Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele has been a journalist and
lawyer. In 1999, she became Deputy Governor of Lagos State but left that
office in tense circumstances in 2002. In this interview with
CORRESPONDENT, NKASIOBI OLUIKPE, she speaks on some
of the issues that almost created a stalemate at the just-concluded
confab, and reveals some facts concerning her relationship with former
Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu. Excerpts …
Using Abia and Lagos states as reference points, why do you think
the fates of deputy governors are usually tied to the whims of
governors?
What the Constitution says is that the governors should pick somebody
to run with him for the post of governor who shall be his deputy. That
is what the constitution says, which is why the deputy is tied to the
governor because he must have a running mate before he can become
governor.
Why is it usually difficult to find a situation where the
governors and their deputies have a smooth relationship devoid of
eye-service?
It all depends on the governor. You see, a lot of the governors, I am
sorry to say so, have a complex because, sometimes, the deputies are
even more qualified, even educationally, in every way, better than the
governors, but for political reasons, the governor is picked and
therefore that governor usually finds himself suffering from some sort
of complex. That is why the relationship, very often, is not smooth.
But don’t you think there is a way out of this?
Well, I think the way out of this, actually, is for the Constitution
to spell out the roles of the deputy governor. Once the Constitution
does this, I think there will be less conflict. Because the governor is
the one who decides what portfolio the deputy has, whereas if there were
a specific role for the deputy, then I think the governors would be
less apprehensive.
In your own case, didn’t you foresee it happening?
Well, in a way, I did, because, you know, Bola Tinubu and I were in
the Senate and one could study his character from there. So, I was not
really particularly interested in becoming his deputy, but the elders of
the party prevailed upon me, that I should take the post.
Since you knew that, why then did you not back out?
Well, the problem was, you know, we were in NADECO (National
Democratic Coalition) together and in NADECO, contrary to what everybody
was thinking, that it was Tinubu that was financing us, he was not
financing us because he didn’t have any money when he became governor.
He only had people who backed him to become governor. Well, most of us
had spent all our money in the struggle and, therefore, didn’t have
money to fight for elections. And therefore, it was those who had the
wherewithal that were selected.
You were a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Why
did you have to leave the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?
I wasn’t the only one who left AD for the PDP.
Yes, I know. So many other people left, but in your own case, why?
Well, in my own case, why was, like the others too did, Tinubu had taken over the party from those of us who formed the party.
But, like you said, he didn’t own the party, so why would you just leave because of him?
No, he did not own the party. He was not even in the country when AD was formed. He was still in exile.
So, suddenly, just because of him you left?
No, not because of him! When the party which you formed no longer belongs to you, then you have to find your way elsewhere.
So, for Lagos politics now, what are we looking at, with you?
I am still very active in Lagos politics. I am still very active in
the PDP. I don’t see myself contesting for any elective position right
now, because electioneering has become too monetized and expensive. You
need a lot of money to even contest for councillorship, and certainly, I
don’t have that kind of money?
How come, didn’t you make money as a deputy governor?
I didn’t go into politics to make money. I went there for service and
I don’t know how one makes money when one is in office, unless one is
ready to be corrupt, because you have your salaries and that is the only
thing you get.
How about award of contracts to yourself?
You cannot participate in the contracts because you are the one
presiding over the contracts, unless you are ready to take kickbacks,
which is corruption.
You mean you didn’t at all get involved in the award of contracts or collection of kickbacks?
Well, even the commissioners, I don’t think they were involved in the
awarding of contracts. I think all the contracts were handled by Tinubu
himself. When I was in office, I don’t think any commissioner could
award any contract for more than N50,000 (fifty thousand naira).
Since, like you said, electioneering has been monetized, how then
does a credible candidate without the wherewithal for elections emerge?
They can’t, unless the electorate changes its attitude, because it’s
really up to the electorate to realize that when they are making demands
from politicians and aspirants, they are sealing up their own fate
because, once somebody has paid you to get your vote, he doesn’t expect
you to come to him to ask for anything.
Many are of the opinion that the Lagos PDP, presently, is too
factionalised. Do you see them overcoming this problem and seeing
themselves through 2015?
The Lagos PDP is no longer factionalised. We have all mended our fences and we are all working together.
From a personal assessment, how sincere do you think this
administration has been in the implementation of the 35 per cent
affirmative plan policy?
I think President Goodluck Jonathan has tried, but I don’t think we
have achieved the 35 per cent in this administration. I think Olusegun
Obasanjo’s administration was better because there were more women in
the cabinet, in prominent positions, parastatals and in fact,
everywhere.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman,
Attahiru Jega, was in Lagos recently and stated that the INEC can
independently and successfully conduct a free and fair election in and
of its own, without any form of military interference. But from what we
have observed from recent elections, it is like the electioneering
process is somehow being presently militarized. How do you reconcile his
statement with that?
I don’t know whether there were military intervention, but I know
some military men were brought in to supplement the role of the police
in other to maintain law and order. Speaking from what I saw on the
television, I didn’t see military men near the polling booth or
interfering with the peoples in any way. I think their presence was only
to make sure that law and order was kept.
According to Northern elders, President Goodluck Jonathan’s
inability to bring back the Chibok girls disqualio you personally think
he stands qualified to contest, since the girls are still missing?
I don’t see what the Chibok girls had to do with Jonathan running
again if he so wishes. Certainly, I think the issue of the Chibok girls
should not be politicized at all. It is a tragic incident and
unfortunate. It is not an easy thing to go and rescue 200 girls. When
they tried it in Sokoto State where some expatriates were kidnapped, two
of those expatriates they were trying to rescue got killed. Now, you
are talking about 200 girls. You have to be very careful in any rescue
attempt so that those girls don’t get killed. You don’t just rush in
with blazing guns and think you can get them out. You might find out
that the vast majority of them might get killed by your own soldiers,
who are shooting to get them out or by the very Boko Haram who go around
slitting peoples’ throats. So, it’s a very delicate situation which we
must leave with the security forces to plan how they can do it.
If you say it has got nothing to do with Jonathan’s re-election as
a chief security officer, what then do you consider the
responsibilities and duties of a chief security officer?
The chief security officer’s job is to make sure that the security
officers under him come up with a good plan to ensure, not only the
security of the girls, but their rescue as well. And if I were to be a
chief security officer, and I am not sure of any of the plans they bring
forward, I will not want to risk the lives of those girls because those
girls are other peoples’ children and I have children of my own. So,
one has to be very careful. You take the incidence of the al-Qaeda, it
took a lot of planning and time before Barak Obama was able to get Osama
bin Laden. The former President, George Bush, could not do it, but
eventually Obama did. The security officers have to be sure of what they
are doing before they can carry out a rescue.
In your opinion, why did you think the Northern leaders rejected the draft constitution of the confab?
From what I could see from the confab, the Northern leaders do not
want any change in Nigeria. They are quite happy that things should
continue as they are. And, of course, the rest of the country wants some
change which is where the crux of the problem is. When you have a
Constitution that requires about a hundred amendments from some of the
decisions that were taken at the confab, then is it not better to write a
new constitution? What was put forward was the 1999 Constitution, plus
the changes in that constitution, so that we would have a document to
present to the president. So there was nothing in that constitution that
we had not taken a decision on. The Northern elders, or whatever you
call them, do not see anything wrong with Nigeria. All they see wrong
with Nigeria is that Jonathan should vacate the presidency in 2015. But
Jonathan is not the cause of our problem. We have many problems which
were caused, not by Jonathan himself, but by people who were there
before Jonathan and I think we have done our best at the confab to solve
these problems or at least to attempt to solve them.
With the happenings around, people have indicated that some of the
legislators have their own vested interests as well. If that is the
case, do you think the report of the confab should be subjected to the
legislators for appraisal and ratification?
