World football ruling body FIFA is expressing regrets over its decision to award the hosting right of the Under-17 World Cup to Nigeria, while detailing Mexico to stand by following possible plans to withdraw the championship from Nigeria, for betrayal of trust.
NationSports, stumbled on a text message been circulated by the secretariat of FIFA to its executive members expressing disappointment over the non-challant attitude of the country towards the hosting right that was awarded over two years ago. The text message which was dated 27th September, 2009 read thus:
“It is just the price we are paying for having been enough stupid to trust the hosting on the country like Nigeria at the first feeling. We should have moved it from the onset. But we had to be nice when they are not. We can still move it and get it right, instead of been fu....d up”.
According to our finding, it was discovered that FIFA is aggrieved that despite all the promises made to the body by the Federal government of Nigeria , few weeks to the championship certain facilities are still not yet in place. Kano was given as an example where the training pitches are not yet ready till now though a contract for the construction of the pitches was awarded to a German firm at a cost of N800 million. FIFA medical team also expressed surprise that 90 percent of the medical facilities needed for the championship are not yet on ground. Our findings further revealed that over N7billion released by the Federal Government had been squandered; with the LOC making additional request of N3billion to enable them put finishing touches to their preparation, especially paying contractors who were only paid 40% of their money so far.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Oshiomhole briefs Yar’Adua on talks with ASUU chiefs
University teachers and the Federal Government resumed talks yesterday, raising hopes of a resolution of their disagreement.
The talks dragged on late into the night, with Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole as mediator.
Oshiomhole, who persuaded the teachers to return to the negotiation table, briefed President Umaru Yar’Adua on his efforts, before the parties went into another round of talks at the National Universities Commission (NUC) secretariat at about 8.15p.m.
Oshiomhole had met with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership at the Labour House, Abuja. He later met with Education Minister Dr Sam Egwu, the leader of the government’s team, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode and ASUU president Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie.
Oshiomhole told reporters that the meeting was to seek ways of ending the over three months strike in public universities.
Oshiomhole said: "This meeting was convened so that we can revisit the dispute between the government and ASUU and the aim is to find a common ground to proceed so that the dispute can be resolved and the university system restored."
The government pulled out of the talks in July, asking the teachers to suspend their strike before the parley could continue.
But the lecturers refused, saying they would only return to the classrooms after their demands have been met.
The National Assembly leadership will join Oshiomhole in resolving the strike.
Senate spokesman Ayogu Eze lamented that the strike was capable of crippling the education system.
He said the intervention would be multi-faceted, adding that the Senate leadership would join the committee on education to dialogue with the university teachers.
A meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Education on July 21, to resolve the disagreement suffered a setback as the committee chairman, Senator Joy Emodi, could not find a common ground with the teachers.
The talks dragged on late into the night, with Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole as mediator.
Oshiomhole, who persuaded the teachers to return to the negotiation table, briefed President Umaru Yar’Adua on his efforts, before the parties went into another round of talks at the National Universities Commission (NUC) secretariat at about 8.15p.m.
Oshiomhole had met with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership at the Labour House, Abuja. He later met with Education Minister Dr Sam Egwu, the leader of the government’s team, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode and ASUU president Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie.
Oshiomhole told reporters that the meeting was to seek ways of ending the over three months strike in public universities.
Oshiomhole said: "This meeting was convened so that we can revisit the dispute between the government and ASUU and the aim is to find a common ground to proceed so that the dispute can be resolved and the university system restored."
The government pulled out of the talks in July, asking the teachers to suspend their strike before the parley could continue.
But the lecturers refused, saying they would only return to the classrooms after their demands have been met.
The National Assembly leadership will join Oshiomhole in resolving the strike.
Senate spokesman Ayogu Eze lamented that the strike was capable of crippling the education system.
He said the intervention would be multi-faceted, adding that the Senate leadership would join the committee on education to dialogue with the university teachers.
A meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Education on July 21, to resolve the disagreement suffered a setback as the committee chairman, Senator Joy Emodi, could not find a common ground with the teachers.
Ibori-Ribadu row: $15m with CBN, says EFCC
There are still no answers to some of the questions over the $15million in dispute between former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Nuhu Ribadu and former Delta Governor James Ibori.
The cash is still with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), The Nation learnt yesterday.
But neither the CBN nor the Federal Government could explain the status of the money – whether it was a bribe or a vote for former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s failed third term project?
Ribadu has, in a witness statement to the London Metropolitan Police, claimed that Ibori offered the $15milion as bribe to cover up his track.
Ribadu said he deposited the money in the CBN to serve as a proof that the former Governor actually offered him a bribe.
But Ibori, in a statement on Monday, said he did not bribe Ribadu and the fact that the ex-EFCC chairman deposited $15million in CBN could not be a proof that he gave the money to him.
Investigation by The Nation yesterday revealed that the money is still with the CBN.
A top official of the anti-graft commission, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "The $15m is in the CBN and we have records to show the acknowledgement by the apex bank.
"In fact, a Desk Officer from the CBN, Mr. James Garba, who was posted to the EFCC, took inventory of the fund before passing it over to the apex bank.
"If you go to the Federal High Court, Asaba, all the relevant documents relating to the $15million are attached to the charges against Ibori. The correspondences between the EFCC and the CBN are also parts of the court papers.
"The Investigating Police Officer, who handled the matter, is still in the EFCC.
"It is left to the court to determine whether the $15million was a bribe money or not."
At press time, the Federal Government was not willing to talk on the matter.
All the officials contacted kept mute over the whereabouts of the money, the status of the cash and what will become of it.
The issue for determination between the warring parties is whether the money was for bribery or the crashed third term project.
A highly-placed source in CBN said: "We are not interested in commenting on the matter because it could distract the attention of the Governor of CBN, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
"No matter what the CBN says, either of the two sides will accuse the apex bank of bias. We don’t want to join the fray. We won’t talk now at all.
"At the appropriate time when the tension is down and the situation is devoid of politics, we will talk."
A top official in The Presidency also said: "This case has nothing to do with the Federal Government; you can go to CBN where the money is kept.
"Did anyone tell you that the controversial fund belongs to the Federal Government? The government is, however, monitoring development on the controversy trailing the $15million because of its commitment to the anti-corruption war."
