£2.556b Fraud Attempt: S’Court To Hear CBN’s Appeal Against Petro Union Tomorrow [LEADERSHIP]
The Supreme Court will tomorrow begin hearing on the appeal filed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) against Petro Union Oil and Gas Company Limited (Petro Union) over an alleged £2.556 billion fraud attempt.
This is even as the directors of Petro Union will on Wednesday also face criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos on the same matter, which has been established by the EFCC as an attempt to defraud CBN, UBN and indeed, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The case has garnered public attention, especially because the alleged attempt by Petro Union to swindle the CBN and UBN of £2.556 billion is strikingly similar to the P&ID directors’ efforts to defraud Nigeria of $10billion.
The appeal at the Supreme Court is coming shortly after Nigerians eulogised a United Kingdom (UK) court for delivering impartial judgement in Nigeria’s favour in the highly publicized P&ID $10 billion arbitration claim.
Prior to the UK judgement being delivered, there was apprehension in Nigeria that the UK Court could favour the claimant (P&ID), a European company, which had also corralled the support of some highly placed Nigerian government officials and lawyers who worked against the best interest of Nigeria in deliberately failing to put forward a good defence for Nigeria for pecuniary gains.
These fears were however laid to rest when the UK Court in its wisdom, having reviewed the case on its merit, delivered justice in the matter and awarded more than £1.5 million in favour of Nigeria.
The matter began in 1994 when
Petro Union’s allegedly fraudulently procured a cheque from a branch of Barclays Bank in the UK with a value of £2.556 billion and presented it at one of Union Bank’s branches in Lagos, under the pretext that it was meant to construct three petro- chemical refinery complexes in Nige- ria and establish a bank.
While the required due diligence investigations were being carried out, one Mr. Okpala, the Managing Director of Petro Union, allegedly inundated the Bank and the CBN with visits and demands for the re- lease of the cheque.
Eventually, both the CBN and Union Bank advised Petro Union that Barclays Bank in the UK had been contacted and it confirmed that the cheque could not be given value to because the company that purportedly issued the cheque dated 29 December 1994 (a company, known as Gazeaft Limited) did not exist on the Register of Companies in the UK.
The response similarly affirmed that the account on which the cheque was drawn was closed on 21st September 1989 whereas the cheque was issued on 29 December 1994 – five years after the account was closed.
Despite the foregoing startling discovery and decisive response, Petro Union and Isaac Okpala persisted with their demands and this culminated in a petition by the company to the Lagos office of the EFCC, for alleged offences of stealing and criminal conversion against the CBN and Union Bank.
Following the petition, the EFCC investigated the allegation by interrogating the CBN through a letter dated 12th January 2005. In a letter dated 27th January 2005, The CBN responded to the query by the EFCC wherein it denied the allegations of Petro Union.
The EFCC also made other efforts to investigate the allegations including corresponding with Barclays Bank in the UK. Having concluded its investigation, the EFCC issued a letter dated 10th May 2005 addressed to the Managing Director of Union Bank exonerating the Bank from any wrongdoing.
However, in its desperation to use the allegedly forged cheque to per- petrate the fraud on CBN and Union Bank, Petro Union in February 2012 instituted an action at a Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/M/104/2012: PETRO UNION OIL & GAS CO. LTD .V. CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA AND ORS., seeking sundry reliefs against (1) CBN, (2) Union Bank, (3) Hon. Minister of Finance and (4) The Attorney-General of the Federation following the allegation that Union Bank of Nigeria received the sum of £2,556,000,000.00 on behalf of Petro Union and transferred the sum of £2,159,221,318.54 to the CBN while retaining the sum of £396,778,681.46 as commission.
In support of this startling claim, Petro Union alleged that the money is kept in an account in the name of a company called Goldmatic Limited at the CBN and tendered a purported CBN Statement of Account of Goldmatic Limited.
Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, before whom the claim was filed, accepted the purported CBN statement of Account as conclusive evidence that CBN had retained the money alleged to belong to Petro Union, ignoring the elementary fact that globally a central bank cannot open an account for a private entity the CBN is statutorily empowered to act as bankers to government and bankers to banks.
