‘Okah, bomber exchanged 1,126 phone calls in 54 days’

The South African prosecutors in the case against the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mr. Henry Okah, on Thursday tendered more evidence against the terror suspect at a Johanesburg Magistrate’s court.

The evidence includes 1126 telephone calls he made to one of the suspects, Mr. Ben Ebere (aka Ben Jessy), between August 7, 2010 and September 29, 2010. He was also said to have sent 59 Short Message Systems to Ebere between July1 and September 2010.

Ebere and Chima Orlu, who the prosecutors added was also in constant contact with Okah before and on October 1, were declared wanted by the Police shortly after the October 1 twin car bombings that killed 16 people and injured 66 others.

The MEND leader is facing trial in South Africa for allegedly being the mastermind of the blasts. He had on Wednesday told the court that the case against him was flawed.

His brother, Charles, was among a new set of suspects arraigned in secret before an Abuja Magistrate’s court on Thursday.

When the hearing of Okah’s bail application resumed on Thursday in South Africa, the prosecutors tendered a supplementary affidavit revealing his communication, with Orlu and Ebere.

However, the affidavit didn’t state the content of the telephone calls and messages.

According to the affidavit deposed to by Lt. Col. Noel Zeeman of the South African Police Service, Orlu had 43 voice calls and exchanged 27 SMSs with his “co-conspirators and co-perpetrators” on the day of the blasts in Abuja.

The affidavit reads in part, “Orlu‘s telephone records have revealed that he had been in contact with the accused (Okah) on numerous occasions leading up to October 1.

“Of greater significance is that Orlu had sent an SMS message to the accused (Okah) at precisely 10. 58:59am on Oct. 1, 2010.

“This SMS was followed by another SMSs from Orlu at 13. 13:01am and again at 13. 29:59pm the same day.”

It said that SMSs were also sent to Orlu by Okah on September 30, 2010 at 12.38:11p.m and on October 1 at 6.02:39am, 7.40:20am, 7.41:22am and 7.41:35am.

The affidavit which was tendered by the prosecution council, Shaun Abrahams, added that Okah had 1, 126 telephone calls with Ebere between August 7 and September 29, 2010. He was also said to have exchanged 59 SMSs with Ebere between July 1 and September 2010.

Zeeman said, “Ebere had been in contact with the accused right up to Sept. 29 2010. There were 1,126 calls from the accused to Ebere during the period, from August 7, 2010 to Sept. 29, 2010.

“There were also 59 SMSs sent from the accused to Ebere during the period July 1, 2010 and September 2010.”

The prosecution added in the affidavit that investigations also revealed that two vehicles – a Honda and a Mazda 626 – were purchased in Lagos on Okah’s instruction “by persons complicit in the crime” prior to the detonation of the bombs on October 1.

It stated that on Okah‘s instructions, the vehicles were conveyed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State where their boots were loaded with dynamite which were wired with timers.

The affidavit said at 11 am on October 1, the Honda was used in an explosion that went off at Shehu Shagari Way while approximately 10 to 15 minutes later, the Mazda 626 was utilised in the second explosion.

It said the explosions took place under the supervision of Orlu and Ebere, who acted on the instruction of Okah.

According to the affidavit, an e-mail communication between Okah and two arrested persons in Nigeria — John Tarmy and First Man — on October 1, 2010, reads, “Done, tell them to leave now.”

It added, “This selfsame e-mail was forwarded from First Man to Tarmy at 11.15am on October 1, 2010 and forwarded to the accused (Okah) the same day at 16. 25:40.

“There are further e-mail communications between the accused and persons arrested in Nigeria for the bombings of October 1, 2010 in Abuja with very revealing evidence. These are presently being investigated.”

The affidavit also showed that there were witness statements which implicate Okah as having been the mastermind of the attacks.

The prosecution told the court that Nigerian authorities had confirmed their willingness to render assistance to South African investigators against Okah.

“As a result, letters of request for mutual legal assistance will be submitted to the Nigerian Federal Government to obtain specific evidence,” it stated.

It said in order not to jeopardise investigations in South Africa and Nigeria, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have deliberately been withheld for purposes of Okah’s bail application.

Zeeman stated that he had communicated with Nigerian law enforcement agencies which indicated willingness to supply more information.

Abrahams had said at the resumption of the hearing that the state had a strong case against Okah and that he should be denied bail.

