EFCC backs off from G7 governors’ probe

EFCC suspends probe of G7 governors over deal with Jonathan.

By Ishaya Ibrahim (Lagos) and Rotimi Akinwunmi (Abuja) 
• Baraje group weighs options
The Presidency may have begun implementing some of the demands made by members of the breakaway faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who now call themselves the new PDP in order to resolve the crisis that has bedeviled the party.
It has also emerged that despite efforts being made to settle the crisis which has divided the PDP into two factions, the Kawu Baraje-led faction is weighing several options and may move out of the PDP if the matter is not amicably resolved before the race for 2015 general election officially kicks off.
Following last Sunday’s peace meeting between the two warring factions of the PDP, Sunday Independent investigation revealed that one of the demands of the new PDP borders on the ongoing investigation of the seven governors who are members of the group by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the week, we got it on good authority that the EFCC has backed off from probe of the G7 governors, apparently acting on directive from above.
The Commission has been investigating all G7 governors and their aides for sundry financial crimes. The governors are: Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Aliyu Magatakardan Wamakko of Sokoto, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and his benefactor, Senator Bukola Saraki, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Muritala Nyako of Adamawa.
Sources in the EFCC who pleaded to speak only on the condition of anonymity, said the Presidency may have reached out to the Commission to suspend its investigations of these governors.
Top operatives of the anti-graft agency who spoke to Sunday Independent, said before the split in the PDP, the investigation of the G7 governors was a top priority.
According to one source, the governors were being probed for different cases of mismanagement of the resources of their states, but that after last Sunday’s peace meeting, the “case file of the governors have been taken to the coolers.”
But another source at the Commission who also confirmed that all the governors have petitions hanging against them at the EFCC, and disagreed that the Commission had temporarily suspended investigation of the governors.
He said: “We are investigating these governors based on petitions that have been brought against them by different groups and individuals from their states. I assure you no matter what anybody may say; we will get to the root of the issues raised by the petitioners. If they are clean, of course no one will touch them, but if their hands are soiled, they will face the full wrath of the law at the right time.”
However, when Sunday Independent asked for the reaction of the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwajaren, since the Commission has been dragged into the PDP politics, he said there was nothing to react on.  “There is nothing to react on here. It does not have anything to do with it,” he said.
It would be recalled that other demands of the new PDP include the sack of PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur; return of party structures to governors in Adamawa, Rivers, Kano, and other states; agreement by Jonathan not to seek re-election in 2015; resolution of the crises in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Rivers State crises, including the lifting of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s suspension.
However, most Nigerians have since reacted to their demand, especially the one on EFCC, describing it as “taking politics too far” and trying to bend the laws of the country to suit them.
Meanwhile, Sunday Independent gathered that the leadership of the group has put together a “plan B” in case the elders of the party are unable to resolve the contentious issues  which have virtually taken away the peace of the party.
Sources within the new PDP told this newspaper that the leaders of the new PDP are waiting on the courts as well to decide the merit of their complaints against the Tukur-led faction of the party before deciding on what next step to take which probably will be to pull out if the court judgement at the end of the day is not favourable to the Baraje group.
A dependable source within the new PDP told this newspaper in confidence that “the fact remains that as much as we are eager to stay put in PDP, it will not be a do or die affair as we have a lot of other options available to us to be afloat by 2015.
“We have the following options to adopt if we consider that PDP is no longer an option the following options suffices – to team up with any of the existing political parties that will give us the leverage to promote the type of democracy and sustain our nation according to our vision or form a new political party.
“We hope to cross the bridge once we get there.”
However, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, National Publicity Secretary of PDP under the leadership of Baraje while responding to inquiry by this newspaper ruled out the possibility of leaving the PDP for any other party, insisting that the party belongs to them and will do everything possible to take firm control of it once again.
He said members of the party under the leadership of Baraje are the real owners of the party as they were the ones who formed and nurtured it to what it is today.
“Defecting from the party to another one in the face of the current crisis will be an act of cowardice.”
In a telephone chat with this reporter, Eze said, “If you read Governor Sule Lamido’s interview published today (Saturday) in one of the national dailies he stated that he is not ready to leave PDP for scavengers.
“His stand captures our thinking about leaving PDP.  Most of us were foundation members of PDP and it will not be fair for any reason to leave a political party we have struggled to build to what it is by today to people who want to frustrate us out of the party.
“This if done, will be cowardice on our side as we are very determined to bring peace to the party not minding the evil machinations and frustration to restore peace by the Tukur’s side.”
He also exhibited a high level of confidence that the Baraje group will be fully in charge of the party as 2015 general election draws nearer, and banished any fear of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) taking sides with the Tukur faction of the party.
According to him, INEC has no option but to follow the law in the case of the struggle for the soul of PDP which he said, the court will soon deliver to the Baraje leadership of the PDP.
“The INEC is a legal institution that must obey the law of the land.
“In this case INEC will abide with what the court says about our case with the Tukur’s faction knowing very well that the party’s convention that brought in the present NWC of Tukur was illegally executed and are bound to be flushed out by a competent court in Nigeria based on facts available to us as no delegates were allowed to vote during the convention.
“So the thinking that INEC will support the Tukur’s faction against us because they are aligned with the President does not hold water.”
He, however, insisted that Tukur should be blamed for the crisis dragging for a long period of time, noting that he remains recalcitrant and unwilling to allow peace reign in the party.