It was learnt that although Petro Union and its directors allegedly knew these facts to be false from the onset, they pursued the so-called fraud up to the Court of Appeal where they obtained judgement to establish that the £2.159billion was lodged in the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Both the CBN and the Union Bank appealed to appellate courts to set the case aside, urging the courts to deliver justice especially when the truth of the alleged fraud had been uncovered following the arrest, detention and ongoing criminal prosecution of Petro Union and its officers at a Lagos Federal High Court.
The judgment obtained by Petro Union at the Federal High Court in 2014 for the sum of £2.556 billion also carries an interest of 15% per annum from 22nd June 1995 un- til payment.
Today, that judgment sum together with interest is in excess of £12 billion (about $15.5 billion) this is 50% more than the award in the P&ID case and represents 44% of Nigeria’s foreign reserves today!
If upheld, the judgment will throw Nigeria into immediate bankruptcy as the country will not be able to meet its debt repayment obligations, pay for imports into the country and will result in a cataclysmic upheaval of the Nigeria financial system such as has never been seen before.
#ENDSARS Protest Hijacked To Destabilise PMB’s Govt – FG [LEADERSHIP]
The federal government warned yesterday that it will not allow the country to be thrown into a state of anarchy by the violence that has trailed the #ENDSARS protests.
The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who said this maintained that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior motives to destabilise the country and bring down the Buhari administration.
This is coming just as the protesters have threatened to shut down all entry points to Abuja, the nation’s capital, in a bid to ground government activities today.
Speaking during a late-night news programme on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), “Weekend File”, Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to be objective in assessing the situation and to see that what is going on was beyond peace- ful protest.
Insisting that it was an attempt by some persons to destabilise the country, the minister stressed that the federal government had already met the demands of the group and was implementing them.
In the course of the programme en- titled, “ENDSARS Protest: The Way Forward,” Mohammed said Saturday’s assassination attempt on Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, while addressing the protesters was a clear confirmation that the protests had been hijacked by hoodlums and people with ulterior agenda.
He stated that while the original conveners of the protests might have meant well, it was obvious that they were no longer in control of the initiative.
He said, “Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a much civilised manner.
“But if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun State, it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.”
The Information minister stated that there was nowhere in the world where a government would fold its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.
He said, “We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if the government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians.”
Mohammed added that the protests have gone beyond being peaceful becau- se lives have been lost and innocent Nigerians, including workers and students, are passing through harrowing experiences.
Specifically, he said because the pro- testers are blocking the roads and high- way, workers are finding it difficult to get to their offices and back home while many Nigerians are stranded on the roads.
FCT, TETFUND, NITDA, 8 MDAs Subscribe To Nigeria @ 60 Big Book [LEADERSHIP]
At least 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have either subscribed to or indicated interest in the Nigeria @ 60 Big Book.
According to a statement by the Executive Vice Chairman LEADERSHIP COLLECTION Limited, publisher of the book, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, the MDAs include, the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT); the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFUND); the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); the Ministry of Defence; the Ministry of Interior; and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
Others include the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC); the North East Development Commission (NEDC); the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria; the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM); and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Ishiekwene said, “Once our team managed to convince subscribers that Nigeria’s Diamond Jubilee was not a one-day event, clients began to see value beyond October 1. The Big Book is an iconic publication released once in a decade and subscribers have a chance to tell the story of their contribution to the country’s progress in the last 60 years or how they have repositioned themselves or their products and services for thee future “
Ishiekwene said, LEADERSHIP COLLECTION Limited, a subsidiary of Leadership Group was considering closing the subscription for the Big Book at the end of October.
“As the Chairman Sam Nda Isaiah said in an earlier statement” Ishiekwene said “we are planning a private presentation and review view of the Big Book soon at which leaders in politics, business and the professions and of course subscribers would be invited.
We’ll likely close subscription at the end of October so that we can go to press and get the book ready in time for private viewing.”
He said limited content is already available at: www.nigeriasixty.com
The book has received endorsements from President Muhammadu Buhari; former President Goodluck Jonathan; former military heads of state, General Ab- dulsalami A. Abubakar; and
General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon. Buhari had said during his October 1 broadcast that the Diamond Jubilee celebration would last till September 30, 2021.
