A former Minister of Niger Affairs, Mr.
Godsday Orubebe, has appealed his conviction by the Code of Conduct
Tribunal for failing to declare his Plot 2057, Asokoro District, to the
Code of Conduct Bureau.
As punishment, the Danladi Umar-led CCT
had in its judgment delivered on October 4, 2016, ordered that the
property which the former minister failed to declare be forfeited to the
Federal Government.
In a notice of appeal filed by his
lawyer, Selekeowei Larry (SAN), before the Abuja Division of the Court
of Appeal on Wednesday, Orubebe sought an order setting aside the
October 4, 2016 judgement of the CCT.
He raised three grounds of appeal,
arguing among others, that the tribunal misdirected itself in reaching
its decision that was not supported by evidence led by the prosecution.
Orubebe argued that the tribunal erred
in law when it held that the prosecution proved its case and ordered the
forfeiture of the property in issue, Plot 2057 Asokoro District, to the
Federal Government.
The former minister argued that the CCT
convicted him “without any proof of the offence, thereby occasioning
gross miscarriage of justice.”
He argued that he neither acquired the
Plot 2057 corruptly nor even purchased it, but was a gift to him by the
Federal Government.
Orubebe said he led credible evidence,
which the prosecution did not fault, about how he sold the house to a
company called Divention Properties Limited, with the company’s Managing
Director, Akinwumi Ajibola, testifying to that effect during trial.
He faulted the CCT for holding that he
remained the owner of the plot of land on the grounds that Divention, to
who the property was sold, did not effect change of ownership.
He said, “Not only were the deed of
assignment, deed of sale and Power of Attorney tendered and admitted in
evidence, defence witnesses one and two (Ajibola and Orubebe) testified
to the transaction without any contradiction.
“There is no time limit for regularisation of title at the Land Registry.”
Orubebe further argued against the
decision of the CCT, to the effect that it erred in law when, rather
than keeping itself within the evidence before it and the Code of
Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCB/T) Act, it went and relied on the Land
Instrument Registration Act (LIRA), without hearing from counsel on both
sides.
The Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied
Natural Gas Limited, Tony Attah, has linked the company’s success to
the NLNG Act and the shareholding and governance structure of the
company.
Attah was quoted in a statement issued
on Wednesday after he spoke during a technical session chaired by the
Group Managing Director, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, at the ongoing 22nd
Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, under the theme, ‘Creating a global
Champion from Made in Nigeria: The NLNG story’.
He said that the NLNG Act provided
incentives, assurances and guarantees which significantly encouraged
investment in the project.
He added that experience had clearly
shown that countries could not hope to legislate investments into
existence without addressing issues relating to incentives, guarantees,
and assurances.
Attah said, “These incentives made it
attractive for the international investors and financiers to invest even
during a period Nigeria was perceived to be a pariah state. Those
investments grew and they resulted in an inspirational Nigerian success
story that the company is today, with assets now worth over $13bn.
“The ownership mix, with the Nigerian
government, through the National Oil Company owning just 49 per cent,
and having international companies owning 51 per cent has brought
tremendous benefits. Most importantly, it has allowed significant
funding through international banks required for the construction of
both the plants and the ships.
“Secondly, such a mix has ensured that
the international companies bring to bear on the company, international
standards and best practices.
“Thirdly, with a significant
shareholding, the government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation, has been able to drive the national agenda for social and
nationalistic causes such as the ‘Nigerianisation’ plan. That plan has
directly resulted in a corps of well-trained Nigerian professionals,
many of whom have had the opportunity to understudy and eventually
succeed expatriates over a period of time.”
He noted that 18 years after the major
breakthrough which the NLNG represented, certain stakeholders in the
country had continued to make attempts to undermine the Act.
He added that the courts had been firm
on the provisions of the Act in instances where court cases were
instituted by third parties to compel the company to pay levies.
There was palpable tension in Enugu on
Wednesday as the state began the recruitment of neighbourhood watch
members in all its communities.
Our correspondent learnt that a total of
25,000 persons, mostly able-bodied young men, are to be recruited
across the state to form neighbourhood security outfits.
