Metuh To EFCC: I Would Rather Starve Than Refund N400 Million

Detectives have hit a stalemate in their bid to recover the N400 million traced to a company in which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh has a stake. He is said to have told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he would rather go on hunger strike than refund the money, which is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion arms cash allegedly diverted at the Office National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Jafaru Isa returned N100 million, says Magu

How I shared N100 million, by Nwobodo 

Anenih’s letter to Falae on poll deal

Detectives have hit a stalemate in their bid to recover the N400 million traced to a company in which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh has a stake.

Olisah Metuh

He is said to have told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he would rather go on hunger strike than refund the money, which is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion arms cash allegedly diverted at the Office National Security Adviser (ONSA).

EFCC chair Ibrahim Magu, who revealed Metuh’s position yesterday in Lagos, stressed that the war against corruption had just begun.

Speaking during a meeting with online reporters, Magu vowed to bring corrupt elements to justice, explaining that the looting of the nation’s treasury “is mind boggling”.

He said former Military Administrator of Kaduna State Brig.-Gen.Jafaru Isa had refunded N100 million of the N160million he collected from the ONSA.

The ex-governorship candidate of the Congress of Progressvies Change (CPC), who was arrested and released after being quizzed, he added, had undertaken to refund the balance.

He said former President Goodluck Jonathan would not be invited over the $2.1billion arsm deals because memos and documents on the disbursement of the money were not approved for political campaigns.

Magu explained that former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi was re-arrested by EFCC operatives outside the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, after it was found that he was involved in an alleged embezzlement of N34.5 billion and N600 million in the maritime agency.

He was said to have jumped bail and the lawyer who stood surety for him was arrested.

Speaking on why EFCC cases get stuck, Magu blamed lawyers, saying: “When a politician steals N10 billion, he keeps N5 billion for litigation. He hires Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Judges accuse us of not conducting thorough investigation in order to compromise.”

Also yesterday, a former minister, Chief Jim Nwobodo, explained how he disbursed the N100 million he received from former PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, whose wherabouts the EFCC does not know. He denied ever collecting money from Col. Sambo Dasuki who he said he had never met.

Nwobodo, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent, said: “I have never met Dasuki in my life. I don’t know Dasuki. Ex-Minister Bashir Yuguda I know, just as a former minister like any Nigerian.

“I got N100million for campaign purposes and not N500million. I did not receive the money from either Dasuki or Yuguda. The money I received was from a former National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu. I gave the list of the disbursement according to states to the party.

A statement by John Okoreni on behalf of Nwobodo said: “The attention of Senator (Dr.) Jim Nwobodo has been drawn to news items where it was mentioned that he received the sum of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) from Bashir Yuguda, ex-Minister of State for Finance for the purpose of the last presidential election.

“ Senator (Dr.) Jim Nwobodo states as follows: That he was the chairman of the Contact Committee of the PDP Presidential campaign for the South East Zone

“The Committee was appointed by the party and inaugurated by its then National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu

“That the Committee oversaw the five states of the Zone, namely: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo State

“Members of the Committee were three for each state; Senator Jim Nwobodo, Chairman (Enugu), Chief Onyema Ogochukwu, Secretary (Abia), Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe (Abia), Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia), Prof. A.B.C. Nwosu (Anambra), Senator Ben Ndi Obi (Anambra), Senator Joy Emodi (Anambra), Ambassador Frank Ogbuweu (Ebonyi), Senator Ben Collins Ndu (Enugu), Ambassador Fidel Ayogu (Enugu), Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu (Imo), Chief Achike Udenwa (Imo) and Chief Innocent Nwoga (Imo).

“That the only fund received by the committee for its work in the five South-Eastern states was N100million and the money was received from the then National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Adamu Muazu, for logistics, travelling, mobilisation of party members in the zone for the presidential election.

“That the fund was properly disbursed to the states and duly signed by members of the Committee for each State and accounted for to the party.

“That at no time did Senator Jim Nwobodo receive the money from any person other than the then National Chairman of the party.

“That it would be unusual for Senator Nwobodo and other members of his committee to query the source of the campaign fund coming from the National Chairman of his party for official functions and purposes.

“This statement is meant to put the records straight and correct the impression making round in the media on the alleged distribution of money by Bashir Yuguda as it concerns Senator Nwobodo.”

Delta Police Declares Suspended Council Chairman Wanted Offers N1 Million Reward

Delta State Police Command has declared wanted the embattled suspended chairman of Uvwie local government council, Mr. Henry Baro and the chairman of Central Motor Park, Effurun, Mr. Napoleon Odibu over their alleged involvement in the invasion of the Shoprite in Warri last week by thugs loyal to the council chairman.

