Monday 30 May 2016

Group Cautions EFCC Over Harassment Of Senator Omisore




A Coalition of Civil Society groups have cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over what it termed as the attempt to intimidate, blackmail and harass the former Deputy Governor and Senator from Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Monday, the group says it is seriously concerned about the media trail and campaign of calumny by the EFCC against Senator Omisore, citing the involvement of a company which Senator is said to have links with, as being involved in the Arms deal scandal involving the Office of the former National Security adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

“Let us state categorically, that we support ongoing efforts in respect of the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government and all lawful steps taken to deal with infraction on public expenditure. It is however clear that the approach being taken by the EFCC, particularly its attack on Senator Iyiola Omisore, is daily showing pure political vendetta and sheer act of intimidation against a members of the opposition political party, whose sole offense to reasonable observers is their loud but factual criticism of the Federal Government which is a critical ingredient of constitutional democracy.”

Spokesman of the coalition, Dr. Tokunbo Elias said “The EFCC can no longer continue to be the accuser, prosecutor and judge in the fight against corruption. 

He reminded the EFCC, that it is the constitutionally guaranteed right on every Nigerians, to be given fair hearing at all times and any attempt by the EFCC and the incumbent administration to circumvent the law for political reasons, will be resisted by Nigerians.

The EFCC must desist from its mafia-like mode of operation because it is clearly an act of intimidation and a suppression of our democracy and a violent violation of the right of Nigerians to fair hearing, even when they have cases to answer.

“As stakeholders in the polity, we cannot continue to ignore the fact that the strong arm tactics of the EFCC is now being targeted at the opponents of the present administration and this is unhealthy for our democracy”.
The group therefore signified its intention to formally protest the actions of the EFCC, by submitting a protest letter against the commission, to the Commission’s office, Embassies and offices of Diplomatic missions in the country.

The group call on all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, to stand up to the assault on the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy as we don't know whose turn it would be next.


Saturday 28 May 2016

Desist From All Civil Matters, International Human Right Watch Tells Defence Headquarters



The International Human Right Watch has accused the Armed Forces of not really knowing where to draw the line on their fundamental duty as Military.
In a press release signed by the Watch African’s Coordinator, Abubakar Yusuf, he said that the Defence Headquarters should desist from all civil matters in line with professionalism and rule of engagement.
Below is the full text of the press release:
A World Press Conference Addressed By The International Human Right Watch On The 13th Of May, 2016.
Gentlemen and women of the forth realm, our attention has once again been drawn to a warning and threat issued by the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, it reads,  “The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) hereby warns that it will not condone any unwholesome acts that are capable of causing breaking down of law and order in any part of the country”, this was the exert words of Brigadier General Abubakar Rabe who is the director, defence information.
Sadly, this warning is coming at the wake of time after the army has murdered over 450 defenseless Shiits Muslims for reasons of a minor unresolved misunderstanding between the Chief of Army Staff and the worshippers in Zaria , Kaduna State (December, 2015) and buried them in a shallow grave while still holding the leader of the group El Zak Zakky under a worse deplorable condition ever known in humanity. These gruesome murder was masterminded under the direct order of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai who is widely known for his brutality.
Several instances of soldiers fighting and beating up civilians is a common feature on Nigerian streets. An indication that Nigeria has returned to yet another Military dictatorship. An average soldier sees himself as a potential Head of State and a General while his perception against every civilian is a lazy, weak person who cannot defend him/her self. The fall out of this is consequent of the inability of the Military to instill discipline on their subordinates and a bad example seen from the manner General Buratai and other Generals violate democratic tenets and principles.
Again, General Tukur Buratai is known to have ordered several killings during the Rivers State Re run elections including the direct shooting of a pregnant woman in Tai Eleme Local Government Area.
Reports from some International and domestic election Observers who observed the Rivers re run elections has clearly indicted General Buratai who has ordered and masterminded several genocide in Zaria, Rivers State, etc. These reports are in the National Human Right Commission.
A formal suit is to be filed at the International Criminal Court at the Hague for Human Right violations and Genocide against some Military Generals in Nigeria who are culpable for crimes against humanity.
Major offences of General Buratai for which he would soon be arraigned at the International Criminal Court at the Hague include:
  1. Ordering and masterminding the genocide of over 450 defenseless Shiit Muslims in Zaria, Kaduna State.
  2. Ordering the several killings during the Rivers State Rerun elections following his indictment by International and Local Election Observers. These killing includes the murder of a pregnant woman in tai Eleme and the     shooting of a National Youth Corp member serving as a presiding officer who refused to corporate on election rigging with his men.
  3. Truncating and undue interference in the processes of Rivers Rerun   Elections.
It is in the International purview that Nigeria as a nation is drifting from Totalitarianism to Fascism, which is the worse form of dictatorship.
For the defence HQs to have issued this violent warning is a proof that the Armed Forces  do not really know where to draw the line on their fundamental duty as Military.
May we remind the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi  Gabriel Olonishakin, that this pure democracy, and as such, the role of the military is restricted to protecting the nation territorial boundaries against any external aggression. Matters bothering on internal security must be left for the Police. Nigeria is not in a Military Junta. Cyber offences or crimes are no businesses of the Military.
 And for the Military to have issued such warnings and threats on law abiding Nigerians is a violation on the rights of the Nigerian Citizens.
Human Right Activist, Mr. Femi Falana has also added his voice on these consistent violations which is gradually drifting to a malignant situation. He posits that the Military must be called to order otherwise this constant violation would gradually become a normal occurrence in the Nigerian democracy.
By this medium, we demand
  1. That the chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, on behalf of the Armed Forces, render an unreserved apology to Nigerians with immediate effect.
  2. That henceforth, the Military should desist from pure civil matters.
  3. That the Armed Forces should adhere very strictly to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
  4. That the Defence Headquarters should desist from all Civil matters in line with professionalism and rule of engagement.
Again, that our finding would be communicated to the National Human Rights Commission for prompt action.
We declare our determination to ensuring a sustainable democratic principle in Nigeria.
THANK YOU.
SIGNED:
ABUBAKAR YUSUF
AFRICAN COORDINATOR