Defence counsel, Rudi Krause, however, asked the court to step down the matter for him to study the new information and be able to respond.

In Abuja, there was confusion over the number of suspects arraigned in secret before a magistrate court in Wuse Zone 6. While the News Agency of Nigeria put the number at five, some television stations said the accused were between six and seven.

NAN, however, gave only the names of Charles, Ernest Orlu (younger brother of Chima Orlu), and Edmund Ebiware.

It was learnt that Okah’s son, Boloebi; Sola Ladoja; Charles’s securityman, Felix; and his friend were among those arraigned.

When our correspondent contacted the former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, to confirm if Sola was his son, he replied that no member of his family was arraigned before any court on Thursday.

The accused persons were brought to the magistrate court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja in two tinted buses amidst tight security by officials of the State Security Service.

Our correspondent learnt that as early as 5am, SSS operatives numbering over 50, arrived the court premises and cordoned off the nearby Makeni Street to ensure that nobody, including lawyers, gained entrance to the court premises.

Moments after the accused emerged from the closed-door session, the SSS operatives only allowed journalists a photo opportunity to capture the accused as they re-entered their vehicles.

A secondary school pupil, Nelson Akula, who was making a telephone call in front of his house on the street was beaten and whisked to an unknown destination by the operatives when they were driving off after the session.

A Naval officer who challenged them was threatened with guns. As at 7pm on Thursday, the whereabouts of Akula were unknown.

It was not clear whether the SSS brought them before the court for an order to remand them in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.

When our correspondent called the SSS Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mrs. Marylyn Ogar, to ascertain why the arraignment of the suspects was done in secret, she replied, “If you were in court you need not ask me why it was a secret affair; as such I don’t have any reason for the why, no further comment please.”

Chief Magistrate Oyetunde Oyewunmi adjourned the case till November 24 and ordered the prosecution to ensure that the suspects were allowed access to their lawyers in the interest of justice.

The suspects were accused of carrying out terrorist acts, conspiracy to cause bodily harm as well as felony against the state.

NAN quoted the counsel to Charles, Mr Oghenevo Otemu,as having told journalists after the short court session, that he was surprised at the secret trial.

He said that Okah’s trial in South Africa was more transparent as his counsel and journalists were allowed access to the court.

Also speaking, Mr Onyechukwu HighKing, lawyer to Ernest wondered if the case was transferable.

HighKing said it was wrong to arrest and join Ernest, an oil company worker in Port Harcourt, for prosecution in an offence allegedly committed by his brother.

On his part, Mr Ugochukwu Ezekiel, counsel to Ebiware, said the government was denying the accused persons their fundamental rights to representation and fair hearing.

“The accused should have the right to access to the counsel of his choice. We will fight it legally in court,’’ Ezekiel said.

The SSS had earlier arraigned nine suspects in connection with the blast, thus bringing the total number of accused persons standing trial to 14.

Ekiti PDP dares Fayemi over planned probe of Oni

PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, has dared the new governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to go ahead with his threat to probe the immediate past administration led by Engr. Segun Oni, saying the planned probe was aimed at blindfolding the people from monitoring the programmes of the new government.

A statement by the Party’s Director of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, said ACN government was merely playing a script to deceive the people of Ekiti State.

According to the statement: “All this threat of probe on our party’s government led by Engr. Segun Oni by the ACN Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, has come to us as an attempt to blindfold the people of the State from monitoring the much celebrated developmental agenda of the ACN government.

“We challenge the Governor; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to carry out this retrogressive threat so that the world would know who has come to develop the state and those who have come to mortgage the fortune of the Fountain of Knowledge.’’

PDP maintained that there was no amount of threat that could change the legacy of transparency and accountability of the PDP government led by Segun Oni, saying that Fayemi should face the reality on ground that it would be difficult for him to match the work done, both completed and on-going.

“There is no doubt that the government is in confusion now as to where its programmes will start. This has led to the lopsided appointment that was just released. Or how can one imagine the governor and the secretary to the state government coming from Oye Local Government Area, an area out of the 16 local government areas.

In normal political calculation, the governor comes from one district, the deputy from another district while the secretary to the state government will represent the third district.

Okah exposed; brother, 6 others arraigned

STATE Security Service, SSS, yesterday, arraigned Charles Okah, younger brother to the embattled ex-leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Mr. Henry Okah, his son, and five other accused persons before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the October 1 twin-bomb blasts.

