NEWS: Murder Suspects Implicate Saraki, Kwara Governor, Others

• The suspects, who have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation, NaijNews4u learned, named the Senate President and Mr. Ahmed in the confessional statements made to the Police

The suspected killers paraded by the Kwara State Police Command in Ilorin last week have named the Senate President, Mr. Bukola Saraki and Kwara State governor, Mr. Abdulfattah Ahmed, as two of the men who ordered them to kill many Kwara State indigenes in Nigeria and abroad.

The suspects, who have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation, NaijNews4u learned, named the Senate President and Mr. Ahmed in the confessional statements made to the Police.

According to the statements made to the Police, the suspects said they have been on the payroll of the Kwara State Government and Mandate Office of Mr. Saraki.

The leader of the killer squad, the son of Salihu Woru the self-appointed spokesman of Magajis in Ilorin Emirate, is placed on salary Grade Level 16, while his colleagues are on Levels 10 to 15.

The suspects, NaijNews4u gathered, also admitted that they were being paid from the Office of the Senate President. Mr. Saraki, the suspects told the Police, gave them Toyota Corolla cars a few months ago as a way of securing the loyalty ahead of the 2019 elections.

On the list of people marked for execution before the election, they said, are two men, both named Mustapha; Kayode Oyin, Yinka Aluko, Baba Rex, and one Ogunlowo.

A Police source told NaijNews4u that bank statements retrieved from the suspects indicated that they received money on a monthly basis from Mr. Saraki and the Kwara State government. This, added the source, has ensured that most of them have healthy bank balances running into millions of naira.

Following their confession, the Senate President and Mr. Ahmed attempted to pressure the Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mr. Aminu Pai Saleh, using Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Jimoh Mumini, who is said to be very corrupt.

Mr. Pai Saleh was said to have been offered money, which he rejected. Mr. Mumini has been critical of the transfer of the suspects to Abuja, saying that the state government has successfully prosecuted cultists and killers at the State High Court under the penal code.

The Senate President and Mr. Ahmed may soon be invited by the Police. Both men have accused the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, of planning to frame them for murder.

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NEWS: Saraki Wants To Frustrate Police Investigation Of Kwara Murder Gang, Says IGP

• The Police urged the general public to “disregard and discountenance the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people from kwara State and other states of the Federation in the recent past by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group”.

Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police, has responded to claims he is trying to “frame and implicate” Senate President Bukola Saraki.

At the plenary of the Senate on Wednesday morning, Saraki had said some cultists were arrested in Kwara State, with statements taken from them and with directives from IGP Idris that their matter should be transferred to Abuja, with plans for the culprits to implicate and blackmail him.

The Senate President later stepped down for Ike Ekweremadu, his deputy, to preside over the composition of an ad-hoc committee to deliberate on the matter, which the Senate described as “very serious and grievous”.

However, responding on Wednesday evening through Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, the Police expressed "shock" at the “unbelievable claims, unverifiable allegations and unfounded accusations being peddled against the IGP by the Senate President”, stating “categorically” that there is no iota of truth in them.

Instead, it urged the general public to “disregard and discountenance the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people from kwara State and other states of the Federation in the recent past by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group”.

It vowed to “leave no stone unturned” and “do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure justice in this matter, no matter whose ox is gored”.

THE FULL STATEMENT

RE: STATEMENT BY SENATE PRESIDENT INTIMATING SENATORS OF PLOT AGAINST HIM BY IGP IBRAHIM K. IDRIS, NPM, mni

"The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to Press Statement credited to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON of PLOT AGAINST HIM BY IGP'.

"The Nigeria Police Force is shocked at the unbelievable claims, unverifiable allegations and unfounded accusations being peddled against the IGP by the Senate President, accusing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni of plot and strategies against him to settle scores.

"The Force therefore wishes to categorically state that, there is no iota of truth in the allegation and false assertion by the Senate President of plot against him by the IGP to implicate the Kwara State Government and the Senate President in any criminal matter. Until investigation is concluded, any person (s) or group(s) who tries to interfere in the investigation process by action or utterances is committing an offence.

