Tuesday, 22 May 2012
N11.2m Fraud: AGF Stop Trial of Corrupt Minister
Farida Victoria Waziri and AGF Mohammed Bello Adoke
By Ayo Oluokun
In what looked like a throwback to the era of former AGF, Mike Aondoaka’s tenure , a curious letter from the office of Mohammed Adoke, the current Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has stopped the trial of Minister of State for Health Alhaji Suleiman Bello for corruption by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) which was scheduled to begin at Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State today, PM NEWS can reveal.
The anti-graft agency had dragged Suleiman to court over allegations that he received a sum of N11.2 million from Governor Murtala Nyako as ‘hardship allowance” when he was the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State. ICPC had accused Bello of conferring corrupt advantage upon himself by unlawfully soliciting for the fund from the governor.
The anti graft agency said the minister’s behavior is contrary to and punishable under Section '19' of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. PM NEWS learnt that the minister was informed last Thursday that he will be arraigned in court on eight count charges based on the allegations today.
In a statement yesterday, Folu Olamiti, resident media consultant to the ICPC had insisted that the trial will go on: "The Minister of State for Health Hon Sulaiman Bello and two former top government Officials of Adamawa State government will be arraigned on Monday (today) by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over their alleged involvement in a N268million bribe scam”.
He added that a former Secretary to Adamawa State Government, Mr. John Eddie Mannassa and Former Commissioner for Finance in the State, Mr. Emmanuel Vahyala will also be arraigned by the ICPC on corruption charges at the Court. The three accused, according to him, are however to be arraigned separately.
However, while the two other accused persons were arraigned and granted bail and the case against them adjourned till 1st of March, PM NEWS leant that the Minister was not in court as a result of the letter from the AGF office in which the ICPC was asked to hand off the matter.
The letter, a copy of which PM NEWS obtained from the office of the Minister was delivered to the office of the Chairman of ICPC at 6.20 pm last Friday.
In the letter signed by one Akin Akintewe, Assistant Director, Department of Public Prosecution, for Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, with the title: Re: FRN VS SULEIMAN BELLO, Adokie asked the anti corruption agency to hand off the trial of the Minister and forward the case file to his office.
“I am directed to draw your attention to the above case which was instituted by your office and slated for hearing on the 31st January, 2011 at Federal High Court, Yola”, the Ministry of Justice wrote on behalf of the AGF in the letter addressed to the Acting Chairman of ICPC.
“ I am further directed to request that the original case file be forwarded to the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice immediately, to enable the office take over the prosecution of the case in exercise of the power of the HAGF under S,174(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he added in the letter.
No reason was given in the letter for the demand that ICPC should hand off the case, even though the anti graft agency has successfully prosecuted cases on its own in the past.
It will be recalled that Mike Aondoakaa, the former Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federal had provoked outrage locally and internationally with his attempts to also take over cases being prosecuted by the anti-graft agencies.
Many believe that Adokie is also set to put the anti-graft war in danger with his current moves.
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Submitted by lsjcma on March 5, 2011 - 06:24.
not surprised
Submitted by darlington bari (not verified) on February 18, 2011 - 18:52.
Which political party does GEJ belongs to? OR are those who seems disappointed through their comments here, expecting anything good from the figure head.
One does not expect to dine and wine with the devils and still remained saint.
The party (PDP) has an agenda and policies that is obvious and clear to the deaf and dumb. So, with the long list of evils, criminals, fraudsters, law breakers, ritualist, arm robbers etc, in that party then, one is not force to believe that GEJ. is one of them.
God help Nigeria
Submitted by Habibat (not verified) on February 2, 2011 - 04:32.
This is just as the CJN asked the ICPC not to probe the arrogant thief at the National Judicial Institute. God save Nigera before it is too late.
Was this Minister Screened by SSS
Submitted by richardkayode (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 18:45.
