Politicians With Pending Corruption Cases Still At Plea Stages After Five Years

Posted: February 13, 2013 – 12:16

Former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu
By Debo Adeniran

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) strongly calls on the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde and the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to review all the pending corruption cases since 2006 and intensify effort at prosecuting them.

Recalling the activities of EFCC under its pioneer Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who during his tenure before the present lukewarm attitude of the commission towards corruption crusade, did his best, and for first time in the annals of Nigeria history successfully aided and abetted the prosecution and eventual impeachment of two former governors, Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha and Joshua Dariye of Bayelsa and Plateau States respectively. Equally, in like manner, the former EFFC Chairman prosecuted and secured the conviction of former Inspector General of Police Mr. Tafa Balogun, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of money laundering charges to the tune of N16bn in 2005 and was sentenced to six months imprisonment by Justice Binta Nyako. Continue reading “Politicians With Pending Corruption Cases Still At Plea Stages After Five Years”

Politicians With Pending Corruption Cases Still At Plea Stages After Five Years

18 February, 2013

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) strongly calls on the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde and the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to review all the pending corruption cases since 2006 and intensify effort at prosecuting them.

Recalling the activities of EFCC under its pioneer Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who during his tenure before the present lukewarm attitude of the commission towards corruption crusade, did his best, and for first time in the annals of Nigeria history successfully aided and abetted the prosecution and eventual impeachment of two former governors, Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha and Joshua Dariye of Bayelsa and Plateau States respectively.

Equally, in like manner, the former EFFC Chairman prosecuted and secured the conviction of former Inspector General of Police Mr. Tafa Balogun, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of money laundering charges to the tune of N16bn in 2005 and was sentenced to six months imprisonment by Justice Binta Nyako.

After Tafa’s conviction, Ribadu told the National Assembly at a plenary session of the Senate in 2006 that former governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu was number one on EFCC list with one of the biggest established cases of stealing, money laundering, diversion of funds but due to the immunity clause that shields serving governors from prosecution, Uzor Kalu was one of the governors swooped on by the EFCC immediately after he left office in 2007.

Specifically on 27 July 2007, Kalu was arraigned before an Abuja High Court on a 107-count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5billion. The agency accused Kalu of transferring billions of naira belonging to the Abia State government to Slok Airlines, laundered funds over a period of time from the defunct Manny bank (now part of Fidelity bank) to Sloks account in Inland bank and in between 1999-2007, Uzor Kalu moved various sums of government money into Slok investment, Slok Nigerian Limited, Slok incorporated and other companies by him.

However, after Uzor Kalu pleaded not guilty to the charges and his counsel asked the court for bail, the court presided over by Justice Binta Muritala Nyako ordered Kalu detention at Kuje prison in Abuja even as she fixed the date for the argument for bail and he had three of his former colleagues for company and they are: Reverend Jolly Nyame, Joshua Chibi Dariye and Saminu Turaki, former governors of Taraba, Plateau and Jigawa States respectively but Kalu regained his freedom four days later.

During his trial, the EFCC obtained a court order to freeze Kalu’s key assets which would be handed over to Abia State government if he was unable to prove that the funds used to establish his companies were not proceeds of graft but five years after, with the charges still hanging around his neck while the former governor is touting himself as a possible candidate in the reset presidential election in 2015 and more ironically Kalu in an interview sometimes last year announced his plan to establish a – non-governmental organization devoted to the fight against corruption.

CACOL advocates speedy prosecution of corrupt politicians

SINA FADARE February 14, 2013

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has called on the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde to review all pending corruption cases since 2006 and intensify effort at prosecuting the accused.

