Kenyan police disperse protesters, detain eight

June 19, 2014

The police in Kenyan Port City of Mombasa, on Thursday, fired tear gas to disperse protesters and arrested eight persons during a demonstration prompted by fear of insecurity.
The organisers of the protest said it was to show their resentment to two recent attacks that left 60 people dead in the country’s coastal region.
Those arrested included three members of a government agency, Kenyan National Commission for Human Rights (KNCHR) and two Kenyan employees of Transparency International.
The KNCHR office in Mombasa also confirmed that three of its members have been arrested.
During the demonstration, 50 protesters who were heading towards the county commissioner’s office in Mombasa were dispersed by the police.
Francis Auma, member of the Muslims for Human Rights, said the protesters accused police of ignoring security information.
“It’s about coastal insecurity, we want someone to be held responsible,”he said.
Auma said police have confirmed that the death toll for the two assaults had climbed to 60 lives after two more bodies were found.
He also said that the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that nine persons have been declared missing.
Betty Sharon, Executive Director, Coast Women in Development, one of the groups involved in the protest said, the Sunday attack in the coastal town of Mpeketoni was carried out by masked men.
“People are killed all over Kenya and no one is arrested, but when we talk about peace, we are arrested,”she said.
Sharon said the protesters were also concerned about the murders or disappearances of radical or moderate Muslim clerics on the coast in the past two years.
She said rights’ groups have also accused anti-terror police of carrying out extrajudicial killings which have remained uninvestigated.

Stop acting like a rebel group, PDP tells APC

June 19, 2014

The Peoples Democratic Party  has counseled the All Progressives Congress to jettison “all undemocratic and anti-people tendencies” and imbibe the proper comportment as an opposition party in a democratic setting.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said with its new leadership, Nigerians expected a new behaviour from the APC, adding that the opposition party “must understand that it is not a rebel group and as such must  throw over-board all actions and tendencies that portray it in that light.”

Metuh said, “Nigerians of all walks of life have continued to express worry over the character of the APC as an opposition party.

“The APC must realize that in a democracy, being an opposition party demands a great responsibility marked by constructive engagement and propagation of alternatives in the general interest.

“The APC must be advised to undertake a survey of how other opposition parties conduct themselves. Being an opposition party does not in any way confer a culture of irresponsibility; being an opposition party does not in anyway confer a license for promotion of violence; and being an opposition party does not confer use of blackmail and falsehood as means of achieving political control.”

He said Nigerians were no longer comfortable with an opposition driven by frustration and bitterness; characterized by a compulsive penchant for lies and deceit.

He said Nigerians would not want an opposition that has no regard for the national interest but behave as if it has no stake in the Nigerian project, adding that  Nigerians would want an opposition that he said would  purposefully engage on issues with integrity and honesty and not with falsehood and deceit.

Metuh noted that despite its change of leadership the APC has continued with its culture of lies, adding that “there is nothing in the last one week that shows that they are willing to jettison this despicable and unpatriotic stance.”

Insisting that the APC does not have the interest of the nation at heart, the PDP spokesperson likened the actions of the APC to that of the Biblical woman who he said,  out of frustration, pressed King Solomon to kill and divide the baby of an innocent mother for no just cause.

“We however wish to inform the APC that Nigerians will not succumb to their  antics. Nigeria will never break up. We shall remain one strong indivisible nation under God where all thrive together in love, while on the other hand, the ever chameleonic APC will continue to merge, de-merge and lose its identity and composition,” he added.

N446bn theft case: Protests as FG drops charges against Mohammed Abacha

June 19, 2014

Mohammed Abacha, son of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Protests on Wednesday greeted the Federal Government’s withdrawal of the N446.3bn theft charge it instituted against Mohammed Abacha,   son of a former Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Those who flayed the action which took place at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, were prominent Lagos lawyers – Femi Falana, Jiti Ogunye, Fred Agbaje and Femi Aborisade – as well as the Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, Mr. Debo Adeniran; and his Civil Society Network Against Corruption counterpart, Mr. Lanre Suraj.