The suspects were arraigned on a day the South African prosecution tendered before a Johannesburg court revealing evidence on Henry Okah’s contacts with the suspects on how the Abuja bomb blasts were planned and executed.

Henry Okah who is facing trial in the South African court over the same Abuja bomb attack is presently battling to be granted bail which the prosecution is opposed to.

The seven accused persons were brought to court in a commando-style by SSS operatives who chased lawyers, court clerks and journalists out of the court premises, even as they barricaded all streets connecting the court and forbade any form of movement by residents within the area.

One of the four Abuja blasts suspects, Mr Charles Tombrah Okah, in handcuffs, being led out of the Federal Capital Territory Chief Magistrates Court, Wuse Zone 6, yesterday in Abuja

Charles, his son, Boloebi Okah; Edmund Ebibare, accused of exchanging text messages with Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Ernest Nwosu Olu, younger brother of one Chima Olu that was earlier declared wanted by the SSS; Shola Ladoja, Felix Kuffre said to be a security man for Charles as well as his unidentified visitor, were marshalled into the lower court complex around 8: 45 am after they arrived in two unmarked buses with tinted glasses.

30 SSS vehicles

Over 30 SSS vehicles that escorted them were used to block all the streets leading to the court while armed operatives mounted sentry with a view to ensuring that no one got close to the perimeters of the Magistrates court located in Wuse zone 6, Abuja.

Frantic efforts by three lawyers from Keyamo Chambers, who insisted that Charles Okah and his co_accused persons had contacted them to handle the case, was vehemently resisted by the SSS men who maintained that they acted in accordance with an order from above.

It was not until around 9:30 am, when the court had concluded its proceeding and the accused persons about to be whisked back to an unknown detention centre, that the Public Relations Officer of the SSS, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, succeeded in prevailing upon the stern looking operatives to allow journalists to take pictures from afar.

Marilyn, however, refused to answer questions thrown at her by newsmen, stressing that she was not allowed to speak to the press on the matter.

She said: “I cannot say anything to the press on this matter as I am not permitted to do so. The fact that I have done you people a favor by allowing you to take pictures, is that not enough? This is how you people usually put someone into problem.”

Efforts to get a copy of the criminal charge preferred against the accused persons equally proved abortive, just as the defence team, led by one Mr. Oghenovo Otemu, decried the closed door pattern adopted by the SSS in prosecuting the matter as a violation of section 36 of the 1999 constitution.

He said that not only were the accused persons denied access to their counsel, but that the SSS had refused to furnish them with a copy of the charge upon which they were standing trial.

Otemu said: “We have repeatedly applied for the charges against our clients but both the court and the SSS blatantly refused. It is important for the prosecution in this matter to realize that the accused persons also have their fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.

“So far as we are concerned, there is no proper charge before this court and whatever decision the court takes in this political trial will amount to a nullity and we are taking steps to ensure that the constitutional right of the accused persons to fair hearing and defence by counsel of their choice as stipulated in section 36 of the 1999 constitution is respected and enforced.”

Meantime, Vanguard reliably gathered that before adjourning the matter till November 24, presiding Magistrate Oyebola Oyewumi , yesterday, threatened that she would hands-off the case on that day should the SSS continue to shroud the prosecution in secrecy and the accused persons denied right of representation.

The source who pleaded anonymity, said that Magistrate Oyewumi went ahead to order open trial in the matter, yesterday, stressing that she would only hear the matter when it was allowed to undergo a normal court proceeding.

The magistrate was said to have also ordered the SSS to furnish the defendants with a copy of the charges against them, as well as allow them access to counsel of choice.

Though the source refused to speak further on what transpired inside the courtroom, SSS PRO, Mrs. Ogar, however, maintained that all the accused persons were properly arraigned in court.

Meanwhile, as the prosecution reopened its case in the application against bail for Okah, in the South African court, the supplementary affidavit tendered by the prosecution showed phone records of Okah’s communication with one Chima Orlu (still at large) severally around the period.

An affidavit deposed to by an officer with the South African Police Service, SAPS, Lt. Col. Noel Zeeman stated: “Orlu’s telephone records have revealed that he had been in contact with the accused on numerous occasions leading up to October 1. Of greater significance is that Orlu had sent an SMS message to the accused at precisely 10.58:59 a.m on October 1, 2010. This SMS was followed by another SMS from Orlu at 13hr 3:01a.m and again at 13h29:59 p.m the same day.”