CBN spokesman Mallam Mohammed Abdullahi described the issue between Ibori and Ribadu as personal.
The CBN has no comments, he said.
The cash is still with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), The Nation learnt yesterday.
But neither the CBN nor the Federal Government could explain the status of the money – whether it was a bribe or a vote for former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s failed third term project?
Ribadu has, in a witness statement to the London Metropolitan Police, claimed that Ibori offered the $15milion as bribe to cover up his track.
Ribadu said he deposited the money in the CBN to serve as a proof that the former Governor actually offered him a bribe.
But Ibori, in a statement on Monday, said he did not bribe Ribadu and the fact that the ex-EFCC chairman deposited $15million in CBN could not be a proof that he gave the money to him.
Investigation by The Nation yesterday revealed that the money is still with the CBN.
A top official of the anti-graft commission, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "The $15m is in the CBN and we have records to show the acknowledgement by the apex bank.
"In fact, a Desk Officer from the CBN, Mr. James Garba, who was posted to the EFCC, took inventory of the fund before passing it over to the apex bank.
"If you go to the Federal High Court, Asaba, all the relevant documents relating to the $15million are attached to the charges against Ibori. The correspondences between the EFCC and the CBN are also parts of the court papers.
"The Investigating Police Officer, who handled the matter, is still in the EFCC.
"It is left to the court to determine whether the $15million was a bribe money or not."
At press time, the Federal Government was not willing to talk on the matter.
All the officials contacted kept mute over the whereabouts of the money, the status of the cash and what will become of it.
The issue for determination between the warring parties is whether the money was for bribery or the crashed third term project.
A highly-placed source in CBN said: "We are not interested in commenting on the matter because it could distract the attention of the Governor of CBN, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
"No matter what the CBN says, either of the two sides will accuse the apex bank of bias. We don’t want to join the fray. We won’t talk now at all.
"At the appropriate time when the tension is down and the situation is devoid of politics, we will talk."
A top official in The Presidency also said: "This case has nothing to do with the Federal Government; you can go to CBN where the money is kept.
"Did anyone tell you that the controversial fund belongs to the Federal Government? The government is, however, monitoring development on the controversy trailing the $15million because of its commitment to the anti-corruption war."
CBN spokesman Mallam Mohammed Abdullahi described the issue between Ibori and Ribadu as personal.
The CBN has no comments, he said.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
EFCC seeks psychiatric tests for public officers
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chair Mrs Farida Waziri reignited on old debate yesterday, with her call for psychiatric tests for would-be leaders and public officers. This, to her, is a way out of corruption in public office.
She advocated psychiatric tests because, in her view, some aspiring leaders "are mentally and psychologically unsuitable for office with the way they amass public wealth".
Mrs Waziri was delivering the keynote address at a workshop in Kaduna on transparency and accountability in the public service.
She said: "Having dealt with many corruption cases, I am inclined to suggest that public officers should be subjected to some form of psychiatric evaluation to determine their suitability for public office.
"The extent of aggrandisement and gluttonous accumulation of wealth that I have observed suggests to me that some people are mentally and psychologically unsuitable for public office. We have observed people amassing public wealth to a point suggesting ‘madness’ or some form of obsessive-compulsive psychiatric disorder."
In her address entitled: Transparency and accountability in public service: the role of anti-corruption agencies, Mrs. Waziri said the culture of accountability could only be entrenched in the public service if the proper legislation is in place.
"As you may all know the struggle has been on to get the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill passed into law. Closely related to this is the bid to have a whistle blower act passed into law. Let me emphasise that the future of the anti-corruption war may depend on what happens to these efforts.
"If we truly expect a public service that is accountable to the people of Nigeria, then the Freedom of Information Bill must be passed. If you deny the public the right to know, the anti- corruption war is lost, "she said.
Calling for collaboration among the various anti-graft agencies, Mrs Waziri said: "When these agencies work together, they are potentially capable of creating an environment which could make corruption a very hazardous affair for a public officer."
She urged Nigerians to be involved in the war against corruption, adding that it is only through their active involvement that the nation could be saved from the menace.
Mrs Farida said: "When I launched the anti-corruption revolution (ANCHOR), skeptics thought it was just another jamboree. But I think the crisis rocking the banking sector has justified our efforts. Were it not for the swift intervention of the Central Bank and the EFCC, we were surely leading for a crash that would have rubbished our financial system along with your money; your pensions. You cannot afford to be neutral in this war; make it your war."
She urged organisers of the workshop, especially the Kaduna State Government, to create an anti-corruption watchdog in the state public service that could work closely with the EFCC on information and intelligence gathering, budget tracking and project implementation, grassroots anti-corruption mobilisation, anti-corruption education and awareness as well as whistle blower activity, among others.
It was also an opportunity for Mrs Waziri to defend the EFCC’s integrity.
Lamenting that many states in the country were not doing enough in the fight against corruption, Mrs Waziri noted that Nigerians were in the habit of condemning the commission.
She said it was sad that when the commission takes a step to fight corruption, it is opposed and antagonised.
Mrs Waziri said: "When I arrest your friends, you criticise me and call me all sorts of names; you say I have lost track and I’m not doing my job the way it should be done, but when I arrest your enemy you now say I am doing a great job. It mustn’t be so
"Good governance is not necessarily attained because good road or a hospital has been attained or fertiliser has been provided to farmers, because even dictatorial regimes where the rule of law is completely absent provide these, but the question to be asked is: was due process followed in awarding the contracts?
"Has any public officer directly or indirectly benefited? The state of Nigeria today is a fact that most of our public servants are still lacking in transparency and accountability. The private sector does not fare better too
"Menace of corruption is still a large challenge to our developmental efforts as a country. Everybody seems so concerned about corruption but you wonder why it is still happening.
"It is everybody’s fight and not just that of the EFCC. Regrettably, corruption is still seen largely as a Federal Government responsibility."
She noted that it is sad that after 49 years as an independent nation, Nigeria is still where it was because of corruption, adding that it was regrettable that everybody is a victim of the menace.
Mrs Waziri is sure that the passage of the FOI Bill by the National Assembly would help check corrupt practices and curtail rumours of corruption where it did not exist in the country.