While some of the lawyers argued that the government action had serious negative implications on the country’s anti-graft campaign, Adeniran and Suraj said it had a political undertone.

The government had preferred   nine counts of stealing against Mohammed in February 2014.

It had accused him   of unlawfully receiving about N446.3bn allegedly stolen from its coffers between 1995 and 1998.

But on Wednesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke,   asked Justice Mamman Kolo of the FCT High Court     to strike out the charges on the grounds of “fresh facts” that just emerged concerning the case.

He was silent on whether new charges would be filed against Mohammed or not.

Efforts to arraign Mohammed on two previous occasions were unsuccessful because of his repeated absence from court.

But he was present in court on Wednesday when a private prosecuting counsel,   Daniel Enwelum, informed the court of Adoke’s instruction to discontinue the case.

Applying to court for the withdrawal of the case, Enwelum said, “I have been instructed by the AGF and Minister of Justice to withdraw the charges as presently filed before this court, because there are fresh facts and documents available to him.

“In this circumstance, he instructed me to file a notice of withdrawal without prejudice to future cause of action to be taken by his (AGF’s) office.

“In the light of that, I have filed a notice of withdrawal dated June 17, 2014. I humbly apply to withdraw the charges accordingly.”

Mohammed‘s lawyer, Abdullahi Haruna, did not oppose the application for withdrawal.

Justice Kolo subsequently   made an order striking out the charges against the accused.

In the nine counts, the Federal Government accused Mohammed of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisted in concealing money.”

The charge replaced a previous one of 121 counts, in which Mohammed   was charged with Atiku Bagudu. The government   excluded Bagudu from the fresh charge, leaving only Mohammed.

According to the charge, marked CR.21-24/2008, the stolen money allegedly received by Mohammed included $141,100,000 and $384,353,000 made up of cash and travellers’ cheques.

But   Falana said the withdrawal of “such grave corruption charges has serious implications for prosecuting anti-graft cases.”

“On the basis of equality before the law, anyone being prosecuted for fraud or corruption can file applications to have their cases withdrawn and struck out by all criminal courts in Nigeria. By the way, has the loot of N400bn been refunded by Mr. Mohammed ?,” he asked.

On his part,   Ogunye, said the withdrawal was an embarrassment to the Supreme Court, which had earlier ruled that Mohammed had a case to answer over the same charges.

He said, “The development is very sad for the rule of law, the administration of criminal justice system and the fight against corruption in Nigeria. With the withdrawal, which followed the recent verdict of the Supreme Court that Mohammed   has a case to answer.

“The message that is being sent to the judiciary is that ‘we are at home with corruption, we are government of corruption and we promote corruption.’”

Ogunye added that the withdrawal was “a crude and rude slap on section 15(5) of the constitution which says that the state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”

He noted that Adoke   had by his action offended the philosophy of equality before the law, as many   Nigerians facing charges for petty theft “have no such opportunity of the charges against them being withdrawn.”

Also, Agbaje described the withdrawal as a political decision taken as part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s strategy to win Kano State at all costs in his re-election bid.

He said, “It is a political decision. It is all an attempt by the ruling party to win Kano State at all costs in the election.

“In fact, condemned armed robbers could even be granted political amnesty towards 2015 general election.”

Aborisade, who admitted   that the     AGF had power to withdraw such cases under 174(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, said,   “I hold the opinion that the withdrawal of the charge is not in conformity with section 174(3) of the same constitution.”

Also, Adeniran, who   described the action by Adoke as embarrassing, added that it was   “another graphic example that the present administration takes sides with corrupt elements in the society.”

He added that the decision was a product of a bargain with Mohammed for the political future of   Jonathan.

He said, “They would not have done that for nothing. It could have been done to promote a political agenda of the President Jonathan administration.

“President Jonathan should not use the future of Nigeria to bargain for his ego or political interest.”