Delta State Police Command has declared wanted the embattled suspended chairman of Uvwie local government council, Mr. Henry Baro and the chairman of Central Motor Park, Effurun, Mr. Napoleon Odibu over their alleged involvement in the invasion of the Shoprite in Warri last week by thugs loyal to the council chairman.

Shoprite

The invasion left many dead, several others injured, and saw the looting of goods worth several million nairas.  The thugs loyal to Mr. Baro were joined by hoodlums who took advantage of the invasion in order to loot the mall. The incident was sparked by a scuffle between the suspended chairman and two Navy personnel attached to Shoprite.

Briefing journalists on Monday evening in his office, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Alkali Baba Usman, noted that the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpan Division received a distress call from the Operation Manager of the Warri Shopping Mall indicating that the mall was under attack by hoodlums.

"Consequently, patrol teams from various divisions in Warri were swiftly mobilised to the scene. Once the miscreants became aware of the policemen, they ran off. One of the hoodlums, who was identified as Godspower Ijoesgaga, was arrested.

“Preliminary inquiries revealed that the miscreants damaged and looted various items such as laptops and handsets from the shopping complex.

“A million naira gift will be given to anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of Mr. Henry Baro and Mr. Napoleon Odibu, the chairman of Central Motor Park Effurun both of whom are currently on the run,” the CP stated.

The CP confirmed the crisis was sparked by an altercation between Mr. Baro and the two Naval officers.  Mr. Usman also added that the bandits responsible for the looting took to the streets of Warri in protest shortly after the incident.  While they paraded through the town they fired their weapons sporadically, and accidentally shot and killed a Mr. Afor Emero.

Since the incident, 18 suspects have been arrested and are in police custody, according to CP Usman.

In a swift reaction, Mr. Henry Baro said he is not evading the police, but stated that he has lost confidence in the Delta State Police Command, alleging that the State police command was being used by his political detractors to undo him.

The suspended chairman called upon the Inspector General of Police (IPG) to wade into the matter to ensure that justice was done. Mr. Baro also insisted that he never sent anybody person, or group of persons, to attack and loot the Effurun Shoprite.

"The attack on the Shopping Mall was regrettable and never intended. I did not call people to attack Shoprite. Shoprite is a project I hold dear to my heart and I could not have mastermind its destruction. The situation was hijacked by traders on the roundabout who are not residents of the Local Government Area (LGA)," Mr. Baro stated.

SaharaReporters reliably learned that for the past few days after the invasion, political opponents of Mr. Baro, especially the State government, have put serious pressure on CP Usman to declare wanted, arrest, and prosecute the suspended embattled council chairman.  Mr. Baro has been at odds with the Delta State government ever since his suspension by the State House of Assembly last year.

Army Captain Who Exposed Election Rigging In Ekiti Reabsorbed Into Army

The captain, it will be recalled, fled the country after he exposed the rigging of the Ekiti State election, successfully making an electronic recording of a meeting where top politicians of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian army strategized on how to place in office Ayo Fayose, who eventually “won” the contest.

Sagir Koli, the Nigerian army captain who put his career and life on the line when he exposed the 2014 rigging of the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, has been reabsorbed into the Nigerian army, SaharaReporters has authoritatively learned.   

Capt. Koli, secretly recorded politicians rigging Ekiti State electionSahara Reporters Media

Army sources speaking with SaharaReporters also said Captain Koli, who is being praised by both peers and superiors, will receive a letter of commendation for his outstanding conduct and non-partisanship in the course of duty.

The captain, it will be recalled, fled the country after he exposed the rigging of the Ekiti State election, successfully making an electronic recording of a meeting where top politicians of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian army strategized on how to place in office Ayo Fayose, who eventually “won” the contest.

Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh, in collusion with then Minister of Defense Musiliu Obanikoro, former Osun State Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Minister for Police Affairs Jelili Adesiyan, Anambra politician Chris Uba, gubernatorial candidate Fayose, and others were caught on Captain Koli’s secret audio recording plotting to intimidate members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to successfully rig the gubernatorial race.

In the audio recording, which was subsequently published by SaharaReporters, Mr. Obanikoro was heard bribing General Momoh to use the military to deny APC voters access to polling stations and arrest leading opposition politicians in Ekiti State. The politicians were also recorded plotting with General Momoh about how to use their tactics in Ekiti to rig another election in Osun State.