DailyIndependent

Anambra polls: INEC official charged with negligence

 by Adelanwa Bamgboye

Prof. Attahiru Jega

The man in the centre of the storm that stalls the Anambra governorship election has been charged with negligence of duty in an Abuja court.

Chukwujekwu Okeke, 54 INEC official in charge of Idemili North, election faces one year jail term or N500,000 fine as stipulated in the electoral Act.
He was charged at Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday and was ordered to be remanded in police custody till December 2.
Chief Magistrate Mr Usman Shuaibu said this was to enable the police complete investigation in the matter.
He also said that the accused’s application for bail would be considered on that day.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Dsp Stanley Nwodo, from the Force CID, said that on Nov. 16, the accused unlawfully breached his official duties at Idemili, where he was deployed.
Nwodo informed the court that the accused deliberately withheld electoral materials designed for the elections, thereby, breaching electoral procedures.
He prayed the court to give the police 14 days to enable it complete investigation into the matter.
Nwodo said that the accused, who pleaded not guilty, was standing trial on a one-count charge of dereliction of duty contrary to Section 123 (1) (2) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2010.
The counsel to the accused, Mr Daniel Nwogbodo, applied for bail for his client saying that an accused is considered innocent until otherwise proven.
Nwogbodo said his client was a senior civil servant and a responsible family man and would not jump bail if granted.
He also said that his client had a health condition (high Blood Preasure), which started deteriorating in Awka where he was held in police custody before being transferred to the force CID in Abuja.
Nwogbodo also told the court that his client would not jeopardise police investigation. (NAN)
Section 123 of the Electoral Act stipulates that “any officer appointed for the purposes of this Act, who without lawful excuse commits any ,act or omits to act in breach of his official duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000.00 or to imprisonment for 12 months or both.

DailyTrust

The Funny nicknames Nigerians give vehicles

If you are not a Nigerian and you want to buy a car in Nigeria soon, or visit a mechanic, you really have to know the car brands in Nigeria with the funny appellations most cars now bear

It is a fact that all vehicles have makers and models but rather than identify them by such, some Nigerians prefer to localise their names. The reason for such renaming is as diverse as the car brands.

When the Volkswagen Beetle, known officially as Volkswagen Type 1, was manufactured, the car was rechristened in Nigeria with names such as Ijapa (tortoise)and So kinso (the occupant beside the driver needs to get down before those on the back seat can alight) when it hit the country auto market in the 70s.


