Terrorists known locally as bandits on Thursday stormed Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi Campus and abducted two female students.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that bandits and herdsmen have in the last 48 hours gone on rampage in Plateau state, killing people and kidnapping several persons.
Recently, the terrorists kidnapped Dorcas, wife of Silas Vem, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor of Plateau State.
Mrs. Vem was abducted in front of her house, close to Government House in Rayfield, Jos while returning from an outing.
Another set of armed men also abducted a Director in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Samuel Audu, in front of his house in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
Mrs. Dorcas Vem and Dr. Samuel Audu were later released.
In another Plateau attack on Monday night, three persons were killed, while two others were injured at Tyana community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The deceased were said to have been ambushed and killed while returning to the community from Riyom town.
THE OSINBAJO, TINUBU COMPARISON BY AYO OLADELE PETERS
It is implausible that either the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo or his handlers are unaware of the several obviously sponsored articles and other forms of indecent propaganda in both the traditional and social media projecting the competition for the All Progressives Congress’ 2023 presidential ticket as one between Osinbajo and the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Virtually all these write ups deliberately seek to de-market and portray Asiwaju in bad light while painting Osinbajo in rosy colors as the best candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. That nobody within the Vice President’s camp has called these mischievous and shadowy characters to order is most unfortunate given Osinbajo’s well known antecedents as a protege of the former governor of Lagos State under whom he served for eight years as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General as well as Tinubu’s undeniable role in his ascendancy to Nigeria’s number two position in 2015.
One of such feature articles in a recent edition of a national newspaper had the title, ‘Osinbajo, Asiwaju: The Race to Make or Mar APC’. It is of course legitimate for Osinbajo to seek to succeed his boss as the next President of Nigeria. But his handlers should sell his supposed aspiration on its own merit rather than seeking to compare the VP’s suitability with his former boss, mentor and benefactor in such a way as to impugn the latter’s image and credibility. If they have chosen such a tack without anyone from the VP’s camp to call them to order, then it is only right to meet them on their own turf on the basis of logic and facts. For instance, the write up in question dwelt at length on what it described as Osinbajo’s loyalty to Buhari during his tenure as Vice President as one factor qualifying him not to only succeed his boss but also for the latter to be favorably disposed towards him. This is an emotional argument.
Yes, loyalty is a commendable quality in politics and every other sphere of life. But it is not by itself either a necessary or sufficient condition to qualify anybody to succeed in a critical leadership position particularly at this delicate period in Nigeria’s political evolution. And since his publicists are wont to compare Osinbajo’s suitability to lead Nigeria come 2023 with that of Tinubu, it is pertinent to ask in what way the Vice President has demonstrated loyalty and commitment to Buhari, the APC or Nigeria better than Asiwaju. Tinubu’s key roles both in the formation of the APC and the emergence of Buhari as President in 2015 are well documented and incontrovertible. Even President Buhari has consistently and publicly acknowledged this on a number of occasions. Yet, after the APC’s victory at the polls in 2015, some elements within the party for their own selfish reasons sought to draw a wedge between Buhari and Tinubu.
They did everything to distance Tinubu from the administration and alienate him from the President personally with some degree of initial success. It is no secret that Tinubu had negligible impact on or influence in the administration for at least the first phase of Buhari’s first term. Yet, Tinubu never took this personal. Given his own political acumen and leadership experience, he knew the kind of complex environment and tremendous pressure under which Buhari was operating. He never hesitated to publicly commend the President’s positive sides and achievements while also offering advise on solutions to some of the knotty challenges confronting the administration. This was at a time when many ethnic champions were playing divisive politics and seeking cheap popularity by whipping up sectional emotions. Asiwaju never resorted to this even when he was subjected to all kinds of blackmail by some mischievous elements in the South West. His support for and loyalty to Buhari and the APC has been rock solid.
It was obviously in realization of this that President Buhari personally chose Tinubu to lead and coordinate the campaign for his second term re-election in 2019. The issue of loyalty can thus not be plausibly and credibly raised as a factor that gives Osinbajo and edge over Tinubu. The article under reference also posited without the slightest scintilla of logical or empirical analysis that Osinbajo enjoys better broad support across regions in the country as well as among the youths and the middle and educated classes. These are at best untested assumptions and unproven assertions.