Monday 23 May 2016

EXCLUSIVE: Impunity Rocks Code Of Conduct Bureau Board



……. Ag. Secretary demoted to Director (Legal Services) without justification.
The CCB was established in 1979 to maintain a high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and to ensure that the actions and behaviour of public officers conform to the highest standards if public morality and accountability.
But since the appointment of Sam Saba as Chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau Board, impunity has been the order of the day.
Since its inauguration in April 2010, The Board of the Code of Conduct Bureau came without any role definition between it and the management of the CCB. In the Standard Operational Manual designed and approved by them, they place themselves as the “Executive Heads of Departments while Directors are to assist them”. Having an upper hand, the Board who called themselves “Federal Commissioners (whereas, this is not provided for anywhere in the enabling Laws) took control of whatever assignment it liked including operational activities. For instance they engaged directly in verification of assets, suspects’ interrogation, receiving assets declaration forms directly, budget preparation, posting of staff, allocation of schedules to officers, liaison between the office and Budget office, among others. These duties, ordinary are operational activities meant for civil servants.
Instructions passed directly from the Chairman to Board members, in all cases, bypassing the Secretary CCB – who ordinarily should be the Accounting Officer. Board members minute files and engage on day-to-day running in contravention to the Guides to Administrative Procedures in the Federal Public Service.  Board members bypass Directors and give instructions to Directors’ subordinates. Board members interfere with the duties of Director of Finance & Accounts and want to have knowledge of expenditure on voucher to voucher bases. No one of them is an accountant but yet do not allow the professional accountants to carry out their day to day duties. This had led to unending controversies on financial issues and brought chaos into the organization.
The Board of the Bureau has always resisted having any meetings with Directors. They have held meetings upon meetings with no trickle down effects to Directors. They engage in both local and foreign training of their members to the exclusion of Directors and undertake out-of-station travelling. The Board members resort to bullying approach to carry their plans through.
As a result of their over bearing and uncontrollable view of their authority they stop at nothing to bring down their perceived non-collaborators among the civil servants. They used all manner of tactics which included setting a Board Committee on the Accounts Reconciliation to probe into Director (Legal Services) Omoyola Abel Kolade who formerly served as Director of Finance and Accounts, a post which he has left since 1st December, 2014.
This self-probe was very unnecessary because there are checks in place from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation and the Budget Office. The Bureau is also on GIFMIS site. This act is not only malicious but also unfortunate and high handed since they did not find fault against Omoyola Abel Kolade until he left the post for seven months.
The Board had assumed headship of zones independent of the central administration of CCB. Any correspondence coming from State Offices pass through the Board member representing the zone and such member is at liberty to suppress the correspondence. Applications for leave, change of name, posting, study, complaints, etc, are passed through the zonal Board members.
This is an indirect way of severing the administration of the State Offices from that of the Headquarters and this explains why things have gone wrong since the inception of the Board in 2010. The Board members have dedicated letterheads which are used in correspondence with State Governments without the Chairman/Secretary/Director in the Headquarters being aware of such correspondences.