Before anybody is sworn in as a minister of the FRN, the SSS screens his credentials and peruse his past. If our supposedly intelligent officers cannot obtain this vital fact that is now been used against a minister, it shows the decadence/rot in our country.
Why is the AGF taking over the prosecution of a minister?
Adoke
Submitted by Concerned (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 18:30.
I sincerely believe that the report above does no justice (no pun intended) to the AGF nor does speculative journalism become a veritable news resource such as SR has become.. Persons of small minds and cramped character are quick to interpret the aloof confidence that stems from self-awareness of one's abilities and capacities as arrogance. This appears to be the case with the AGF. There is also an unwillingness on his part to play to the gallery as a way to ingratiate himself to the 'mob'. As many are aware he is a cut above the rest and certainly in no danger of living down to his predecessor's disgustingly low moral standards. There does seem to be a gleeful mischief behind the report. Perhaps a disgruntled underling that believes that tarnishing a good man's image will serve him (or is
it her?) in some way? Slinging mud at public office holders is easy most reasoned opinion will tell you. .. Yet finding a man of Adoke's brilliance, probity, integrity and patriotism is very, very hard.
We Must Fight Corruption
Submitted by Drudge (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 17:14.
Wake up Nigerians. You've been pushed to the wall for too long.
SORRY FOR NIGERIANS
Submitted by osin (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 16:07.
GEJ parades two perinent credentials that endear him to a thinking Nigerian. These credentials are
1) He is from a deprived region
2) He is well schooled and young so he is expected to be vibrant and resourceful
Let us be careful not to vote on sentiments; these credentials will not put food on our tables but will only maintain the status quo at a higher price.
I tell you, with what we have thus seen, if GEJ finally wins; his will be the worst civillian president we ever had. The man is just 'yellow' and he is no different from his Niger Deltan looter gorvernors.
Nigerians should not expect anything from him because even if he has the idea, he hasn't the liver to call his liuetenants and god fathers to order.
Just watch and you will witness how his powers will be hijacked from him.
He is another SHAGARI.
WHAT AN AGF?
Submitted by emeka ibemere (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 15:24.
AONDOAKAA AND ABOKI,I DONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. BOTH ARE FRIENDS AND STILL MEET ON THE ISSUES OF EFCC,ICPC NDLEA AND OTHERS.SINCE HE TOOK OVER ,ABOKI IS YET TO TOURE HIS COMMANDS AND SEE THINGS FOR HIMSELF.HE IS YET TO VISIT PRISONS AND SEE KIDS AND UNDER AGE IN PRISONS.THOSE ON JUST ARREST BY POLICE ARE DUMPED IN JAIL.DELAYS IN COURT JUDGEMENT,ARE THERE.YET HE HAS NOY DONE ANYTHING ONLY TO SET CRIMINAL FREE BY WITHDRAWING HIS CASE.
Nigeria, what a Country?.
Submitted by kym (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 15:11.
Nigeria, what a Country?.
u damn Nigerians ain't got
Submitted by Anto (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 13:27.
u damn Nigerians ain't got the balls to pull an Egypt or Tunisia. U will continue to suffer and die under PDP rule.
A former INEC officer now a
Submitted by opimoko (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 12:32.
A former INEC officer now a minister under PDP led executive. You can see that there is no electoral body that is independent
What a pity
Submitted by M (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 12:06.
with all these visible lack of good governance from GEJ, people are still protecting him even on this popular forum. what a pity.
GEJ just lost one vote.
Submitted by Kingsley MD (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 12:01.
GEJ just lost one vote.
I love this "hardship"
Submitted by Tobi (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 11:42.
11.2M as hardship allowance? In that case, I love this kind of hardship. Jonathan is a joke. As long as anyone belongs to PDP, their ultimate aim is power at all cost. I hope our people cant red between the lines that there is nothing like interest of the people with this leadership. Or maybe we'll be fools again.
jonathan is a menance to nigeria
Submitted by endurance (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 11:41.
all those supporting jonathan are theives,they know he is dull,blind,liverless,have no experience,he is not a politician less and administrator,he has no idea on the state of the economy,that is why they support him to buy there way to corruption n looting.sorry for nigeria.its a shame.tufiakwa
FGN vs Minister of State Bello
Submitted by H. Tagbo (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 10:03.