Widespread political support across the component parts of a complex polity like Nigeria is a function of a politician’s political structures and encompassing network. Political structures are not impersonal organizational machines. They are made up of teeming numbers of people, of personal relationships and bridges forged by a politician over time. Ever since his emergence as a Senator representing Lagos West in 1991 with the highest number of Senatorial District votes in the country, Asiwaju has not looked back. He has consistently and continuously expanded his personal friendships, group networks and cross-regional bridges over the last three decades. Without any equivocation, it can be safely said that, no politician in Nigeria today enjoys his kind of committed friendships and relationships across ethnic, regional, religious and even partisan divides. This kind of attribute and asset does not come by sitting in the quietness of your abode, feathering your nest and pursuing your personal interest. It is a function of hard work, sacrifice of time, resources and energy as well as commitment.
The attempt to portray Osinbajo as having an edge in popularity with youths as well as the middle and professional classes over Tinubu cannot fly. It is a pathetic non-starter. No political leader in this dispensation has encouraged, empowered and inspired youths to participate in politics and occupy as well as excel in public office like Tinubu. The increase in the number of Local Governments in Lagos State from 20 to 57 under Tinubu, for instance, provided opportunities for scores of youths to experience leadership training at the grassroots level. The number of talented young people identified by Tinubu, offered public appointments and who are now accomplished leaders in their own right is innumerable. Professor Osinbajo himself is one talented professional who was identified by Tinubu and given an opportunity to serve Lagos State with distinction in his area of specialization – law.
It is noteworthy that Tinubu also backed Osinbajo with the appointment of a Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, the immensely gifted Mr Fola Arthur Worrey, who was also critical to the successes of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice under Osinbajo. We will recall that at one of the Asiwaju Tinubu’s birthday colloquiums, the governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who delivered the toast, publicly stated that it was Tinubu who spotted him in the private sector and encouraged him to offer his services in the country’s public life. Beyond politics, there are numerous young, middle class professionals across diverse spheres of the private sector whose careers have been encouraged, promoted and boosted by Tinubu.
Osinbajo enjoys the clout and influence of public office as Nigeria’s Vice President. Anywhere he goes across the country, he will naturally be accorded the protocols and welcome attached to the office. This does not of course mean that he does not have his own admirers and supporters. But Tinubu since his exit from office as governor of Lagos State 15 years ago in 2007 has held no public office. The unprecedented admiration, friendship and loyalty he enjoys across the country today is thus not a function of the aura of public office and the sycophancy it breeds. This speaks volumes of the man, his character, his leadership qualities and the enduring nature of his relationships.
NIGERIANS now have access to the services of social networking platform, Twitter, following the lift of the ban on its operations in the country.
The Federal Government lifted the ban yesterday, thereby enabling the United States micro-blogging platform to recommence service by midnight (January 13).
A statement by the Technical Committee Chairman on Nigeria/Twitter Engagement, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said Twitter has met all the conditions set by the government.
Inuwa, who is also the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said the government directed that the decision be communicated to Nigerians.
The decision was taken after President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of a memo from Communications and Digital Economy Minister Isa Ali Ibrahim.
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The NITDA boss said the lifting the ban was a deliberate attempt to recalibrate Nigeria’s relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for both parties.
According to him, the engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria.
But the government warned the platform users to refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous and distasteful information.
It also advised all internet platforms against committing a crime by using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP).
”Such offence is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction,” Inuwa said in the statement
The statement reads in part: “In the memo, the minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.”
Listing the conditions agreed to by Twitter, Inuwa said:
Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The establishment of the entity is Twitter’s first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria.
Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. The Global Public Policy team is also directly available through a dedicated communication channel.
Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.
Twitter has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals. The Partner Support Portal provides a direct channel for government officials and Twitter staff to manage prohibited content that violates Twitter community rules. At the same time, the Law Enforcement Portal provides a channel for the law enforcement agencies to submit a report with a legal justification where it suspects that content violates Nigerian Laws. Taken together, these represent a comprehensive compliance apparatus; and
Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built and work with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries.
He added: “Therefore, the FGN lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. We encourage all users of the Twitter platform to maintain ethical behaviour and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform.
“As patriotic citizens, we need to be mindful that anything illegal offline is also illegal online and that committing a crime using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP) is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction.
“Considering Twitter’s influence on our democracy, our economy, and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a Nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban, Twitter.
“The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potentials while avoiding its perils.
“In his approval, the President appreciates the Presidential Committee led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, for the supervisory role and guidance given to the Technical Committee during the engagement.