Directors and officers are no longer free to travel to carry out official assignment in State Offices without clearance from the Board members in charge. Verifications are carried out by the Board members without reports. Board members always take tour of States under them at will and romance with Governors and top officials of State Governments. The Board itself is not capable of placing checks on the activities of the fellow members. This had bred high handedness in dealing with staff by the Board members.
Sometimes in February 2015, Dr. Ademola  Adebo, a Board member, wrote a petition to EFCC complaining about some wrong doings in the CCB. His main grievance was that the Chairman assumed a position as Accounting Officer and that made him a head in the chain of command in the Bureau. His petition targeted the Chairman and all that were loyal to him. This petition saw virtually all the Board members, Ag. Secretary, Director of Finance and Accounts, Director of Human Resources, Deputy Director Procurement and some subordinate officers of these Departments and the Chairman himself, facing EFCC interrogation. This was a huge embarrassment to the Bureau.
The question is; why should a sitting Board member take his organization to the EFCC? Are there no internal mechanisms within the Board to resolve differences? Why could the Board member not be sanctioned after this embarrassment? This clearly shows that the Board is not capable of imposing any sanctions on any of its erring members and therefore lacks the discipline and moral latitude to continue as an effective Board.
Recently, Swift Reporters came across a petition written to the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on Corruption by Omoyola Abel Kolade, Director, Legal Department of the CCB seeking for justice over an in illegal demotion and prejudicial activities of the Board of Code of Conduct Bureau.
In the petition, Omoyola Abel Kolade was promoted as Ag. Secretary CCB on 1st December, 2014 and acted on that post successfully until 7th July, 2015 when he was demoted and posted as Director to head the Legal Department and the Board appointed his subordinate as Acting Secretary, CCB.. Before the demotion order, no queries were issued to Mr. Omoyola, neither was he found guilty of any offence. That act did not conform to any known norms, conventions and procedures in the public service.
The main grouse was that one of the Board members accused Mr. Omoyola of campaigning for APC when he indicated his intention to obtain casual leave to go to his state for April 2015 elections. They were not comfortable with Mr. Omoyola because all of them are members of PDP who did not make a hiding of their political inclinations. That is why as soon as President Buhari was inaugurated on 29th May 2015, the Board demoted Mr. Omoyola to Director’s position on 7th July, 2015 after over seven months at the post without any queries nor warnings.  
Mr. Omoyola is appealing to Presidential Advisory Council on Corruption to use their good offices to look into his case on demotion and restore him back to his post as Secretary, CCB before his retirement in August, 2016; he also requested the Council to look into the issue of delineation of the duties of the Board and the management to help effective service delivery in the Bureau and avoid further confusion that had existed since 2010.
Finally, he urged the Council to look the tenure issue and be resolved in the interest of equity and over governance on the part of the Board of the Bureau.

Friday 20 May 2016

Stop Media Persecution of Amaechi – SNYA Tells Rivers State Government


The Southern Nigerian Youth Alliance (SNYA) has called on foreign media to always balance their news before publications

In a press release jointly signed by the Coordinator and Publicity Secretary of Southern Nigerian Youth Alliance in Abuja today, the group said Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi remained innocent as nobody has brought up any allegations against him in the Law court, EFCC and the ICPC.
The group said the Rivers State Probe Commission set up by Governor Wike was totally a political commission even though the main white paper did not mention of Rotimi Amaechi in her final report.

Below is the full text of the press release:

Re: Is Nigerian Leader’s Pal ‘Fantastically Corrupt’? Friend Of African President Accused Of Stealing £500million.

The attention of Southern Nigerian Youth Alliance (SNYA) has been brought to a publication by one Paul Cahalan for The Mail On Sunday, UK.
Paul Cahalan said Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, remains in his post as Minister of Transportation despite being accused of misappropriating £338million by a commission investigating the sale of state assets. We wish to remind Paul Cahalan that the so called Commission NEVER indicted said Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in the white paper available to the public.
Secondly, the Commission knows the right channel to take her report to if anybody is indicted in their report.
Cahalan claimed that in the Nigerian press, that Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has been dubbed ‘ATM’ – the American term for cash machine – because of his ability to produce vast sums of money at short notice, we want to know which of the Nigerian press he cited for this biased publications.
Cahalan also alleged that Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi misappropriated £338million according to commission investigating the sale of state assets, how much is the total allocations to Rivers State under his administration?
“Separately, Amaechi is accused of diverting £140million of state funds into Buhari’s presidential campaign, with reports he paid for media, consultants and private jets.” Can Cahalan please publish the receipt or evidences for the media, consultants and private jets done by Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for Buhari’s presidential campaign?
We want to remind Cahalan and his sponsors that if Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi stand indicted, President Buhari won’t nominate him neither sent his name for confirmation at the National Assembly for confirmation as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Even though Cahalan ended is article with “Mr Amaechi has denied the allegations against him”, we still find his article ridiculous as it is purely sponsored by political opponents of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the Buhari’s administration from Rivers State.
If any group or individual have anything allegations against Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, such group or individual should go through the right channels; Law court, EFCC and ICPC, instead of embarking on unnecessary media persecution.
Finally, we called on foreign media to always hear from both side for balance reportage before publications to avoid libel and also called on the Rivers State Government to go through the right channel if they have any allegations against Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi.
Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi remains the Hero of Democracy in Nigeria and we have no doubt about that.


Wednesday 11 May 2016

‘British Government: A Thief And Dictator’-Steve Franklin, President, Nigerian American Press Association