He charged his cabinet during a retreat in September to quit being timid and share the government’s success story.
“I’m not saying this is precisely the case, but the response that we’re getting so far could be an indication of how seriously or otherwise the President’s charge has been taken, especially by the MDAs,” Ishiekwene said.
#EndSARS/Crocodile Smile: Military operation will backfire, protesters, others warn Buhari [PUNCH]
#EndSARS protesters, the Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, human rights groups and lawyers on Sunday warned the Federal Government against deploying troops to stop Nigerians campaigning for police reforms.
They warned the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), that such an action would backfire.
Campaigners, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, among other requests, have been holding rallies across the major cities of the country for the past 12 days.
The Nigerian Army had on Saturday said it would begin Operation Crocodile Smile aimed at tackling cyber warfare and insurgency.
#EndSARS protesters and other groups interpreted this as a move by Buhari’s regime to deploy troops to quell demonstrations against SARS.
However the Army, in a statement titled, ‘Exercise crocodile smile VI has nothing to do with #EndSARS protests whatsoever’ said the operation was not targeted at the protesters.
We won’t allow descent into anarchy, says FG
A few hours after the Army issued its statement, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said no government would fold its arms and allow anarchy.
Mohammed, in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority, said that while the original conveners of the protests might have meant well, it was obvious that they were no longer in control of the initiative.
The minister said a peaceful protest was an integral part of democracy, adding that that was why the Federal Government had treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.
He stated, “But if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun State, it has gone completely beyond a peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.
“There is nowhere in the world where a government will fold its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.
“We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if the government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians.”
Minister cautions protesters against breaching national security
Also on Sunday, the Federal Government cautioned anti-SARS campaigners against breaching national security.
The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.), gave the warning when the National Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Danladi Pasali, led the executive members of the group on a courtesy visit to him at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement, titled, ‘Defence minister cautions protesters against undermining national security,’ issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Abdlkadir.
The statement stated, “The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.), has cautioned #EndSARS protesters against breaching national security.”
Soldiers will join our protests, we won’t stop, #EndSARS campaigners dare FG
But, the #EndSARS protesters said that the deployment of troops would not stop them from continuing with their daily rallies and demand for police reforms.
They said any move to deploy military force would backfire.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, a leading member of the #EndSARS movement, Deji Adeyanju, said the Federal Government could not stop people from protesting.
He noted that the military had no constitutional authority to interfere with the rights of Nigerians to freedom of assembly and speech.
He said, “In a democracy, the army has no locus to interfere with freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press. They have no single role to play. But if the President wants to truncate democracy by inviting the army, then, we will know he has suspended the constitution. You can’t stop the people from gathering in a democracy.”
Adeboye’s son leads #EndSARS protest, hoodlums attack youths [PUNCH]
The #EndSARS protest continued in different parts of the country on Sunday, with several youths injured after they were attacked by hoodlums.
In Lagos, Leke Adeboye, the son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, joined other Nigerian youths at the state secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja.
Leke, who led the Sunday Church Service at the protest ground in front of the Lagos State Government House, said the demonstration signaled the beginning of a new Nigeria.
“I want all of us to know that this nation has been handed over to us slowly but surely by this singular move that we are all here representing our families, friends and nation. This is the beginning of the new Nigeria,” he said.
Also, protesters occupied the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with a canopy pitched in front of PUNCH Place, the corporate headquarters of Punch Nigeria Limited at Magboro, Ogun State.
They had loud speakers, a disc jockey and an ambulance stationed on the protest ground, as they sang and danced.
The protest caused gridlock both inward and outward Lagos for long hours.
In the Lekki area of Lagos, the youth arrested and handed over a co-protester, Yusuf Lawal, to the police for allegedly stealing the phone of another protester.
PUNCH Metro gathered that after Lawal stole the phone, he handed it over to an accomplice, who absconded with it.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said efforts were on to arrest the fleeing member of the gang.