They do not only have vested interests, they are also not really,
truly, representatives of Nigerians, because of the way the
constituencies have been delineated. And, therefore, most of us at the
confab believed that the whole decision of the confab should be put to
the Nigerian people to decide what they want. Let them decide between
the new constitution, with the changes, and the old constitution.
How do you think the average Nigerian can have access to the
contents of the report of the confab for them to decide on what they
want?
Well, how do Nigerians decide anything? The thing is to put it out,
spell it out, translate it to the various languages; publish it in the
newspapers, announce it on the radios, televise it, have vans going
around, holding sessions in the villages and everywhere, explaining to
people the differences. And then, after that had been done, you can let
them decide on what they want.
How about the issue of zoning, do you still believe in it?
For now, personally, I don’t subscribe to zoning because it breeds
mediocrity, because you don’t always get the best if you zone. But in
our present situation in Nigeria and to keep Nigeria as one country, I
think we have no other alternative than to go for zoning so that every
part of the country will feel they have a stake in the governance of
this country.
Back to 2015, do you see politics of godfatherism and imposition still playing itself out?
Of course, it will in 2015 because people still see politics not as
service but as an investment. You invested in somebody and put him in a
position so that he can bring you returns. And until we cure that out of
our political life, I don’t think we can stop godfatherism and have the
sort of good government that we require.
So what, in your own view, is the way out of this?
Well, it is up to us to decide. Do we want good government or
continue the way we are. People talk about stomach politics and all the
rest of them. But you have to realize that when you are taking something
from somebody, it is only for now. We have to learn to look into the
future. Unfortunately, we have not learnt to look to the future yet. We
are only looking at our immediate need and this is what is causing our
problem.
You once granted an interview to a national daily, stating that
the Lagos State government is still owing you and they followed up
immediately, emphasising that they weren’t owing you a dime. Haven’t you
resolved your differences?
No, we have not resolved all the issues yet. In fact, yesterday
(Sunday, August 17) somebody phoned me from the office of the Head of
Service (HoS) regarding the issue and I told them to speak to my lawyer.
I don’t think anybody will be phoning me if all issues have been
resolved.
Is it that you, personally, do not want it resolved?
I or they do not want to resolve it? I want the issue resolved and I have been on it since I left office. That is since 2002.
But don’t you think the call you got was for a peaceful reconciliation?
I have obviously never said I don’t want to resolve it amicably.
Should Tinubu stretch forth an olive branch to you now, wouldn’t you accept it?
Are we fighting? I am not aware that I am fighting Tinubu. Maybe he
is fighting me. And I am not aware that I have ever fought Tinubu. What
I have done is stick to my principles and refuse to do some of the
things which he wanted me to do which I felt was wrong and unprincipled.
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Environmental pollution in Makoko
Makoko
Lagos State is the richest and the most indebted State in Nigeria, yet majority of its people live in abject poverty and un-inhabitable conditions. Majority of its people lack access to basic amenities. How do they spend all the N600bn loan which is now incurred as debt?.
Lagos is being run by one family for over 16 years. Where is the CHANGE the people voted for?.
Please click the link below for full story.
http://thenationonlineng.net/environmental-pollution-in-makoko/
Lagos State is the richest and the most indebted State in Nigeria, yet majority of its people live in abject poverty and un-inhabitable conditions. Majority of its people lack access to basic amenities. How do they spend all the N600bn loan which is now incurred as debt?.
Lagos is being run by one family for over 16 years. Where is the CHANGE the people voted for?.
Please click the link below for full story.
http://thenationonlineng.net/environmental-pollution-in-makoko/
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Bola Tinubu's Heroin-Tainted Assets Forfeiture Judgement
Sahara
Reporters has obtained original copies of a judgement in the case of United
States v Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, in which Bola Tinubu was
charged (along with other defendants) in a case of massive drug trafficking and
money laundering. This judgement directly relates to (and further documents)
the September 16, 2008 "How U.S Federal
Agents succesfully Linked Bola Tinubu to drug Trafficking Ring in Chicago"
report by
Sahara Reporters
Snippets
of the case and subsequent judgement are presented below. The complete document
(VERY LARGE pdf file - 4mb) can be downloaded at the end of this report.
The
United States of America, by its attorney, Michael J. Shepard, United States
Attorney for Northern District of Illinois, for its verified complaint of
forfeiture, states as follows:
1. This
is a FORFEITURE action under 21 U.S.C , ss88 and 18, ss 981.....
2. The DEFENDANT funds are located in the above-described accounts and were SEIZED pursuant to PROCESS ISSUED BY THIS COURT....
...
4.... beginning as early as 1998, Adegboyega Mueez Akande, WITH OTHERS OPERATED a organiszation (sic) which DISTRIBUTED WHITE HEROIN, a controlled substance under Title 21 of the United States Code.
5.... this DISTRIBUTION OPERATION was conducted on a LARGE SCALE and the PROCEEDS of the operation SUBSTANTIAL. The defendant funds represent proceeds of this OPERATION of property involved in MONEY LAUNDERING.
6.... the defendant funds represent proceeds of NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING ... and ... MONEY LAUNDERING..... the funds are therefore FOREFEITABLE to the United States....
2. The DEFENDANT funds are located in the above-described accounts and were SEIZED pursuant to PROCESS ISSUED BY THIS COURT....
...
4.... beginning as early as 1998, Adegboyega Mueez Akande, WITH OTHERS OPERATED a organiszation (sic) which DISTRIBUTED WHITE HEROIN, a controlled substance under Title 21 of the United States Code.
5.... this DISTRIBUTION OPERATION was conducted on a LARGE SCALE and the PROCEEDS of the operation SUBSTANTIAL. The defendant funds represent proceeds of this OPERATION of property involved in MONEY LAUNDERING.
6.... the defendant funds represent proceeds of NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING ... and ... MONEY LAUNDERING..... the funds are therefore FOREFEITABLE to the United States....
JUDGEMENT:
j... Neither a claim nor answer has been filed on behalf of the defendant funds .... accordingly, it hereby
ORDERED that the funds in the AMOUNT of $460,000 in account.... in the name of BOLA TINUBU represents proceeds of NARCOTICS or were involved in financial transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C ss 1956 and 1957 and therefore these funds are forfeit to the United States.....
j... Neither a claim nor answer has been filed on behalf of the defendant funds .... accordingly, it hereby
ORDERED that the funds in the AMOUNT of $460,000 in account.... in the name of BOLA TINUBU represents proceeds of NARCOTICS or were involved in financial transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C ss 1956 and 1957 and therefore these funds are forfeit to the United States.....
Monday, 3 August 2015
Lagos Slums
Poor Lagosians living in the most uninhabitable conditions known to mankind. They have no access to education, poor sanitation, no representation whatsoever at all the level of Government, no access to health care and diseases is rampart. They have no future and are hopeless.
Saturday, 1 August 2015
How Bola Tinubu is strangling Lagos State with Alpha Beta
Tinubu and Fashola
During the mid-term anniversary of Gov. Raji Fashola, Democratic Peoples’ Alliance (DPA) Director of Publicity, Felix Oboagwina, noted that the Lagos state government has been harbouring waste in the system for paying no less than N36 billion to the Alpha-Beta Consultancy Limited from the internally-generated revenue of over N240 billion.
The need for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has been increasingly important for state governments following recent decline in price of crude oil, which impacted significantly on revenue allocation. Prior to the global financial crisis, most State executives were fond of relying on State allocations given by the Federal Government in Abuja from the nation's oil proceeds at the end of the month.