Given the similarity between the vehicle and the tortoise, it took no time before the appellation ‘Ijapa’ was given to the car. Though it is a Yoruba word, it stuck to the car like a second skin.

Besides that brand of Volkswagen (which has since been upgraded) and some others after it, newer models of car brands have also been nicknamed.

We learnt that Cadillac Escalade is called Chairman, Infiniti fx35 goes by the name Dwarf, Toyota Starlet and Nissan Micra are nicknamed Rabbit, Toyota Avalon bearsLong John, BMW 5 series 05 is rechristened Cobra while Nissan Pathfinder is called Lorry.

Some other vehicles with funny nicknames are Mack trucks addressed as Kill and Go, Peugeot 407 called Jet, FJ Cruiser known as Hummer Jnr., Toyota Highlander is given the appellation Carton Wagon, Volkswagen Jetta is named Big Packet,Volkswagen Golf is rechristened Packet and Volvo GL750 funnily bears Coffin.

Other popular vehicles with amusing nicknames are Mazda 6 bearing Ninja Face; Lexus RX300, Ajebor; BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S Class, Beast; Toyota Corolla 96 model, First Lady;

 Toyota Camry 2001 model, Drop Light; Nissan Xterra, Lego Jeep; Toyota Camry 2003-2005 models, Big for Nothing or Big Daddy; Toyota Camry 1995 model, Orobo; 

Toyota Camry 1999 model, Tiny/Pencil Light; Honda Accord 1996 model, Bulldog and Honda Accord 1995 model named Bullet.

Others include Toyota Tundra 2010 model, The Bully; Honda Accord 1999-2002 models, Baby Boy; Honda Accord 2011-2012 models, Evil Spirit; Honda Accord 2003-2005, End of Discussion; Honda Accord 2006-2010 models, Discussion Continues; and Honda Accord ex 1994 model nicknamed Honda Hala.

A motorist, who drives a Honda Accord 2000 model, Ifeanyi Essien, said he only got to know of the nickname given to his brand of car when he wanted to purchase it.

He said he kept on naming the brand he wanted but his car dealer told him it was important for him to identify the car as Baby Boy.

Essien said, ‘‘He told me that it would be hard to identify the car by its model or brand. He said the best way was to either call it ‘Baby Boy’ or show its picture whenever I am discussing the car.’’

He further said curiosity led him to know why the car was named ‘Baby Boy’ especially when his car dealer was unable to explain the origin of the name.

He stated, ‘‘I was interested to know why the car was so named since I already bought it and I did not see any nexus between the car and the nickname. All the people I asked were unable to explain why the car is named ‘Baby Boy,’ I decided to ask questions from importers of cars but none could tell me. I later found out that the car was used by a Nollywood actor to carry his wife in a movie titled, Baby Boy. It is so funny because so many people call the car by that nickname but no one knows why it is so.’’

Another motorist identified as Festus Oriloye who drives same Honda Accord model told our correspondent that he did not know why the car was nicknamed Baby Boy.

He said, ‘‘I know they call it Baby Boy but I do not know why and I don’t think I should bother myself about that.’’

On his part, a tyre dealer, Mr. Kingdom Ndubuisi, said car importers usually find one appellation or the other for vehicles for easy identification.

When asked if the model or brand name was not enough identification for them, Ndubuisi added, ‘‘Nigeria is a peculiar country. We always find a name to suit things. The nicknames for cars are coined by importers so that people can identify the vehicles better rather than with their brand names.’’

Also, a businessman, Mr. Innocent Nwadikwa, said the same way commercial motorcycles were named Okada was similar to how vehicles were being rechristened in Nigeria.

He however added that each of the nicknames given to the car would have a source since the appellation, Okada is traceable to a town in Edo State and an airline once owned by a business mogul in the state.