Youths block CBN office in Abuja
In Abuja, the #EndSARS protesters occupied the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The mammoth crowd chanted ‘#EndSARS’ as they blocked the road and paralysed vehicular movement in the area.
The group had earlier spent some hours in front of the office of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation located on Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, before moving to the CBN located about two kilometres away.
A member of the movement, Phillips Uche, said seven hoodlums who attempted to attack the protesters were chased away.
Worshippers stranded in Benin
In Benin, the Edo State capital, thousands of worshipers coming from their churches were stranded.
Ekheuan Road in the city centre was most affected, as youths who had earlier planned the protest for Monday came out in large numbers on Sunday.
The worshippers and many others were either forced to trek to their destinations or those in vehicles forced to take alternative routes, while those who had no other routes to take were made to part with money.
In some cases, vehicles were attacked with sticks, clubs and hands.
Also, the entire stretch of the Auchi-Benin Road by the Eyaen area of the by-pass was blocked up to Aduwawa with only some commercial drivers chanting ‘Buhari must go,’ while driving dangerously through the road.
The Benin-Lagos highway was still under the control of the protesters, who also worshipped at the spot on Sunday, thus making it impossible for anybody coming in or going out of the city to meander through the streets roads.
There were also reported cases of robberies, phone and hand bang snatching by suspected hoodlums on Saturday night around Ring Road and Akpakpava areas of Benin City.
Meanwhile, a member of the women’s national handball team, Isoken Nosa-Odia, says hoodlums were paid to attack #EndSARS protesters on Friday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Nosa-Odia, who plays for Israeli side Hapeol Kiryat-Ono, said the hoodlums disrupted the protests along Plymouth Road.
The veteran of three African Games, in a post on her Facebook page, wrote, “Hoodlums were paid to attack peaceful protesters with guns, cutlasses, which resulted to one dead and few others seriously injured. This obviously was the reason they were paid; youths were paid to attack youths at the King Square.”
As Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila seek solution… Protesters plan total lockdown [SUN]
As mass action grounded various parts of the coutry yesterday, Nigerians have been told to brace up for the “Mother of all shutdown” as the EndSARS enters its 13th day.
In Delta State, yesterday, movements in and around Warri and its environs were crippled for several hours as protesters laid siege to both the Effurun and DSC roundabouts in continuation of their demands for holistic reform of the police force.
The story was the same in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Kaduna, Jos and other major cities across country.
#EndSARS group has been protesting alleged police brutality. The protesters at inception came with five demands including that all arrested protesters be released and justice be given to deceased victims of SARS including compensation to their families.
They equally demanded an independent committee to oversee the investigations and prosecution of any member of SARS found guilty of extra judicial killings.
They demanded that all personnel of the disbanded SARS undergo psychological and medical evaluation as well as retraining before they should be redeployed to other services of the police.
The protesters also demanded that the salary of the police should be increased in a manner that will be adequately compensate for protecting lives and property of citizens.
According to a programme announced by Sorosoke radio, an online platform dedicated to the protest, processions would hold simulteneously in several cities and locations across the country.
However, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, met with Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to review the ongoing protests and find the fastest way to implement the protesters five-point demand.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting at the president’s official residence in Abuja, Lawan admitted that it was a trying moment for the government.
He pointed out that the youths had made their legitimate demands and the government has listened.
He, therefore, called on the youths to halt the protests so that government could have sufficient time and conducive environment to implement their demands.
Lawan said the first demand was to end SARS, which President Buhari in an usual manner, addressed himself.
“I want to thank Mr. Presi dent for exhibiting his very deep democratic credentials. The protests have gone on for over 10 days, probably today is the 11th day across many states of the country.
“I think the protesters have expressed their legitimate rights, the government has listened and the essence of coming to meet Mr President is to review the situation and see the roles the two arms of government should play in ensuring that the five-point demands of the protesters are properly addressed.
“Where legislative intervention will be required, we are ready to move in and deal with such expeditiously to ensure that we do not waste any time, so that we address the concerns of our youths.
“Where the executive role is expected, we are sure that the executive will also expedite action and we will be watching to ensure that such demands are properly met.