"To set the records straight, the Kwara State Police Command on the 11th of May, 2018, paraded the following suspects before the Media and the Public, namely;

   i.      Abolaji Safti Ojulari of Kankatu area, Ilorin.

 ii.      Lanre  Mohammed Soliu a.k.a Askari of Ile Nda Compound, Ilorin.

iii.      Azeez Moyaki of Moyaki Compound, Gambari Area Ilorin.

iv.      Suleiman Babatunde of Gambari Area, Ilorin.

 v.      Yusuf Habeeb of Kangile Village, Kulende, Ilorin.

vi.      Umar Yahaya of Kangile Village, Kulende,  Ilorin.

"The suspects admitted and confessed before the press and the public to have killed Eleven (11) innocent persons in kwara State and other States of the country. The victims according to the suspects were targeted and killed on the instructions of their sponsors. Find attached names of victims killed in cold blood (i) Bukola Ajikobi killed on 18/01/2016 at ajikobi Area in Ilorin (ii) Azeez Lawal killed in February, 2018 at Oja oba area of Ilorin (iii) Lateef (Surname unknown) killed February, 2018 at Ode Alfa Nda area of Ilorin (iv) Jamiu (Surname unknown) killed in February 2018 at idi ape area, Ilorin (v) One segun (Surname unknown) killed in September, 2017 at kankatu area of Ilorin (vi) Wasiu (Surname unknown) killed in September 29, 2016 at Shao garage of Ilorin (vii) Musiliu (Surname unknown) killed in February, 2018 at Shao Area Ilorin (viii) Bayo Ajia killed in January 18, 2018 at taiwo Road, Ilorin (ix) Another Lateef killed in January 2016 at Baboko Area of Ilorin (x) Abbey a student of Kwara Polytechnic killed in April, 2017 at Niger Road, Ilorin (xi) Lanre (Surname unknown) killed on 23rd August, 2015 at Isale Aluko Area of Ilorin.

"Consequent upon the public confessions of these vicious and notorious killer squad to the killings in cold blood of more than Eleven (11) innocent people in Kwara State and other States of the Federation, the statutory procedure and practice in the Force is that such a heinous crime and capital offence is transferred to the Force Headquarters for further investigation. This is to enable a thorough and discreet investigation into the crime.

"However, it is pertinent to state that, there is no vested interest by the Inspector General of Police in the ongoing investigation into the several murders committed by this killer gang, other than ensuring that justice prevails in the matter. Nobody, no matter how highly placed would be allowed to interfere or obstruct Police investigation to pervert the course of justice.

"It is also imperative to let the public know that last year, suspects arrested over the mayhem and killings of innocent people in Ile-Ife, Osun State and those arrested in Southern Kaduna crisis in Kaduna State and suspects arrested in connection with Zaki-biam killings in Benue State were all transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation before they were arraigned in court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, transferring this hired assassin gang masquerading as cultists in kwara State to Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation is in accordance with Police investigation procedures.

"It is also important to underscore that the statement credited to the Senate President can dissuade and discourage living victims/deceased families of those who must have been killed by this vicious hired assassin gang from coming forward to give evidence against them.

"The Nigeria Police Force hereby implores members of the general public to disregard and discountenance the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than Eleven (11) innocent people from kwara State and other States of the Federation in the recent past by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group.

"The Force will leave no stone unturned and will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure justice in this matter, no matter whose ox is gored.

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NEWS: Melaye Loses Assassination Case Against ALGON Chairman

Fola Ajayi, the judge presiding over the case, struck it out for lack of diligent prosecution even after four adjuornments since it was initiated in 2017.

Senator Dino Melaye, the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has lost his assasination case against Mr. Taofiq Isa, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, as the High Court in the state struck out his case on Tuesday.

Fola Ajayi, the judge presiding over the case, struck it out for lack of diligent prosecution even after four adjuornments since it was initiated in 2017.

Ruling on the matter, the trial judge held that the prosecution counsel could not open his case despite four adjournments, hence he struck out the matter.

He then ordered the prosecution to start the case afresh whenever they are ready.

Mr. Zakari Abbas commended the trial judge for the judgement while reacting to the ruling."The charge brought against the defendants have been struck out," he said. "As it stands, there is no criminal charges against the defendants. However, he gave a consequential order that whenever they are ready with their witnesses, they could approach the court to start their case afresh.”

Melaye is currently in court over charges bordering on gunrunning. 

