going on now. People who are creating the spectre of probes in the country just want to create unnecessary fear.”

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Photos: Some of the vehicles recovered by Bauchi Governor from his predecessor, Isa Yuguda

According to the man who shared the photo, Sageer Tafawa-BaLewa, these are allegedly some of the vehicles recovered by the present Bauchi State Governor from his predecessor, Mallam Is a Yuguda. See more pics after the cut...

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EFCC chairman accused of diverting N1trillion loot recovered from corrupt politicians

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, has been accused of diverting over N1tn recovered from corrupt politicians who forfeited their loots. A man named George Uboh recently petitioned the Senate, accusing the chairman of the anti-graft agency of diverting money recovered from corrupt politicians including former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and ex-Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun.

The Senate having received the petition which was dated July 31st, ordered its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the allegations. Both the petitioner and Mr Lamorde have been invited to appear by the Senate committee at Meeting Room 120 of the New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex, on Wednesday August 26th for some questioning.

According to the petition which was addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Mr Lamorde is accused of carrying out many diversions while he served as the Director of Operations of the EFCC between 2003 and 2007 and also as an acting Chairman of the commission between June 2007 and May 2008.

The petitioner alleged that in March 2013, the EFCC boss diverted the sum of N779m out of the total N3bn forfeited by former police chief, Tafa Balogun to the Federal Government. He also alleged that the EFCC boss conspired with some officials of the anti-graft agency to under-remit the former IG’s forfeited funds of about N5.85bn into the Consolidated Revenue Account by holding back about N2.65bn.

The petitioner assured the Senate that he was ready to provide unparalleled evidence to back his allegations against Lamorde. Both men are expected to appear before the Senate by 10am on Wednesday August 26th.

Source: Punch

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Fashola spent N139million on two boreholes - Lagos Government

Another accusation against former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola. According to a report by Punch, the Lagos State Government is accusing Fashola of spending N139million on the drilling of two boreholes at the Lagos House, Ikeja. Report below...

The project was completed by Deux Projects Limited according to a report published by the state government. The report, which was part of the awarded contracts by the Lagos State Tenders Board in 2013, was seen on the website of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.

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Why Amaechi is fighting & wants to stop Wike probe commission

This is a press statement. Read below..

The immediate past governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has again explained why he is opposed to and wants to stop the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by his successor, Nyesom Wike to probe some selected government transactions, while Amaechi was governor.

In a statement released by the former governor’s media office Sunday, Amaechi reiterated and emphasized that he’s not afraid of a fair and decent probe or investigation or inquiry of his administration; and would cooperate and support such probe or investigation or inquiry in as much as it’s done within the ambits of our laws.

The statement continues:

“However what Wike has set out to do is anything but a fair probe. The commission will not be fair to Amaechi because it was set up to indict him. Wike had repeatedly held that Amaechi, the person to be investigated, acted illegally in the disbursement of public funds and that Amaechi ran a corrupt government. Clearly, Wike has prejudged the matter and showed his bias that Amaechi is guilty even before investigations. This means Wike, with his prejudiced, made up mind has taken a position of a guilty verdict even before the outcome is known or established.”

“The same Wike who had adjudged the yet-to-be-investigated conduct of Amaechi as illegal and Amaechi as corrupt, is the same person that has gone ahead to set up a commission of inquiry and will have the final say on the findings of the commission. What a sham! “

“This bias and predetermined agenda to indict Amaechi is obvious even in the terms of reference of the commission. In one of the defective terms of reference, Wike said the Commission should investigate the circumstances that led to the ‘sale of the state Hotel Olympia’. With a fair and decent probe, the Inquiry should have been ‘to examine (or investigate) the transaction concerning Hotel Olympia’. The difference is so clear: In the former, jaundiced Wike’s Term of Reference, it has been prejudiced and concluded that the Hotel was sold, while in the latter, the Inquiry is open and fair, and may lead to a finding of a sale or a lease or even a gift or even a pledge. Now, having so concluded that Hotel Olympia was sold, would Wike be decent and humble enough to reverse himself if documents showed it was never sold but concessioned or leased? This is one of the dangers of Wike’s commission that harbours a predetermined outcome in the name of
an Inquiry and Amaechi will not subject himself to Wike’s deceit and phony shenanigans. Hotel Olympia was never sold. The hotel was only concessioned (or leased) on the approval of the State Executive Council and not sold.”