“Since the protests have taken place and the issues have been accepted, the time has come for the protests to stop because government needs to have sufficient time and conducive environment to implement the demands of the protesters.”
SERAP goes to court, seeks cut in salaries, allowances of Buhari, NASS [SUN]
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 302 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly, asking the court to declare illegal, unconstitutional and unfair the recent hike in electricity tariff and fuel price because top level public officers cannot continue to receive the same salaries and allowances and spend public money to finance a life of luxury for themselves while asking poor Nigerians to make sacrifices.
Joined in the suit as Defendants are the Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
President Buhari had while presenting the 2021 budget proposal of N13.08 trillion to the National Assembly reportedly stated that: “The new petro pricing has freed up resources that were used for subsidy payments, while the new cost-reflective pricing in the electricity industry is meant to address the liquidity challenges in the sector.”
But in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/330/2020 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order directing and compelling the RMAFC to cut the salaries, allowances and other emoluments payable to President Buhari, Professor Osinbajo, Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila, in line with the current economic realities, and principles of justice, fairness, equality and non-discrimination.”
Dr. Lawan is sued for himself and on behalf of all 109 members of the Senate, while Mr Gbajabiamila is sued for himself and on behalf of all 360 members of the House of Representatives.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Opeyemi Owolabi.
#EndSARS: Catholic bishops justify protest [SUN]
Catholic bishops under the umbrella of Catholic Bishops’Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have justified the ongoing nationwide protests by youths against the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and other brutalities by the police.
CBCN President, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, in a statement at the weekend, said the week long protest was morally justified, adding that the youths were standing in gap for the entire country in demand for justice, peace and good governance.
He noted that disbanding SARS and setting up a new outfit called Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) was an indication that Federal Government was either unwilling to allow peace and justice prevail, or that it totally lacked understanding of the enormous problems at hand.
“We have followed the protests with keen interest, and we call on the Federal Government to listen to the cry for justice so that peace can reign. The protest seems to have a life of its own and it is spreading all over the country. It shows that most Nigerians are facing the same oppression and brutality inflicted by the SARS.
“We urge the Federal Government to fulfil its primary constitutional responsibility of securing life and property of every Nigerian and provide opportunities for our children to realise their God-given potentials.
“The audacity and impunity with which the SARS officials have been operating all the while is a manifestation of the failing state of Nigeria. Various bodies and patriotic Nigerians have expressed the opinion that just ending the SARS will not solve the enormous problems of Nigeria, because it is futile treating symptoms of a disease when the root cause is known. Howbeit, a centralized Police Force in Nigeria is primarily responsible for the lack of grassroots accountability for the crimes perpetrated by the SARS and their likes.
“We, thus reiterate that restructuring this country is a desirable path to be towed given the various developments in this nation. The knee jerk reaction of the administration by abolishing the SARS and setting up SWAT portrays either the absence of an understanding of the entire problem or a lack of sincerity to address the problem.
“Government must realise that what the youths, on behalf of Nigerians, clamour for under the code name #EndSARS is a total reform of the entire Police force and not a change of name. It’s a call for a reform of all government institutions and a reform of the entire nation.”
What NYSC has joined together [THE NATION]
Twelve serving corps members tie nuptial knots in Anambra State. EMMA ELEKWA tells their love stories.
Those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) because of its varied challenges may need to have a rethink following some ‘giant strides’ it has recorded, especially in recent times.
The scheme has continued to live up to its mandates of developing a sense of corporate existence and common ties and destiny of the Nigerian people, particularly the youths, as well as promoting national unity and integration.
It has also removed prejudices, eliminated ignorance and confirmed at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.
Just recently, twelve corps members deployed to Anambra State for their one-year compulsory national service were celebrated by the scheme for locating their missing ribs in course of service to their fatherland.
The celebrants include Eze Obinna and Oluchi Peace, Henry Nwachoko and Charles Ruth, Oluchukwu Davis and Ahedo Etiosa.
Others are Nsofor Obianuju and Ohale Nkemakolam, Ogburie Collins and Nwokearu Chinyeremaka, Bernard Faith Amarachi and Okafor Chukwudi.