"In order for information to be readily available, I am one of the advocates of the Freedom of Information Bill because once the information is not free, citizens tend to speculate and carry very dangerous rumours. All we need to do is to pass the bill and put in place checks and balances so that these laws are not abused," she said.
Mrs Waziri disclosed that EFCC has recovered over N103billion from bank debtors across the country.
According to her, the commission has made giant strides in the recovery of loans within the short span of her tenure.
She said most of the recovered loans were the ones considered insolvent by the banks.
The loans, she said, were granted in complete disregard of banking procedures and questioned the rationale for the granting of a N15billion loan without collateral.
"Most of the recovered loans were collected without the intention of paying back at all.
"Imagine that somebody will collect such large sums without collateral and instead of paying back, they buy houses abroad and open offshore accounts," she said.
Mrs Waziri challenged those criticising her for pursuing bad loans instead of executing her mandate to define the boundaries of her job for her.
She wondered what could be an economic crime if the refusal to pay bank loans was not.
She called on Nigerians to support the fight against corruption, saying: "We stand to benefit from the gains of a corrupt free society."
Mrs Waziri lamented that the evils of corruption were responsible for joblessness, poverty and diseases.
She was, however, optimistic that the efforts of the present administration are paying off as Nigeria has leapt from its 147th position by international rating to 121.
The feat, she said, was accomplished by the strict adherence to transparency and accountability embedded in the concept of the rule of law.
The chairman of the occasion, former Chief Justice of the Federation Muhammadu Uwais, called on the media to expose all cases of corruption without regard to whose ox is gored.
Uwais bemoaned the dangers of corruption, saying it brought the society backward and caused the economy to remain stagnant.
The workshop attracted dignitaries within and outside the state. Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris and Deputy Governor Patrick Yakowa were among those in attendance.
She advocated psychiatric tests because, in her view, some aspiring leaders "are mentally and psychologically unsuitable for office with the way they amass public wealth".
Mrs Waziri was delivering the keynote address at a workshop in Kaduna on transparency and accountability in the public service.
She said: "Having dealt with many corruption cases, I am inclined to suggest that public officers should be subjected to some form of psychiatric evaluation to determine their suitability for public office.
"The extent of aggrandisement and gluttonous accumulation of wealth that I have observed suggests to me that some people are mentally and psychologically unsuitable for public office. We have observed people amassing public wealth to a point suggesting ‘madness’ or some form of obsessive-compulsive psychiatric disorder."
In her address entitled: Transparency and accountability in public service: the role of anti-corruption agencies, Mrs. Waziri said the culture of accountability could only be entrenched in the public service if the proper legislation is in place.
"As you may all know the struggle has been on to get the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill passed into law. Closely related to this is the bid to have a whistle blower act passed into law. Let me emphasise that the future of the anti-corruption war may depend on what happens to these efforts.
"If we truly expect a public service that is accountable to the people of Nigeria, then the Freedom of Information Bill must be passed. If you deny the public the right to know, the anti- corruption war is lost, "she said.
Calling for collaboration among the various anti-graft agencies, Mrs Waziri said: "When these agencies work together, they are potentially capable of creating an environment which could make corruption a very hazardous affair for a public officer."
She urged Nigerians to be involved in the war against corruption, adding that it is only through their active involvement that the nation could be saved from the menace.
Mrs Farida said: "When I launched the anti-corruption revolution (ANCHOR), skeptics thought it was just another jamboree. But I think the crisis rocking the banking sector has justified our efforts. Were it not for the swift intervention of the Central Bank and the EFCC, we were surely leading for a crash that would have rubbished our financial system along with your money; your pensions. You cannot afford to be neutral in this war; make it your war."
She urged organisers of the workshop, especially the Kaduna State Government, to create an anti-corruption watchdog in the state public service that could work closely with the EFCC on information and intelligence gathering, budget tracking and project implementation, grassroots anti-corruption mobilisation, anti-corruption education and awareness as well as whistle blower activity, among others.
It was also an opportunity for Mrs Waziri to defend the EFCC’s integrity.
Lamenting that many states in the country were not doing enough in the fight against corruption, Mrs Waziri noted that Nigerians were in the habit of condemning the commission.
She said it was sad that when the commission takes a step to fight corruption, it is opposed and antagonised.
Mrs Waziri said: "When I arrest your friends, you criticise me and call me all sorts of names; you say I have lost track and I’m not doing my job the way it should be done, but when I arrest your enemy you now say I am doing a great job. It mustn’t be so
"Good governance is not necessarily attained because good road or a hospital has been attained or fertiliser has been provided to farmers, because even dictatorial regimes where the rule of law is completely absent provide these, but the question to be asked is: was due process followed in awarding the contracts?
"Has any public officer directly or indirectly benefited? The state of Nigeria today is a fact that most of our public servants are still lacking in transparency and accountability. The private sector does not fare better too
"Menace of corruption is still a large challenge to our developmental efforts as a country. Everybody seems so concerned about corruption but you wonder why it is still happening.
"It is everybody’s fight and not just that of the EFCC. Regrettably, corruption is still seen largely as a Federal Government responsibility."
She noted that it is sad that after 49 years as an independent nation, Nigeria is still where it was because of corruption, adding that it was regrettable that everybody is a victim of the menace.
Mrs Waziri is sure that the passage of the FOI Bill by the National Assembly would help check corrupt practices and curtail rumours of corruption where it did not exist in the country.
"In order for information to be readily available, I am one of the advocates of the Freedom of Information Bill because once the information is not free, citizens tend to speculate and carry very dangerous rumours. All we need to do is to pass the bill and put in place checks and balances so that these laws are not abused," she said.
Mrs Waziri disclosed that EFCC has recovered over N103billion from bank debtors across the country.
According to her, the commission has made giant strides in the recovery of loans within the short span of her tenure.
She said most of the recovered loans were the ones considered insolvent by the banks.
The loans, she said, were granted in complete disregard of banking procedures and questioned the rationale for the granting of a N15billion loan without collateral.
"Most of the recovered loans were collected without the intention of paying back at all.
"Imagine that somebody will collect such large sums without collateral and instead of paying back, they buy houses abroad and open offshore accounts," she said.