With regards to Lagos, Col. Buba Marwa, increased the state IGR to over N600 million from the N100 million he inherited. And by the end of the tenure of Bola Tinubu, IGR was over N10 billion. Under the governorship of Babatunde Fashola, IGR in Lagos State was about N480 billion. The revenue collection was contracted out to private consultants Alpha-Beta under Tinubu , Fashola and present administration of Akinwunmi Ambode.
Alpha Beta is owned by Ex- Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu. Alpha-Beta charges 15% of the state IGR, what makes us think that another company couldn’t have provided same service at a lower cost - 5%? . Bola Tinubu has been collecting 15% commission for Tax Collection since 1999, even while he was serving as a Governor in the State. This is absurd and unlawful. This is a conflict of interest.
So far, as Bola Tinubu holds his Political and economical grip
on Lagos State, the political and economical development of the indigenous
people will never materialise and therefore our people will be backward and
remain in his bondage .
The time is now ripe for the indigenes of Lagos State to revolt against Bola Tinubu . We want to break away from the bondage and slavery imposed on the people of Lagos State.
FREEDOM
No one can continue to suppress and oppress the indigenous people of Lagos State forever . Now, we are determined to free our people from the shackles of slavery imposed on us by Bola Tinubu .
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.
FREEDOM FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE!, WE WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY IMPOSED ON US BY BOLA TINUBU .
During the mid-term anniversary of Gov. Raji Fashola, Democratic Peoples’ Alliance (DPA) Director of Publicity, Felix Oboagwina, noted that the Lagos state government has been harbouring waste in the system for paying no less than N36 billion to the Alpha-Beta Consultancy Limited from the internally-generated revenue of over N240 billion.
The need for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has been increasingly important for state governments following recent decline in price of crude oil, which impacted significantly on revenue allocation. Prior to the global financial crisis, most State executives were fond of relying on State allocations given by the Federal Government in Abuja from the nation's oil proceeds at the end of the month.
With regards to Lagos, Col. Buba Marwa, increased the state IGR to over N600 million from the N100 million he inherited. And by the end of the tenure of Bola Tinubu, IGR was over N10 billion. Under the governorship of Babatunde Fashola, IGR in Lagos State was about N480 billion. The revenue collection was contracted out to private consultants Alpha-Beta under Tinubu , Fashola and present administration of Akinwunmi Ambode.
I will note that engagement of consultants
in the area of revenue collection did not start with Gov. Raji Fashola or his
predecessor. Col. Buba Marwa contracted revenue collection to Olusola Adekanola
and Co. during his administration. However, whether this practice is ‘legal’ is
a matter for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
However, the issue in this matter borders
on probity and accountability. If I’m a Lagos state taxpayer, I will want to
know more about the "process" undertaken to engage a consultant that
is paid N6 billion monthly. The questions Governor of Lagos State should be
asked are, why was Alpha-Beta selected as the preferred consultant?. Did the
government invite consultancy bids for the contract?. How many consultancy
companies submitted bids for the contract?. Considering that, Alpha-Beta has no
known track record of revenue collection, what were the criteria used in
selecting Alpha Beta.Alpha Beta is owned by Ex- Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu. Alpha-Beta charges 15% of the state IGR, what makes us think that another company couldn’t have provided same service at a lower cost - 5%? . Bola Tinubu has been collecting 15% commission for Tax Collection since 1999, even while he was serving as a Governor in the State. This is absurd and unlawful. This is a conflict of interest.
15 percent of yearly State
IGR of N480 Billion equates to N72 billion/year which is a colossal amount of money to pay an
individual firm from 2007 till today. And if such amount of money is channelled
into any sector, it is inevitable that impact will be felt.
Lagos state government has refused to make
available the details of the contracts they signed with Bola Tinubu’s Tax
firm Alpha Beta.
Relying on the Freedom of Information [FoI] act as
passed by the National Assembly , a concerned Indigene of Lagos known as Dr Adegbola
Dominic requested for the contract
documents from the Lagos state government , but the state government responded
saying that the FoI act is only for federal records and does not affect states.
For this reason, a group of concerned citizens of
Lagos turn the garnet to bring Bola Tinubu to court in order to declare open his
contractual arrangement with the government of Lagos State.
While Bola Tinubu is swimming in ill gotten wealth,
our people are suffering and living in
abject poverty . Lagosians are being strangled with multiple taxation, illegal taxes and levies, and touts posing as agents for collection and enforcement, especially at the Local Government Level.
Doctors are always on strikes due to poor welfare and our Schools are under-funded thereby producing illiterates .The change that Bola Tinubu campaigned for
during the election does not apply to Lagos State. It is continuity of Business
as usual and corruption is endemic in the State.
The time is now ripe for the indigenes of Lagos State to revolt against Bola Tinubu . We want to break away from the bondage and slavery imposed on the people of Lagos State.
FREEDOM
No one can continue to suppress and oppress the indigenous people of Lagos State forever . Now, we are determined to free our people from the shackles of slavery imposed on us by Bola Tinubu .
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.
FREEDOM FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE!, WE WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY IMPOSED ON US BY BOLA TINUBU .
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Lagos PDP Tackles Ambode Over World Bank Loan
The governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode, has come under criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a loan his administration is seeking to obtain from the World Bank, amounting to N3.94 billion his administration obtained from the World Bank
The PDP urged Ambode to forget the decision until the government have properly looked into the outstanding loans obtained by the previous administration.
The PDP also accused Ambode of being too weak to fight corruption and block wastage in the government’s purse because of its continual engagement with Alpha Beta, a tax consultant firm allegedly owned by former governor of the state and godfather of the governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which the party posited is milking the state of her revenue.
In a statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Taofeek Gani, made available to National Mirror, the party alleged that the firm is milking Lagos state government dry.
The statement further said: “The history of loans in the state is very embarrassing and has plunged the state into local and foreign debts running into trillions of naira.
“Why indeed will a state still run after World Bank loan when such state realises average of N27 billion as monthly IGR. Governor Ambode should have a rethink and be prudent.
“
Again we reiterate that this Ambode administration will not be different from the two previous administrations in the areas of amassing unwarranted loans and fighting corruption in the state. Governor Ambode does not have the will and cannot exert his authority to fight corruption in this state, otherwise all a governor should do in Lagos is to block the leakages and the monthly IGR now standing at N27 billion will definitely shore up.
“Until the services and activities of the firm in the state are probed, Lagosians will continue to hear huge figures of loans in spite huge IGR.
“It is also laughable that rather than probe the finance and administration of the state, the governor has decided to be diversionary by merely renaming the department. We ask to know whether this is also deliberate to cover up the numerous alleged frauds, mismanagement and embezzlement going on in the state since 1999?.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress has stated that the PDP cannot provide any worthwhile opposition if its spokesperson continues to issue convoluted and fustian statements
The PDP urged Ambode to forget the decision until the government have properly looked into the outstanding loans obtained by the previous administration.
The PDP also accused Ambode of being too weak to fight corruption and block wastage in the government’s purse because of its continual engagement with Alpha Beta, a tax consultant firm allegedly owned by former governor of the state and godfather of the governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which the party posited is milking the state of her revenue.
In a statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Taofeek Gani, made available to National Mirror, the party alleged that the firm is milking Lagos state government dry.
The statement further said: “The history of loans in the state is very embarrassing and has plunged the state into local and foreign debts running into trillions of naira.
“Why indeed will a state still run after World Bank loan when such state realises average of N27 billion as monthly IGR. Governor Ambode should have a rethink and be prudent.
“
Again we reiterate that this Ambode administration will not be different from the two previous administrations in the areas of amassing unwarranted loans and fighting corruption in the state. Governor Ambode does not have the will and cannot exert his authority to fight corruption in this state, otherwise all a governor should do in Lagos is to block the leakages and the monthly IGR now standing at N27 billion will definitely shore up.