“Similarly, the Presidential Committee commends the Technical Committee for a professional, robust and productive engagement with Twitter Inc. It also appreciates Government Regulatory Agencies and Internet Service Providers who implemented the FGN’s directives during the suspension.”
Inuwa gave insights into why the government imposed the ban and what both Nigeria and Twitter had gained from the resolution of the spat.
His words: “You may recall that on 5th June 2021, the FGN suspended the operation of Twitter through an announcement made by Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
“Thereafter, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc. Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the Twitter team.”
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for a spectacular start at the ongoing 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon for defeating a formidable opponent, the Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0, in their group stage encounter.
The governor described the victory of Eagles over Pharaohs of Egypt as a sweet victory, charging the Eagles should put their eyes on the ultimate victory which is lifting the trophy.
The Governor strongly believes, like millions of soccer aficionados in Nigeria, that the spectacular outing in Garoua, Cameroon is a preview of what to expect from the committed and patriotic team as they lock horns against other opponents in the tournament.
Bello charged the Augustine Eguavoen-led team and the technical staff to keep their eyes on the ball, remain good examples on and off the field, and give the diehard fans and all Nigerians more exhilarating moments to celebrate.
While praising the general performance of the team and the technical crew, Bello also commended the Super Eagles Defence for its solidity that remained impenetrable for the Egyptian strikers throughout the game.
He charged the team to soar like an eagle in order to write another glorious page in the soccer folklore for the country.
Double Dealing is the Real Reason Seplat Sack Austin Avuru
The last appears not to have been heard about the removal of Mr. Austin Avuru as a Non-Executive Director of Seplat Energy Plc. by the Board of the company, as emerging facts show that the businessman had in March 2020 acquired interest in another oil firm, Chappal Petroleum Development Company LTD, as a founding shareholder and Director even while holding sway as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat, but failed to declare same.
Avuru equally accepted an appointment as Chairman of Chappal Petroleum Development while still holding the position Non-Executive Director of Seplat, which he did not also declare to the Board of the latter.
Both amounted to a conflict of interest in connection with Seplat’s business, especially in its planned acquisition of some Nigerian assets in which ExxonMobil Corporation has interests.
The establishment of the undeclared conflict of interest, which is considered both unethical and inimical to the business interests of Seplat, it was further gathered, led to the resignation of Mr. Xavier Rolet as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Seplat.
It is recalled that Seplat had in a 23rd December 2021 corporate filing to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) announced that its Board had on 22nd December 2021 terminated Avuru’s appointment as Non-Executive Director of the company.
According to Seplat’s Director, Legal and Company Secretary Edith Onwuchekwa, the action was hinged on “breaches of the company’s corporate governance policies and his fiduciary duties”.
“In line with Seplat Energy’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, Platform Petroleum Limited has been asked to nominate a candidate for his replacement on the board, and a further announcement will be made in due course,” the statement read.
However, in a swift reaction, Avuru, through his lawyers rejected the sack, saying it not only breached due process, but also an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
In a statement by Osaro Eghobamien and Folabi Kuti, Perchstone & Graeys, the law firm representing the embattled oil entrepreneur, said the action was aimed at “damaging his hard-earned reputation” relaying on “fictitious allegations”.
Although the law firm’s statement instructively admitted that Avuru had taken a dignified position on the issues leading ‘ill-advised action’ by him, it did not give details of the said “ill-advised action’.
It described Seplat’s action as a “dramatic summersault”, given its alleged January 9, 2021 letter “urging our client to act with confidentiality”, which the law firm said was customary to its client’s “impeccable character”.
It is recalled that Austin Avuru, who is a co-founder of Seplat, had retired CEO of the company on July 31, 2020, but remained on the Board of the Company as a “Non-Executive Director (as appointed in October 2020) until December 22, 2021 when the appointment was terminated by Seplat’s Board over what it described as “breaches of the company’s corporate governance policies and his fiduciary duties”.
The meat of the matter
By the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, directors owe fiduciary obligations to their company. They are duty bound, among others, to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members, avoid conflict of interest, declare interest in any proposed transaction, and, in fact, exercise their powers and discharge their duties honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the company. They are equally expected to exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill, which a reasonably prudent director would exercise in comparable circumstances.
Specifically, Section 305 of CAMA 2020 provides: “A director of a company stands in a fiduciary relationship towards the company and shall observe utmost good faith towards the company in any transaction with it or on its behalf.