No fewer than 50 persons are to be selected to serve in each of the 470 communities in the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the development followed a directive by the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Although, the plan to form the security
outfits was mostly informed by the need to forestall herdsmen attacks in
the state, our correspondent learnt the move was also to check other
criminal activities.
The selected neighbourhood watch members
are to be trained by retired military and police officers on basic
security procedures, including handling of light weapons, among others.
An undisclosed sum would be paid to the
neighbourhood watch members, as stipend from contributions that would be
made by the state government, local councils and the communities.
Our correspondent gathered that although
many people welcomed the establishment of the neighbourhood security
outfit, the method being used in selecting members is causing tension
and disaffection in various communities.
It was learnt that traditional rulers
have been asked to recruit the 50 persons that would make up their
community security units. Sources in some of the communities revealed
that some prominent community members were opposed to the arrangement.
They fear traditional rulers might fill the entire slots with their
cronies.
A chief in one of the communities in the
Nkanu area of Enugu, who did not wish to be named, told our
correspondent, “It is a known fact that most of the traditional rulers
are not on good terms with their subjects, and as a result of this, it
would not be safe to allow them to pick members of the neighbourhood
watch.
“Tomorrow, they can turn those boys into a private army and use them to victimise their opponents or anybody they don’t like.”
The President of Nsukka Development Congress, Chief John Onyishi, voiced similar concerns in a chat with journalists.
Onyishi said, “Over 50 per cent of
traditional rulers in Enugu State are engaged in disputes with their
chiefs and other subjects.
“Nobody will allow his enemy to guard
him and asking traditional rulers to produce names of such neighbourhood
watch members is suicidal. It is like committing mass suicide.”
Another community leader in the Udi
area, who equally spoke on the matter but wished not to be named, said
other stakeholders, apart from the traditional rulers, should be allowed
to contribute to the selection of members of the neighborhood watch
units.
When contacted over the development, the
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr.
Louis Amoke, said he would get back to our correspondent. But he had not
done that as of the time of filing this report.
THERE was a minor fire incident on Wednesday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The incident was said to have happened at about 3pm at the Police Observatory located at the back gate of the Government House.
A statement signed by the Special
Assistant to the State Governor on Electronic media, Mr. Simeon
Nwakaudu, indicated that the minor fire incident was caused by power
surge.
The power surge, according to the statement, led to the malfunctioning of an air conditioner attached to the police post.
Nwakaudu pointed out that the situation was immediately contained by the fire fighters at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
“Nobody was injured by the incident and government activities are going on unhindered.
“A detailed investigation into the cause
of the minor fire incident has been ordered by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo
Wike,” the statement read.
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission has declared a manhunt for business mogul, Goodie Ibru, over
alleged diversion of billions of naira and assets belonging to the Ikeja
Hotels Plc.
The Ikeja Hotels Plc are the owners of the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and the Federal Palace Hotel, Abuja.
Investigations revealed that Ibru was
declared wanted in relation with a case of alleged conspiracy, capital
market fraud, diversion of billions of funds and assets belonging the
Ikeja Hotels Plc.
A top operative of the commission said
that the commission decided to declare Ibru wanted when the commission’s
efforts to arrest him failed.
The source said, “Goodie Ibru has been declared wanted by the commission.
“The case against him is conspiracy to commit capital market fraud, diversion of funds.
“He is wanted for diverting billions of
naira and assets of Ikeja Hotel Plc, the owner of Sheraton Hotel and
Federal Palace Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“Of course, efforts were made to arrest
him . How can you declare somebody wanted without first making efforts
to get the person?”
The Head of Media and Publicity of the
EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the business man had been
declared wanted by the commission.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State
has asked two newly appointed permanent secretaries to be efficient and
add value to the state’s public service.
Ambode, who said the state public
service was the backbone of his administration, urged the appointees to
sustain the tradition and ensure improved service delivery to the
public.
The appointees are Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi,
the PS in charge of Civil Service Commission; and Mrs. Anike Adekanye,
the PS/Tutor General, Education District Five.