“Until the services and activities of the firm in the state are probed, Lagosians will continue to hear huge figures of loans in spite huge IGR.
“It is also laughable that rather than probe the finance and administration of the state, the governor has decided to be diversionary by merely renaming the department. We ask to know whether this is also deliberate to cover up the numerous alleged frauds, mismanagement and embezzlement going on in the state since 1999?.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress has stated that the PDP cannot provide any worthwhile opposition if its spokesperson continues to issue convoluted and fustian statements
Monday, 27 July 2015
Nigeria's Biggest Landlord
Does Tinubu owns illegal properties?
Story highlights:
Oriental Hotel in Lagos
These, according to the referenced broadcast, have earned the referenced citizen a satirical name – “the Nigeria’s biggest landlord”. The law chambers and offices of frontline lawyers and rights activists in Lagos State were also said to have been quartered in some of the referenced illicit choice properties in the State.
While the right of every Nigerian including the referenced potential libel litigant to approach a court of law in the event of any damage or harm to his or her name or reputation is constitutionally guaranteed; it is our considered view that the matter under reference goes beyond issuance of threat of lawsuit. By writing to the Management of AIT and threatening same with multi billion naira lawsuit of libel, the referenced Tinubu Ahmed is making Nigeria and Nigerians to believe that he is “Mr. Clean” who goes to the equity with clean hands.
The referenced letter of his also demonstrates that he is stainless and impeccable in character as well as incorruptible; that from the time he was a top public office holder in Nigeria till date, he lived and still lives within his legitimate incomes including the spent and unspent legitimate allowances he was paid as a top public office holder.
To instruct private solicitors to cause a letter of threat of lawsuit of libel to be addressed to a media outfit is not enough because sometimes court processes are used to cover social ills and intimidate whistle blowers to unceremonious silence and submission. This explains why we held that the reference matter goes beyond issuance of letter of threat of lawsuit of libel. The referenced Tinubu Ahmed owes Nigerians detailed and convincing public explanations, not just mere threat of lawsuit or lawsuit proper.
The public disclosures being demanded will include how much he collected as severance allowances; how much he spent of the entire salaries and allowances in eight years as well as the remainder and their whereabouts till date. Part of the public disclosures will be to mention and identify company or companies and properties (if any) he owned prior to 1999 and their locations as well as those under his name and ownership from 2007 till date. The public disclosure of pre 1999 properties/companies (if any) should also include accrued profits and losses till date.
Editor’s note: Following the film aired on African Independent Television (AIT) Emeka
Umeagbalasi hold an investigation of buildings worth billions of naira located
within and beyond Lagos State supposedly acquired and owned illicitly by
referenced former Lagos Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The views expressed in this
article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial
policy of Naij.com from where this article was obtained.
Story highlights:
- The Nigeria’s biggest landlord
- Beyond the threat of lawsuit
- Are these properties exist in the country and
in areas they are said to be located?
- Is Tinubu Mr Clean or not?
Oriental Hotel, Falomo Shopping Complex, First
Nation Airline, Private Jets, Lekki Concession Company, Apapa Amusement Park,
the Renaissance Hotel, the Radio Continental, the TV Continental, the Nation
Newspaper, Ikeja Shopping Mall, Alpha Beta (IGR collectors), ownership of
Tejuoso Market, School of Nursing & NNPC buildings, N4B property located at
the Queens Drive, Lagos and other choice properties worth billions of naira
located within and beyond Lagos State allegedly acquired and owned illicitly by
referenced Tinubu Ahmed.
Oriental Hotel in Lagos
These, according to the referenced broadcast, have earned the referenced citizen a satirical name – “the Nigeria’s biggest landlord”. The law chambers and offices of frontline lawyers and rights activists in Lagos State were also said to have been quartered in some of the referenced illicit choice properties in the State.
While the right of every Nigerian including the referenced potential libel litigant to approach a court of law in the event of any damage or harm to his or her name or reputation is constitutionally guaranteed; it is our considered view that the matter under reference goes beyond issuance of threat of lawsuit. By writing to the Management of AIT and threatening same with multi billion naira lawsuit of libel, the referenced Tinubu Ahmed is making Nigeria and Nigerians to believe that he is “Mr. Clean” who goes to the equity with clean hands.
The referenced letter of his also demonstrates that he is stainless and impeccable in character as well as incorruptible; that from the time he was a top public office holder in Nigeria till date, he lived and still lives within his legitimate incomes including the spent and unspent legitimate allowances he was paid as a top public office holder.
It further demonstrates that he has never stolen or
criminally diverted public funds for private possession or ownership; and that
his present incomes and properties (if any) are in commensuration with pieces
of information contained in his asset declaration form filled and
submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he contested for the said
public office in 1999
CAD view of
Falomo shopping center
Our informed questions are: are these properties
exist in the country and in areas they are said to be located? If they exist,
who acquired and own them? How much did the referenced Tinubu Ahmed worth in
1999 as declared and known to the Code of Conduct Bureau and how much does he
worth today? As a former top public office holder from 1999 to 2007, what was
his total salaries and allowances in accordance with relevant provisions of the
Salaries & Allowances for Top Public Office Holders Act of the Federation
of Nigeria 2002 as amended in 2008? To instruct private solicitors to cause a letter of threat of lawsuit of libel to be addressed to a media outfit is not enough because sometimes court processes are used to cover social ills and intimidate whistle blowers to unceremonious silence and submission. This explains why we held that the reference matter goes beyond issuance of letter of threat of lawsuit of libel. The referenced Tinubu Ahmed owes Nigerians detailed and convincing public explanations, not just mere threat of lawsuit or lawsuit proper.
One of
Tinubu’s private jets
For Nigerians to be convinced that the referenced
citizen is clean, incorruptible and impeccable and knows nothing directly or
indirectly about the grave allegations under reference, he should come clean
publicly and deny publicly too that he has nothing to do with the properties
under reference directly or indirectly. The referenced citizen also owes
Nigerians moral and legal obligations by publicly disclosing the totality of
his legitimate salaries and allowances or those known to the law and
Constitution of Nigeria from June 1999 to May 2007 when he held sway as a top
public office holder.The public disclosures being demanded will include how much he collected as severance allowances; how much he spent of the entire salaries and allowances in eight years as well as the remainder and their whereabouts till date. Part of the public disclosures will be to mention and identify company or companies and properties (if any) he owned prior to 1999 and their locations as well as those under his name and ownership from 2007 till date. The public disclosure of pre 1999 properties/companies (if any) should also include accrued profits and losses till date.
Ikeja shopping
mall
It is only when the foregoing is dutifully,
convincingly and publicly disclosed by the referenced Tinubu Ahmed that
Nigerians will agree beyond further doubts that he is indeed Mr. Clean and an
equity seeker with clean hands.
Also if the foregoing is done as publicly being
demanded, the Management of AIT will bury its head in shame and lose its
teeming viewers and supporters; even though the grave allegations were first
made in 2012 by then Vice Chairman for Southwest (Segun Oni) of one of the
registered political parties in Nigeria called PDP (source: Frontier News
2012).
Sunday, 26 July 2015
CHALLENGE TINUBU, IF YOU CAN
Bola Tinubu
EVERYWHERE in the world, there are people who go into politics because they feel a genuine call to service. Others do so, either for self aggrandisement or in furtherance of some ignoble objectives or simply to protect their crooked and morally unscrupulous background. Whatever the circumstances, it is our character that determines the motivation and pattern of our politics. Anyone who remembers the dying days of military dictatorship in Nigeria and the activities of pro-democracy groups would hardly forget Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Those concerned enough to study his background and personal profile knew how difficult it was to sift the real from the fabricated. It was common knowledge that in Tinubu’s records – from family history, through education and working career to political activities – nothing simply seemed to add up. Much of what was said or written about Tinubu belonged to the rumour category and was, therefore, of no significance to serious-minded Nigerians.
Of what concern, for instance, was Tinubu’s doubtful parentage, whether or not the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was, truly, his biological mother? Why would Nigerians bother, if he did or did not attend Government College Ibadan, whether or not he obtained a degree from Chicago State University, unless the qualifications acquired from these institutions were presented for the purpose of securing appointment? Nor, was it of relevance to many in the 1990s – when Tinubu came into the political limelight – whether or not he grew up as an area boy (the euphemism for social miscreants) in Campus Square of Lagos Island or, indeed, whether or not he was once a political thug? ,
What seemed most crucial to Nigerians at the time was that the man played an active role as one of the founding fathers of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the nation’s military dictators to a standstill. So, when Tinubu ran away on self-exile in 1994-98, it was conveniently interpreted as an escape from military persecution. But, he might have had other reasons for abandoning his fatherland.
Tinubu’s rise, on the political ladder, since his return from exile, has been so meteoric that he appears to have forgotten his humble beginning. Having acquired enormous wealth and power, he now wears the toga of “Asiwaju.” Information has it that he is pressing hard to enthrone himself as the “Asiwaju of Yorubaland”, with or without the blessings of the Yoruba people. Now, what accounts for the sudden rise of Tinubu’s profile? First, he was Governor of Lagos State, the richest State in the country, for eight years during which he was the Alpha and the Omega.
Then, he installed one of his most loyal subordinates who agreed that his godfather must stick around for their mutual benefits. The juiciest part of the agreement, it seems, was that Tinubu’s company, Alpha Beta (Consulting) Ltd, would be in charge of the assessment and collection of all taxes and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due, payable and paid, on behalf of the Lagos State Government.
In actual figures, the Lagos State Government makes over N40 billion from IGR every month and based on the percentage of commission agreed upon between godfather and godson, Tinubu’s company rakes well over N4 billion belonging to the long-suffering people of Lagos each month. So, in effect, Tinubu holds Lagos State by the jugular. Tinubu’s rise appears unstoppable, especially after his transformation to the status of national leader, following the merger of the defunct ACN with other parties giving birth to the APC.
He now sees himself as Nigeria’s President-in-waiting or, at least, Vice-President to be; which explains why he is desperately seeking recognition as the idolized leader of the Yoruba race. In fact, he made the point abundantly clear the other day when he challenged the Awo dynasty (even with Mama Hannah almost clocking 100 years) for a final determination of who should be the Leader of the Yoruba. No doubt, Tinubu has lost respect for traditional Yoruba values.
Those who may be reading inordinate ambition into Tinubu’s apparent desperation should take serious note of the man’s policy: “If recognition is not willingly given to you, procure it.” It is a policy anchored on the absolute power of wealth. To a large extent, it appears to be very effective, especially in the South West–dominated media where there is hardly any voice of criticism against Tinubu, no matter what he does.
In fact, Tinubu believes that with money, the entire Nigerian media – and politicians too – can be bought. He may be right, considering the number of accomplished journalists, editors and columnists who sing his praises on a daily basis and would find nothing wrong, even if he commits murder! As the saying goes, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Bola Tinubu believes that he has conquered the South West (almost all the States therein, except stubborn Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Ondo and Ekiti State). In some of the States, he has successfully deployed his army of area-boys.
With Lagos State under his firm grip and the daily inflow of massive funds guaranteed, he believes that he is now capable of raising a military outfit that can defeat the Armed Forces of the Federal Government. That must have been Tinubu’s source of confidence when he threatened that “election riggers in Ekiti and Osun States”, during the last governorship contests in the two States, would be “roasted”, rather than face normal legal processes.
Now back to the critical question: Why is Tinubu in politics and why is he so eager to acquire more powers and resources? The answer is simple: he needs power to cover up his not too pleasant past and mountains of infractions – some purportedly criminal – against the people. He also needs the resources, perhaps, to continue to appease the Lagos masses that he has impoverished. FEMI AYELABOWO,a public affairs commentator, wrote Ibadan, Oyo state
EVERYWHERE in the world, there are people who go into politics because they feel a genuine call to service. Others do so, either for self aggrandisement or in furtherance of some ignoble objectives or simply to protect their crooked and morally unscrupulous background. Whatever the circumstances, it is our character that determines the motivation and pattern of our politics. Anyone who remembers the dying days of military dictatorship in Nigeria and the activities of pro-democracy groups would hardly forget Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Those concerned enough to study his background and personal profile knew how difficult it was to sift the real from the fabricated. It was common knowledge that in Tinubu’s records – from family history, through education and working career to political activities – nothing simply seemed to add up. Much of what was said or written about Tinubu belonged to the rumour category and was, therefore, of no significance to serious-minded Nigerians.
Of what concern, for instance, was Tinubu’s doubtful parentage, whether or not the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was, truly, his biological mother? Why would Nigerians bother, if he did or did not attend Government College Ibadan, whether or not he obtained a degree from Chicago State University, unless the qualifications acquired from these institutions were presented for the purpose of securing appointment? Nor, was it of relevance to many in the 1990s – when Tinubu came into the political limelight – whether or not he grew up as an area boy (the euphemism for social miscreants) in Campus Square of Lagos Island or, indeed, whether or not he was once a political thug? ,
What seemed most crucial to Nigerians at the time was that the man played an active role as one of the founding fathers of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the nation’s military dictators to a standstill. So, when Tinubu ran away on self-exile in 1994-98, it was conveniently interpreted as an escape from military persecution. But, he might have had other reasons for abandoning his fatherland.
Tinubu’s rise, on the political ladder, since his return from exile, has been so meteoric that he appears to have forgotten his humble beginning. Having acquired enormous wealth and power, he now wears the toga of “Asiwaju.” Information has it that he is pressing hard to enthrone himself as the “Asiwaju of Yorubaland”, with or without the blessings of the Yoruba people. Now, what accounts for the sudden rise of Tinubu’s profile? First, he was Governor of Lagos State, the richest State in the country, for eight years during which he was the Alpha and the Omega.
Then, he installed one of his most loyal subordinates who agreed that his godfather must stick around for their mutual benefits. The juiciest part of the agreement, it seems, was that Tinubu’s company, Alpha Beta (Consulting) Ltd, would be in charge of the assessment and collection of all taxes and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due, payable and paid, on behalf of the Lagos State Government.
In actual figures, the Lagos State Government makes over N40 billion from IGR every month and based on the percentage of commission agreed upon between godfather and godson, Tinubu’s company rakes well over N4 billion belonging to the long-suffering people of Lagos each month. So, in effect, Tinubu holds Lagos State by the jugular. Tinubu’s rise appears unstoppable, especially after his transformation to the status of national leader, following the merger of the defunct ACN with other parties giving birth to the APC.
He now sees himself as Nigeria’s President-in-waiting or, at least, Vice-President to be; which explains why he is desperately seeking recognition as the idolized leader of the Yoruba race. In fact, he made the point abundantly clear the other day when he challenged the Awo dynasty (even with Mama Hannah almost clocking 100 years) for a final determination of who should be the Leader of the Yoruba. No doubt, Tinubu has lost respect for traditional Yoruba values.
Those who may be reading inordinate ambition into Tinubu’s apparent desperation should take serious note of the man’s policy: “If recognition is not willingly given to you, procure it.” It is a policy anchored on the absolute power of wealth. To a large extent, it appears to be very effective, especially in the South West–dominated media where there is hardly any voice of criticism against Tinubu, no matter what he does.