“A director shall act at all times in what he believes to be the best interests of the company as a whole so as to preserve its assets, further its business, and promote the purposes for which it was formed, and in such manner as a faithful, diligent, careful and ordinarily skilful director would act in the circumstances”.
Section 306 provides: “The personal interest of a director shall not conflict with any of his duties as a director under this Act.
“A director shall not—(a) in the course of management of affairs of the company, or (b) in the utilisation of the company’s property, make any secret profit or achieve other unnecessary benefits”.
Also, Section 308 provides: “Every director of a company shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of his office honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the company, and shall exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill which a reasonably prudent director would exercise in comparable circumstances.
“Failure to take reasonable care in accordance with the provisions of this section is a ground for an action for negligence and breach of duty”.
Likewise, the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) 2018, makes it mandatory for a Managing Director (MD)/CEO to declare any conflict of interest.
“The MD/CEO should declare any conflict of interest on appointment and annually thereafter. In the event that he becomes aware of any potential conflict of interest at any other point, he should disclose this to the Board at the first possible opportunity. Actions following disclosure should be subject to the Company’s Conflict of Interest Policy”, it states clearly.
However, a search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) shows that Chappal Petroleum Development Company Ltd., which was incorporated in 2020 with a registered office at No. 12, Oluwole Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, and with N10 million authorised share capital divided into 10 million shares of N1 each, has Austin Avuru as a founding Director.
Section C of the incorporation document (Particulars of First Directors and their Consent Act) names Avuru Ojunekwu Augustine, male, born on August 17 1958 and with international passport number B50004012 as number one on the list. The other founding Director is Imevbore Victor Ohozie.
Also, the form containing names and addresses of subscribers dated February 21, 2020 has Avuru, Imevbore, and SLG Chemicals Ltd as the shares subscribers.
One of the major worries, however, is that Avuru was still the CEO of Seplat at the time and both Chappal and Seplat operate in the same industry. The other, according to available documents, is that he was appointed the Chairman of Chappal, while still a Non-Executive Director of Seplat. Even more worrisome, is that both companies were competing for assets in which ExxonMobil has interest. Chappal’s bid for the said asset has been well reported in the media.
Following the discovery of the undeclared conflict of interest, Seplat instituted an enquiry where Avuru had on December 1, 2020, reportedly admitted his conflict of interest in Seplat’s business, especially in the proposed acquisition of some Nigerian assets in which ExxonMobil Corporation has interests. He equally allegedly confessed on the same day to his appointment as Chairman of Chappal as well as to Chappal’s invitation by ExxonMobil Corporation for discussions and likely access to their database in respect of the said assets it intended to dispose.
The Board was therefore said to have been very peeved by the fact that Avuru had already acquired interest in Chappal as a Director and founding shareholder in March 2020, which was nine clear months as at the December 2020 enquiry and while he was also the CEO of Seplat. He was also serving as Chairman of Chappal while serving as Non-Executive Director of Seplat
Seplat Board was particularly miffed by the fact that he failed to declare his conflict of interest to the company while he sat Seplat’s highly strategic meetings, including meetings where the bid for the ExxonMobil Corporation assets, which Chappal was also biding for, were discussed.
This is therefore seen as flagrant corporate espionage and breach of trust, Seplat conflict of interest policy, Nigeria Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Code, and provisions of CAMA 2020. This is so because whereas Avuru knew that Seplat where he was a Non-Executive Director at the time was equally interested in the assets, he participated in Seplat Board’s discussions relating to Seplat’s bid for the assets in spite of his clear conflict of interest, which he did not declare.
Besides, as a company that enjoys a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market, Seplat is obliged to voluntarily conform with the United Kingdom’s Code of Corporate Governance (“UK Code”) to which it had committed ab initio.
Just as the NCCG, by the provisions of the UK Code, it is expected of directors of Board to maintain highest ethos and integrity and comply with the company law of in their operations.
Meanwhile, the development took a major tool last year as Mr. Rolet, an Independent Non-Executive Director of Seplat, stepped down, citing personal reasons without giving details.
In a notice signed by the Seplat’s Director, Legal and Company Secretary, Mrs Onwuchekwa, and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the company said: “The Board of Seplat Energy Plc today announces that Mr. Xavier Rolet, KBE, an Independent Non-Executive Director (“INED”), has decided to step down from the Board of Seplat Energy effective 11th November 2021 for personal reasons.’’