I was highly disappointed that President Jonathan condescended to sit with this accused Minister of State in the last Executive Council meeting. It was a slur on the respected President.Now the truth is out that he will not be prosecuted? Please President Jonathan, you have to make a difference which is the basis of our unflinching support for your Presidency.
H. Tagbo
WE ARE AT IT AGAIN
Submitted by Nasir Yakasai (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 09:20.
That is why I have confidence in Buhari/Tunde Bakare ticket.In fact ,to me,Bakare is more principled and things will surely turn bright.
LET THERE BE A REVULUTION IN NIGERIA
Submitted by abba hammed (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 09:19.
FELLOW NIGERIANS IT'S HIGH TIME WE HOLD OUR DESTINIES IN OUR HANDS. LET'S TAKE A CUE FROM TUNISIA AND EGYPT.
This present AGF is worse
Submitted by Mohamad (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 09:08.
This present AGF is worse than Andoaaka. Why are these idiots insulting the intelligence of people?
Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt, ........next?
Submitted by Deessy (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 02:03.
Jonathan is at it again. A man who will descend to any level to achieve his political ambition. Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt, ........next?
JONATHAN, A FAILURE
Submitted by OTOME ADAMIDENYO (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 00:18.
I which to say that the withdrawal of the criminal charges was a direct instruction frm president Jonathan, same way He ordered that DELTA rerun election be rigged.
Nigerians hvnt seen anything, untill we march out & chase these crazy bald heads out, we will be stuck. Jonathan, ur a failure.
JONATHAN, A FAILURE
Submitted by OTOME ADAMIDENYO (not verified) on February 1, 2011 - 00:17.
I which to say that the withdrawal of the criminal charges was a direct instruction frm president Jonathan, same way He ordered that DELTA rerun election be rigged.
Nigerians hvnt seen anything, untill we march out & chase these crazy bald heads out, we will be stuck. Jonathan, ur a failure.
HE SIMPLY CARRIED OUT THE ORDER FROM GEJ TO STOP THE TRIAL.
Submitted by Abbey uk (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 23:48.
GEJ WILL DESTROY NIGERIA COMPLETELY WITH CORRUPTION IF HE WINS THE NEXT ELECTION, MARK MY WORDS, DO NOT BLAME THE AGF, WE KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS IN NIGERIA.
Obstruction of Justice?
Submitted by Rick (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 23:47.
AGF should be charged for obstruction of justice. If he received bribe to obstruct justice, he should be charged again. This is how it is done in advanced democracies. Since, Nigeria is corrupt nation, the President should sack him immediately.
Same Old Story
Submitted by Lome Palanka (USA) (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 22:45.
Haven't I seen something like this before?
Can't the Nigerian Government for once, surprise its citizens with joy. Haba!!
Same Old Story
Submitted by Lome Palanka (USA) (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 22:43.
Haven't I seen something like this before?
Can't the Nigerian Government for once, surprise its citizens with joy. Haba!!
Them Them AGF'S office again
Submitted by LISTEN TO ME (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 21:39.
This office has become a notorious one.Let's see how it will end whether they will actually get the man prosecuted or not.The AGF should learn or should be in the know and better placed to know that he is going the wrong route.We are watching.
Nothing will change until PDP is changed!
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 21:35.
I am not surprised.
We are still under PDP.
Nothing will change until PDP is changed!
Here we go again!!
Submitted by Taye Taye (not verified) on January 31, 2011 - 21:32.
This is the reason I'm back pedaling from this Jonathan's Administration. He surrounds himself with corrupt people and gives them National Awards. Only in Nigeria can the AGF just stop the wheel of justice. SMH..