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TRANSPORTATION: Senate Wants Better Educated Drivers On Nigerian Roads

• The Senate had mandated its committee on transportation to liaise with necessary government establishments and other stakeholders responsible for road safety in Nigeria ensure that drivers plying roads in any capacity across the country must be able to read, write and communicate effectively in the English language in addition to their driving qualifications.

The Senate gave the directive in response to a motion raised by Senator, Kurfi Umaru on the high rate of illiteracy among drivers on Nigerian roads. 

The Senator representing Katsina Central Constituency harped on the need to address the low level of literacy amongst drivers in Nigeria at Senate plenary on Tuesday.

Speaking on the motion, Senate President, Bukola Saraki said the relevant road safety and vehicle inspection officers must do the right thing and shun corruption, especially in granting of permission to drive. 

“Licenses must be obtained by going through the normal test that is required. What we are seeing now is corruption and not following due process. The effect of that is people are losing lives. People must see that they have a responsibility in ensuring that people go through the right process is very important because lives are lost when we have drivers that are not capable or do not have the necessary qualifications.

"The challenge is to those responsible for this and our Committee on Transport should provide their oversight and ensure that Road Safety and Vehicle inspection offices carry out the necessary work," Saraki said.

The Senate also argued for the establishment of driving schools that will provide short-term courses for every prospective driver in every state of the country.

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BREAKING NEWS: Melaye To Spend Five Weeks In Police Custody

• Melaye was arraigned for alleged gunrunning at the Magistrate Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on May 3

Senator Dino Melaye in Abuja Court

Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, will be remanded in custody of the Nigerian Police Force till June 11, 2018, after losing his appeal for bail.

Melaye was arraigned for alleged gunrunning at the Magistrate Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on May 3.

The senator was brought into the court premises in a police ambulance.

Sahara Reporters had earlier reported that Melaye was arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court, Wuse, Abuja, for criminal conspiracy, causing damage to government property, attempted suicide and escape from lawful custody.

He was granted bail for N90 million but was baited with hospital only to be rearrested to immediately face other criminal charges against him.

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Senate summons Adeosun, Udo Udoma, Emefiele over 2017 budget implementation

• NOT comfortable with the implementation of 2017 budget, the Senate President disclosed that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and her counterpart in the Budget and National Planning Ministry, Senator Udoma Udo Ndoma, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele to appear before the entire Senate to explain the implementation process of the budget by the executive.

According to the Senate, these government officials would appear during plenary to explain the failure to release money to fund the budget.

In his welcome back speech to the Senators after the annual recess, Senate President Bukola Saraki who noted that the Senate has commenced review of the 2017 Budget implementation by first week of October, said that the move became imperative to know how the budget had affected the lives of Nigerians in terms of infrastructural development and other areas of life.

He said, “Nigerians want to see a more significant improvement in the level of implementation of the budget this financial year. Let me use this opportunity to call on all our standing committees to begin the process of putting together their oversight plan for a close and proper review of the performance of the 2017 Budget.

“In the same token, we must remind ourselves of the initiative we started and for which we have significant stride – that is, the Made in Nigeria initiative.

“Distinguished colleagues, it is time to enter the next stage of this initiative; the oversight of implementation to ensure that the policy yields expected gains.

I will like therefore want to see the committees demonstrate readiness to engage government to ensure that at least a significant portion of our annual budget is fully dedicated to local procurement. All committees of the Senate must be involved in this and find better channels to engage our people and enable feedbacks.”

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Constitution review: Senate to remove Presidential assent, says unnecessary – Saraki

• The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that presidential assent was an unnecessary addition to the process of amendment of the Constitution. He told newsmen in Abuja that it was with conviction on that, that the 8th National Assembly approved the removal of presidential assent to an amended constitution.

The 7th Assembly had in 2015, while reviewing the 1999 Constitution, approved the removal of presidential assent from the process of the amendment.

But, the then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, refused assent to the amendment because of the removal of the clause contained in Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.

Jonathan had insisted that the amendment would have been valid if supported by votes of not less than four-fifth majority of all the members of each chamber of the National Assembly.

In addition, he said that it also ought to have been approved by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states as provided by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution. However, Saraki said that going by the process of amending the Constitution, the final decision of federal and state legislatures should be seen as the decision of the people.