  • Develops Britain with Nigeria’s Stolen Wealth Stashed in their Banks
  • Vows: “I Will Expose UK Banks that Hides Nigeria’s Stolen FUND”
  • Steals Nigeria’s Treasured Artifacts to Proudly Decorate their Museums
  • David Cameron, Most Corrupt Prime Minister in UK History
  • Hails Transparency International for Lambasting UK on Anti-Corruption Summit
  • WHY Britain Remains Greatest Haven for Politicians to Continually Keep Stolen Funds
  • QUOTES: “The petty thief is imprisoned but the big thief becomes a feudal lord”-Zhuangzi
  • “Dictators cause the world’s worst problems: all the collapsed states, and all the devastated economies. All the vapid cases of corruption, grand theft, and naked plunder of the treasury are caused by dictators, leaving in their wake trails of wanton destruction, horrendous carnage and human debris”-George Ayittey
He is originally from Europe, an American widely traveled journalist, a historian, opinionated writer, an author, President of Nigerian American Press Association (NAPA) a famous media association of Nigerians and American journalists with over 100 memberships. He’s a very outspoken media professional who passionately follow events in Africa. He hates cheat, lies and dictatorship. In this 30 Minutes interactive session with SAMSON SHOAGA, NAIJA STANDARD EDITOR, Steve Franklin give reasons why he condemns British Government as a Thief and Dictator. He chronicles several vices imbibed in Britain as they continually squanders Nigeria’s Stolen Wealth kept in Britain’s Bank Account for their own rapid development. Also, he talked about the latest show of shame by David Cameron in UK Anti-Corruption Summit.
Q: How do you view the on-going Anti-Corruption Summit in Britain?
A: As far as I am concerned, I know that from the outset of United Kingdom Anti-Corruption Summit, David Cameron, British Prime Minister had convened that meeting to embarrass and disgrace Nigeria, which was why he referred to ‘Nigeria and Afghanistan’ as two most corrupt nations in the world during his pre-summit chat with Queen Elizabeth II. Were it not the video camera that captured that scathing and derogatory statement, Cameron could have denied he did not utter it. Britain is not a saint, but very corrupt. In the present list of Transparency International Corruption Index, UK occupied 10th position with Germany, Luxembourg.
You are aware in the UK Anti Corruption Summit, Cobus de Swardt, Managing Director of Transparency International reacted to Cameron comments regarding Nigeria, Afghanistan as ‘Most Corrupt’ when he said: ‘There is no doubt that historically, Nigeria and Afghanistan have had very high levels of corruption, and that continues to this day. But the leaders of those countries have sent strong signals that they want things to change, and the London Anti-Corruption Summit creates an opportunity for all the countries present to sign up to a new era. This affects the UK as much as other countries we should not forget that by providing a safe haven for corrupt assets, the UK and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies are a big part of the world’s corruption problem.’
I can tell you that majority of British politicians and Nigerians are presently condemning Cameron for trying to place Britain as a saint, immunized from stealing. In Africa, I have heard lots of people say ‘A Pot cannot be calling the Kettle Black.’ May be you don’t know yet, British opposition politicians and anti-corruption campaigners have said Cameron was ill-placed to criticize Nigeria when Britain’s own record on combating corruption was less than glorious.
Unilaterally, they have said that corrupt politicians and business people from Nigeria and many other countries have laundered their ill-gotten gains in Britain’s property market, while London also has ties to numerous tax havens routinely used to hide stolen money to develop their country. There will be an Agreement to be signed at the end of the summit on Reparation of Nigeria’ stolen funds in United Kingdom.
Q: Are you sure after Nigeria may have signed the Agreement on Stolen Funds Reparation, the UK Government will return the money?
A:Based on Britain’s body language, I am sure they are not ready to return Nigeria’s stolen funds stashed in various banks which I will reveal shortly soon. They act and see themselves as Dictator, suffering from Colonial Master’s Syndrome. They want to use Nigeria’s stolen funds to build and rapidly develop their own nation to their optimal satisfaction. When they are through, they will then recycle same stolen funds into their banks and begin to give to Nigeria in piece meal after a long waiting period. They will then attach stringent conditions for Nigeria to follow in implementing the piece meal funds reparation. If they feel that the returned funds is not well executed according to British laid down rules, they will delay releasing other stolen funds.
My position is further confirmed by a reported statement from British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, who said that the UK government had no plan to keep the money, but there are certain legal requirements that Nigeria had not met to ease the recovering of the money. He agreed the money belong to the Nigerian people but left a caveat that they ‘need to make sure that the money is well spent when it returns to Nigeria’. They need to make sure they ‘can do that in a proper way, which is fully in compliance with the British law.’ What an insult. Nigeria is a Sovereign nation like Britain, with laid down rules on procedures. Britain must do away with its Master-servant mentality. They cannot enforce British laws on Nigerian laws. That is why I call them Dictator of the highest order. Nigeria had her independence since October 1, 1960, yet you are not willing to let the country grow, progress forward. What a shame…
Q: Can you mention those British Banks where Nigerian politicians in the know of British Government hides Nigeria’s stolen funds?
A: Let me say here that British Government is government built mostly on stolen funds from the money pilfered by some politicians in those countries and kept in their banks. It is strange that UK knows those funds were stolen from Nigeria yet they instruct their banks to collect such funds, so that they may use the funds through backdoor and play it around in a circle, when tired they return the funds into the banks. It is that simple. It will shock you to hear that British banks being used by UK Government to hide Nigeria’s funds are: HSBC, Barclays, Natwest, & Royal Bank of Scotland. Till date, noBritish bank has been publicly fined or even named by the regulators for taking corrupt funds, whether willingly or through negligence.