However, sources say Rolet’s resignation was not unconnected with what individual members of the Board see as a major betrayal of trust. The ExxonMobil Corporation asset is a major one that could further raise the profile of the company if successfully bided for, but have been seriously jeopardised.
Shell and ExxonMobil Corporation lead the International Oil Companies (IOCs) seeking to divest from their onshore and shallow water assets in Nigeria. The American oil giant, which boasts of over 100 oil platforms in Nigeria is also seeking to divest from upstream assets not only in Nigeria, but equally in the US Gulf of Mexico, the UK North Sea, Vietnam, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, Romania, and Azerbaijan to raise USD25 billion by 2025 from such divestments.
Whereas Seplat had last December confirmed through Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Emeka Onwuka, the company’s bid for ExxonMobil assets in conjunction with a partner, media reports are rife that ex-Seplat Non-Executive Director, Avuru had launched a rival bid for the ExxonMobil licenses.
The Federal Government has reportedly deactivated the biometric identification of the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore.
While the reason for the deactivation is yet to be made open, Naija News understands that Sowore’s documents allegedly deactivated include his national identity card, permanent voter card, international passport and driver license.
The development was disclosed in a publication by Sahara Reporters on Wednesday, January 12.
Naija News understands that the deactivation means the former presidential candidate would hence not be able to use any of the national documents to carry out any transaction within and outside the country as the cards cannot be read biometrically.
It was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had recently attempted to freeze Sowore’s bank account domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank.
It could also be recalled that the Department of State Services, DSS had in 2019 frozen the activist’s account, alleged Sowore had received huge funds from the United Arab Emirates to overthrow the Buhari regime.
The allegation was later dropped when the DSS realised Sowore had never been to the United Arab Emirate, Naija News understands.
In December 2021, the court vindicated Sowore against the DSS after the agency seized his mobile phones and was awarded monetary damages of an N2million.
The DSS had sometimes accused the activist of planning to overthrow Buhari’s government by calling for a revolution.
The government had since secured a court order that confined Sowore to Abuja, Naija News reports.
Alao-Akala, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, is dead. Details of his death are sketchy but sources close to the politician confirmed it…
The politician, who had been battling terminal ailment for a while, died in his Ogbomoso country home, on Wednesday morning, according to sources.
A top source in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who confirmed his death to Daily Trust on Wednesday morning, said he died in his room.
“It is true that Oga is dead. He died in the early hours of Wednesday in his room in Ogbomoso. He was full of life last night. In fact, I head he was playing with his children before he went to bed. We are in a mourning mood now,” he said.
Akala was the governor of the state between 2007 and 2011.
Born on June 3, 1950, at Ogbomoso in the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Alao-Akala had his elementary school at Osupa Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso before proceeding to Kamina Barracks Middle School, 5th Battalion of Infantry in Tamale, Ghana.
This is the third known death of a prominent Ogbomosho native in a month.
On December 12, 2021, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, the Soun of Ogbomoso, passed on.
On January 8, 2022, Prof Taibat Danmole, his daughter who was a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), also died.
The deceased, who was a professor of education was married to another university don, Prof. Hakeem Danmole, who is the Dean College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Dubai-based internet celebrity, Ismailia Mustapha, aka Mompha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited for alleged money laundering to the tune of over N6billion.
The agency arraigned Mompha and Ismalob before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on eight counts bordering on the offences.
The defendants were accused of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of such funds, transfer of funds for a suspect Olayinka Jimoh a.k.a Nappy Boy, and unlawful transfer of funds for a record label, among others.
The sums named in the charge seen by The Nation are N5,998,884.653.18, N32million, N120million and N15,960,000, totalling over N6billion.
The EFCC also alleged that Mompha concealed his interest in expensive wristwatches and other movable assets valued at over N70million.
Mompha pleaded “Not guilty” to the eight counts while Islamob Limited (represented by Mompha) was named in and pleaded “not guilty” to the first six counts.
Mompha is also standing trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Ismalob Global Investment Limited on an amended 22-count charge bordering on cyberfraud and money laundering to the tune of N32.9bn brought against him by the EFCC.
Operatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on Monday stormed the head office of Peoples Gazette in Abuja, demanding to see the online newspaper’s managing editor, a reporter and bearing a letter that threatened “other options” should the journalists fail to cooperate with stipulation for the source of a confidential memo that was published in December.