“Well, to me, if two-thirds of the National Assembly agrees to something and two-thirds of the state assemblies also agree, in my view, the President should accept that as the wish of the people.

“Does he really need to assent? Personally, I don’t think so; that is my personal view, because with two-third of National Assembly, two-third of states’ assemblies, the people have spoken,” he said. Saraki added that the senate would follow up on the amendment process in the states to ensure that there was wide consultation and sensitisation.

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EMBEZZELMENT: N30trn fraud at ports: Senate gives those involved 4 days to come clean

• THE Senate, yesterday, gave those it described as “port cabal” that swindled Nigeria of over N30 trillion in recent times, four days to come clean or face prosecution. 

• According to the Senate, the said money, which cannot be accounted for, is more than four times the country’s current national budget, adding that it was prepared to prosecute all those involved in the scam.

Disclosing this, yesterday, in Abuja during the Public Hearing of the Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, Senator Hope Uzodinma (PDP, Imo West) said preliminary findings by the committee into activities of Customs, financial leakages and malpractices in the nation’s ports and revenue system had shown evidence of how “a group of unpatriotic persons brazenly constitute themselves into a cabal to inflict infractions at the nation’s sea ports.
 According to him, the infractions have become daily occurrence at the nation’s sea ports, just as he accused commercial banks, shipping companies, terminal owners and operators of conniving with officials of Customs and Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to defraud the country in trillions of naira.
 The infractions come in various forms, beginning with abuse and violation of foreign exchange issued by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, incorrect classification and under valuation of vessels coming into the country. The Senate asked the management of NPA to account for 282 missing vessels and urged the NPA and Customs to explain why they did not collect charges on the vessels and who authorised the release of the vessels from the ports. Senator Uzodinma said: “The Senate has mandated us to carry out a holistic investigation into the scandalous financial leakages that have become the norm in our ports. Quite worrisome is the fact that these leakages are costing our dear country trillions of naira in revenue and inversely constitute a clear and present security threat to our nation.
“It is common knowledge that infractions abound in daily transactions at the nation’s sea ports. Commercial banks, shipping companies, terminal owners and operators connive at ease with officials to defraud our dear nation in trillions of naira.” “Preliminary evidence before us suggests that this is the case in all sea ports. lndeed, initial evidence at our disposal clearly suggests that the port cabal has in recent memory, defrauded the nation of well over N30 trillion.
“It is distressing to note that while our nation is undergoing an exhausting recession, a group of unpatriotic persons, who brazenly constitute themselves into a cabal, is determined to deepen the pains of the nation through very repugnant practices.” “The Senate, determined to put an end to this villainous assault on the economy of our nation, has now taken the bull by the horn, and set out to get to the bottom of this organised crime, and come up with future proof ways at eradicating this gruesome menace.
 “In doing so, we shall be minded by the reality that those who want to bleed the nation to death without remorse. must be dealt with without reprieve. Consequently, all those indicted in this crime will be made to face the full wrath of the law. Meanwhile, the Senate has given the CBN up to Monday to verify claims of remittances by commercial banks, just as it was, however, disappointed at how Customs has over the years managed the Free Trade Zone, accusing it of allowing the free trade zone to be used for smuggling goods into the country. Declaring the event open, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, who asked the committee to do a thorough job, said the Senate intended to use this oversight function to expose corruption and ensure that all the loopholes and leakages in the revenue systems were fully and comprehensively sealed. Saraki said, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at its sitting on Thursday, 4th May, 2017, mandated the Joint Committee on Customs, Excise & Tariff; and Marine Transport to carry out a holistic investigation into the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service with a View to identifying the financial leakages, malpractices and infractions within the import and export value chain as well as the causes of the declining revenue profile of the Service and come up with recommendations that will reinvigorate the revenue profile of the Nigeria Customs Service.
 “A recent report has suggested that trillions of Naira in revenue are lost annually within the import and export value chain as a result of financial leakages caused through various malpractices and infractions within the system.
“These anomalies are perpetrated by various stakeholders such as importers and exporters, authorized dealers, shipping companies, terminal operators, cargo handlers and their collaborators/conspirators such as Custom officials, ports authority officials and other agency officials.
 “This Senate intends to use its oversight functions to expose corruption and ensure that all loopholes and leakages in our revenue systems are fully and comprehensively sealed.
The 8th National Assembly will not sit idly by and watch things continue to go wrong no matter whose ox is gored. Especially not in the era of economic downturn resulting from declining oil revenue.
 “We are determined to reverse these financial leakages to enable us get the much-needed resources to fund our children’s education, health care and fix the potholes on our roads through the budget.
 “Therefore, I urge this hearing not to leave any stone unturned to ensure that We incrementally eliminate waste and corruption in the management of our national resources. “Of a truth, this assignment is enormous but we are confident that the committee is composed of eminent personalities who will ensure we put an end to this bleeding of the nation.
The Committee is to do a thorough legislative investigation to expose the widespread abuses inherent in import and export businesses; which had greatly undermined and stunted the national economy.”