“Even while inaugurating his yeoman commission of Inquiry, Wike could not conceal his vendetta agenda. He was clear to the panel members that their job is to indict Amaechi. And to do this his dirty hack job, he got Justice G. O. Omereji(the commission chairman), a man who is well known to harbour a long held, extreme anger, hatred and animosity against former governor Amaechi.  And Justice Omereji has never disguised this his stance and disposition towards Amaechi. As a matter of fact, Justice Omereji even advised a former Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) chairman in Rivers State on measures (to take) against then Governor Amaechi. He had expressed his hatred for Amaechi several times to the NBA chairman who was also an Attorney-General of Rivers State. How can we now expect Justice Omereji to be fair to Amaechi, the person he passionately loathes with extreme malice and venom?”

“Anyone who has been following events in Rivers State knows this Wike probe is just a fraudulent sham, a deceptive mission to indict Amaechi. Wike’s one-point agenda is to go after his predecessor. Immediately Wike took over, he made a show and gave a performance of his false accusations that Amaechi stripped the Governor’s Lodge bare, saying that the former governor stole spoons, plates, knives, cups, mattresses, forks and even curtains from the Governor’s Lodge! However, in the images Wike showed to back his lies, the curtains in the lodge were clearly there, seen and intact. Again, Wike claimed he met a completely empty treasury. That again is another big lie and grand deception. We have said that former governor Amaechi left billions of naira and we even went ahead to mention the banks and give the names of the accounts the money were, as at May 29, 2015. We challenge Wike to publish the statements of these accounts and other Rivers State
government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) accounts as at May 29; to prove his claim and show the public that Amaechi left an empty treasury for him.”

“This Wike’s probe is dead on arrival. It’s ill-conceived and ill-motivated. Wike’s probe is designed to twist and distort, or even completely alter selected legitimate government transactions in his desperation to cook up, and fabricate sham cases of corruption against Amaechi. Wike’s probe commission shall not achieve anything beyond political excitements, entertainment and theatrics.”

“Finally, Amaechi will continue to use every constitutional and legal means available to protect his name and image from this massive smear campaign, State-sponsored onslaught against him by Wike led government whose sole agenda is a desperate search for a Rotimi Amaechi political downfall.”


RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI MEDIA OFFICE
Sunday, August 23, 2015

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President Buhari to set up special courts for looters

According to a report by Punch, the Federal Government might be establishing special courts to try people who have stolen from the country. Buhari may even have started plans to submit a bill on the special anti-corruption courts to the National Assembly. Sources in the know told the newspaper that the government is currently looking for fearless judges that would prosecute these corrupt individuals.

All the states of the federation will have these special courts so FG is looking for 36 incorruptible judges. A source told Punch that Buhari decided to set up the planned special courts because of the long delay by regular courts in deciding corruption-related cases.

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I left N10billion in the state teasury for Wike - Amaechi

Immediate past governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi says contrary to what is being said by Governor Nyesom Wike and his aides, he did not leave the state treasury empty. He said he left behind the sum of N10 billion for the present administration. Amaechi stated this in a statement he released today August 20th

"A total of N7.5 billion cash were left behind as balances in the State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account with Skye Bank, FAAC account with Zenith Bank, balances with Access Bank and funds in the State reserve fund account in First Bank.
This is besides other balances in the state Government House account with Zenith Bank and other government MDA accounts, like the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). By the time you pull all these together, we are looking at readily available cash in the region of eight to ten billion naira left for the Wike administration.”he said

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Kalu Writes Obasanjo: You Are Corrupt Sir!

Kalu.