The Gazette had obtained — and published in a series of three articles — a memo that spy chiefs at the foreign intelligence office had written to President Muhammadu Buhari, warning him against retaining Rufai Abubakar as the director-general on the grounds that he lacked intellectual and physiological rigour for the position.
On Monday, nearly three weeks after the articles, four officers arrived in a white Toyota Hilux truck shortly after 1:00 p.m., intimidated security personnel at the gate and forced their way into our offices on the second floor.
The agents from the nation’s external security service then demanded to see The Gazette’s Managing Editor Samuel Ogundipe and reporter Hillary Essien. One of the officers, who adorned a cream kaftan with a matching cap, gave a letter to The Gazette’s front desk staff. Pages of the letter were subsequently scanned and transmitted to The Gazette’s lawyers in Lagos.
The officers left after they realised that Mr Ogundipe and Ms Essien were not at the office, but indicated in their letter that they will make additional efforts to realise the agency’s mission.
The three-page letter described the content of the memo written to the president by the directors as being “full of falsehood,” adding that “it is even worse that Peoples Gazette did not deem it necessary to validate the allegations in such a letter with the other party before running to press.”
The NIA, in the letter signed for the DG by Amstrong Machunga, asked The Gazette to reveal the identities of the officers responsible for the memo and its disclosure.
“It should be on the record that the NIA, as a Secret Service, is sensitive to undue publicity, but not shy of accountability and ready to engage on any issue of concern with responsible media outlets. The malicious publication under reference falls in the category of undue publicity and is most unwelcome.
“Peoples Gazette, therefore, has to come clean not the falsehood it published and prove that it is not working for people with ulterior negative motives against the NIA, by forwarding to us a copy of the letter from which the publication emanated and identify signatories to the purported letter.
“This could set the stage for engagement and resolution of the damage that has been caused to the image of the Director General of the NIA and the organisation. Failure to take advantage of this opportunity may lead to activation of other options to seek redress,” the letter, dated December 23, 2021, but delivered today, said.
The Gazette made efforts to obtain comments from the NIA prior to running the articles but received no response. However, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu acknowledged the letter and said the president had addressed the concerns raised by the directors.
The Gazette stands by its story and urged Mr Abubakar and the NIA management to focus on addressing the protests of the officers who wrote the letters rather than deploying resources towards unearthing their identities.
“The NIA directors recognised the risks involved when they pushed that confidential memo to the president,” Mr Ogundipe said. “Our newspaper will not take part in breaking that confidentiality.”
“Mr Abubakar should clear the air on whether or not he failed promotional exams on three different occasions, as well as the allegations of corruption and nepotism we saw in the memo,” the Managing Editor added.
Chidi Odinkalu, a constitutional law expert and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, said the NIA had breached the Nigerian Constitution by sending its agents to The Gazette’s office in the manner it did.
“The NIA acted unlawfully,” Mr Odinkalu said by telephone on Monday afternoon. “If they have anything, they should collaborate with the State Security Service or the Nigeria Police Force who have the responsibility of internal security operations and law enforcement, respectively.”
Mr Odinkalu said the NIA’s move against The Gazette underscored the growing threats to journalism practice under the Buhari regime. It came a year after the regime blocked The Gazette’s website in Nigeria after a report exposed the dwindling capacity incompetence of the president’s chief of staff Ibrahim Gambari.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has suffered a terrible business blow in the hands of the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is as the President has terminated the contract won by Integrated Logistics Services (Intels) to carry out the restoration of the boat pilotage for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Naija News reports that Intels, which is partly owned by Abubakar and an Italian national, Gabriele Volpi, won the pilotage contract in January 2021.
According to ThisDay, President Buhari cancelled the contract following legal advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The newspaper added that the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and Acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) also advised the president on the matter.
In a letter dated January 7, 2022, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, President Buhari directed the termination of Intels contract with the NPA.
Buhari’s letter addressed to Malami and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, directed that the procurement process initiated by NPA be forwarded immediately to the BPP for action within 60 days to avoid further loss of revenue.
The President added that the Ministry of Transportation should present a memorandum on the procurement process to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration.
He, however, directed the NPA to ensure that the sanctity of the agreements with respect to Onne 4 (Berths 9, 10 & 11) be maintained, as there is no subsisting contract with Intels for their utilisation.