Purchase of cars in Lagos

Zeeman, revealed that SMSs were sent to Chima Orlu by the accused on September 30, 2010 at 12h 38:11p.m and on October 1 at 6h 02:39am, 7h40:20am, 7h41:22am and 7h41:35am.

The affidavit stated that investigations revealed that two vehicles, a Honda and a Mazda 626 were purchased in Lagos on the instruction of the accused prior to the detonation of the two vehicle improvised devices on October 1.

It stated that on Okah’s instructions, the said vehicles were conveyed to Port Harcourt where booths of the vehicles were loaded with dynamite which were wired with timers.

The affidavit further said at 11 am on October 1, the Honda was used in an explosion that went off at Shehu Shagari Way while approximately 10 to 15 minutes later, the Mazda 626 was utilised in the second explosion which killed 12 persons and injured many others.

It said the explosions took place under the supervision of Orlu who acted on the instruction of Okah, adding: “On October 1, 2010, Orlu made a total of 43 voice calls and had sent 27 SMS messages to co_perpetrators and co conspirators.”

It said Ben Ebere, who is at large, and also known as Ben Jesse, assisted Orlu in supervision of the said explosions.

It added: “Ebere had been in contact with the accused right up to September 29 2010. There were 1,126 calls from the accused to Ben Ebere during the period, from August 7, 2010 to September 29, 2010. There were also 59 SMSs sent from the accused to Ben Ebere during the period July 1, 2010 and September 2010.’

The affidavit said an e_mail communication between arrested persons in Nigeria, namely, John Tarmy, First Man and the accused on October 1, 2010, communicates the following “done, tell them to leave now,” adding: “This selfsame e-mail was forwarded from First Man to John Tarmy at 11h15am on October 1, 2010 and forwarded to the accused the same day at 16h25:40.

“There are further e-mail communications between the accused and persons arrested in Nigeria for the bombings of October 1, 2010 in Abuja with very revealing evidence.

These are presently being investigated.”

It revealed that Nigerian investigators had also revealed that the accused brother, Charles Okah, conspired with the accused and Orlu and others in coordinating and directing the detonation of the bombs.

It said there were also witness statements which implicate the accused as having been the mastermind of the attacks, while Nigerian authorities have confirmed their willingness to render assistance to South African investigators against the accused.

“As a result, letters of request for mutual legal assistance will be submitted to the Nigerian Federal Government to obtain specific evidence,” it stated.

It said in order not to jeopardise investigations in South Africa and Nigeria, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have deliberately been withheld for purposes of the application.

Ziman stated that South Africa and Nigeria were working closely in the matter and he had communicated with Nigerian law enforcement agencies which indicated willingness to supply more information.

Prosecution counsel, Shaun Abrahams, who tendered the affidavit in court, said the State had a strong case against Okah and he should be denied bail.

Defence counsel, Rudi Krause asked the court to step down the matter for him to study the new information and be able to respond.

S-West PDP stakeholders lament loss of Ekiti – Gov Daniel

GOVERNOR Olugbenga Daniel of Ogun State yesterday admitted that things were no longer rosy for the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in the South West saying that members of the party would have to be careful to prevent the total annihilation of the party in the area.

According to him, the loss of Ekiti State was the worst disaster to have ever happened to the party which he said has not been able to manage its successes very well.

Addressing members of the Presidential Campaign Council of Goodluck Jonathan for President in the South West Zone at his Asoludero Court in Sagamu, the Governor said members of the party would have drop their individual selfish aspirations for the common good of the party if it would regain its glory.

He said “in this room our expectation is that we should tell ourselves the truth and if the truth must be told; in the politics of the South west, we do have challenges. My worry is that when former President Obasanjo was there we could not take Lagos. I do not think we have managed our victory well.

Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who is the south west coordinator, Goodluck Sambo presidential campaign commitee welcoming the Ondo State coordinator, Chief Olusegun Agagu to the 2nd edition meeting of the Southwest committee meeting held at the governors private residence in Sagamu, Ogun State with them is a PDP stalwart in the zone, Senator Yinka Omilani

“The worst disaster is losing Ekiti State. If we are not carful, and God forbid, it could be the end of our party in the South West. The capacity of our party to manage crisis is nil. We are all endangered species.

“If we think deeply, we will know. We must forget this issue of I want to be Governor, Senator or anything. We must work together, otherwise we will look like jokers, and if we lose it; it will be terrible.

“In Ogun State, there is no other party. What we have is internal crisis. But we will not concede one inch of space to the rampaging machinery. What happened in Ekiti State is a big shame to all of us without exception. What we have in our hand is a major challenge.

“In Osun, what I am hearing is scary. If that kind of thing happen, it will be a disaster. I think people here should be able to go back home and tell the Governor some things. We must bury self interest.

“I was with the former Governor of Ekiti and some members of his exco yesterday and they are feeling bad. They feel unhappy. They feel a sense of abandonment and feel bad that their President even congratulated the new Governor a few hours after the court case; they feel he should have at least waited for 24 hours. But I explained to them that he is the president of all”

Daniel said that on the issue of Jonathan for President, the people said that they should at least be left alone to decide who to support for the Presidential race and that some of them complained that even the Speaker has congratulated Dr. Kayode Fayemi in a paid advert.

The Governor who was apparently ready to be brutally frank with the delegates was about going on before newsmen were asked out of the meeting.

There are indications that the former Governor of Ekiti State Engr. Segun Oni may leave the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for another political party in the country.

Sources at yesterday’s meeting revealed that Oni who was sacked by the Court of Appeal, Ilorin last week may resort to this option as a result of his frustration over the refusal of President Jonathan to intervene on his behalf over the Ekiti gubernatorial dispute.

The source further said that the Presidency bluntly refused to help Oni when his assistance was desperately needed before the Appeal Court judgement was delivered. Oni was conspicuously absent at the meeting even though his name was advertised in some national dailies as one of the facilitators of the gathering.

Although the assembly of PDP chieftains in the zone was for the purpose of setting up structures for the Jonathan Presidential Campaign Council, it also became an opportunity for reviewing the fortunes of the party in the zone, especially in the light of the loss of Ekiti State to the rival Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Indeed, the entire leadership of the party in the zone was engaged in a serious soul-searching as was reflected in the somber mood at the meeting which held inside the residence of the Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

In his effort to ensure that the mobilisation of the zone for President Jonathan is total, Daniel had reached out to many groups including those outside the PDP. One of such groups was the Coalition of Odua Self Determination Groups (COSEG) which made a presentation at the meeting.

The Secretary of the group Mr Razak Olokoba who spoke on behalf of COSEG expressed their reservations over the call of the Presidential Council for the people of the South-west zone to throw their weight behind President Jonathan in next year’s general elections.

He continued: “ The attitude of the people and leadership of the Ijaws toward we the Yorubas has been suspicious since President Jonathan assumed office”

Olokoba cited the recent flooding incident in Lagos and queried why the President should only pledge peanuts as financial assistance on behalf of the Federal Government.

“How can the peanuts he pledged to give the zone be enough to address the flood disaster which affected Lagos and Ogun States?” he asked.

He recalled that sometime ago when the militants of the Niger Delta wanted to blow up the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos but had to be stopped because of the intervention of COSEG. He expressed regret that the militants still went ahead to blow up Atlas Cove also located in Lagos last year.

He insisted that the position of the group is that the people of the South-West should be allowed to enjoy their lives in a true federation.

Olokoba lashed out at politicians who hail from the zone adding that the group was not impressed with the agenda of the PDP in the zone.

“In the last 10 years, Yorubas have experienced 43 percent economic depression” he said.

He urged the gathering to be cautious over recent political happenings in the country especially against the background of some people who have been beating the drums of war over the issue of power shift.

Said he: “ The threat of war in this country is real because there are two ethnic groups desperate to capture power; the two groups are the Ijaws of the Soutth-South and the Hausa-Fulani of the North”.

He therefore advocated that convening a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) was still essential for the survival of the nation.”

According to him: “ Our demands also include restructuring of the federation so that those who want Sharia law to be implemented in their zone could have their way while other zones in the country who want things like special security arrangements including police road-blocks may incorporate same into their security mechanism to check crime as this may not be necessary at the same time nation-wide”.

He observed that many
Igbos may have embraced crime as a response to the second class status the people of that zone have been reduced to since the end of the civil war.

In his own speech at the occasion while presenting the report of a Committee which was set up to articulate the interest of the people of the zone, a chieftain of the party Chief Victor Oladunni said there is need to present a paper to President Jonathan on how the mineral resources of the zone have to be exploited adding that if the Olokonla Free Trade Zone is established, it would boost the economy of the zone.

He also lamented over the dilapidated state of the federal roads in the zone adding that his committee had earmarked the Lagos-Ibadan Express road; the Shagamu-Benin Express road and the Ibadan-Ife roads among many others which are in a deplorable condition.

He also called on the Jonathan administration to allocate more revenue derived from VAT to Lagos since the former federal capital generates more than 70 percent of the fund.

Earlier before Daniel’s speech, 17 field officers for the Jonathan/Sambo campaign team from the states in the South West, South East and South South were presented by the Director of Planning and Strategy; Mr. Mike Omeri and were inaugurated by Governor Daniel.

Also inaugurated were 27 people from Ogun State with Prince Yanju Lipede as State Coordinator and the 26 others as coordinators in the 26 states constituencies in Ogun State.

The coordinators who are said would monitor delegates would each be given a vehicle by the state and would give weekly or bi monthly reports to the state coordinator.
Prominent members of the party in attendance included Senator Yinka Omilani, the Minister Youth Development; Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, former Minister of Defence; Chief Demola Seriki, Ambassador Musiliu Obaniko, former Deputy Governors of Lagos State; Sen. Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, Femi Pedro and Rafiu Jafojo, Senator Femi Ogunlewe, Ambassador Adeniran, Senator Wahab Dosumu and Prince Dayo Adeyeye

Aregbesola vs Oyinlola: Appeal court hears final address Nov 1

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan, has shifted backward the final addresses by parties in the Osun State Governorship Election to November 1, 2010.

The Appeal panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had last Tuesday fixed hearing in the appeal filed by the Governorship Candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Osun State, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola for November 3, 2010.

The latest development was contained in a hearing notice signed by a Senior Registrar of the Court stipulating that the adoption of final addresses by parties would now come up on November 1.

The notice was addressed to lead counsel from both the Appellants and the Respondents in their service addresses on Thursday with a handwritten addendum that “Note please:- This date supersedes the date announced in court”.

- Vanguard

We ‘ll not negotiate with kidnappers – Ondo state governmentt

ONDO State government yesterday took a swipe at the kidnappers of the 80-year-old mother of a Commissioner in the state, Madam Pege Esther Tewe and her 12-year-old grand daughter Rachael Lawrence, describing them as heartless and wicked.

Addressing newsmen on the outcome of its weekly state Executive Council meeting, the Information Commissioner, Mr. Ranti Akerele, vowed that government would not negotiate with the kidnappers who were described as criminals and ungodly.

Last Friday, about 10 gun-wielding militants in two speed boats invaded the home of the Commissioner, Chief Tola Wewe, at Sabome in Ese Odo council area of the state and took away the aged mother and her grand daughter.

Akerele, however, assured the people of the state that security operatives were working round the clock to ensure the release of the victims from their captives.

According to him: “The security operatives were working to ensure that lives and properties are secured in the state and we want to assure the people of the state that there is no cause for alarm.

“Our people should sleep with their two eyes closed. The state government is on top of the situation and we appeal to the kidnappers of the 80 year old woman to have a rethink. It is the height of inhuman action and depth of human wickedness to have kidnapped an old woman from the comfort of her home.”

-Vanguard

Senate concludes preliminary work on constitution review

The Senate on Thursday received the report of its ad hoc committee on constitution review on the second amendment to the constitution.

The report is based on the public hearing organised by the Senate on the bill three days earlier.

The bill was read for the first time the week before and according to the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, the bill is in consonance with the new dates demanded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for adjustment to the election time frame.

The bill sent from the president proposed that election be held not earlier than 90 days and not later than 30 days before the end of tenure of the running office, as against the prevailing constitutional provisions of not earlier than 150 days and not later than 120 days.

Although the contents of the report are yet to be made known, indications have emerged that the Senate may have proposed a wider time line.

“We are hoping that if we give them not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days, it will give them the scope of time they need,” Ayogu Eze, the Senate spokesman told reporters the previous day.

“They (INEC) do not even need to change the law after this particular year when they are through in this next election. If they have time, they can start early because they now have enough time to start and fix election. So, we have given them enough scope within 150 days and 30 days. And I want to assure Nigerians that that will be delivered timely,” Mr. Eze added.

The bill comprises of 10 clauses dealing with time frame for elections and matters surrounding which court will be the final court of hearing for election petitions concerning governorship elections.

With the current development, voting on the bill is expected to hold on next Tuesday and thereafter, an accelerated hearing in the House of Representatives and the state Houses of Assembly is expected to follow.

“Nigerians should not be very anxious about whether we will meet the time frame to make all the necessary amendment both in the Constitution and the electoral act.

“We have enough time ... but I believe it will not go beyond Tuesday this time around, and that is really the crucial thing that INEC needs to give them that breath of time,” Mr. Eze said.

source: 234next

Oshiomhole to review fees at state university

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has promised to review the school fees paid by part time students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He also promised to hold a dialogue with full time students over their fees after getting the facts on how much the school earns and how much will be needed as subvention from the state government to take the school to an enviable height.

Mr Oshiomhole, said this when he visited the institution yesterday. He said he has agonised over what to do about the institution as several efforts to get information on how it is run in order to plan for the future has failed.

The governor’s presence in the institution was greeted by the students with calls for reduction in their school fees. He advised the students to nominate their representatives to air their grievances and, one after the other, they came to say their schools fees were on the high side. They said they were not consulted before the increase was made and many of them were finding difficult to pay the new fees.

Mr Oshiomhole said he visited the school to talk directly with the students to hear their concerns and share views as they have a right to know what is happening in their institution.

“The University was receiving a subvention of N150 million monthly, which was increased to an average of N205 million monthly since we came on board,” he said.

He said the management of the school was requesting for N310 million as monthly subvention, in addition to maintaining the current school fees. “Up till now they have not been able to tell me how many students are in the school, how much the school earns and what it is spent on,” he said.

He said he asked the management of the school about three times how much the school earns, and each time he was given a different figure. The subvention to the university shocked the students, who started leaving the hall in droves especially after the governor had addressed their concerns on the school fees.

The governor however noted that the problems of the school were beyond school fees, and promised to build two new hostels for the institution and provide the school with two 42-seater buses to ease the problem of transportation.

via 234next

Posted: October 17, 2010 - 13:45 James Ibori By SaharaReporters, New York A Dubai court of First Instance today ruled that the former governor of De

James Ibori

By SaharaReporters, New York

A Dubai court of First Instance today ruled that the former governor of Delta state, James Ibori, has case to answer in the UK.

The court therefore ruled that Ibori be extradited to the United Kingdom to face charges of money laundering, credit card fraud and official theft. UK authorities have successfully prosecuted Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori, and his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo) on those charges. Both women are serving jail terms in a UK prison.

Ibori's wife, Theresa Nkoyo, and one of his UK-based lawyers, Bhadresh Gohil are also currently facing trial in a London courtroom. A legal analyst familiar with the evidence against them told Saharareporters that they are likely to be convicted and sentenced to jail terms as well.

A source close to Ibori told Saharareporters that the former governor was distraught by the verdict as some of his friends in Dubai had promised him that they could reach the judge and get him a favorable ruling. “I can assure you that Chief Ibori will ask his lawyers to file an appeal before the appellate court in the UAE,” said the source.

Mr. Ibori has 30 days to file for and receive an appellate decision.

Ibori’s associates in Nigeria had been preparing for a victorious outcome for him. In fact, several sources close to him revealed that he had ordered the renovation of his country home in Oghara, Delta State, for what he envisaged as a triumphant return. Instead, as one UK prosecutor told Saharareporters this morning, “the day of reckoning for this fugitive in a UK court is near at hand.”

I am Running For President Now, Nigeria Can't Wait Till 2015-Nuhu Ribadu

Nuhu ribadu

Former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, has declared in a meeting with some media chiefs today in Abuja that he does not plan to wait till 2015 before remaking a new Nigeria. He shot back at political pundits who said he lacks the " experience" to govern Nigeria. This is a raw transcript of the encounter.

Which platform will you use to contest for 2011 poll?

I will rather ask that you give me time please.

Are you still consulting?

Yes, I am still consulting but it is going to be very soon because there is no time. It is going to be very, very soon that we are going to make a decision on that. Like I said, my believe is that the possibility of all of us coming together must be exhausted full blast to see the chance for us to move a way in which we will give our country a platform that is going to be national.

Is the platform PDP or not?

Just wait.

Have you ever had any offer from PDP?

Never, never.

But which party?