Chairman of the group, Debo Adeniran made this known yesterday in a press statement, saying that it is expedient to put in the dock, all former public holders who were once visitor to the antigraft agency. Continue reading “CACOL advocates speedy prosecution of corrupt politicians”

Echoes of national dialogue at Beko’s 7th anniversary

Echoes of national dialogue at Beko’s 7th anniversary

As activists and eminent Nigerians converged in Lagos last Sunday to remember one of the Icons of democracy, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, who died seven years ago, their common refrain was “convocation of Sovereign National Conference (SNC),” asserting that “that is only befitting honour that can be accorded the departed hero.”RAZAQ BAMIDELE and NDUBUISI ORJI, who monitored the various events organized in memory of the departed medical doctor cum human rights activist, report.

Precisely, three major events were organized in memory of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti in Lagos State alone. And participants at the three events cut across all strata of human endeavour from politicians, to technocrats, professionals, students and civil society groups across the nation. Continue reading “Echoes of national dialogue at Beko’s 7th anniversary”

Activists eulogise Beko, restate call for SNC

February 11, 2013 by Simon Utebor and Sodiq Oyeleke

Members of the civil society organisations on Sunday commemorated the seventh anniversary of the late human rights activist, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, with a renewed call for the convocation of Sovereign National Conference.

The SNC, they insisted, was the panacea for the myriad of problems facing the country.

Speaking at a rally in Lagos, Chairman of National Democratic Coalition, Rear Admiral Ndubisi Kanu (retd.); President, Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; former President of Civil Liberties Organisation, Dr. Ayo Obe, and the President of Voters Assembly, Moshood Erubami, said the conference would soon take place in the country. Continue reading “Activists eulogise Beko, restate call for SNC”

7 Years After, Beko’s Spirit Marches On, Activists Insist

11 February, 2013

Pro-democracy and human rights groups across the country converged on Lagos yesterday for the 7th memorial anniversary of former president of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti who they described as icon of democracy.

Speakers at Beko’s cenotaph at Anthony area of Lagos included former Lagos State governor, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu; CD President, Dr. Joe Odumakin; Arewa Youth Consultative Forum President, Mallam Shettima Yerima; Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams; former Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) president, Ms Ayo Obe; Voters Assembly Convener, Moshood Erubami; National Chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Debo Adeniran; Beko’s daughter, Mrs. Nike Nedun and his mother, Mrs. Abosede Ransome Kuti, among others. Continue reading “7 Years After, Beko’s Spirit Marches On, Activists Insist”

A Failed Plea Deal

Published on February 8, 2013 by pmnews

The plea agreement between Mr. John Yahaya Yusufu, the convicted pension fund thief, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission develops rupture

In an apparent move to stem the wave of public outrage that trailed last Monday’s conviction and sentencing of former Assistant Director of Police Pension Office, Mr. John Yahaya Yusufu, by an Abuja High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, re-arrested him and dragged him before a Federal High Court on a four-count charge relating to false declaration of assets. Continue reading “A Failed Plea Deal”

$286m loan: EFCC asked to step into Uba, Maduka, Access Bank saga

  • Written by  Lanre Adewole -Lagos
  • Thursday, 07 February 2013 00:00

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been invited to take immediate interest in the $286 million triangular loan saga among the Access Bank, Vincent Maduka of the Coscharis Motors and Andy Uba of the Capital Oil.

Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), in a statement on Wednesday, in Lagos, also asked judges to stop treating corruption cases with kid gloves. Continue reading “$286m loan: EFCC asked to step into Uba, Maduka, Access Bank saga”

Stop ridiculing Nigeria’s Justice System, CACOL warns Judges

Published on Thursday, 07 February 2013 16:12

Written by Ronald Mutum

The Coalition Against Corruption Leaders (CACOL), has called on Nigerian judges to desist from treating corruption cases with kid gloves.

In a press statement by the chairman of the anti corruption group Mr. Debo Adeniran, said “its intervention has become imperative following recent developments in the nation’s judicial system where cases that border on fraud and diversion of public funds are handled in less than transparent manner and with levity.” Continue reading “Stop ridiculing Nigeria’s Justice System, CACOL warns Judges”