Mrs Waziri challenged those criticising her for pursuing bad loans instead of executing her mandate to define the boundaries of her job for her.
She wondered what could be an economic crime if the refusal to pay bank loans was not.
She called on Nigerians to support the fight against corruption, saying: "We stand to benefit from the gains of a corrupt free society."
Mrs Waziri lamented that the evils of corruption were responsible for joblessness, poverty and diseases.
She was, however, optimistic that the efforts of the present administration are paying off as Nigeria has leapt from its 147th position by international rating to 121.
The feat, she said, was accomplished by the strict adherence to transparency and accountability embedded in the concept of the rule of law.
The chairman of the occasion, former Chief Justice of the Federation Muhammadu Uwais, called on the media to expose all cases of corruption without regard to whose ox is gored.
Uwais bemoaned the dangers of corruption, saying it brought the society backward and caused the economy to remain stagnant.
The workshop attracted dignitaries within and outside the state. Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris and Deputy Governor Patrick Yakowa were among those in attendance.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
London trial: EFCC seeks release of 25 witnesses
Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) yesterday got a request for the release of 25 witnesses needed by the Metropolitan Police for the ongoing trial of three aides of ex-Governor James Ibori in London.
The suspects on trial for alleged money laundering are Ibori’s sister, Christie Ibori-Ibie; his former Personal Assistant on Confidential Matters, Bimpe Pogoson; and Ms. Udoamaka Onuigbo-Okoronkwo.
But, of the three suspects, the British Police yesterday at the Southwark Court 8 in London opposed the return of Onuigbo-Okoronkwo to Nigeria for trial alongside Ibori at the Federal High Court, Asaba.
The Nation
learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wrote to the AGF to invoke relevant clauses in the Mutual Legal Treaty Agreement (MLAT) for the release of the 25 witnesses.
A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "The letter was sent through the Office of the Secretary to the commission, Mr. Emmanuel Akonmaye, to the AGF for his action.
"You know we got a letter from the Met Police for the release of the 25 witnesses for an all-expense paid testimony before the court in London.
"The request borders on diplomatic issue and the invocation of the MLAT agreement. So, we need the fiat of the AGF to release the witnesses.
"We have secured the understanding of the AGF on this request."
All attempts to get the list of the 25 witnesses proved futile last night.
A source said: "For security reasons, we cannot make the list public now. If we do, they will undergo tremendous pressure which may change the course of the matter in London."
The AGF on Sunday said his office was prepared to release the witnesses if there is a request from the EFCC.
Aondoakaa said: "On the issue of 25 witnesses needed by the Met Police, nobody has brought that information to my notice and immediately I saw the publication in the papers today, I contacted the Secretary of the EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Akonmaye, who said they will be bringing whatever they have got from the Metropolitan Police on the next working day as regards the witnesses to testify in Ibori’s case.
"I have no request on my desk in relation to these witnesses. As soon as my office receives the request, it will be treated with dispatch and as the law requires.
"Let me make it clear on record that every Nigerian has a constitutional right of free movement and freedom of expression and, therefore, the Office of the AGF will not breach the constitution by stopping anybody from testifying before any tribunal or court in Nigeria or outside, including the UK. That is the true fact."
In London, the Judge rejected a plea by the defence counsel to ban web portals and some Nigerian newspapers from publishing what they considered "unsavoury reports".
"The judge said he could not ban them because he does not have jurisdiction on them," a source at the hearing told The Nation.
It was, however, learnt that the British Police also refused moves by one of the defence counsel to have Ms. Onuigbo-Okoronkwo, a close confidant of the ex-governor, extradited to Nigeria.
The source said: "All attempts by the defence to have Ms Okoronkwo returned to Nigeria were opposed by the counsel for the prosecution, Lady M Wass QC, counsel.
"The prosecution insisted that the case in London has no bearing with the one before a Federal High Court in Nigeria."
In a statement in Abuja, the Special Assistant (Media) to ex-Governor James Ibori, Mr. Tony Eluemunor, said Ibori’s camp saw the prosecution’s refusal to grant the request for the repatriation of Ms Oniugbo-Okoronkwo as an abuse of hearing.
The statement reads in part: "The abuse of hearing today (Wednesday) was in respect of the British Police refusing consent for Okoronkwo to be returned to Nigeria to face the real case against her in Nigeria.
"Her defence set out the position that the Police had orchestrated and manipulated the circumstances, thereby preventing her from properly defending herself where the alleged offences are said to have occurred and before a competent Nigerian court.
"The general theme running through these proceedings as defence lawyer Tim Owen QC eloquently put it is ‘that the prosecution had acted without candour. There is no honesty or truthfulness’.
"Okoronkwo’s defence has been asking for some very important pieces of documents which have now mysteriously disappeared. The court heard that these highly relevant documents have simply ‘gone missing’ from the Police files. The court was astonished.
"Frustrated at prosecution’s Ms Wass QC’s failure to deal with matters in good faith, Andrew Trollope openly accused the Crown of playing "fast and loose".
"Trollope QC now seems very much in control of the court, raised very serious complaints with the Judge: "These are utterly inadequate explanations. The prosecution needs to produce proper material … we will not accept superficial responses from Ms Wass".
"Defence lawyers, happy with the day’s proceedings, say that what is now becoming clearer and clearer is that there is no case to answer in London. There is no evidence to support the allegations of money laundering. The case has now shifted to one of inference and circumstances.
"The defence wants to prove that the integrity of the investigation is compromised beyond repair at a number of levels.
The suspects on trial for alleged money laundering are Ibori’s sister, Christie Ibori-Ibie; his former Personal Assistant on Confidential Matters, Bimpe Pogoson; and Ms. Udoamaka Onuigbo-Okoronkwo.
But, of the three suspects, the British Police yesterday at the Southwark Court 8 in London opposed the return of Onuigbo-Okoronkwo to Nigeria for trial alongside Ibori at the Federal High Court, Asaba.
The Nation
learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wrote to the AGF to invoke relevant clauses in the Mutual Legal Treaty Agreement (MLAT) for the release of the 25 witnesses.
A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "The letter was sent through the Office of the Secretary to the commission, Mr. Emmanuel Akonmaye, to the AGF for his action.
"You know we got a letter from the Met Police for the release of the 25 witnesses for an all-expense paid testimony before the court in London.
