August 5, 2007
A number of former governors facing imminent
prosecution for stealing billions of naira have come
up with a plan to effectively emasculate the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Last week, some of the ex-governors held marathon
meetings with Umar Musa Yar'Adua to put pressure on
him to rein in the EFCC.
Saharareporters learnt that the move to gut the EFCC
was spearheaded by former Delta State governor, Mr.
James Ibori, and Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki.
Last week, the London Metropolitan Police received a
nod from a British court to freeze Ibori's assets
estimated at about £20 million.
Upset that the EFCC had instigated the freezing of his
ill-acquired assets, an irate Ibori pulled what he
considers a joker during his meeting with Yar’Adua.
Known to have ploughed N10 billion naira into
Yar'Adua’s presidential campaign, Ibori warned that he
reserved the option—if put under EFCC arrest—to open
up about a few secrets. For one, he threatened to
reveal how he was blackmailed by Obasanjo to fund the
Yar'Adua campaign. According to our source, Ibori
reminded Yar’Adua that Obasanjo had promised to spare
him further investigation by the EFCC if he agreed to
invest N10 billion in Yar’Adua’s presidential bid. He
expressed dismay that Yar’Adua had allowed the EFCC to
violate the terms of the deal.
Apart from being the main financier of Yar’Adua’s
campaign, Ibori had also provided aircraft for use by
Yar'Adua and members of his campaign organization.
Jets from Wings Aviation Airline, owned by Ibori, were
used to ferry Yar’Adua and his operatives to PDP
campaign rallies across Nigeria.
Our source said Yar'Adua was aware of Obasanjo’s offer
of protection to Ibori, but decided to demur after
receiving disturbing security reports. One security
report warned that a military coup was in the offing
ex-President Obasanjo and former state governors.u003cbr />After reviewing the report with his security advisors,u003cbr />Yar’Adua invited EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu andu003cbr />reportedly told him he was free to proceed with theu003cbr />prosecution of corrupt officials, especiallyu003cbr />ex-governors. Armed with the marching orders, the EFCCu003cbr />moved to begin the prosecution of the first batch ofu003cbr />ex-governors.u003cbr />Last week, the Army and the Navy retired a number ofu003cbr />top military personnel last week. Both service armsu003cbr />denied that the retirements had anything to do with au003cbr />coup plot.u003cbr />Yar’Adua’s decision to allow the arrests ofu003cbr />ex-governors was also influenced by another securityu003cbr />report indicating that some former governors metu003cbr />recently with former Vice President Abubakar Atiku inu003cbr />Monaco, France. Atiku and some former governors wereu003cbr />in Monaco to attend the wedding of Gilbert Chagoury, au003cbr />Lebanese businessman. The Chagourys were close alliesu003cbr />of former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha. Ibori andu003cbr />former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, were amongu003cbr />the guests at the multi-million dollar weddingu003cbr />extravaganza in Monaco.u003cbr />The security report suggested that the ex-governorsu003cbr />had talks with Atiku on how to move against Yar’Adua.u003cbr />The former governors’ campaign to stifle EFCC may haveu003cbr />come up with a strategic plan reportedly endorsed byu003cbr />Yar'Adua. Both Yar’Adua and the ex-governors recognizeu003cbr />that Ribadu’s removal from the EFCC would prove highlyu003cbr />controversial and hard to justify. Instead, they areu003cbr />working on a plan to limit the commission’s powers tou003cbr />“investigations only.” Under the plan, anyone foundu003cbr />culpable of corruption would then be referred to theu003cbr />office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justiceu003cbr />for prosecution. It would be up to the Attorneyu003cbr />General to decide whether to proceed withu003cbr />prosecution—or back down.u003cbr />The former governors are said to be in cahoots withu003cbr />",1] ); //-->using as justification the pervasive corruption of
ex-President Obasanjo and former state governors.
After reviewing the report with his security advisors,
Yar’Adua invited EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu and
reportedly told him he was free to proceed with the
prosecution of corrupt officials, especially
ex-governors. Armed with the marching orders, the EFCC
moved to begin the prosecution of the first batch of
ex-governors.
Last week, the Army and the Navy retired a number of
top military personnel last week. Both service arms
denied that the retirements had anything to do with a
coup plot.
Yar’Adua’s decision to allow the arrests of
ex-governors was also influenced by another security
report indicating that some former governors met
recently with former Vice President Abubakar Atiku in
Monaco, France. Atiku and some former governors were
in Monaco to attend the wedding of Gilbert Chagoury, a
Lebanese businessman. The Chagourys were close allies
of former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha. Ibori and
former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, were among
the guests at the multi-million dollar wedding
extravaganza in Monaco.