He called on the anti-corruption agencies in the country to be bold enough to “dissociate themselves from the embarrassing intervention by the Attorney General of the Federation.”

Suraj,on his part,   said the development was the most unpatriotic action of the government.

He said, “It is the most unpatriotic action undertaken by this government reputed for encouraging corruption and negotiating shady deals with local and international criminals who have defrauded the country.

“Stakeholders are therefore charged to explore available options to ensure the retrieval of the money.”

21 died in Yobe viewing centre explosion –Report

June 19, 2014

The football viewing centre and two young survivors... on Wednesday

At least 21 people were killed in an explosion which ripped through a football viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State on Tuesday, Agence France Presse quoted a medical source as saying on Wednesday.

“We received 21 dead bodies and 27 injured victims from the blast,” said the source at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu.

But the Police in the state put the death toll at 14, adding that 26 people were injured.

The medical source, who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said soldiers and the police brought in the dead and injured from the scene of the blast to the hospital.

“The bodies are being kept in the morgue while the injured are receiving treatment at the Accident and Emergency Unit before they will be moved to the ward.

“The victims are young men and children. They have burns, ruptured tissue and bone fractures,” said the source.

Reuters reported   that it was told by residents of the city that the bomb appeared to have been hidden in a motorised rickshaw outside the venue, where crowds had gathered to watch the World Cup match between Brazil and Mexico.

But the Police in   Yobe State said there were about 100 viewers at the scene.

The   Public Relations Officer of the state Police command , Nansak Chegwan,   said on Wednesday that the police had banned the operation of all viewing centres in the state.

He added that the police had previously advised residents to stay away from such centres because of fears that they could be attacked by terrorists.

Chegwam said, “So far 14 people have been confirmed dead in the blast. Also, we recorded 26 injured persons who are currently receiving treatment at the Sani Abacha General Hospital, Damaturu.

“We shall give further update as the situation unfolds, but we have asked the residents to stay away from all viewing centres in the state. You will recall that before the commencement of the World Cup, we had advised the youth to keep off such centres.”

Meanwhile, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam   has described the incident   as “heinous, barbaric and totally unjustifiable.”

He said the attack was an attempt to make evil to reign over the good.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Mallam Abdullahi Bego, challenged security agents   to do more to ensure the protection of life and property.

The statement reads in part, “The governor is deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives at a time that the good people of the state have stepped up prayers and support and cooperation with security agencies against criminal activities.

“The governor’s thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives in the attack and those who sustained injuries.”

The statement added that the governor, who is currently   in Abuja on official engagement, had directed his deputy,   Abubakar Ali, to extend his condolences to the families of victims.

Gaidam also directed the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board to provide free medical services and care for those who sustained injuries in the attack.

He also called on the people of the state not to relent in their support for ongoing efforts to restore peace to the state.

He added,“With prayers, vigilance and continuing support to security agents, the people of the state will surely triumph against the forces of evil that are unleashing mayhem on the innocent.”

The deputy governor, who   visited the injured in the hospital, condemned the incident.

He urged security agents not to be discouraged by the attack.

He also advised youths in the state to keep off viewing centres.

Tinubu has turned APC into private property – Ikimi

June 19, 2014

Chief Tom Ikimi

The estranged pioneer member of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Tom Ikimi, on Wednesday attributed his grouse with the party to the tyrannical approach to leadership by some of the leaders of the APC, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He said before Tinubu singlehandedly chose the former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, he had threatened “fire and brimstone” if he did not emerge as the party’s national chairman at last Saturday’s national convention of the APC.

Ikimi said Tinubu operated caucuses whose membership varied from time to time subject to his whims and caprice.

He added that the current trends in the APC portended frightening prospects for the nation if the party wins the Presidency.

In a statement made available to The PUNCH, Ikimi, a former foreign affairs minister, said Tinubu had turned the APC into a private property and that some stalwarts of the APC were willing to accede to his whims which eventually turned the party’s Saturday convention to a “charade.”

