Andy Uba, the former senior assistant on domestic affairs to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been stripped of his police protection by the Federal Government. The removal of Uba's 50-man strong security detail was effected yesterday, our sources confirmed.
Mr. Uba, a controversial aide to Obasanjo who is believed to have illegally amassed great riches during his tenure as senior special assistant, immediately went into hiding, according to sources at the police headquarters in Abuja.
No immediate reasons were given for the actions of the police authorities. However, one source told Saharareporters that the action against Uba is a prelude to bigger legal and political jeopardy coming his way as the Umar Yar'adua government finalizes its comprehensive secret investigations into Mr. Uba's activities during the eight years of the Obasanjo government.
Our source, who was part of the investigation, said the report links Uba with major sleaze in numerous contracts, serious corrupt acts within the oil industry, and the misappropriation of billions of naira in campaign funds belonging to the Yar'adua campaign.
Uba may soon find himself in the slammer, the same way James Ibori was treated recently.
Uba's wealth is legendary, said our source, who revealed that the ex-aide now virtually owns United Bank of Africa (UBA), but uses Tony Elumelu as a front to cover up his massive investment in the bank.
A police source told Saharareporters that Andy Uba was protected by more than 50 police officers. The officers guarded his mansions in Abuja, Enugu and Anambra. Besides, he deployed some of the officers to protect the homes of his many mistresses. Two of the mistresses in Abuja are known to have borne him kids out of wedlock.
In April, Uba was declared the winner of a massively rigged gubernatorial election in Anambra. But the Supreme Court threw him out on June 14, 17 days after his swearing in.
He has been dogged by numerous accusations and complaints that he was instrumental to the corruption perpetrated by former President Obasanjo. The investigation of Uba disclosed his wide assets in the oil sector, including ownership of several oil blocks as well as his use of several front companies to win lucrative contracts.
One source told us that the removal of Uba's police protection and the recent revelation of the corrupt business activities of Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello (the ex-president's daughter) may spell trouble for Obasanjo himself. "The probe of the former president is not far," revealed our source.
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