The security report suggested that the ex-governors
had talks with Atiku on how to move against Yar’Adua.
The former governors’ campaign to stifle EFCC may have
come up with a strategic plan reportedly endorsed by
Yar'Adua. Both Yar’Adua and the ex-governors recognize
that Ribadu’s removal from the EFCC would prove highly
controversial and hard to justify. Instead, they are
working on a plan to limit the commission’s powers to
“investigations only.” Under the plan, anyone found
culpable of corruption would then be referred to the
office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice
for prosecution. It would be up to the Attorney
General to decide whether to proceed with
prosecution—or back down.
The former governors are said to be in cahoots with
a known ally of Atiku. Last week, Aondokaa addressed au003cbr />widely reported press conference where he promised tou003cbr />rein in the excesses of the EFCC.u003cbr />Last week, Ibori admitted to a Lagos newspaper thatu003cbr />the London Metropolitan Police had obtained an orderu003cbr />to freeze his assets. Seeking to play down theu003cbr />embarrassing setback, he described it as au003cbr />"restraining order" that prohibits him fromu003cbr />“interacting” with his assets in the UK, US andu003cbr />Canada.u003cbr />u003cbr />Barring a stop order from Yar’Adua, the EFCC is on theu003cbr />cusp of closing in on the former Delta State governor.u003cbr />One source told Saharareporters that Ibori stole theu003cbr />most from his state treasury of all the former governors.u003cbr />u003cbr />u003cbr />u003cbr />______________________________u003cwbr />______________________________u003cwbr />________________________Ready for the edge of your seat?u003cbr />Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV.u003cbr />u003ca onclicku003d"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" hrefu003d"http://tv.yahoo.com/" targetu003d_blank>http://tv.yahoo.com/u003c/a>u003c/div>",0] ); //-->the current Attorney General, Michael Aondokaa, who is
a known ally of Atiku. Last week, Aondokaa addressed a
widely reported press conference where he promised to
rein in the excesses of the EFCC.
Last week, Ibori admitted to a Lagos newspaper that
the London Metropolitan Police had obtained an order
to freeze his assets. Seeking to play down the
embarrassing setback, he described it as a
"restraining order" that prohibits him from
“interacting” with his assets in the UK, US and
Canada.
Barring a stop order from Yar’Adua, the EFCC is on the
cusp of closing in on the former Delta State governor.
One source told Saharareporters that Ibori stole the
most from his state treasury of all the former governors.
prosecution for stealing billions of naira have come
up with a plan to effectively emasculate the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Last week, some of the ex-governors held marathon
meetings with Umar Musa Yar'Adua to put pressure on
him to rein in the EFCC.
Saharareporters learnt that the move to gut the EFCC
was spearheaded by former Delta State governor, Mr.
James Ibori, and Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki.
Last week, the London Metropolitan Police received a
nod from a British court to freeze Ibori's assets
estimated at about £20 million.
Upset that the EFCC had instigated the freezing of his
ill-acquired assets, an irate Ibori pulled what he
considers a joker during his meeting with Yar’Adua.
Known to have ploughed N10 billion naira into
Yar'Adua’s presidential campaign, Ibori warned that he
reserved the option—if put under EFCC arrest—to open
up about a few secrets. For one, he threatened to
reveal how he was blackmailed by Obasanjo to fund the
Yar'Adua campaign. According to our source, Ibori
reminded Yar’Adua that Obasanjo had promised to spare
him further investigation by the EFCC if he agreed to
invest N10 billion in Yar’Adua’s presidential bid. He
expressed dismay that Yar’Adua had allowed the EFCC to
violate the terms of the deal.
Apart from being the main financier of Yar’Adua’s
campaign, Ibori had also provided aircraft for use by
Yar'Adua and members of his campaign organization.
Jets from Wings Aviation Airline, owned by Ibori, were
used to ferry Yar’Adua and his operatives to PDP
campaign rallies across Nigeria.