"The request borders on diplomatic issue and the invocation of the MLAT agreement. So, we need the fiat of the AGF to release the witnesses.
"We have secured the understanding of the AGF on this request."
All attempts to get the list of the 25 witnesses proved futile last night.
A source said: "For security reasons, we cannot make the list public now. If we do, they will undergo tremendous pressure which may change the course of the matter in London."
The AGF on Sunday said his office was prepared to release the witnesses if there is a request from the EFCC.
Aondoakaa said: "On the issue of 25 witnesses needed by the Met Police, nobody has brought that information to my notice and immediately I saw the publication in the papers today, I contacted the Secretary of the EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Akonmaye, who said they will be bringing whatever they have got from the Metropolitan Police on the next working day as regards the witnesses to testify in Ibori’s case.
"I have no request on my desk in relation to these witnesses. As soon as my office receives the request, it will be treated with dispatch and as the law requires.
"Let me make it clear on record that every Nigerian has a constitutional right of free movement and freedom of expression and, therefore, the Office of the AGF will not breach the constitution by stopping anybody from testifying before any tribunal or court in Nigeria or outside, including the UK. That is the true fact."
In London, the Judge rejected a plea by the defence counsel to ban web portals and some Nigerian newspapers from publishing what they considered "unsavoury reports".
"The judge said he could not ban them because he does not have jurisdiction on them," a source at the hearing told The Nation.
It was, however, learnt that the British Police also refused moves by one of the defence counsel to have Ms. Onuigbo-Okoronkwo, a close confidant of the ex-governor, extradited to Nigeria.
The source said: "All attempts by the defence to have Ms Okoronkwo returned to Nigeria were opposed by the counsel for the prosecution, Lady M Wass QC, counsel.
"The prosecution insisted that the case in London has no bearing with the one before a Federal High Court in Nigeria."
In a statement in Abuja, the Special Assistant (Media) to ex-Governor James Ibori, Mr. Tony Eluemunor, said Ibori’s camp saw the prosecution’s refusal to grant the request for the repatriation of Ms Oniugbo-Okoronkwo as an abuse of hearing.
The statement reads in part: "The abuse of hearing today (Wednesday) was in respect of the British Police refusing consent for Okoronkwo to be returned to Nigeria to face the real case against her in Nigeria.
"Her defence set out the position that the Police had orchestrated and manipulated the circumstances, thereby preventing her from properly defending herself where the alleged offences are said to have occurred and before a competent Nigerian court.
"The general theme running through these proceedings as defence lawyer Tim Owen QC eloquently put it is ‘that the prosecution had acted without candour. There is no honesty or truthfulness’.
"Okoronkwo’s defence has been asking for some very important pieces of documents which have now mysteriously disappeared. The court heard that these highly relevant documents have simply ‘gone missing’ from the Police files. The court was astonished.
"Frustrated at prosecution’s Ms Wass QC’s failure to deal with matters in good faith, Andrew Trollope openly accused the Crown of playing "fast and loose".
"Trollope QC now seems very much in control of the court, raised very serious complaints with the Judge: "These are utterly inadequate explanations. The prosecution needs to produce proper material … we will not accept superficial responses from Ms Wass".
"Defence lawyers, happy with the day’s proceedings, say that what is now becoming clearer and clearer is that there is no case to answer in London. There is no evidence to support the allegations of money laundering. The case has now shifted to one of inference and circumstances.
"The defence wants to prove that the integrity of the investigation is compromised beyond repair at a number of levels.
Students protest Govt/ASUU face-off in Ibadan
Students yesterday took to the streets in Ibadan, Oyo State, to protest the face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The aggrieved students converged under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) "B’’ zone comprising students in tertiary institutions in the South-West.
They threatened to disrupt the Independence Day celebration on October 1, if the Federal Government fails to meet ASUU’s demand.
The strike, which was embarked upon by ASUU members, is in its third month.
Commercial activities were paralysed in Adamasigba, Mokola, Oremeji, Sango, Samonda and the University of Ibadan (UI) where the students marched.
There were long queues of vehicles on the roads. Motorists were stuck for several hours while the protest lasted.
The students, some of whom rode in buses and walked in a long procession, bore placards, handbills and posters with various inscriptions, such as "Yar’Adua, you are wicked"; "Nigeria is rich enough to fund education"; "We are tired of staying at home" and "Join protest rally on October 1", among others.
They are demanding the immediate signing and implementation of agreements reached with ASUU; adequate funding of education; payment of N40, 000 cost of studying allowance to all Nigerian students in tertiary institutions; democracy in all schools through involvement of elected representatives of student and staff unions in all decision-making organs in the education sector and reinstatement of all expelled /suspended student leaders and sacked staff activists.
Other demands include public ownership of the commanding height of the economy and its placement under the democratic control/management of elected bodies of the working masses, immediate removal of Education Minister and immediate recall of nine sacked lecturers at the Oyo State College of Education.
The protesting students canvassed support for protests in Lagos and Edo states on October 1 to press home their demands.
The Chairperson, State Task Force on Traffic Control and Management, Mrs Sybil Funmilayo Akinfenwa, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), led a team of policemen to monitor the protest.
The students’ spokespersons, Jolapamo Bolanle and Yomi Balogun, called on parents and other well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Umaru Yar’Adua to sign the agreement between the Government and ASUU so that the strike would end.
Bolanle said: "We have been forced to be at home since June 22, 2009 due to the Federal Government’s unwillingness to seek resolution to the strike embarked upon by ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT. The action is to compel government to fund education adequately and improve the working conditions /remunerations of staff.
"In this wise, we cannot blame the unions for the ongoing strike.The culprit is the government that has refused to fund education adequately despite enormous resources Nigeria is blessed with."
Balogun, who is NANS spokesman, said: "We must take the battle to the doorstep of the Yar’Adua government and that is why we are mobilising students to gather at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat, Yaba, Lagos and UNIBEN Gate, Benin City on October 1 to press home our demands."
The aggrieved students converged under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) "B’’ zone comprising students in tertiary institutions in the South-West.
They threatened to disrupt the Independence Day celebration on October 1, if the Federal Government fails to meet ASUU’s demand.