ANY meaningful probe of corruption in Nigeria must begin with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu has said. Kalu, who alleged instances of corruption against the former Nigerian leader, said the former President fertilized official corruption in the country during his tenure, stressing that it was on the strength of the festering sleaze around Obasanjo that he was moved to draw the former President’s attention to the monumental corruption circulating around his office in 2005.
In the official letter dated September 25, 2005 and addressed to His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, copy of which was made available to The Guardian yesterday, Kalu accused Obasanjo of not only handling major oil deals through his cronies but also preventing the proper auditing of the accounts of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Explaining why he insists Obasanjo should be probed for corruption, Kalu recalled how in a media appearance on the Voice of America, (VOA) in August 2005, he challenged the then President to openly declare his assets, remarking that “an exemplary leader genuinely committed to taking up arms against the invading monster of corruption would have had no hesitation in rising to the call.”
While accusing the former President of owning a foreign account and a platinum credit card, Orji Uzor Kalu added: “The most pressing question I wish to put to you, sir, revolves around your long tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources since 1999. Why has there not been a properly audited account of the Ministry of Petroleum resources since then, despite outcry by the people for this to be done?
“There is indisputable evidence that all the deals in the nation’s oil sector are being handled by you, through your cronies and agents. What about the leakages and the fraud at the NNPC with particular reference to crude oil sales and the accrued commissions? What have you done to check the malfeasance?”
The former Abia governor noted that four years after Obasanjo’s administration embarked upon its anti-corruption crusade, it threatened fire and brimstone with pretentious swagger of a national revolution against corruption, regretting, however, that “the campaigns have not yielded desired results because the entire effort lacks focus and a strong foundation right from the outset.”
Furthermore, Kalu informed Obasanjo: “The most preposterous and incredulous aspect of your anti-corruption campaign” was that while the media was awash with stories connected with the EFCC and ICPC, “corruption is taking root and multiplying daily in many federal establishments, including Aso Villa, the very seat of power, where you reside.”
“I have repeatedly made the observation that corruption is rife among senior officials of government, especially those at the federal level, and among your friends, your business associates and cronies. Around you and in your name have coalesced a few powerful brokers of corrupt practices who peddle your influence and extract billions of naira in the form of oil and gas and defence contract commissions.
“The budget is manipulated at the National Assembly with the active connivance of your surrogates and a few Senators, thereby carting away billions of naira through contract padding or inflation. The felonious activities of this cabal, including the foreign accounts of some of your aides and serving and former ministers are well known to the international community. I would be surprised if you feign ignorance of this unfortunate situation,” Kalu wrote.
Kalu went ahead in the six-page letter to accuse Obasanjo on specific corrupt practices saying: “A few examples are necessary to buttress my case: The Abuja National Stadium, why was the original design for the stadium, which had a five star hotel and which contract was won by a Chinese firm discarded and re-awarded to another foreign construction company based in Nigeria without the component of a five star hotel but at five times the price originally quoted by the Chinese firm? There is unquestionable evidence at my disposal pointing to the fact that mega corruption lies at the base of this dramatic turnabout.
“Why have the operations of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) remained so murky? Who collected the commissions for the sale of Ajaokuta Steel Company and Delta Steel Rolling Mill, Aladja? To what degree would you, Mr. President, defend those transactions as transparent? Who owns Bells University and Bells Secondary School? Who paid for the construction of hostels and gigantic sports complex at the Bells Secondary School? I put it to you sir, that both projects were financed with Nigerian taxpayers’ money through the construction giant, STRABAG, five years ago (2000). What role did a former Minister of Sports play in the whole deal?”

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EFCC invites Saraki's wife and YarAdua's daughter over allegations of fraud

According to a breaking news report by Premium Times, wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Toyin Saraki and one of the daughters of former President Umaru YarÁdua, Zainab Dakingari have been invited by the EFFC over alleged fraud and money laundering.

 

Mrs Toyin Saraki is being invited by the antigraft agency to answer questions regarding some alleged questionable flow of income into some companies which she has interest in. PT reports that Mrs Saraki is due to appear at EFFC's headquarters on July 28

 

Zainab Dakingari who is married to the ex-governor of Kebbi state, Saidu Zakingari is being invited by EFFC to answer questions on an alleged N2 billion fraud which was carried out during her husband's tenure. Zainab was meant to appear before EFCC team today but deferred her appointment till July 27th as she is currently out of the country.