The corps members in an epoch-making event held in one of the hotels in the capital city, could not hide their joy and excitement as they took turns to share their testimonies of how they found their loved ones while serving their fatherland
They said they would remain grateful to God, the NYSC and the state government for providing them with the platform, enabling environment and mentorship for courtship that eventually metamorphosed into marriage.
Narrating how he found his wife, Mr. Oluchukwu Davis from Delta State said he found his heartthrob Aghedo Blessing, a native of Edo State at the Delta State Polytechnic, but said they parted ways after graduation.
He said they were later reunited when they suddenly, but divinely met during their service year in Anambra state.
“As God may have it, the NYSC orientation camp in Anambra reunited us, paving way for the relationship to be consummated into marriage.
“We were initially posted outside Anambra for service; but were divinely redeployed to the state where we met again and continued,” he said.
The wife, Blessing, said it was unbelievable how the paths of both of them crossed again after the last time they parted ways back in school.
“Since we departed Delta State Polytechnics, I never knew I will meet him again. But, surprisingly, I finally met him in Anambra and got married to him,” she said with an alluring smile,” she said.
She noted that the husband’s style of talking was the primary attraction to him.
Blessing further revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic season contributed immensely to the cementing of the relationship, describing it as a blessing in disguise.
“The lockdown enabled us to have access to each other very well as we got to know and understand ourselves much better before we eventually accepted to be husband and wife,” she added
Residents groan as floods ravage communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers [THE NATION]
There is a humanitarian crisis ravaging flood-prone communities across the Niger Delta and beyond, writes SHOLA O’NEIL
Floods are wiping out communities, submerging homes, eating up farms and villages in the hinterland, hapless citizens are fleeing their areas and moving into neighbouring towns, which also soon feel the wrath of nature. Those fleeing are leaving behind mud and brick houses that are being washed away and in agrarian communities that are being submerged by unrelenting floods.
From Patani to Aven through dozen other communities in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, thousands of residents have fled to take refuge on the shoulders of the Warri-Port Harcourt axis of the busy the East-West highway.
A primary school in Aven, which used to house some of the internally displaced persons, is overflowing, but not just with IDPs; it has been taken over by the flood. Those giving succour to embattled family members and friends are now also refugees with no refuge in sight.
Our reporter met one of the v ictims, who simply identified himself as Mr. Ayamkpor. Chased from his home by the water, he set up a makeshift shelter at a layby on the busy highway. The shelter is just a few meters away from his comfortable brick bungalow, which he is sinking by the inches deeper into the puddle.
“I could not take anything out when the flood started, because I was away with my family. When I came back, my house was already full of water. See (he showed our reporter a box of clothes) everything inside has been soaked. My mattresses and those of my wife are all destroyed by flood,” said Ayamkpor who looked dejected.
His family’s fate mirrors those of thousands of others in several communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Edo among other states in the Niger Delta region. From Kpakiama, Bomadi, Esama Ayakoromo, Tuomo, Bulu-Angiama and Abare communities in Delta state, to Zarama, Sagbama, and Agge in Bayelsa, the pathetic tales are similar – sufferings, farmlands ravaged by floods, communities sacked and means of livelihood wiped away.
Mrs Tobra Kasikoro-Kilipirite of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta described the situation as a national disaster and source of concern for the people of the region.
Speaking during a visit to some of the disaster area, Kasikoro-Kilipirite called for urgent and holistic measures to address the menace of flooding, which, she said, has become a yearly tragedy for the people.
Lawan, governors: end protest now [THE NATION]
The Federal Government on Sunday warned that it will not allow the country to be thrown into anarchy following the violence that has trailed the #EndSARS protests.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Saturday when he featured on a late-night Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) news programme “Weekend File”
He said: “Peaceful protest is an integral part of democracy and that is why the Federal Government in the last 11 days has treated the protesters in a very civilised manner.
“But, if you look at what happened to the governor of Osun State, it has gone completely beyond peaceful protest against excesses and abuse of power by the police.
“There is nowhere in the world where a government will folds its arms and allow the country to descend into anarchy.