Our source said Yar'Adua was aware of Obasanjo’s offer
of protection to Ibori, but decided to demur after
receiving disturbing security reports. One security
report warned that a military coup was in the offing
ex-President Obasanjo and former state governors.u003cbr />After reviewing the report with his security advisors,u003cbr />Yar’Adua invited EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu andu003cbr />reportedly told him he was free to proceed with theu003cbr />prosecution of corrupt officials, especiallyu003cbr />ex-governors. Armed with the marching orders, the EFCCu003cbr />moved to begin the prosecution of the first batch ofu003cbr />ex-governors.u003cbr />Last week, the Army and the Navy retired a number ofu003cbr />top military personnel last week. Both service armsu003cbr />denied that the retirements had anything to do with au003cbr />coup plot.u003cbr />Yar’Adua’s decision to allow the arrests ofu003cbr />ex-governors was also influenced by another securityu003cbr />report indicating that some former governors metu003cbr />recently with former Vice President Abubakar Atiku inu003cbr />Monaco, France. Atiku and some former governors wereu003cbr />in Monaco to attend the wedding of Gilbert Chagoury, au003cbr />Lebanese businessman. The Chagourys were close alliesu003cbr />of former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha. Ibori andu003cbr />former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, were amongu003cbr />the guests at the multi-million dollar weddingu003cbr />extravaganza in Monaco.u003cbr />The security report suggested that the ex-governorsu003cbr />had talks with Atiku on how to move against Yar’Adua.u003cbr />The former governors’ campaign to stifle EFCC may haveu003cbr />come up with a strategic plan reportedly endorsed byu003cbr />Yar'Adua. Both Yar’Adua and the ex-governors recognizeu003cbr />that Ribadu’s removal from the EFCC would prove highlyu003cbr />controversial and hard to justify. Instead, they areu003cbr />working on a plan to limit the commission’s powers tou003cbr />“investigations only.” Under the plan, anyone foundu003cbr />culpable of corruption would then be referred to theu003cbr />office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justiceu003cbr />for prosecution. It would be up to the Attorneyu003cbr />General to decide whether to proceed withu003cbr />prosecution—or back down.u003cbr />The former governors are said to be in cahoots withu003cbr />",1] ); //-->using as justification the pervasive corruption of
ex-President Obasanjo and former state governors.
After reviewing the report with his security advisors,
Yar’Adua invited EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu and
reportedly told him he was free to proceed with the
prosecution of corrupt officials, especially
ex-governors. Armed with the marching orders, the EFCC
moved to begin the prosecution of the first batch of
ex-governors.
Last week, the Army and the Navy retired a number of
top military personnel last week. Both service arms
denied that the retirements had anything to do with a
coup plot.
Yar’Adua’s decision to allow the arrests of
ex-governors was also influenced by another security
report indicating that some former governors met
recently with former Vice President Abubakar Atiku in
Monaco, France. Atiku and some former governors were
in Monaco to attend the wedding of Gilbert Chagoury, a
Lebanese businessman. The Chagourys were close allies
of former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha. Ibori and
former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, were among
the guests at the multi-million dollar wedding
extravaganza in Monaco.
The security report suggested that the ex-governors
had talks with Atiku on how to move against Yar’Adua.
The former governors’ campaign to stifle EFCC may have
come up with a strategic plan reportedly endorsed by
Yar'Adua. Both Yar’Adua and the ex-governors recognize
that Ribadu’s removal from the EFCC would prove highly
controversial and hard to justify. Instead, they are
working on a plan to limit the commission’s powers to
“investigations only.” Under the plan, anyone found
culpable of corruption would then be referred to the
office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice
for prosecution. It would be up to the Attorney
General to decide whether to proceed with
prosecution—or back down.
The former governors are said to be in cahoots with
a known ally of Atiku. Last week, Aondokaa addressed au003cbr />widely reported press conference where he promised tou003cbr />rein in the excesses of the EFCC.u003cbr />Last week, Ibori admitted to a Lagos newspaper thatu003cbr />the London Metropolitan Police had obtained an orderu003cbr />to freeze his assets. Seeking to play down theu003cbr />embarrassing setback, he described it as au003cbr />"restraining order" that prohibits him fromu003cbr />“interacting” with his assets in the UK, US andu003cbr />Canada.u003cbr />u003cbr />Barring a stop order from Yar’Adua, the EFCC is on theu003cbr />cusp of closing in on the former Delta State governor.u003cbr />One source told Saharareporters that Ibori stole theu003cbr />most from his state treasury of all the former governors.u003cbr />u003cbr />u003cbr />u003cbr />______________________________u003cwbr />______________________________u003cwbr />________________________Ready for the edge of your seat?u003cbr />Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV.u003cbr />u003ca onclicku003d"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" hrefu003d"http://tv.yahoo.com/" targetu003d_blank>http://tv.yahoo.com/u003c/a>u003c/div>",0] ); //-->the current Attorney General, Michael Aondokaa, who is
a known ally of Atiku. Last week, Aondokaa addressed a
widely reported press conference where he promised to
rein in the excesses of the EFCC.
Last week, Ibori admitted to a Lagos newspaper that
the London Metropolitan Police had obtained an order
to freeze his assets. Seeking to play down the
embarrassing setback, he described it as a
"restraining order" that prohibits him from
“interacting” with his assets in the UK, US and
Canada.
Barring a stop order from Yar’Adua, the EFCC is on the
cusp of closing in on the former Delta State governor.
One source told Saharareporters that Ibori stole the
most from his state treasury of all the former governors.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });