N'Delta Avengers' Identity Unraveled; "They're NOT Nigerians" - Jonathan's Close Ally Reveals

The Identity of the notorious Niger Delta Avengers, the militants specialises in bombings of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region has begun to unearth.

A prominent female activist from the Niger Delta, Ankio Briggs, on Sunday condemned the Niger Delta Avengers for attacking oil and gas pipelines and installations in the region, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Ms. Briggs, a close ally of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, said the avengers were from Somalia and not Nigeria.

The avengers have claimed responsibility for recent attacks on oil and power installations in the Niger Delta. The attacks have reduced almost by half Nigeria’s oil production and caused darkness across the country by destroying pipelines that supply gas to power stations.

Ms. Briggs spoke in Enugu at the 17th Annual Convention of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, with the theme `Nigeria, still in pursuit of true fiscal federalism’.

She also condemned the recent murder by an irate mob of a woman, Bridget Agbamihe, in Kano for blasphemy as well as herdsmen attacks in Nimbo, Enugu State and other parts of the country.

Also speaking at the event, Alex Ekwueme, Second Republic Vice-President, and a former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana called for true federalism and devolution of powers to the states.

They said that restructuring and resource control by regions was a panacea to end acts of uprising across the country.

The former vice-president, who chaired the event, said that the British colonialists had earlier divided the country to enable each region control and manage its resources without interference.

“The British colonial masters divided the country in such a way that every region will operate within its constitution,” he said.

The guest speaker and former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, said that the key solution to Nigeria’s problem was through true federalism and devolution of powers to states.

“True fiscal federalism is the only form of association that will allow peace and stability in the country and each region should be allowed to manage its resources the way they want it,” Mr. Gana said.

He noted that the formula for allocating revenue made the Federal Government to get richer while the states operated like beggars.

“States should be allowed to manage its resources to enable them govern their people the way they want and allocate some percentage to the Federal Government.

“Government should not be far from the people and the federating unit should be made strong to meet the needs of the people,” he said.

Mr. Gana recommended continuous dialogue and the implementation of the resolutions of national confab by the government as the only means the recent agitation and other national demand could be handled.

A Yoruba leader, Ayo Adebanjo, said that the various acts of political instability in the country were because the constitution under which the country was governed was not good for heterogeneous country like Nigeria.

“To put a stop at the various uprising in the country such as Niger Delta Avengers, MASSOB, IPOB etc, our constitution needs to be changed to allow for restructuring of the country under true federalism.

Earlier, the founder of IYM, Elliot Uko, said that the event was to honour prominent Nigerians who had contributed to the growth and development of the country.

He said Igbo youth were committed to building a stronger Nigeria and to reduce the tension in the region, adding that true federalism would help the country to grow and prosper.

The highlight of the event was presentation of awards to Messrs. Gana, Adebayo, detained Biafra secessionist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and Ms. Briggs.

The event was also attended by former governors of Anambra, Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Peter Obi, and students from tertiary institutions in the South-East.

(NAN)

Diezani's Bribe For Election Scandal: 2 Jonathan's Ministers, INEC Chiefs Refund N1bln Loots

Those tagging the current probe of some government officials and politician who served under the ousted former President Goodluck Jonathan as witch-hunting should have a rethink as two of his ministers and some Chief of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC have also refunded the sum over N1 billion as party of the N23.29billion allegedly pumped into the failed bid to get former President Goodluck Jonathan re-elected by bribing INEC officials.

The N23.29billion allegedly came from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. It allegedly came from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The cash, according to The Nation Newspaper came from  some former ministers, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and coordinators of some election observer groups.

The Federal government had few days ago disclosed it has recovered fund running into trillions of naira, being loots from the coffer of the nation's treasury, yet some Nigeria stil believed the effort aimed at witch-hunting.

In the process, more than N2billion has been frozen in many accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

The cash is part of the N23.29billion allegedly pumped into the failed bid to get former President Goodluck Jonathan re-elected by bribing INEC officials. It allegedly came from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

There are also refund pledges running into billions of naira, a source said.

The latest of such refunds came yesterday from two former ministers, three INEC officials and a coordinator of election observers who paid back N62,750,000 to the EFCC.

Besides, no fewer than 36 INEC officials have been implicated in the campaign cash fraud.

According to a source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media, the EFCC has recovered more than N1billion cash from those who shared in the bribe.

The source said: “In all the six geopolitical zones, most of those quizzed have admitted benefiting in one way or the other from the cash.

“Our investigation revealed that there appears to be a pattern of allocating about N450million to each of the 36 states and FCT.

“Some of the beneficiaries have paid back; others made pledges and some are still meeting in groups to refund what was allocated to them.

“So far, we have recovered over N1billion in cash and more than N2billion frozen in some accounts nationwide.

“We have given them deadline and they seem to be willing to pay back.”

The Nation stumbled on a document in which some of the refunds are listed. They include N359millon by some INEC staff in Oyo and Ogun states; a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Sen. Joel Ikenya Danlami (N2m);  ex-Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly Mark Bako Useni (N1m);  ex-Minister of Power Wakil Muhammad (N6,680,000); ex-Minister of Science and Technology Abdu Bulama (N5m); Muhammed Kadai(N1m); the Coordinator of observers in Maiduguri, Jummai Lawan Ibrahim(N19m); and a former INEC official, Bunu Mulina (N6m).

Others are INEC officials, including Mohammad Umar ( N17m); Kabir Bello (N5m); and Musa Buba Amshi (N4m); Senator Kumo Saidu Umar and ex-PDP Chairman in Gombe State, Paloma Nuhu N4million( N2 million each) which they claimed to be their personal benefits from the fund.

The latest of such refund (N62, 750,000) came yesterday from Maiduguri zonal office.

The source said: “In continuation of the ongoing investigation of some INEC officials in Maiduguri and two former ministers, the Advance Fee Fraud/Extractive Industries Unit handling the investigation was able to recover N62,750,000.

 “Investigation is ongoing in the matter as other people are expected to come for questioning. The serving INEC officials are detained in the EFCC office.”

There were indications yesterday that the number of serving INEC officials quizzed by the EFCC on the scandal has risen to 36.

They comprise 16 top directors at the headquarters, a Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC), Gesil Khan and five others from Cross River; 11 in Gombe State, were grilled at the Gombe State Zonal office of the EFCC; and three detained  in Borno.

Grilled are Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe deal; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

A retired INEC official, Sani Isa,  was grilled for alleged N406,206,000 bribe allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC) in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

Those grilled in Gombe are: Godwin Maiyaki Gambo Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed,Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel, Y/Deba.

The EFCC source said: “So far, we have questioned more than 36 INEC staff but we are still counting. We are expecting more names from our zonal offices in  Port Harcourt, Enugu, Gombe, Kano and Lagos.

“At the end of our investigation, we will refer the list of those indicted to INEC management for appropriate disciplinary action.

“This is without prejudice to the fact that the law will take its course. Some of the INEC officials may face trial.”

TheNation

Amaju Pinnick SACKED, Chris Giwa Emerges New NFF President

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State has sacked the Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick.

The Court also ordered Chris Giwa to resume office as president of the football federation.

The duo of Adama Yahaya and Obinna Ogba had approached the court to re-list the suit against Pinnick which they withdrew after the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Before the court ruling, many Nigerians had demanded the resignation of Pinnick from office who blamed him for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the AFCON 2017, same way they missed out on the 2015 edition.

Pinnick had played down on the resignation calls, describing them as unnecessary.

It is yet to be seen how the world football governing body, FIFA, will react to the new twist in Nigerian football.

FIFA opposes football matters being taken to civil courts.

Premium Times

#Dasukigate: Jonathan's AGF Refunds N1b As Army Gen. Weeps At Panel, You'll Be Shocked Why

An ex-Accountant General of the Federation under former President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly refunded the sum of N1 billion he got from the controversial $2.1 billion arms procurement funds being investigated.

According to New Telegraph, sources close to the arms panel told our correspondent that what put the former AGF into trouble was payments made to him from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) office while he was in office. A source said: “You know, when you are in office as he was, there are certain things you cannot run away from.

The money in question was given to him as a thank-you gift. But you also know that it is difficult to deny receipt of such gifts. The records are there. So, when the panel called on him upon discovery, he had no option than to return whatever he took.”

The source said that for now, it was not clear if the former AGF would be prosecuted or has been left off the hook by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). New Telegraph also gathered from authoritative sources that some former Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS) may soon be invited to shed light on award of contracts and procurements made during their tenures. “Let me state that the invitation, whenever it happens, will not amount to guilt; it will be to offer clarifications on possible grey areas,” a sources said.

This is coming on the heels of indications that the audit panel may have submitted its third interim report to the president on contract awards and procurements by the Nigerian Army. The interim report is coming after the audit panel had turned in two previous reports bordering on arms procurements by the ONSA as well as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The holistic probe spans a period of eight years (2007-2015).

Meanwhile, a serving Major General broke down in tears when onfronted with incontrovertible evidence of malfeasance, during his appearance before the 13-man panel probing procurement of arms and other military equipment between 2007 and 2015.

New Telegraph gathered from highly placed military sources that the two-star general, who once held a powerful position at one of the formations under the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wept shortly after he was confronted with hard and overwhelming evidence of alleged corrupt practices in the procurement of military hardware.

The Army General was among the 17 serving and retired military officers indicted in the first interim report of the audit panel over the procurement of arms and other equipment for the Nigeria Air Force (NAF). “He was indicted in the first interim report on the Air Force. Now he has a case in the procurement of arms and other military equipment for the Nigerian Army,” the source said.

It was gathered that the senior Army officer, who is currently on posting at the DHQ, is alleged to have been involved in the purchase of some substandard Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other equipment, for the prosecution of the anti-Boko Haram war in Borno and other troubled North-East states. One of the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, owing to the sensitivity of the probe, said the General, who initially denied any wrongdoing in the arms deal, was forced to eat his words, when the audit panel confronted him with suspicious transactions made through his personal accounts.

“The panel discovered through painstaking investigation several suspicious lodgements in personal domiciliary accounts in about five banks belonging to the Army General,” the source said. The said transactions were all the panel used to humble him during his appearance. New Telegraph’s investigation further revealed that many of the purchases were done at outrageously high and inflated prices; a development, which was said to be too stunning to contemplate.

The panel, it was reliably learnt, allegedly discovered that the General was deeply involved in the procurement process, using his former position at one of the military formations. “Maybe I should tell you that a serving Major General broke down in tears when he was confronted with realities of his involvement in (alleged) shady deals in respect of purchase of arms and other military equipment.

“Though, he had insisted that his hands were clean, claiming that he did not abuse his office at a formation. All that ceased when the panel showed him hard and incontrovertible facts, which suggested that nothing could be farther from the truth.

“Listen, as a serving officer, what will such huge amount of money be doing in his personal accounts, as a public officer? “As officers and soldiers, we are not strangers to the fact that our esteemed profession is not one that confers outrageous wealth on us,” he said. Continuing, the reliable source said: “It is ridiculous that, what we are seeing was done by some of our officers. “The (alleged) fraud is so monumental that you will want to ask what is really happening in our country.”

A retired Major General, who handled finances of the Nigerian Army, confirmed to New Telegraph that he had appeared before the panel. “I was invited to state all I knew about the arms purchase. As a Major General, I was a member of the Army Council and I had the privilege to have served three Chiefs of Army Staff. So, I stated all that I knew about the procurement of arms and ammunition. The three Chiefs of Army Staff I served were not in any way involved in the arms scandal.

“So, my invitation was just a routine thing. My hands are clean and the records are there,” the General told New Telegraph. 

Also, our source gathered from highly placed military sources that the interim report on the Army, which is now being studied by President Muhammadu Buhari, contains discoveries that are said to be more damning than that of the Air Force. It was gathered authoritatively that many retired Army Chiefs as well as other retired and serving officers, were indicted of alleged fraud running into billions of naira.

The sources, who spoke with New Telegraph in confidence, also hinted that some of the Task Forces set up in the past, were alleged drain-pipes for diverting billions of naira. “The panel has turned in its interim report on the Army to Mr. President, who is now studying same, and will soon direct the EFCC, to act, by way of investigation and possible prosecution of suspects, in the event that prima facie cases are established against anyone.

“In fact, the findings of the panel as contained in their latest report, are more damning and heartrending,” one of the independent sources, said. He added that “the panel also discovered that many task forces constituted in the past, were a conduit for siphoning public funds,” even as he added that “a Major General was also indicted in the interim report.” It was further learnt that the panel arrived at its conclusion after embarking on physical assessment and verification of some Army formations, where the equipment purchased or said to have been purchased, were kept.