Nwadike said, ‘‘I think it is just one person who will give a particular car a nickname and it sticks. For instance, those fairly used products from abroad are called tokunbo. It is to show that they were imported. By that name, it is easy for anybody to know that the products are not locally made.’’

A lady, who gave her name simply as Lillian, stated that Nigerians give vehicles nicknames for identification purposes because it would be easy for people to know the brands that way.

Yinka Ajayi, who drives a Toyota Camry V6 2002 model, said his brand of car is nicknamed Envelope.

He added that he believed the car was so nicknamed because its reverse light is envelope-shaped.

Ajayi also said he was of the opinion that nicknames were given to the cars in order to dignify and identify them better.

‘‘Overseas, people identify vehicles by their models and brand names. But here in Nigeria, we want to identify the cars better and also to dignify and make them saleable. Hence, they come up with funny appellations. Toyota Camry 1999 model is called Tiny/Pencil light because its reverse light has a pointed edge like a pencil and it glitters at night. Car dealers give the cars nicknames and we just call them so,” Ajayi noted.

Another tyre seller, Mr. Chizom Michael, stated that shapes of vehicles determine their nicknames. He cited examples of such names as Orobo, Tiny Light, Bulldog and Bullet which he said match the sizes, shapes and built of vehicles bearing them.

Segun Fetuga, who drives a Honda Accord 2011 model nicknamed Evil Spirit, supported Michael’s submission.

He felt the car was given such nickname because of what he described as its scary head lamps which seem to forewarn those crossing roads without paying attention.

Commenting on the Honda Accord vehicles nicknamed ‘End of Discussion,’ Mr. Sola Adebiyi, who drives a 2004 model said the origin was from a television advertisement some years ago. He said in the advert, some gentlemen were discussing about the features of the car and that after the discussion, they were convinced about the reliability of the car and the advert ended with ‘End of Discussion.’

He added that that was how the models of the car till 2005 were rechristened ‘End of Discussion.”

He further said when a new model of the Honda Accord was manufactured in 2006, another advertisement came on air and with the payoff: ‘Discussion Continues.’

Adebiyi said that was how the car brands got their nicknames.

‘‘I remember that when the new model came out in 2006, the advertisement for it highlighted the features which it has over the former models. It was a funny advert showing the wonder-on-wheel. Car dealers did not sweat to find a nickname for that brand because the first and second advertisements have somehow creatively renamed the brand,’’ he added.

A banker, Mr. Tijani Afeez, told NE that he was surprised when a car dealer asked him if he wanted the Discussion Continues model of Honda Accord when he requested for the car’s latest brand in 2008.

Afeez said, ‘‘I was tempted to ask if there was a discussion earlier on the vehicle because it was strange to me.’’

Also, a motorist, Affiong Udom, was full of laughter when our correspondent asked if he knew why his Toyota Camry 2004 model is called ‘Big for Nothing.’

He said the car’s dashboard, size and boot were believed to be large hence the appellation: Big for Nothing.

TON

Jonathan has endorsed corruption by nominating Adamu Muazu as PENCOM boss – TMG

By Wale Odunsi

A pro-democracy organisation, Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has described the nomination of a former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, as the Chairman of the Nigerian Pension Commission as an endorsement of corruption by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The TMG said its conclusion was based on the grounds that Muazu is still being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged mismanagement of N19.8 billion of his state’s resources while in office as governor.
The group said his appointment has rubbished claims by the administration that it is seriously fighting corruption.
The statement reads in full: “Few days ago, President Goodluck Jonathan nominated former Bauchi State Governor, Mu’azu Adamu as Chairman of the Nigerian Pension Commission (PENCOM), and subsequently forwarded his name to the Senate for confirmation.
“The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) is astonished and peeved by this move of the President, especially in the light of the fact that the former Governor is yet to be cleared by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of the corruption charges he is facing for allegedly defrauding the coffers of Bauchi State to the tune of N19.8billion when he was Governor of the State. This and other similar acts of Mr. President, particularly his penchant for surrounding himself with famed corrupt individuals makes his government’s so-called anti-corruption efforts a laughing stock, for it is patently obvious from his antecedents that President Jonathan endorses corruption.