“We are no longer dealing with #EndSARS but a volatile situation that can lead to anarchy if the government does not take some very firm steps to protect the lives and livelihood of innocent Nigerians,” he said.
He said it is wrong for the protesters to continue to infringe on the rights of others even when the government has begun to address the issues they raised.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the economic situation could worsen if the protests persist.
It also poses a threat to national security if not quickly brought under control, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, warned.
Governors have started rolling plans to meet the demands of the #EndSARS protesters, including setting panels on victims’ compensation.
The Senate President said the government should be given time to address all the issues raised.
He told reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari that the government was already addressing the issues, which began with the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Lawan was accompanied by House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
He said: “Since the protests have taken place and the issues have been accepted, the time has come for the protests to stop because the government needs to have sufficient time, a clement environment to implement the demands of the protesters.
“We also need to have our economy to continue to go on. When you try to stop everybody from engaging in their lawful business, closing roads to markets and other economic places, we distract the economy of the country and that is not the best way to go.
“If the issues had not been accepted, then there would have been genuine reasons to continue with demonstrations and protests, but since the issues have been accepted, we should give the government time to implement the issues.
“Therefore, I’m taking this opportunity to tell our youths who are protesting that the protests have already yielded the desired results.
“First they said #EndSARS. SARS was ended, not by the IGP, but by the President himself. President Buhari made a Presidential statement and that would be the first time any president will say ‘end SARS’ and SARS has ended. The other issues followed; they are being addressed and that’s why we are here.
“I believe the time has come for this protest to come to an end to allow the government to attend to the issues in a very short time.
“I also believe that other Nigerians have legitimate right to go about their lawful businesses without let or hindrance and we cannot have that when the roads are blocked.”
#EndSARS: Nigeria may lose INTERPOL job [THE NATION]
Nigeria stands the risk of forfeiting its bid for the office of the President of International Police (INTERPOL) on account of #EndSARS and police brutality, according to indications on Saturday.
Some big powers are to be opposed to the slot for Nigeria although lobbying for the top position for Nigeria is continuing.
China is said to be strongly backing Nigeria in the quest for the position.
INTERPOL has 194 member-countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, Canada, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Saudi Arabia among others.
The tenure of the incumbent, Kim Jong Yang,is due to end this year having been elected in 2018.
Yang is completing the tenure of Mr. Meng Hongwei who resigned in 2018.
The next election is scheduled for December during the General Assembly of INTERPOL in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
Member nations are said to be eagerly awaiting the election and likely reforms of the organization.
Nigeria’s bid for the post has intensified in the past few months with members calling for input at different levels.
It was gathered that the input includes the profiling of the activities and the assessment of the police force of whatever country seeking the office.
Findings, however, confirmed that some of the big powers have “not been favourable” to the candidature of Nigeria.
Although many top police officers have excelled during INTERPOL and some Peacekeeping operations, it was learnt that the larger picture of the “perception of Nigeria Police Force,” might affect the nation’s chances.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of the big powers are opposed to Nigeria’s leadership of the INTERPOL because of the outcome of the profiling of the police. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and even the National Human Rights Commission (NHR) have been consistent in their indictment of Nigeria Police Force.
“Some of the issues against the Nigeria Police are extra-judicial killings, roles in some elections, abuse of fundamental human rights of Nigerians, the activities of the disbanded SARS, alleged bribery and corruption, and the poor detention facilities.
“Even during the lockdown, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in May accused the Nigeria Police of committing more extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations.
“The internationalization of #EndSARS protests in some parts of the country has made the nation’s aspiration for INTERPOL job slimmer.
Businesses lose N10b daily to #EndSARS protests, say experts [THE NATION]
The #EndSARS protest is taking its toll on the economy and businesses, economists lamented at the weekend.
They put the daily loss in the economy at a minimum N10 billion.
Youths across the country have been on the streets for 12 days in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Owerri, Awka, Aba, Abeokuta, Osogbo, Port Harcourt, Benin and other big cities. They are demanding an end to police brutality.
The government has granted all the requests.