Recently, an International corruption watchdog said high street banks in the United Kingdom could have helped fuel corruption in Nigeria by accepting millions of dollars in deposits from dubious politicians in the west African nation.
How come five leading UK banks have failed to adequately investigate the source of tens of millions of dollars taken from two Nigerian governors accused of corruption in the past. Robert Palmer, a campaigner at Global Witness corroborated my position when he said ‘Banks are quick to penalise ordinary customers for minor infractions but seem to be less concerned about dirty money passing through their accounts.
He also said ‘Large scale corruption is simply not possible without a bank willing to process payments from dodgy sources, or hold accounts for corrupt politicians in the knowledge of the government.
I strongly share in the belief that Financial Services Authority (FSA) have failed woefully to do more to prevent money laundering through British banks. The fact that they reportedly acknowledged that in accepting the money, Barclays, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and HSBC, as well as Switzerland’s UBS, might not have broken the law, is a shame on British Government.
In Britain, banks helps in facilitating corruption. Name one British bank that has been publicly fined or even named by the regulators for taking corrupt funds, whether willingly or through negligence or sacked. In United States, banks that breach the law have been fined hundreds of millions of dollars for handling dirty money. Barclays, HSBC and UBS are all members of the Wolfsberg Group, an international body set up in 2000 to try to improve global anti-money laundering procedures. This revelation was made by Robert based on court documents from cases the Nigerian government has brought in London in an attempt to get funds returned that it said were stolen by two former state governors: Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa state and Joshua Dariye of Plateau state.
Alamieyeseigha was accused of corruption after he was caught with about $1.6m in cash at his London home. He was briefly jailed in Nigeria after pleading guilty to embezzlement and money laundering charges two years later. Dariye was arrested in 2004 in London and was found to have purchased properties worth millions of dollars even though his legitimate earnings amounted to the equivalent of $63,500 a year. James Ibori, a-two time former Governor of oil rich Delta State was arrested for corruption, pleaded guilty and sentenced to 13 year in British prison. Don’t you know Ibori’s stolen fund in UK banks are parts of the money Britain is using for their country’s development?
How about Nigeria’s former minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison Madueke, who took off to UK to cool off and kept varying staggering amount in UK banks? Though I read in Nigerian papers that she will be prosecuted by the Nigerian Government on how she looted Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC). The questions are: What is happening to those huge funds she stole and kept in British banks? Who manage the funds in UK? How long has these stolen funds been hidden in UK banks? What is British Government doing with the bulk of the money of Nigerian politician accused of corruption? It is not only the person that steals money that is corrupt, the country that hid the stolen funds is far corrupt than the person who stole the money because Britain is by their action saying ‘You may go and steal as a politician, but make sure you bank your stolen finds with us, we will help you take good care of it.
Q: Which other reasons do you have to have labeled Britain a Thief nation?
A: Majority of Nigeria’s stolen artifacts which the UK Government used in decorating their British Museum in London dates back to over 500 years ago. Majority of the artifacts were stolen by British aunthorities on the soil of Nigeria from Benin Kingdom. Very famous Benin bronze plaques stolen in 1897 when the British launched a punitive expedition to the venerable Benin City, heart of an old kingdom headed by a Royal King Oba Ovonramwem. UK Troops sack ed his palace purposely to steal Nigeria’s assets, eventually stole the bronze plaques that detailed the history and customs of the kingdom and exiled him-turning the kingdom into part of modern day Nigeria. How would you describe the British Government in this scenario, is that not a Thief? One of the Nigeria’s stolen famous artifacts is: Okukor.
Let me remind you that after the sacking of Benin Kingdom, the bronzes were taken by the British to pay for the expedition. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office sold them off, and around 900 ended up in the world’s greatest museums, including the British Museum, which has one of the largest sets. One of the sculptures, the bronze cockerel known as Okukor, ended up at Jesus College after it was donated by Captain George William Neville, a former British Army officer whose son had been a student there. The gift was fitting; the cockerel is the mascot of the college, after the surname of its founder, Bishop John Alcock.
The sculpture in question depicts a proud, strong animal – an embodiment of power. Though its value is not clear because so few bronzes have been sold recently, in 1989 a bronze memorial head from Benin was auctioned at Christie’s in London for more than £1 million. The Benin Bronzes are a set of artworks created by the Edo people for centuries starting from the 13th Century to celebrate the Benin Kingdom. When colonialists first discovered the pieces adorning the Oba’s royal palace, they were amazed that such incredible artwork could be created by people so ‘primitive’. Also stolen is Elgin Marbles, a Greek statute, which the British Government manipulating to claim.
When the Benin Bronzes first arrived in Europe, they transformed the way people saw Africa. Europeans were surprised that Africans — a people whom they assumed to be backward — could make such refined artwork. Till date, they remain some of the most celebrated artworks to emerge from Africa, but much like Greece’s Elgin Marbles, they are mired in controversy due to the circumstances in which they were acquired. Can you now tell me if Britain is not a Thief?