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson acknowledged that new fraud suspects have been invited by the agency

"I’m aware that a new set of suspects w‎ere recently invited. It’s not impossible the two women are among them.” he said

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Okonjo-Iweala denies sending list of corrupt deals done by GEJ administration to Buhari

There were reports last week that former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala sent a list of corrupt deals done during the past administration to President Buhari. Dr Okonjo-Iweala, released a statement through her media aide, Paul Nwabuikwu, discrediting the report. The statement below

The recent report by the integrity-challenged website, Saharareporters and some other media that former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has handed over a “dossier of corrupt deals” perpetrated by the Jonathan administration to President Buhari is completely false and without foundation. This sponsored lie is part of the political attack by the pay masters of Saharareporters against Dr Okonjo-Iweala.
These attacks will continue given that these individuals are bent on a political and personal vendetta against her. Why are they angry? It is simply because she tried to bring integrity and transparency to the management of Nigeria’s public finances which obviously did not suit their interests. Saharareporters which has a long history of publishing falsehoods and distortions against Okonjo-Iweala is a paid tool of these individuals. But the lies of Saharareporters and its cohorts will never stop Okonjo-Iweala from loving her country or make her regret serving it, not once but twice. As always, we are confident that the truth shall prevail. Paul C Nwabuikwu Media Adviser to Dr Okonjo-Iweala

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Niger Delta group claims that Buhari wants to arrest & imprison GEJ

Yesterday, a civil rights organisation, Vanguards of Nigeria’s Democracy, claimed that president Buhari is planning to malign and imprison former president Goodluck Jonathan on fabricated charges

“We, the members of the Vanguards of Nigeria’s Democracy, are aware of some clandestine moves made by the APC-led government to probe, investigate, malign and imprison ex President Jonathan. We are already aware of the trumped-up charges the APC government is leveling against a man who has diligently served the Nigerian state at the highest level of government."


“The APC led government should take notice that the appointments made so far are skewed in favour of the North, as no Ijaw man has been appointed. While an Ijaw President did not discriminate in appointment, President Buhari is implementing a Northern agenda through some of the appointments.” the leader of the group Osaghae Ogiemudia, said in a statement

The group also claimed that the ongoing controversy between former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole over Excess Crude Account and allegations that she spent billions of naira on his re-election, is part of what they want to use against GEJ.

 Reacting, Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said it was 'mere speculation'

“All these are speculations and I cannot react to speculations because there is nothing concrete yet against the former President.”

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Buhari will probe Jonathan's government - Presidency

In an interview with Vanguard, presidential media adviser Femi Adeshina confirmed that president Buhari is planning to probe the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan

He (Buhari) has said it that money in billions of dollars will be recovered. But you know the world is too small a place for anybody to hide if you are running from justice. You will be fished out. So, there is no need that you say they should not be heading for jail if eventually the law goes after them. Very few countries can they hide in and how long will they hide? So, it doesn’t mean that anybody that has ill gotten wealth will not regurgitate it. They will. Remember when he went to Germany for the G7 summit, he met with President Obama and Obama told him to just give us information on where the loot is hidden and we will help you recover it and the government has been working on that. So, that shows that looters will never go free" he said

Asked if Buhari plans to probe administrations before GEJ, Adeshina said

"He can’t afford to go too deep into the past or else it will be destructive for his administration. There are some things you can’t close your eyes to while you don’t want to shine the torchlight into the dark recesses of our past; immediate past where things are evident. The Yoruba have a saying that the corpse we buried, the leg is sticking out and, if you bury a corpse and the leg is sticking out, you can’t pretend. When there are trails all over of the monies in billions and trillions, then a responsible government can’t close its eyes to that.

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Photos: Ex-Jigawa governor Lamido and sons granted N75m bail

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the federal High Court in Abuja today granted former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido and his sons, Aminu and Mustapha N75 million bail. Lamido and his sons are standing trial for allegedly embezzling N1.3 billion public funds while he served as Governor of Jigawa state. The trio were remanded in Kano Prison on July 9th and were flown to Abuja yesterday for their bail hearing today. See more photos after the cut...

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