The APC chieftain added that the party’s governors colluded with Tinubu to truncate democratic process in the national convention.

He said, “The governors and the Tinubu groups decided on a zoning process that was limited only to party offices as well as the choice of individuals to fill them. They proceeded in a manner that was neither open nor transparent. Most undemocratic and bizarre procedures then prevailed.

“The governors initiated a zoning plan that allocated the national chairman to the South-South. This proposal was reluctantly accepted by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose well-known preferred option had been to retain Chief Bisi Akande as the chairman forever. Nevertheless, he in the circumstance, proceeded to draw up a list of his cronies for the entire national executive all by himself. Very strange as this may sound, it was the reality. Nothing was ever referred to the National Interim Executive Council for approval or even information.”

Ikimi also lambasted Tinubu for parading himself as the national leader of the APC, saying no one gave him such a position. He added that it was unfortunate that some members of the party had tried to justify Tinubu’s unilateral appointment of Oyegun as the national chairman as a concession done to him as the national leader.

He said his problem with the ex-governor began when he opposed the Muslim-Muslim presidential and vice presidential ticket of the party.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may recall that mostly for the same reasons I opposed his desire to run as vice presidential candidate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar under the Action Congress banner in 2007. We settled for Senator Ben Obi from eastern Nigeria.

“I know he nurses a grudge against me for the position I took which was strongly supported by leaders from five zones apart from the South-West. I have no regrets whatsoever for my courage to stand up against oppression or dictatorship. No matter what anyone might say against the PDP, no individual claims ownership of that party,” the statement read in parts.

When one of our correspondents contacted the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for a response to Ikimi’s statement, he said the party had no comment.

In a text message response, Mohammed said, “I have gone through his (Ikimi’s) statement and we have no comments at the moment.”

‘Jonathan may not submit confab report to N’Assembly

June 19, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan

The Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan may not present the report of the National Conference to the National Assembly.

Ndoma-Egba, who stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the current move by the Senate to amend Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), was not to create an avenue for Jonathan to present the confab report to the National Assembly.

He said calls for the amendment of Section 9 started over one year ago when the Senate President, David Mark, disclosed that the upper chamber was contemplating an amendment of the constitution to enable Nigerians to produce their own constitution different from that of the military.

He said, “Some people believe that this provision (amendment to section 9) is to accommodate the report of the National Conference. There is no guarantee that the report of the National Conference will get to the National Assembly.

“The National Conference is a body set up by Mr. President, so its report will go to Mr. President and Mr. President will do with the report as he pleases.

“So, it is just the suspicion that this amendment is to provide a ploy to foist the new constitution on the Nigerian people, you can’t just pass a new constitution like that.

“It still has to pass through the National Assembly. Two-third of the members of the National Assembly has to approve it and at least 24 states’ houses of assembly must approve it, so that is the suspicion surrounding section 9. I think it is just a wrong perception and the attribution of motives.”

The Senate leader recalled that Nigerians, for a long time, had been clamouring for a new constitution based on an argument that the 1999 Constitution was given to the citizens by the military.

He said, “If you take the 1999 Constitution, it does not make any provision for a new constitution, it makes provision for its amendment, now being a parliament, we must always respond to the wishes of the people.

“We now said okay the people want a new constitution, so the only way to go about it is to amend section 9 to provide modalities for making a new constitution, we did not start the clamour.

“In August last year, I represented the Senate President at the NBA conference in Calabar and in his speech, he said that the Senate was contemplating an amendment to section 9 of the constitution to provide for the making of a new constitution.”

Ndoma-Egba expressed the hope that the amendment would be concluded before the end of the tenure of the present Senate.

He said, “Certainly, we have passed a number of the amendments, we have announced the membership from our own end of the conference committee, so as soon as we resume, (next week), the conference committee will harmonize with the House of Representatives and we will send them right away to the states.”