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Judges’ Raid, DSS, Amaechi …What To Do, If I Were Buhari
One of the pillars on which the Buhari Presidency rests is the War Against Corruption, a subject which many Nigerians believe was well-thought out. Their position is strengthened by the high credentials and pedigree of the driver of the crusade.
President Muhammadu Buhari, before the 2015 general elections, was acclaimed as a simple, modest and disciplined leader, not given to the known habits of ostentatious living, corruption and abuse of office. It was indeed these qualities that made his averment to fight corruption believable.
It was also on the crest of those values that Muhammadu Buhari became President. He matched public expectations with his public declaration of assets with as little as N3 million cash in earnings, a few cows and a plot of land in Port Harcourt, which location he was yet to be told.
That meant one of few things. That it was a mere promise by the then Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. That Buhari, at the time of declaring his assets, did not have valid documents, including C of O, to lay claim to such asset. Or that it was a post-declaration, pending when he would get such land.
Whatever interpretations Nigerians may draw from that land claim, it showed transparency on the part of the President, even if, were such a gift given to former President Goodluck Jonathan by say, the Kaduna State Government, it would be revoked. That is a talk for another day.
But truth is, Buhari carries with him the reputation of one capable of fighting corruption of any kind to its logical conclusion. A key hindrance, however, might well be the measure of goodwill he enjoyed, by way of campaign and election sponsorship by defecting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, alleged to have diverted huge funds belonging to their states into his Presidential Project.
How would Buhari fight persons who contributed to his campaign project, since it was clear that he did not have the required resources to finance his presidential project? Or is it that such funds diversion did not rise to the level of corruption since they were channeled to a ‘noble cause’, the cause of helping to elect a pious man?
But by far the major criticism of the war against corruption, even among foreign commentators is that it is selective. That it targets mainly opposition politicians whose actions threatened his electoral fortunes, in the three instances, he took shots at the presidency
This is why many believe that the recent raid and subsequent arrest of judges by men of the Directorate of State Services, DSS, in a Gestapo style sting operation, followed same selective pattern. Most Nigerians agree that there is corruption in the Judiciary but believe that no judge, friendly to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC- led) Federal Government would have suffered such embarrassment in the hands of the executive arm.
That is why it did not come as a surprise to many when two of the affected judges cried out that they were being hounded for not doing the bidding of agents of the government concerning election cases involving the ruling APC.
Last Friday, many Nigerian national daily newspapers were awash with damning headlines on the cries of one of the judges, a second within days.
The Punch of Friday October 21, 2016 has as its banner lead headline: ‘Another Judge Says Amaechi Asked Him To Influence Judgments’.
The Guardian led with, ‘Another Judge Blames Chibuike For Arrest By DSS’, while, The Sun screamed, ‘Amaechi Offered Me Bribe To Sack Fayose; – Allegation Mere Fiction, Says Transport Minister.
Even the pro – APC Nation Newspaper had the headline, Judge: Amaechi Asked Me to Help Nullify Fayose’s Election; – Justice Ngwuta’s Allegatioin Is Fiction – Minister.
The publications stemmed from a petition by one of the affected judicial officers, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Dated October 18, 2016, the petition chronicled events that led to the raid of his home and eventual arrest. In brief, Justice Ngwuta alleged that he was a victim of executive attack for refusing to compromise his ‘sacred oath’ to uphold truth and justice.
Justice Ngwuta pointedly accused former Rivers State Governor and Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his Science and Technology counterpart, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu of asking him to help influence the Supreme Court’s decision in some election cases.
According to the Justice, his ordeal was connected to his refusal to accede to the requests made by the minister.
Justice Ngwuta’s letter which came 48 hours after that by Justice John Okoro, who was also arrested by the DSS operatives, had accused Amaechi of asking him (Okoro) to influence the apex court’s decision on poll judgments in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia States.
Following in Justice Okoro’s footsteps, Ngwuta in his petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), traced his ordeal to between 2013 and 2014, when, he alleged that Amaechi approached him at a function at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, to help set aside judgment on Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose’s election in order to make way for Fayose’s predecessor, and now Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi.
His words: “My present plight started sometime between 2013 and 2014. I represented the then CJN in an event organised at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.
‘Honourable Rotimi Amaechi came in late and sat next to me at the high table. He introduced himself to me and we exchanged contacts. A few weeks later, Fayose’s case was determined in the Court of Appeal.
‘Amaechi called me by 6.45 am and said he had come to see me, but was told I had left for the office, when he said he could return in the evening. I demanded to know what he wanted, but he would not tell me.
‘He didn’t come that evening, but came the following morning when I was already prepared to go to work.
‘He begged me to ensure Fayose’s election was set aside and another election ordered for his friend Fayemi, to contest. I told him I would not help him and that even if I was on the panel, I would have only my one vote.
‘After the Rivers Governorship election was determined by the Court of Appeal, he called to tell me his ‘ears were full’ and he would like to tell me what he heard. I told him I was out of Abuja at the time. On my return, he came in the evening and even before he sat down, he barked, ‘you have seen Wike’.
After the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Nyesom Wike, Amaechi also called him on phone and said ‘Oga is not happy’.
Transportation Minister Amaechi denied these allegations, describing them as fiction and part of a larger plan to pull him down at all cost.
Pulling someone innocent down is a grave moral, even criminal offence that should not be swept under the carpet, just as the allegations raised by Justices Okoro and Ngwuta.
To inject the needed credibility into the anti-corruption campaign, if I were Buhari, I would instruct that the claims of the Judges and Amaechi be spot-checked.
For instance, which event did both Amaechi and Ngwuta attend and when? That is very easy to find out. Next, after ascertaining that day, were there telephone calls? Affected communication service providers can easily ascertain and even produce transcripts. Did Amaechi and the Judge meet again in the Judge’s home after decision on the Rivers’ governorship elections? That too can be verified.
If I were Buhari, to prove that I am high above such vendetta as alleged by the Judges, I would institute a probe or a judicial inquest with a view to ascertaining truth of the matter.
My Agony is that there are earlier allegations, even valid judicial reports, yet to be attended to and so there may not be any urgency on the current one. Case closed.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.