In fact, Tinubu believes that with money, the entire Nigerian media – and politicians too – can be bought. He may be right, considering the number of accomplished journalists, editors and columnists who sing his praises on a daily basis and would find nothing wrong, even if he commits murder! As the saying goes, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Bola Tinubu believes that he has conquered the South West (almost all the States therein, except stubborn Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Ondo and Ekiti State). In some of the States, he has successfully deployed his army of area-boys.
With Lagos State under his firm grip and the daily inflow of massive funds guaranteed, he believes that he is now capable of raising a military outfit that can defeat the Armed Forces of the Federal Government. That must have been Tinubu’s source of confidence when he threatened that “election riggers in Ekiti and Osun States”, during the last governorship contests in the two States, would be “roasted”, rather than face normal legal processes.
Now back to the critical question: Why is Tinubu in politics and why is he so eager to acquire more powers and resources? The answer is simple: he needs power to cover up his not too pleasant past and mountains of infractions – some purportedly criminal – against the people. He also needs the resources, perhaps, to continue to appease the Lagos masses that he has impoverished. FEMI AYELABOWO,a public affairs commentator, wrote Ibadan, Oyo state
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Court Urged to Stop Eko Atlantic Dredging over Flooding Risk
Eko Athlantic CityFrom This Day Live -
The Federal High Court Lagos has been asked to stop the ongoing dredging of the Atlantic Ocean and building construction on the Eko Atlantic City by the Lagos State Government and private investors.
The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) is alleging that the defendants did not undertake any approved Environmental Impact Assessment as required by law.
The Federal High Court Lagos has been asked to stop the ongoing dredging of the Atlantic Ocean and building construction on the Eko Atlantic City by the Lagos State Government and private investors.
The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) is alleging that the defendants did not undertake any approved Environmental Impact Assessment as required by law.
Besides, it said there was no plan to ensure that the dredging of the ocean will not overflow the coastal environment and the rural communities along the banks of the ocean.
LEDAP said the Federal Ministry of Environment, joined as a defendant in the case, did not authorise the project because it has not issued the statutory Environmental Impact Statement approving the dredging and building construction as required by the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992.
The plaintiff is praying the court to declare that it is unlawful for the Atlantic City Project to be undertaken without an approved environmental impact assessment as required by the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992.
It said to continue with the project would be detrimental to the environmental safety of communities along the coastal banks of the Atlantic Ocean.
The plaintiff is asking the court to issue an injunction restraining the defendants from continuing with the project until properly approved environmental impact assessment is conducted, through consultation with the coastal communities as required by law.
LEDAP wants the court to order Lagos State government and the South Energy Limited to adequately resettle all the communities on the coastal banks that are already affected or likely to be affected by the dredging.
According to the plaintiff, the court should stop the project because of its destructive impact on the aquatic life in the entire Nigerian territorial waters and the environment of the coastal communities including Victoria Island, Lekki Peninsula and several fishing settlements on the west coast of the ocean.
According to the plaintiff, the court should stop the project because of its destructive impact on the aquatic life in the entire Nigerian territorial waters and the environment of the coastal communities including Victoria Island, Lekki Peninsula and several fishing settlements on the west coast of the ocean.
The Eko Atlantic City, largely owned by a consortium of foreign companies, involves deep dredging of the Atlantic Ocean and construction of high-rise commercial and residential buildings on the recovered shores of Bar Beach, Kuramo beach and Victoria Island Lagos.
LEDAP said under the Act, any person undertaking such a project is required to undertake detailed field assessment of its negative impact of on the environment, and in consultation with the affected communities, develop plans on how to ameliorate and solve the environmental problems.
LEDAP said under the Act, any person undertaking such a project is required to undertake detailed field assessment of its negative impact of on the environment, and in consultation with the affected communities, develop plans on how to ameliorate and solve the environmental problems.
“The dredging of the ocean and construction of buildings on the reclaimed land under the Eko Atlantic City will not only flood the coastal areas in coming years, but will destroy aquatic life in the entire Nigerian territorial waters of the ocean including fishes and animals, thereby negatively affecting the rich ecosystem of the ocean, the Lagoon and adjourning rivers, swamps and wetland of the country.
“Most of the rural fishing communities who depend on the ocean and surrounding waters for livelihood will be utterly displaced and impoverished,” LEDAP said.
The suit was filed following series of unsuccessful requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 by LEDAP on Lagos State Government and South Energy Limited, the lead owner of the Eko Atlantic City, for details of environmental impact assessment conducted before embarking on the project.
Lagos State government and South Energy Limited have already sold the future apartments and buildings in the new city, which runs into billions of Naira.
LEDAP said they allegedly have not made any plan to take care of the environment of the coastal communities against the obvious consequences of displacing and dredging the ocean.
“Already, many of the areas are over flooded from the dredging and construction works,” it said.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Awori Indigenes Storm Bola Tinubu’s Residence
It is disheartening as an indigene of Lagos State to know that one of the original ethnic groups that made up Lagos State of today, The Aworis , have no representation at all levels of the government . Generally , the same issue is affecting all the other indigenous communities of Lagos State.
Recently , Some Awori indigenes stormed the Lagos residence of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to protest what they described as the marginalisation of their people in the appointment of public officials. The protesters said none of the Awori indigenes from their communities had been appointed into public office in the last 16 years, despite their support for the Lagos State Government and Tinubu.
Who are the indigenes of Lagos State?. The indigenous peoples of Lagos State are the Yoruba subgroups of the Aworis in Ikeja, the Eguns in Badagry area, the ljebus in Ikorodu and Epe, while Lagos Island consists of an admixture of Benin and Eko Aworis as well as repatriated Yorubas and other immigrants. Our people have been silently marginalised and politically castrated by one man called Bola Tinubu .
Who is Bola Tinubu?. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a native of Iragbiji in Osun State and he could bear any name from his weird past, such as Yekini Amoda Ogunlere , Hameed Sangodele , Yekini Amoda or even Bobo Chicago.
Ever since his inglorious eight year rule as Governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), to date, he has more or less served as the chief looter who has unleashed the most egregious corruption and reckless looting of the treasury of Lagos State. Even as he hides under the guise of championing democratic principles, various frauds, including financial crimes have been linked to him such that he can only be summed up as a perpetrator of diabolical deeds
There is no doubt that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has become a personification of Lagos. Just as his word is law, he can do and undo. What started out like an act of drama at the beginning of the current democratic dispensation in 1999 has left Nigeria’s premier state, Lagos, as a mere fiefdom of Tinubu who bears the titular toga of the “Lion of Bourdillon.” Though there is nothing democratic about his bearing, he is, in fact, an Emperor.
And there is no escaping the damning reality that Lagos is being plundered by a group of political usurpers who wear the cloak of democratic emancipators in an apparent case of parading immunity as impunity.
Since 1999 when Bola Tinubu became the Governor of Lagos State, our political representation in Lagos has drastically diminished . The indigenes of Lagos no longer have a voice in the running of the state affairs . Economically, our people are suffering, they are living in abject poverty .
The indigenes of Lagos State have been silently marginalised and politically castrated by Bola Tinubu . Our people are being oppressed and suppress by Bola Tinubu .
It is pitiful that our people will now be parading themselves to Bola Tinubu residence to beg for what belongs to them, that is, their Birthright.
So far, as Bola Tinubu holds his Political and economical grip on Lagos State , the political and economical development of the indigenous people will never materialise and therefore our people will be backward and remain in his bondage .
The time is now ripe for the indigenes of Lagos State to REVOLT against Bola Tinubu . We want to break away from the BONDAGE and SLAVERY imposed on the people of Lagos State.