The strike, which was embarked upon by ASUU members, is in its third month.
Commercial activities were paralysed in Adamasigba, Mokola, Oremeji, Sango, Samonda and the University of Ibadan (UI) where the students marched.
There were long queues of vehicles on the roads. Motorists were stuck for several hours while the protest lasted.
The students, some of whom rode in buses and walked in a long procession, bore placards, handbills and posters with various inscriptions, such as "Yar’Adua, you are wicked"; "Nigeria is rich enough to fund education"; "We are tired of staying at home" and "Join protest rally on October 1", among others.
They are demanding the immediate signing and implementation of agreements reached with ASUU; adequate funding of education; payment of N40, 000 cost of studying allowance to all Nigerian students in tertiary institutions; democracy in all schools through involvement of elected representatives of student and staff unions in all decision-making organs in the education sector and reinstatement of all expelled /suspended student leaders and sacked staff activists.
Other demands include public ownership of the commanding height of the economy and its placement under the democratic control/management of elected bodies of the working masses, immediate removal of Education Minister and immediate recall of nine sacked lecturers at the Oyo State College of Education.
The protesting students canvassed support for protests in Lagos and Edo states on October 1 to press home their demands.
The Chairperson, State Task Force on Traffic Control and Management, Mrs Sybil Funmilayo Akinfenwa, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), led a team of policemen to monitor the protest.
The students’ spokespersons, Jolapamo Bolanle and Yomi Balogun, called on parents and other well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Umaru Yar’Adua to sign the agreement between the Government and ASUU so that the strike would end.
Bolanle said: "We have been forced to be at home since June 22, 2009 due to the Federal Government’s unwillingness to seek resolution to the strike embarked upon by ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT. The action is to compel government to fund education adequately and improve the working conditions /remunerations of staff.
"In this wise, we cannot blame the unions for the ongoing strike.The culprit is the government that has refused to fund education adequately despite enormous resources Nigeria is blessed with."
Balogun, who is NANS spokesman, said: "We must take the battle to the doorstep of the Yar’Adua government and that is why we are mobilising students to gather at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat, Yaba, Lagos and UNIBEN Gate, Benin City on October 1 to press home our demands."
Jubilation As First Aircraft Lands in A’Ibom
At exactly 2.12pm yesterday, Arik Airline Boeing 737 plane made a historic inaugural flight to the newly constructed Ibom International Airport located in Okop-edi, Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It was the first time an aircraft will be landing in the state since its creation 22 years ago.
Before 1pm, a large crowd had gathered at the airport to witness the historic event. The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, his wife, Unoma, state executive council members, former governors of the state including the immediate past governor, Obong Victor Attah, Chief Don Etiebet and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were among dignitaries that witnessed the arrival of the plane.
National and state Houses Assembly members, traditional rulers, politicians from other political parties, captains of industries and other invited guests within and outside the state, were also on ground to witness the landing of the aircraft which had on board Aviation Minister, Mr Babatunde Omotoba.
The landing was dramatic as the pilot flew round the airport twice before landing on the tarmac at about 2. 12 pm, while the plane taxied to a halt in front of the state governor and other dignitaries. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd that besieged the airport some of who took photographs of the plane. Expatriate workers at the airport and officials of Arik airline were also not left out of the celebration.
In a brief speech at the airport, Akpabio said the Arik aircraft was a brand new Boeing 737 in the Nigerian airspace for the first time and made its first flight to the new Akwa Ibom International Airport.
After a brief ceremony and a prayer session, the governor, minister of aviation and other dignitaries embarked on a facility tour of the airport.
One of the highlights of yesterday's event, which coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the creation of the state, was the coming together of Akpabio, Attah and Etiebet who embraced themselves after a prolonged faceoff over their political differences.
Before 1pm, a large crowd had gathered at the airport to witness the historic event. The State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, his wife, Unoma, state executive council members, former governors of the state including the immediate past governor, Obong Victor Attah, Chief Don Etiebet and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were among dignitaries that witnessed the arrival of the plane.
National and state Houses Assembly members, traditional rulers, politicians from other political parties, captains of industries and other invited guests within and outside the state, were also on ground to witness the landing of the aircraft which had on board Aviation Minister, Mr Babatunde Omotoba.
The landing was dramatic as the pilot flew round the airport twice before landing on the tarmac at about 2. 12 pm, while the plane taxied to a halt in front of the state governor and other dignitaries. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd that besieged the airport some of who took photographs of the plane. Expatriate workers at the airport and officials of Arik airline were also not left out of the celebration.
In a brief speech at the airport, Akpabio said the Arik aircraft was a brand new Boeing 737 in the Nigerian airspace for the first time and made its first flight to the new Akwa Ibom International Airport.
After a brief ceremony and a prayer session, the governor, minister of aviation and other dignitaries embarked on a facility tour of the airport.
One of the highlights of yesterday's event, which coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the creation of the state, was the coming together of Akpabio, Attah and Etiebet who embraced themselves after a prolonged faceoff over their political differences.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ASUU embarks on street rally in Ibadan
The strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) assumed a dramatic dimension yesterday.
In what observers see as a move to get public sympathy, the lecturers went on a street-to-street rally in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The striking lecturers said rather than blame the on-going strike on them, the Federal Government should be condemned ‘’ by its responsiveness and irresponsibility to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigeria citizens’’.
Leading the rally, the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, Dr. Abiodun Aremu, said the rally was to intimate the general public about the reason for the prolonged strike.
He noted that it was the Federal Government that walked out of the negotiation and not ASUU.
Aremu wondered why an employer would abandon negotiation with his or her employee.
The rally, which took off from Mellanby Hall car park of the University of Ibadan, through the main gate of the university to Bodija Market.
It went through Secretariat Road to Awolowo junction and Sango/Elewure junction before heading back to the campus.
The ASUU members were joined by their counterparts in the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU).
The procession was joined by traders, drivers, artisans and other passers-bye.
He urged the people to prevail on the Federal Government to accede to ASUU’s demands.
At each point of address, the message was the same: the need for the Federal Government to honor a gentleman’s agreement it entered into with the union which centered on proper funding of the university system, university autonomy and improved conditions of service.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Aremu noted with regret that the Federal Government was toying with the future of the youth because the children of top government officials were enjoying the best of education abroad.
"The struggle", he said, ‘’is not about those of us in the system but about the future of the coming generations, both born and unborn, which is why it is laughable when you hear Federal Government talking about awarding certain percentage of salary increase as if our demand is centered on salary increase."
‘’This is why we felt the need to bring what is happening to the notice of the general public for the first time to let them know the truth about what those claiming to be their elected or selected representatives are doing to the future of their children, that they are comfortable with the situation because their own children are in Harvard and other eyebrow universities abroad,’’ Aremu said.
But, in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, said the country may be heading for anarchy if ASUU continues to disregard the ruling of the of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) to call off the two and half months strike.
Speaking at a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on how to resolve the strike, Egwu said ASUU has also turned down President Umaru Yar’Adua’s plea to call off the strike and resume negotiation.
His words: "The Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) in its ruling asked ASUU to call off the strike, but for two and half months now the strike is still on. I want to say that this is a dangerous precedent. The moment individuals, organisations continue to disregard ruling of a constituted authority then this country is heading for anarchy. Two and half months they have refused to obey IAP. The Vice-President also invited us to plead to ASUU to call off the strike and that we should go back to the negotiation table. We agreed and went back to negotiate. One week after, ASUU still refused to call off the strike.
"Even Mr. President when he was travelling to Saudi Arabia also requested and pleaded with ASUU to call off the strike but ASUU turned down the request. If the number one citizen of this country could plead to any association and it refused, I think that is not fair.
"The First Lady, church leaders, the clergies, traditional rulers and chancellors of the universities also pleaded in vain. We believe that your intervention can touch their heart. It was ASUU that started the strike in the first place. I felt that they would have taken what was given to them.
"At the point this negotiation was going on ASUU declared a warning strike. At that point the Senate Committee and the House of Representatives Committee on Education invited ASUU and the Ministry of Education for a dialogue and in the meetings after presenting our cases the various committees requested that we should go back to the negotiation table to conclude the agreement. We came back and invited ASUU for a continuation of the negotiation as requested by the National Assembly. I want to state here that ASUU acknowledged our request for a meeting but want ahead and called a total strike.
"The implication of this is that ASUU had already made up its mind to go on strike because if it had not made up its mind it could have still attended the meeting. It didn’t do that."
The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of ACF, Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), said the face-off between Government and ASUU is telling hard on the nation’s youth and urgent measures must be taken to resolve the situation.
Lt.-Gen. Useni said: "As a neutral body, we are going to hear from both sides and sit down to analyse the situation. We are determined to do our best and offer our services to see that this thing is resolved as quickly as possible. We believe also that when two giants are fighting, the grass will continue to suffer."
After a closed-door meeting which lasted for an hour, Lt.-Gen. Useni told reporters that ACF will meet with ASUU.
In what observers see as a move to get public sympathy, the lecturers went on a street-to-street rally in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The striking lecturers said rather than blame the on-going strike on them, the Federal Government should be condemned ‘’ by its responsiveness and irresponsibility to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigeria citizens’’.
Leading the rally, the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, Dr. Abiodun Aremu, said the rally was to intimate the general public about the reason for the prolonged strike.
He noted that it was the Federal Government that walked out of the negotiation and not ASUU.
Aremu wondered why an employer would abandon negotiation with his or her employee.
The rally, which took off from Mellanby Hall car park of the University of Ibadan, through the main gate of the university to Bodija Market.
It went through Secretariat Road to Awolowo junction and Sango/Elewure junction before heading back to the campus.
The ASUU members were joined by their counterparts in the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU).
The procession was joined by traders, drivers, artisans and other passers-bye.
He urged the people to prevail on the Federal Government to accede to ASUU’s demands.
At each point of address, the message was the same: the need for the Federal Government to honor a gentleman’s agreement it entered into with the union which centered on proper funding of the university system, university autonomy and improved conditions of service.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Aremu noted with regret that the Federal Government was toying with the future of the youth because the children of top government officials were enjoying the best of education abroad.
"The struggle", he said, ‘’is not about those of us in the system but about the future of the coming generations, both born and unborn, which is why it is laughable when you hear Federal Government talking about awarding certain percentage of salary increase as if our demand is centered on salary increase."
‘’This is why we felt the need to bring what is happening to the notice of the general public for the first time to let them know the truth about what those claiming to be their elected or selected representatives are doing to the future of their children, that they are comfortable with the situation because their own children are in Harvard and other eyebrow universities abroad,’’ Aremu said.
But, in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, said the country may be heading for anarchy if ASUU continues to disregard the ruling of the of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) to call off the two and half months strike.
Speaking at a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on how to resolve the strike, Egwu said ASUU has also turned down President Umaru Yar’Adua’s plea to call off the strike and resume negotiation.
His words: "The Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) in its ruling asked ASUU to call off the strike, but for two and half months now the strike is still on. I want to say that this is a dangerous precedent. The moment individuals, organisations continue to disregard ruling of a constituted authority then this country is heading for anarchy. Two and half months they have refused to obey IAP. The Vice-President also invited us to plead to ASUU to call off the strike and that we should go back to the negotiation table. We agreed and went back to negotiate. One week after, ASUU still refused to call off the strike.
"Even Mr. President when he was travelling to Saudi Arabia also requested and pleaded with ASUU to call off the strike but ASUU turned down the request. If the number one citizen of this country could plead to any association and it refused, I think that is not fair.
"The First Lady, church leaders, the clergies, traditional rulers and chancellors of the universities also pleaded in vain. We believe that your intervention can touch their heart. It was ASUU that started the strike in the first place. I felt that they would have taken what was given to them.
"At the point this negotiation was going on ASUU declared a warning strike. At that point the Senate Committee and the House of Representatives Committee on Education invited ASUU and the Ministry of Education for a dialogue and in the meetings after presenting our cases the various committees requested that we should go back to the negotiation table to conclude the agreement. We came back and invited ASUU for a continuation of the negotiation as requested by the National Assembly. I want to state here that ASUU acknowledged our request for a meeting but want ahead and called a total strike.
"The implication of this is that ASUU had already made up its mind to go on strike because if it had not made up its mind it could have still attended the meeting. It didn’t do that."