Sunday 8 May 2016

We Condemn the Prolonged Detention of Robert Azibaola



The Executive Director, CDG, Barrister John Okoroji has called on the EFCC to respect the laws of the land. 

In a press release made available to the media, he said that the cannot pick and choose which court order to obey, like they currently doing.

Below is the full text of the press release:

The Centre for Democratic Governance, CDG wishes to call the attention of the Nigerian public and the international community, to the continued detention of Environmental Activist and a cousin to Nigeria’s former President, Mr. Robert Azibaola by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over allegations bothering on a Pipeline surveillance contract, awarded to One-Plus Hold­ings Limited where He is the Managing Director, by the Office of the National Security Adviser, during the ten­ure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Despite an order for his immediate release by an Abuja High Court, the EFCC had since March 23rd this year, held Mr. Azibaola in its custody in a clear violation of His right and the laws of the land. We make bold to say, that it is no doubt substantially unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal that a Nigerian citizen could be so detained by the EFCC under the present administration for such a prolonged period of time without either filling charges against him in court or granting bail to such a person.

May we remind ourselves, that the Nigerian constitution has clearly stipulated in section 36(5) that an accused person remains innocent in the eye of the law until proven guilty by a competent court of law just as it is stated that even if there is a legal provision granting this abysmal length of pre-trial detention of a citizen, that provision is ultra-vires and unconstitutional because such remains inherently in conflict with the provisions of the constitution.

This recent manner of treating suspects particularly people with links to the former administration of President Jonathan, makes a serious mockery of our country’s democracy which is anchored on the rule of law and principles of separation of powers.

Perhaps the EFCC was not satisfied with the order of the Abuja High Court, ordering the immediate release of Mr. Azibaola from its custody, it should have taken the advantage of the right to go back to the same court, for the court’s decision to be vacated or appeal to a higher court, but not to undertake to ignore it or carrying on as though nothing has happened or that the court’s order is not binding. That is an unacceptable principle in the rule of law.

The EFCC should be reminded that both the citizens and government have obligations to respect the laws of the land. The government and citizens must subscribe to the principles of rule of law and doing otherwise is not an option. You cannot pick and choose which court order to obey, like the EFCC is currently doing.

We therefore ask, that the EFCC must immediately without further delay obey the order of the court and free Mr. Robert Azibaola without further delay.

We have invested so much into institutionalizing our democracy and every Nigerian of good conscience must rise to condemn this illegality being perpetrated by the EFCC against our law.

As we go into the days ahead, we shall not hesitate to employ every other legitimate options to ensure that the continued illegality of the EFCC is stopped and the rule of law remained entrenched in our country.

God Bless Nigeria.

Barrister John Okoroji
Executive Director, CDG.



The National Frontier has lambasted the EFCC over the detention of Mr. Azibaola without giving him the access to his Lawyer, Family members and personal physician. 
Below is the full text of the Pro-Democracy Civil Society Movement:
The National Frontiers, a Pro-Democracy Civil Society Movement in Nigeria, wishes to emphatically condemn, the continuous incarceration and detention of Mr. Robert Azibaola, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations of involvement in some contract, awarded by the Immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to His company.
As we speak today, Mr. Azibaola have remained in the custody of the EFCC, having been questioned severally by operatives of the Commission, on a $40 million contract, awarded to His company by the office of the National Security Adviser, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Since his detention on the 23rd of March, 2016, Mr. Azibaola have been constantly denied access to family members, lawyers and even his personal physicians. We view the current behavior of the EFCC and by extension the incumbent administration as not only outrageous but also callous and anti-democratic.
It is also condemnable, to see the desperate attempt by the EFCC to continually disregard the directives of the Federal High Court, ordering the immediate release of Mr. Azibaola, and the continued move by the same commission enacted by law, to use the orders, clandestinely secured from Magistrate courts, to superintend over the rulings of the Federal High Court.
As a democratically conscious organization, we have critically examined the gross abuses and violations of the rights of Mr. Azibaola by the EFCC and therefore in strong term, condemn this attempt to apply illegality in the pursuit of the objectives of an institution established by law.
May we remind the EFCC, that Mr. Azibaola, himself being a product of the struggle cannot easily be coerced or intimidated into implicating former President Goodluck Jonathan in some of its ongoing investigations, which we believe, remains the singular reason, why He is still being Illegally held under the gulag of this regime.
May we remind the EFCC and his operators that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court and the agency cannot twist this otherwise, as it has attempted to do, in so many instances in the recent time.
The activities of the commission must be carried out with some measures of respect and human dignity in line with the provisions of our constitution, African Charter and UN charters on Human rights.
Finally, we demand that Mr. Robert Azibaola be immediately released or charged to court, for any offense(s), that may have been committed without delay. Nigerians must collectively arise to demand a stop to the ongoing impunity and further attempt, to politicize the anti-corruption crusade of the incumbent administration.
Eternal vigilance is the price for liberty.
Signed:
Comrade Olufemi Lawson
National Coordinator