FREEDOM
No one can continue to suppress and oppress the indigenous people of Lagos State forever . The spirit of ALLAH will eventually break the jinx. Now, we are determined to free our people from the shackles of SLAVERY imposed on us by Bola Tinubu .
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.
FREEDOM FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE!, WE WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY IMPOSED ON US BY BOLA TINUBU .
Please click the link below to read the full story
http://www.punchng.com/politics/awori-indigenes-storm-tinubus-residence-in-protest/
Sunday, 12 July 2015
Tinubu Stalls Buhari’s Moves to Appoint Fashola as Chief of Staff
The effort made by Bola Tinubu to block Former Governor Raji Fashola appointment as Chief of Staff to the Federation is now becoming a main concern to the indigenous people of Lagos State . This development now proves our point that Bola Tinubu does not have our interest at heart . He wants to curtail the economic and political growth of our people and to systematically enslave the indigenous people of Lagos State .
Bola Tinubu is a native of Iragbiji in Osun State, who does not want the progress of indigenous Lagosians . He sees them as a threat to his selfish interest. Bola Tinubu is using his ill gotten wealth to suppress and oppress the indigenes of Lagos of State and to prevent the political advancement of the people .
So far, as Bola Tinubu holds his Political and economical grip on Lagos State , the political and economical development of the indigenous people will never materialise and therefore our people will be backward and remain in his bondage .
The time is now ripe for the indigenes of Lagos State to REVOLT against Bola Tinubu . We want to break away from the BONDAGE and SLAVERY imposed on the people of Lagos State .
FREEDOM
No one can continue to suppress and oppress the indigenous people of Lagos State forever . The spirit of ALLAH will eventually break the jinx. Now, we are determined to free our people from the shackles of SLAVERY imposed on us by Bola Tinubu .
FREEDOM FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE!, WE WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY IMPOSED ON US BY BOLA TINUBU .
Please click the link below to read the full story .
http://www.newspunch.org/tinubu-stalls-buharis-moves-to-appoint-fashola-as-chief-of-staff/
Tinubu’s past haunts him
Monday, February 3, 2003
Tinubu’s past haunts him...
*New affidavit alleges money laundering & other crimes
By Abdullahi Tasiu Abubakar
Fresh charges of fraud, forgery and money laundering are threatening the re-election bid of Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the coming April polls.
Daily Trust gathered that these charges–and many more–have already been sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the anti-corruption commission and security agencies, seeking for his disqualification and prosecution.
An Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Olowu, has deposed to an affidavit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirming his beliefs on the charges.
Daily Trust has in its possession both the affidavit and a 97–page petition specifying the charges, with documents, against the governor.
Although the petition restates past forgery allegations that had earlier been the subject of legal tussle between Governor Tinubu and Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, it also brings fresh allegations against the governor.
Top among them are drug and money laundering–related charges which Olowu said had led to the confiscation of Tinubu’s 460,000 US dollars (about N62 million) by a US court in 1993.
Citing the court’s records, Olowu alleged that Tinubu was docked at the US District Court in the Northern District of Illinois State in relation to the charges.
According to the petition, the records show that an American Special Agent, Kevin Moss, had deposed to an affidavit, alleging that Tinubu was probably involved in illicit drug and money laundering activities in violation of US laws 18 USC SS 1956 and 1957.
The agent also averred that the money held in Tinubu’s and his company’s accounts at the US First Heritage Bank, N.A. and Citibank International "represents the proceeds of drug trafficking, making the fund in the accounts forfeitable to the United States, pursuant to 18 USC S981 and 21 USC S881."
Olowu said: "Any doubt as to the veracity of the depositions of Special Agent Kevin Moss in terms of the forgoing is erased by the fact that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu engaged the US procedure of Plea bargain which resulted in the US court confiscating the $460,000 in the foregoing terms on September 15, 1993 by US District Judge John A. Nordberg," (see Document A on page 4).
But reacting to this particular allegation through his Information Commissioner, Governor Tinubu denied ever facing charges on drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
He did, however, admit that he forfeited the 460,000 US dollars in question to the US government in a negotiated settlement after a civil case was brought against the funds in his accounts in the US banks.
But, he said, he did that only to avoid substantial legal costs which would have followed in the absence of a compromise.
Tinubu’s defence was contained in a statement issued by Information Commissioner, Mr. Dele Alake, and published by yesterday’s edition of Sunday Punch and This Day on Sunday.
Alake said the civil suit was brought against Tinubu’s funds (and not Tinubu in person) in 1993 based on the Special Agent Kevin Moss’s suspicious that the funds were involved in financial transactions in violation of US laws.
"No criminal charge was ever brought or considered in conjunction with this lawsuit. It was a forfeiture action only and as no charges had arisen against anyone, no conviction or resulting sentence could possibly flow from such a civil law proceeding," he said.
"As the proceedings dragged on, Bola Tinubu incurred huge legal expenses and was later advised, in view of the time, effort and expense required for long drawn out legal proceedings in the US, to enter into negotiations with the US Attorney for a compromise settlement of claims to the funds," he added.
"The terms of the settlement actually reflected the Tinubu’s position that he was the rightful owner of the funds at issue and disputed the plaintiff’s allegation that any of the account funds represented the proceeds of illegal or wrongful activities," the statement added.
"It was only to avoid substantial legal costs, which would have followed in the absence of a compromise that he (Tinubu) agreed to withdraw his claim of entitlement to (the) $460,000 USAD.
"
The amount was never proven to be the proceeds of any illegal acts and there was never any legal proceeding held to determine anything more than the funds would (be forfeited) to the government without contest as part of the settlement Agreement," he added. (See Tinubu Defence on Pg. 5).
However, the petition against Tinubu was not only restricted to drug and money laundering allegations.
The petitioner also accused Tinubu of forgery and falsification of claims relating to his educational and professional qualifications.
Olowu alleged that Tinubu neither obtained a bachelors degree from the University of Chicago nor was he a Certified Public Accountant as he (Tinubu) claimed in the screening form he submitted to INEC in 1998.
"Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu never attended either the University of Chicago or the Chicago State University at anytime contrary to his claims. Neither did he obtain any B. Sc degree in Economics or Business Administration from any university. Indeed, he never qualified as a certified public accountant," he said.
Also, citing the contents of Tinubu’s passport and INEC’s screening form CF 001, Olowu further accused Tinubu of falsification of age.
"On Form CF 001, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu claimed to have been born in Lagos on March 29, 1952 whilst by passport No. A158399 issued by the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 16th February 1988, he was entered to have been born on 29th March, 1954 in Iragbiji, a place in Osun State of Nigeria," Olowu said (see Documents B and C on page 4).
An act of forgery alone, Olowu said, had clearly disqualified Tinubu from contesting elections as provided by Section (i) (j) of the 1999 constitution.
Similarly, Olowu alleged that Tinubu contravened Section 183 of the same constitution by being the Governor of Lagos and simultaneously remaining as a director of Compass Finance and Investment Company Limited.
He said "records of the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) in Nigeria confirms that as at 23rd July 2002, Bola Tinubu remains a director of Compass Finance and Investment Company Limited in addition to both Abiodun Agbele and Mueez Akande, identified as his long standing drug and money laundering associates in the Affidavit of Agent Kevin Moss." (see Document D on page 4).
In the petition, Olowu called on INEC to disqualify Tinubu from participating in the coming elections, and pleaded with the Inspector-General of Police to prosecute him.
He said the petition has shown "with compelling finality" that Tinubu "is not fit to be accepted as an aspirant" for the office of Lagos State Governor by INEC in the 2003 elections.
On the whole, we invite each of the authorities to commence their respective investigations into the above activities with a view to involving relevant and appropriate procedures," he added.