The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of ACF, Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), said the face-off between Government and ASUU is telling hard on the nation’s youth and urgent measures must be taken to resolve the situation.
Lt.-Gen. Useni said: "As a neutral body, we are going to hear from both sides and sit down to analyse the situation. We are determined to do our best and offer our services to see that this thing is resolved as quickly as possible. We believe also that when two giants are fighting, the grass will continue to suffer."
After a closed-door meeting which lasted for an hour, Lt.-Gen. Useni told reporters that ACF will meet with ASUU.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Ex-bank CEO Akingbola surrenders in London
All persons should be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a court of law ... Dr Akingbola strenuously denies all allegations of wrong doing or improper conduct and has challenged the legal validity of his removal from office as Group Chief Executive of Intercontinental Bank PLC by way of judicial review which will come up at the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on 14thSeptember 2009.
Former Intercontinental Bank Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Erastus Akingbola has reported to the British Police in London.
His spokesman said yesterday that Akingbola was not evading arrest. He is, however, of the opinion that the arrest of some former bank chiefs is to prevent them from stating their side of the crisis that has swept off five managing directors.
The Central Bank has pumped N420billion into the banks to keep them afloat.
In a statement issued by Suleiman Adefajo, Akingbola’s media aide, in Lagos, he said:
"Dr Erastus Akingbola, Group Chief Executive, and a Director of Intercontinental Bank PLC, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, Nigeria and the Second Vice President of Nigeria Stock Exchange, wishes to make clear –in light of escalating press speculation – that he is most emphatically not evading arrest by the law enforcement agencies in Nigeria or ‘on the run’.
"He is not guilty of ANY wrong doing but appears targeted for persecution and for character desmirchment. He is currently in the UK.
"Our client believes that the prime objective of detaining all those arrested is to prevent them from presenting their side of the story.
"All persons should be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a court of law. As soon as it was alleged that he was evading arrest, Dr Akingbola notified the UK authorities of his whereabouts and provided full contact details through his legal representatives. Dr Akingbola strenuously denies all allegations of wrong doing or improper conduct and has challenged the legal validity of his removal from office as Group Chief Executive of Intercontinental Bank PLC by way of judicial review which will come up at the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on 14th September 2009.The proceedings relating to the bail application by the four other bank Chief Executive Officers and other non executive directors of Intercontinental Bank PLC have also been adjourned to the same date.
"All further comments on this matter will await the outcome of the legal suit in order not to prejudice the outcome of the suit."
Eleven bank directors and three stock brokers were arraigned before Justice Dan Abutu of the Federal High Court, who ordered them to be remanded in custody.
They included former Managing Directors of Union Bank, Bartholomew Ebong, Afribank, Sebastian Adigwe, Finbank, Okey Nwosu and Oceanic International Bank, Mrs Cecilia Ibru. Also to be detained are seven non-executive directors of Intercontinental Bank, Raymond Obieri, Hyacinth Enuha, Christopher Adebayo Alabi, Samuel Adegbite, Alhaji Isiaku Umar, Bayo Dada and Elder Sanni Adams.
Others are Henry Oyemem, Niyi Albert Opeodu, Peter Ololo and his company, Falcon Securities Limited.
They were charged with granting N504billion bad loans.
Also yesterday, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Bola Ajibola called for speedy trial of the sacked five bank chief executive officers (CEO) to give them an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them in the interest of justice and fairplay.
He spoke at the weekend during the Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The former Minister of Justice stated that all that have been levied against the bank directors are allegations, stressing that they must be sued to the court so that they could state their own side of the story before any punishment is meted out to them.
Former Intercontinental Bank Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Erastus Akingbola has reported to the British Police in London.
His spokesman said yesterday that Akingbola was not evading arrest. He is, however, of the opinion that the arrest of some former bank chiefs is to prevent them from stating their side of the crisis that has swept off five managing directors.
The Central Bank has pumped N420billion into the banks to keep them afloat.
In a statement issued by Suleiman Adefajo, Akingbola’s media aide, in Lagos, he said:
"Dr Erastus Akingbola, Group Chief Executive, and a Director of Intercontinental Bank PLC, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, Nigeria and the Second Vice President of Nigeria Stock Exchange, wishes to make clear –in light of escalating press speculation – that he is most emphatically not evading arrest by the law enforcement agencies in Nigeria or ‘on the run’.
"He is not guilty of ANY wrong doing but appears targeted for persecution and for character desmirchment. He is currently in the UK.
"Our client believes that the prime objective of detaining all those arrested is to prevent them from presenting their side of the story.
"All persons should be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a court of law. As soon as it was alleged that he was evading arrest, Dr Akingbola notified the UK authorities of his whereabouts and provided full contact details through his legal representatives. Dr Akingbola strenuously denies all allegations of wrong doing or improper conduct and has challenged the legal validity of his removal from office as Group Chief Executive of Intercontinental Bank PLC by way of judicial review which will come up at the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on 14th September 2009.The proceedings relating to the bail application by the four other bank Chief Executive Officers and other non executive directors of Intercontinental Bank PLC have also been adjourned to the same date.
"All further comments on this matter will await the outcome of the legal suit in order not to prejudice the outcome of the suit."
Eleven bank directors and three stock brokers were arraigned before Justice Dan Abutu of the Federal High Court, who ordered them to be remanded in custody.
They included former Managing Directors of Union Bank, Bartholomew Ebong, Afribank, Sebastian Adigwe, Finbank, Okey Nwosu and Oceanic International Bank, Mrs Cecilia Ibru. Also to be detained are seven non-executive directors of Intercontinental Bank, Raymond Obieri, Hyacinth Enuha, Christopher Adebayo Alabi, Samuel Adegbite, Alhaji Isiaku Umar, Bayo Dada and Elder Sanni Adams.
Others are Henry Oyemem, Niyi Albert Opeodu, Peter Ololo and his company, Falcon Securities Limited.
They were charged with granting N504billion bad loans.
Also yesterday, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Bola Ajibola called for speedy trial of the sacked five bank chief executive officers (CEO) to give them an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them in the interest of justice and fairplay.
He spoke at the weekend during the Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The former Minister of Justice stated that all that have been levied against the bank directors are allegations, stressing that they must be sued to the court so that they could state their own side of the story before any punishment is meted out to them.
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