It is not the time to make this thing out yet. There will be a lot of time to talk and so much to talk about PDP. We will educate Nigeria about PDP and what I consider the future of our country. I have a dream of a new Nigeria; I have the dream of a changed Nigeria. I want to see if there is a possibility of opening a new chapter, for the country. And those who are in charge somehow certainly need to give chance for the country to move forward.

As a former EFCC chairman, won’t those corrupt elements fight you back and prevent you from becoming the nation’s President?

I have always been fighting in my life. When I was in the Police Force, I fought armed robbers, I survived. I fought gangsters, I fought 419 fraudsters, big time corrupt people and I have survived. I am still standing as Nuhu Ribadu; I believe I will also survive this.

Can you confirm or deny that you have written to the Labour Party to be its presidential candidate?

No.

Are you carrying any party card now?

Not yet.

Are you planning to be President in 2011 or 2015?

For God’s sake, what is the issue about 2015? Are we yet there? Have we conducted the 2011 elections? How can you talk about 2015? You think the country should continue sleeping till 2015. You think that you are comfortable with the situation today. I love my country; Nigeria has no time to wait anymore.

Are you saying the old brigade politicians should give way?

My coming is going to be like the best Nigerian should come forward whether you are old or new or woman or man. It has to be all of us and I want to be part of that team that would certainly save our country and give it a new lease of life.

I won’t want to categorize it as a generational thing. But certainly, you know what I am now, and if you want to judge it on the basis of that.

I want to see the possibility of capturing the vision of majority of Nigerians who today are the young ones. And I certainly belong to that.

Aren’t you afraid of political Goliaths like President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-President Ibrahim Babangida, ex-Head of State Muhammadu Buhari and ex-VP Atiku Abubakar?

But David won goliath eventually. Pray that I will be the David.

Can you be more forthcoming on the elective post you are vying for in 2011?

Ribadu: What do you think I am fit for? I have always been a Federal person. I have experience in public service. I had put 25 years of my life into the service of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the Executive capacity. After that, of course, I served outside Nigeria. I have worked and acquired international experience. It is for you to decide where I fit in best.

Is it presidency?

Of course. What else because I have served 25 years of my life, I have given it to the nation. I had the chance to set up an agency (EFCC); I ran it for five years. I was in an Economic Team. I was a Federal Prosecutor, probably more than any other person in that capacity. I was a police officer, a community worker, I put all my life into public service at the Federal Government level. It is only natural for you to really put that into where the experience can best count.

What will be your number one priority if you become the President? Or, what are your priorities?

I want to remake Nigeria.

How?

I want to remake Nigeria. The point is: Remake means a new thing, a fresh thing, a fresh hub, a chance for us to love ourselves to build a nation out of our own country. I want to immediately, instantly provide those basic things. They are so important to us. I must insist that we must have security immediately, instantly there is no time to waste on that. I want to see that we can immediately solve the problem of power.

How can you address power problem?

I will do it; I will come out with my programme and policy. It is not something you can give in one word. I want to make a full stop to corruption finally. I want to ensure from now on that Nigerians are going to enjoy free and fair Education. I want to ensure that we will have good and decent hospitals. We will have hospitals, we don’t have to go out of the country and spend our money to build others like in India, Egypt and Ghana. Time has come for us to build our own. I want to make sure that this money that goes out as school fees that we go to pay in the UK, Ghana, and everywhere is going to stop immediately. We must have the schools that will give us the best in our own country. I want to see that Nigeria will be able to give jobs to its young ones. I want to see a Nigeria that probably will have the chance to industrialize. I want to see a Nigeria that will give justice to its own people; justice across; justice that can give a chance to us to have peace and stability for us to grow. I want to see the possibility of giving our country opportunity of equal treatment, fairness, respect to people. I want to see if it is possible for us to give a leadership that can listen; leadership that can take advice; leadership that is going to be collective.

In other words, I want a new Nigeria. A new Nigeria is possible and there is no time to waste at all. Like I said the detailed programmes will come out. We are going to be precise and very clear programmes and policies on how to go about it.

But the intention is there. Something is burning in all of us to save our own country. We love our country, we must fight for our country, we must work for our country. We want to bring out the energy in all of us and see if we can make a country that all of us will be proud of, a Nigeria that will be respected by the world, a Nigeria that will have a voice, a Nigeria that will play its own role assigned to it by God and destiny.

What of Nigerians in the Diaspora?

They must come in and participate fully because they constitute some of our best. Nigeria educated them, spent money on them.