In the new #7for7 list, the protesters are demanding institutional reforms, reduction in cost of governance, constitutional amendment, education reforms, health reforms, youth affairs and public office reforms.
Economists and business managers say business decisions, meetings, events, investment conferences and boardroom decisions have been put on hold as the protest spreads.
Former Executive Director, Keystone Bank Limited, Richard Obire, said the protest hit the economy at a time most of the businesses were just adjusting to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said it is affecting people and goods’ mobility.
According to him, blockage of critical roads to major cities has negative impacts on the economy whose extent of damage has run into billions of naira so far.
Obire said: “The other side is that if the protests lead to a more positive response by the government and good governance, it will be a major enabler of economic activity.
“The benefits or continued impact of the protests will depend on how the government handles its response. For now, the protests have been peaceful and have not degenerated. Foreign investors are happy when the rule of law prevails. They want predictability of policy, sanctity of contract and reduced crime environment. So, if at the end of the protests these things are achieved, foreign capital inflows will be guaranteed.
Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the protest is crippling businesses and economy, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
According to him, the SMEs live by daily income and the continued disruption of their businesses lead to huge loss of income and business growth.
“For me, the earlier the government engaged the protesters, the better for the economy. The President should dialogue with the protesters for quick resolution,” Yusuf advised.
An economist and former President, Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Okechukwu Unegbu, said whatever the economy loses will be temporary and could be gained if the expected reforms are instituted.
Unegbu said the protests would make the economy better.
“Look at the economy even before the protests, the interest rates were rising, loan default in banks kept worsening as businesses find it difficult to repay loans, inflation has been rising, making it difficult for people to meet their needs and naira has lost a large part of its value in recent months. The protests will help government and agencies of government to critically look at how to reposition the economy.”
Unegbu said the level of economic activity, especially production, has been nosediving and if the protests become successful, and policy recommendations implemented, foreign investors will flood Nigeria with their capital.
Ondo deputy governor under pressure to resign [THE NATION]
There are indications that Ondo State Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi may be pressured to tender his resignation letter this week.
Ajayi, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), lost his bid to govern the state after he emerged a distant third in the October 10 governorship election.
He resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in June, joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but failed to clinch the party’s ticket before moving to the ZLP.
The pressure on Ajayi to resign, according to some of his allies in the House of Assembly and ZLP, is to prevent what they termed unnecessary impeachment brouhaha.
Some of the sources said Ajayi might turn in his letter of resignation to the Speaker of the Assembly before the end of this week.
It was gathered that top notch friends of Ajayi, including a northern governor, was reached to advise him accordingly to resign.
A top Ondo government official confirmed to our reporter that aggressive steps will be taken to ensure Ajayi is impeached if he fails to tender his resignation letter.
The official said Ajayi’s allies in the Assembly were already caving in to sign the impeachment notice.
According to an ally of Ajayi, “from all we have seen, the game has ended and there is no way anyone can continue the fight; we have reached the end of the road as far as this governorship issue is concerned.
“We have had a review of the circumstances of our performance and honestly, our conclusion was that we undermined Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and overrated our candidate’s capacity to raise funds and mobilise resources for the battle.
“The most worrisome was not just the result from the Ondo South, but his own local government where he was roundly embarrassed.
“Prior to the election, we were assured by our candidate and even our national leader that is Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. He (Mimiko) was confident based on the assurances from Ajayi that there were more than enough resources for the battle.
“But we became very uncomfortable when on Wednesday; our candidate began to develop clay foot upon enquiries from Mimiko to raise some funds for the immediate days preceding the election.
“From all indications, Mimiko is unhappy because he was deceived into the project to fight his long-time friend and you know the implications of such a risk.
“Those of us who are close to the deputy governor have advised him to honourably resign before he is disgraced because we foresee a forceful removal and you guys know how brutal Akeredolu can be when he fights. The man may no longer enjoy any public sympathy.
“We reached out to some of the deputy governor’s friends, including his northern governor friend and persons of goodwill have advised him accordingly that he should resign.
“We wanted to play a card and prove a point with his presence as a sitting deputy governor running against the governor and defeating him, but all that is of no effect any longer. So there is no point heating up the polity.”