They were sworn in by the governor on Wednesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Lagos House, Ikeja.
Ambode said, “A major pilot in the
successes so far achieved is the vibrant state public service. Our
public service ranks among the largest and most effective in Nigeria in
terms of service delivery. Our public service has continued to maintain
this reputation because we have always upheld best practices and given
priority to training and equipping our officers.
“More importantly, we have ensured that
only competent and qualified officers with proven capacity to interpret
and implement government policies and programmes are appointed to
leadership positions.”
He described the officials as worthy of the appointment and urged them not to betray the confidence reposed in them.
The governor also warned the appointees
to be conscious of their conduct thenceforth as they would be subjected
to scrutiny by the public.
“You have been elevated to the highest
career position in the state public service and from now on, all your
actions and inactions will come under intense public scrutiny. I urge
you not to relent in maintaining integrity and productivity that
distinguished you for the appointments. Bring on board added value and
relate with other members of the body of permanent secretaries in
upholding the tradition of excellence for which the state public service
is known for,” he added
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| patience jonathan |
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission on Wednesday vowed that the wife of ex-President Goodluck
Jonathan, Patience, will never go scot-free if its investigation against
her produces evidence that she was involved in any corrupt practices.
The EFCC Deputy Director of Operations,
Mr. Iliyasu Kwarbai, said this after receiving a petition against
Patience and the ruling All Progressives Congress from a group of
protesters, under the aegis of Human Rights Defenders and Advocacy
Centre, who marched to the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The group submitted a petition titled,
“Demand for arrest, prosecution of Patience Jonathan, probe of the APC
campaign funds and no more sacred cows in the anti-corruption crusade.”
In the said petition signed by its
President, Queen Ameh, and the Chairman of its Board of Trustees,
Innocent Agbo, the HRDAC accused the EFCC of being selective in its
anti-graft war, and wondered why Patience was still walking freely in
spite of the evidence, which they said the EFCC had against her.
The HRDAC asked the EFCC to change its
slogan, “Nobody is above the law,” since it had found it difficult to go
after the likes of Patience, ex-Presidents, including Ibrahim
Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck
Jonathan.
The protesters also challenged the EFCC
to probe the source of the election campaign funds of the ruling APC in
the 2015 elections, while also demanding a probe of the national leader
of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the ex-Rivers State Governor,
Rotimi Amaechi.
Addressing the EFCC, Agbo said, “You
have found evidence incriminating Patience Jonathan but we are surprised
that Patience Jonathan is still allowed to be walking freely, and even
had the audacity to take the EFCC to court to demand the release of her
money to her.
“I have been to this same EFCC to bail
several people over the issue of N500,000 passing through their accounts
innocently. They were invited, they came voluntarily and you people
held them. But we have somebody with our money, $15m which is N6bn,
walking freely. We have the issue of Badamasi Babangida; it is open
knowledge that N12bn gulf money was missing under his regime, nothing is
done; we are aware of Obasanjo and the $16bn power funds, you people
are not investigating it; we are aware of the petition against Amaechi
to the EFCC; we are aware that the APC did not get the funds for its
election campaign from only Buhari’s account. We are aware that you are
probing the Peoples Democratic Party, why are you not probing the APC?”
In response, Kwarbai said the EFCC was
not selective in its anti-graft fight, explaining that it does not
arrest people arbitrarily but worked based on petitions submitted to it.
He also said the general public might
not understand that investigation of crime was a long process, which he
said, involved visit to so many establishments and institutions.
He said, “Let me tell you, there is no
sacred cow; anybody who is found wanting, who involves himself or
herself in corrupt practices will not be spared. I have received your
petition, it is here and what do we do? We go into investigation
immediately. Now we have seen the name of Patience Jonathan; it is here.
If she is found wanting, she will never go scot-free. So also any other
person no matter how highly placed he is.
“We must sanitise our country and
provide a very good environment that people can come and invest in; an
economy that is devoid of any economic and financial crime. So, we are
happy to see you here; we have received it and we are going to go into
action. I am going to inform my chairman that you were here and that
we’ll commence investigation immediately.”
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