“TMG recalls that in the heat of the corruption charges against the same Mu’azu Adamu, President Jonathan appointed him in 2011 as Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). It was with the President’s nod that Business Mogul, Mike Adenuga and his wife, Titi Adenuga in late 2010 walked free from the EFCC charges they were facing for reportedly collecting bribes from Siemens officials; and it was this same attitude of Presidential Romance with alleged corrupt individuals that enabled controversial Lawyer, Dele Oye to walk scot free from EFCC charges of allegedly acting as front for the defunct Oceanic Bank CEO, Cecilia Ibru; and aiding her to loot tens of billions of Naira in Bank assets.
“The Nigerian people of course will not forget in a hurry how this same President granted Presidential Pardon to a notorious convicted corrupt former Governor and his kinsman, DSP Alamieyeseigha and other criminals, including a paedophile. Those who recently looted the Police Pensions Board, including its former Director are yet to be brought to book. The list is endless; yet Jonathan’s regime talks about fight against corruption.
“The attitude of Mr. President in recycling corrupt individuals in public places is worrisome and does not inspire confidence at all. In fact, on issue after issue, he has shown that he will never combat corruption but will rather aid, abet and shield corrupt officials.
“TMG therefore calls on the President to withdraw immediately the nomination of Adamu Mu’azu as Chairman of PENCOM and take creative steps to rebuild goodwill and imbue confidence in the anti-corruption war. This is the only pathway to redemption, prosperity and development in this country.”

DailyPost

Lawmakers reject Aero as national carrier

 by Turaki A. Hassan & Musa Abdullahi Krishi

Nigeariann Senate

.Senate orders freeze of new aviation levies

The reported moves by the Federal Government to designate Aero Contractors airline as the national flag carrier has run into turbulence as some federal lawmakers yesterday rejected the idea.
Aero is at present run by the government, having being taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) because of bad debts.
The Aviation Ministry, which had since announced plans to operate a national airline, appears to be preparing Aero for this. An Aero aircraft that went abroad for routine maintenance flew back in new national colours last week, and is now at the airport in Lagos.
Reports, which ministry officials denied, said the plane would be unveiled this week as part of the new airline.
But members of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on aviation spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, saying they would not support the government’s move.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who is on the Senate Committee on Aviation, said Aero was already a dying company that did not deserve to fly the national colours.
“I am in support of designating any performing airline as our national carrier. I don’t know why they are hesitating in designating Arik as a national carrier which is doing wel,” said Ndume, who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on MDGs.
“How can they bring a dying company to be our national carrier just to cover up for some of their lapses? They want to use our national resources to cover up the inefficiency of some people who ruined their company and were bailed out with tax payer’s money.”
He added that the Aero idea “is already dead on arrival because the company was almost dead; just because they painted one aircraft in Nigerian colours does not make it our national carrier because it takes more than that.”
Also speaking to Daily Trust, a member of the House Aviation Committee, Rep Idris Garba Abdullahi (APC, Niger), said it appears the Federal Government was not serious about developing the aviation sector.
“If we’re serious, we can’t have Aero Contractors as a national carrier. This is an airline that cannot service Abuja, Lagos and the rest, yet they’re talking of having it as a national carrier? What will Aero do internationally when it can’t serve us domestically? I think the Federal Government has to be serious for once,” he said.
Idris said if well harnessed, the aviation sector could boost Nigeria’s economy. “If the Federal Government wants to do this thing well, they can go into a lease agreement with some money and pick the routes that we’re already relating with.”
He added: “They cannot start with Aero Contractors. We need a bigger airline to ply those routes. This is something that can sustain our economy, but we don’t want to be serious. Look at Ethiopia for example; they’re doing well in that regard.”
When our reporter contacted House Aviation Committee chairperson Rep Nkiruka Onjejeocha (PDP, Abia) for comments, she simply replied via text to say: “I am not in Nigeria. I will grant you interview when I come back.”
New aviation levies suspended
Earlier yesterday, the Senate Committee on Aviation asked the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to suspend the recent charges imposed on local and foreign registered private airline operators on non-scheduled flights in Nigeria.
Committee chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma (PDP, Imo), gave the directives during a meeting with NAMA management and private aircraft operators in Abuja yesterday.
He asked the agency to make wide consultations with the private jet operators towards adopting an acceptable levy regime.
NAMA recently introduced a new a pay-as-you-go charge regime whereby foreign registered airline operators are expected to pay a flat levy of $3,000 while their indigenous counterparts are to be levied $2,500 on each flight.
Spokesperson of the private airlines operators on non-scheduled flights in Nigeria, Alhaji Bala Ibn Na’allah, described the new levies as discriminatory because the arrangement was not applicable to airline operators on scheduled flights.
“We want to be led by the rule of law,” he said. “NCAA did not consult us before imposing levies on us…. For every take off, we are paying $2,500. Why are we paying in dollars when it is not our local currency in the country?”
For his part, NAMA Director General, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, told the lawmakers that the jet operators “are also at liberty to pay in naira. Payment in dollars is at their liberty…. The charges would make them to ensure sanity.
“Before the new one-stop-shop payment, we were charging navigation, landing, parking and terminal navigation levies but services being offered in Nigeria must also conform to international best practices.
“They don’t pay five percent charges out of the revenues they make. Safety is not cheap, the new levies are desirable because we have to maintain standards at all times.”
But Udoh agreed to suspend the new levies until further consultations were made.