News of Captain Koli’s reabsorption into the army follows the release of the Nigerian Army Board of Inquiry’s report where several high-ranking military officers were recommended for disciplinary proceedings.

It is unclear what other measures may be taken by the government, including possible prosecution of non-army personnel who were involved in the rigging.  It should also be recalled that the army, in the course of searching for Captain Koli, tortured his teenage younger brother, a secondary school student.

2016 budget reportedly goes missing at National Assembly

2016 budget reportedly goes missing at National Assembly

According to a report by Daily Trust, the hard and soft copy of the 2016 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly by President Buhari on December 22nd is missing. The disappearance of the budget document was announced by Senator Ali Ndume during a closed door session that lasted 90 minutes today January 12th. This comes amid rumors that the budget was withdrawn from the Legislature by the Presidency. The Senators were supposed to commence the consideration of the N6.08tr budget today.

APC National chair says

We have a lot of reservations- APC National chair says

APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun has expressed his reservations on the governorship election in Bayelsa state which was concluded on Saturday January 9th. Speaking after a meeting with President Buhari at the villa yesterday January 11th, Oyegun said the party was saddened at the level of bloodbath witnessed during the election.

"The Bayelsa election has come and gone. We have very deep regrets that there was so much blood that was spilt in the process. We have a lot of reservations, some of which our candidate has very eloquently expressed.”he said

He also spoke on the current fight against corruption by the current administration

"The APC is not in any way apologetic. We promised change and there is a lot of rot in the system. This must be cleansed and whoever and whatever ox is being gored, where ever the tree is going to fall, so, let it be. We must get use to the fact that in the process of cleansing this nation, there is going to be a lot of bullets to bite. The APC has not been in office at national level for the last 10 to 16 years. So, the issue of whether somebody is PDP or not PDP does not arise. We have a nation to cleanse. The president has committed himself to that and that and we should fight it whatever way it comes. We are not being apologetic about that at all. It has nothing to do with witch-hunting. It just happens that the dramatis personae of the period all happened to be on one side of the political divide.”he said

APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun has expressed his reservations on the governorship election in Bayelsa state which was concluded on Saturday January 9th. Speaking after a meeting with President Buhari at the villa yesterday January 11th, Oyegun said the party was saddened at the level of bloodbath witnessed during the election.

"The Bayelsa election has come and gone. We have very deep regrets that there was so much blood that was spilt in the process. We have a lot of reservations, some of which our candidate has very eloquently expressed.”he said

He also spoke on the current fight against corruption by the current administration

"The APC is not in any way apologetic. We promised change and there is a lot of rot in the system. This must be cleansed and whoever and whatever ox is being gored, where ever the tree is going to fall, so, let it be. We must get use to the fact that in the process of cleansing this nation, there is going to be a lot of bullets to bite. The APC has not been in office at national level for the last 10 to 16 years. So, the issue of whether somebody is PDP or not PDP does not arise. We have a nation to cleanse. The president has committed himself to that and that and we should fight it whatever way it comes. We are not being apologetic about that at all. It has nothing to do with witch-hunting. It just happens that the dramatis personae of the period all happened to be on one side of the political divide.”he said

The Most Respected Amac Chairmanship Candidate Barry Avotu Johnson 1st of the Social Democratic Party SDC Presents Campaign Publicity Materials

The most respected Amac chairmanship candidate Barry Avotu Johnson 1st of the Social Democratic Party SDC present campaign publicity materials to the press today.
he made this release when he visited the media community in the heart of the city of Abuja.

He said that the election will be the same status with other governorship election in Nigeria with him as a candidate to beat.
the election will not be business as usual where candidates can carry INEC officials to their country homes to tom-print and snatch ballot boxes.

All the rigging polling stations are notified and the huge number of international election observers will add great credibility to the out come of the election results respectively.

I am a formidable candidate and i personally entered the race to rescue Amac from the epileptic control of the resources that is supposed to be used to build the people.

I am a candidate to beat indeed so lets see whats going to happen this time around all i know is that the people's vote must count this time.

So therefore i beg all the youths who honestly love Nigeria to get their new jobs by coming out with their families and friends to vote for the SDP, its the party with the horse, that same party that brought MKO Abiola as presidential candidate in 1993.

Vote for Barry Avotu Johnson 1st as your 2016 Abuja Municipal Area council Chairman.

"The rate of defection from PDP to APC is shameful"-Abike Dabiri

lawmaker who represented Ikorodu Federal Constituency made her view known in a series of tweets on Monday, January 11. More after the cut...