The petition’s cover note shows that both the petition and the affidavit had been submitted to the INEC, Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC) the Code of Conduct Bureau and the State Security Service headquarters in Abuja on the 17th of January, 2003.
When Daily Trust got the petition about two weeks ago, it made efforts to reach Governor Tinubu for his reactions.
On two occasions, Daily Trust contacted the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Segun Ayobolu, both on which he promised to provide detailed defence, but in vain.
In the first instance, he said that no one should take the petitions serious because "these are political times" when opponents engage in acts of "mud slinging and blackmail."
He, however, promised to visit our office in Abuja to provide us with their detailed defence.
Last Friday, too, he phoned again and said that he was coming to Abuja at the weekend to bring the details of their defence against the petition. He never did.
FREEDOM
No one can continue to suppress and oppress the indigenous people of Lagos State forever . The spirit of ALLAH will eventually break the jinx. Now, we are determined to free our people from the shackles of SLAVERY imposed on us by Bola Tinubu .
FREEDOM FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE!, WE WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY IMPOSED ON US BY BOLA TINUBU .
Tinubu’s past haunts him...
*New affidavit alleges money laundering & other crimes
By Abdullahi Tasiu Abubakar
Fresh charges of fraud, forgery and money laundering are threatening the re-election bid of Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the coming April polls.
Daily Trust gathered that these charges–and many more–have already been sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the anti-corruption commission and security agencies, seeking for his disqualification and prosecution.
An Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Olowu, has deposed to an affidavit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirming his beliefs on the charges.
Daily Trust has in its possession both the affidavit and a 97–page petition specifying the charges, with documents, against the governor.
Although the petition restates past forgery allegations that had earlier been the subject of legal tussle between Governor Tinubu and Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, it also brings fresh allegations against the governor.
Top among them are drug and money laundering–related charges which Olowu said had led to the confiscation of Tinubu’s 460,000 US dollars (about N62 million) by a US court in 1993.
Citing the court’s records, Olowu alleged that Tinubu was docked at the US District Court in the Northern District of Illinois State in relation to the charges.
According to the petition, the records show that an American Special Agent, Kevin Moss, had deposed to an affidavit, alleging that Tinubu was probably involved in illicit drug and money laundering activities in violation of US laws 18 USC SS 1956 and 1957.
The agent also averred that the money held in Tinubu’s and his company’s accounts at the US First Heritage Bank, N.A. and Citibank International "represents the proceeds of drug trafficking, making the fund in the accounts forfeitable to the United States, pursuant to 18 USC S981 and 21 USC S881."
Olowu said: "Any doubt as to the veracity of the depositions of Special Agent Kevin Moss in terms of the forgoing is erased by the fact that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu engaged the US procedure of Plea bargain which resulted in the US court confiscating the $460,000 in the foregoing terms on September 15, 1993 by US District Judge John A. Nordberg," (see Document A on page 4).
But reacting to this particular allegation through his Information Commissioner, Governor Tinubu denied ever facing charges on drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
He did, however, admit that he forfeited the 460,000 US dollars in question to the US government in a negotiated settlement after a civil case was brought against the funds in his accounts in the US banks.
But, he said, he did that only to avoid substantial legal costs which would have followed in the absence of a compromise.
Tinubu’s defence was contained in a statement issued by Information Commissioner, Mr. Dele Alake, and published by yesterday’s edition of Sunday Punch and This Day on Sunday.
Alake said the civil suit was brought against Tinubu’s funds (and not Tinubu in person) in 1993 based on the Special Agent Kevin Moss’s suspicious that the funds were involved in financial transactions in violation of US laws.
"No criminal charge was ever brought or considered in conjunction with this lawsuit. It was a forfeiture action only and as no charges had arisen against anyone, no conviction or resulting sentence could possibly flow from such a civil law proceeding," he said.
"As the proceedings dragged on, Bola Tinubu incurred huge legal expenses and was later advised, in view of the time, effort and expense required for long drawn out legal proceedings in the US, to enter into negotiations with the US Attorney for a compromise settlement of claims to the funds," he added.
"The terms of the settlement actually reflected the Tinubu’s position that he was the rightful owner of the funds at issue and disputed the plaintiff’s allegation that any of the account funds represented the proceeds of illegal or wrongful activities," the statement added.
"It was only to avoid substantial legal costs, which would have followed in the absence of a compromise that he (Tinubu) agreed to withdraw his claim of entitlement to (the) $460,000 USAD.
"
The amount was never proven to be the proceeds of any illegal acts and there was never any legal proceeding held to determine anything more than the funds would (be forfeited) to the government without contest as part of the settlement Agreement," he added. (See Tinubu Defence on Pg. 5).
However, the petition against Tinubu was not only restricted to drug and money laundering allegations.
The petitioner also accused Tinubu of forgery and falsification of claims relating to his educational and professional qualifications.
Olowu alleged that Tinubu neither obtained a bachelors degree from the University of Chicago nor was he a Certified Public Accountant as he (Tinubu) claimed in the screening form he submitted to INEC in 1998.
"Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu never attended either the University of Chicago or the Chicago State University at anytime contrary to his claims. Neither did he obtain any B. Sc degree in Economics or Business Administration from any university. Indeed, he never qualified as a certified public accountant," he said.
Also, citing the contents of Tinubu’s passport and INEC’s screening form CF 001, Olowu further accused Tinubu of falsification of age.
"On Form CF 001, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu claimed to have been born in Lagos on March 29, 1952 whilst by passport No. A158399 issued by the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 16th February 1988, he was entered to have been born on 29th March, 1954 in Iragbiji, a place in Osun State of Nigeria," Olowu said (see Documents B and C on page 4).
An act of forgery alone, Olowu said, had clearly disqualified Tinubu from contesting elections as provided by Section (i) (j) of the 1999 constitution.
Similarly, Olowu alleged that Tinubu contravened Section 183 of the same constitution by being the Governor of Lagos and simultaneously remaining as a director of Compass Finance and Investment Company Limited.
He said "records of the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) in Nigeria confirms that as at 23rd July 2002, Bola Tinubu remains a director of Compass Finance and Investment Company Limited in addition to both Abiodun Agbele and Mueez Akande, identified as his long standing drug and money laundering associates in the Affidavit of Agent Kevin Moss." (see Document D on page 4).
In the petition, Olowu called on INEC to disqualify Tinubu from participating in the coming elections, and pleaded with the Inspector-General of Police to prosecute him.
He said the petition has shown "with compelling finality" that Tinubu "is not fit to be accepted as an aspirant" for the office of Lagos State Governor by INEC in the 2003 elections.
On the whole, we invite each of the authorities to commence their respective investigations into the above activities with a view to involving relevant and appropriate procedures," he added.
The petition’s cover note shows that both the petition and the affidavit had been submitted to the INEC, Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC) the Code of Conduct Bureau and the State Security Service headquarters in Abuja on the 17th of January, 2003.
When Daily Trust got the petition about two weeks ago, it made efforts to reach Governor Tinubu for his reactions.
On two occasions, Daily Trust contacted the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Segun Ayobolu, both on which he promised to provide detailed defence, but in vain.
In the first instance, he said that no one should take the petitions serious because "these are political times" when opponents engage in acts of "mud slinging and blackmail."
He, however, promised to visit our office in Abuja to provide us with their detailed defence.
Last Friday, too, he phoned again and said that he was coming to Abuja at the weekend to bring the details of their defence against the petition. He never did.
FREEDOM
No one can continue to suppress and oppress the indigenous people of Lagos State forever . The spirit of ALLAH will eventually break the jinx. Now, we are determined to free our people from the shackles of SLAVERY imposed on us by Bola Tinubu .
FREEDOM FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF LAGOS STATE!, WE WANT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY IMPOSED ON US BY BOLA TINUBU .
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