DailyTrust

BREAKING NEWS: APC merges with New PDP

Festus Owete

The merger was announced in Abuja.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced a merger with the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, tagged ‘New PDP’
The merger was announced at the end of a meeting at the Kano Governors Lodge in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr. Baraje read the terse communique to journalists at about 11.46 a.m.
The merger means the APC now has its 11 governors and the seven governors who are members of the New PDP; making a total of 18 state governors.
The seven New PDP governors were expected to have a last meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan before taking a decision. The meeting is yet to be held.
Details later…

PremiumTimes

Beware of people like Akpabio – Nyako cautions Jonathan

By Wale Odunsi

Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako has warned President Goodluck Jonathan to beware of people of his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Godswill Akpabio.
Nyako was referring to comments Akpabio made on Monday at the launch of the third phase of the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) programme by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Akpabio, who apparently was referring to the aggrieved governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said, “I believe that you cannot be a good leader unless you’re a good follower and I believe also strongly that leadership comes from God.
“So the question of rebelling against leadership does not occur because if I rebel against the leadership at the federal level, I should expect somebody also to rebel against my leadership at the state level, maybe from my own local government or thereabouts.

“And it is expected that as a governor of a state, I should be expected to respect the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So it is not important who occupies the position. I think what is important is to give respect to the institution of the presidency in Nigeria. And that way, the international community can also respect Nigeria.”
But in a swift response, Nyako said the statement was capable of inciting Nigerians against the G7.
He therefore advised the president to be “wary of people like Akpabio who wants to chase away other Nigerians from him so that he alone would be seen as a loyalist.
“PDP as presently constituted does not promote justice and equity but constitutes a major setback to democracy. Indeed, the current PDP can best be described as the enemy of democracy.
“The leadership started by substituting its Anambra governorship candidates’ names in Abuja and ended disowning its candidate even after INEC had owned up to a dismal election that was seriously sabotaged.
“The PDP has lost its voice in democracy and now constitutes an enemy of what is just and honest,” the governor regretted.

DailyPost