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NEWS: I am not part of any plot to remove Osinbajo, declares Bala Mohammed

• Reacting to reports linking him to such plot in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed said that such could only emanate from “political opportunists and agent provocateur” especially from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bola Muhammed

He urged his detractors to “spare the nation this embarrassing conspiracy narrative that is domiciled in their party”. 
Mohammed who in a statement explained that his mission to Saudi Arabia was to fulfill his religious obligations however called for sundry support for Osinbajo, stressing that the Acting President has already done so much in stabilizing the heated polity in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari.
 He said: “I was not invited to such a meeting, if it held at all. And even if I had been invited I would not have attended for reasons that are all too obvious. My antecedents are so well established that to associate me with a clandestine parochial project aimed at subverting the constitution will negate everything that I stand for and cherish.
 “No matter how anybody feels, it must be acknowledged that Yemi Osinbajo is today occupying the position of acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God. Therefore, political opportunists and agent provocateur especially those of his All Progressives Congress (APC) should spare the nation this embarrassing conspiracy narrative that is domiciled in their party. 
“When tempers are flaring up dangerously and fear has become the order of the day, what is required is for all stakeholders, notwithstanding personal ambitions, party affiliation or sub-national interests, to join hands with the Acting President in stabilizing the ship of state.
 “Unless we are being hypocritical, Professor Osinbajo is doing his best to bridge the leadership vacuum created by the absence of the President, a vacuum that has triggered all kinds of dangerous political permutations. “The country’s leadership is expected to galvanize all stakeholders while the political class is expected to rally behind it to fashion a way out of the present crisis. I would want to say that Professor Osinbajo has demonstrated courage in the face of danger, commendable sobriety in spite of provocation and focus in the midst of distraction to the extent that, I am confident, President Buhari will be very proud of him.
 I make this comment with every sense of responsibility and without prejudice to my loyalty to my party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and my personal ambition and aspirations as a politician!”
 The former FCT Minister who recalled his roles in a similar situation during the administration of former President Musa Yar’adua in 2010, stated that as a serving Senator then, he spearheaded the National Integrity Group (NIG) in the Senate that saw the emergence of the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President under the “Doctrine of Necessity”, asking why he would condescend so low now. He reminded his opponents not to waste their time and resources, launching a campaign of calumny against his person and political ambition, saying he remained unshaken in the midst of adversities. 
“Why would I then descend from that high moral pedestal, from the status of a statesman, to the nadir of political juvenility and rascality at a time that summons all patriots, to join forces to stabilize our tottering nation-state.
 “Consequently, it is therefore axiomatic that, no amount of cheap blackmail, no level of persecution and no subterfuge by Sahara Reporters and its promoters will diminish my resolve to continue to play constructive and patriotic roles in serving the good people of Bauchi State and our dear country Nigeria. 
“Like all false witnesses, God will cut them down at the point of their successes. In this regard, my faith in God remains unshaken and my commitment to a united Nigeria anchored on equity, justice and fair play as bedrocks of a true federation remain sacrosanct. 
“Finally, I implore all Nigerians to continue to pray for the good health of our President and for God to grant Acting President Osinbajo the wisdom to lead the country in the right direction until the President returns”, Mohammed said.

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NEWS: Save Me From Recall, Dino Melaye Begs Senators

• The appeal comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission unveiled a timetable and modalities for the exercise at his Kogi West Senatorial District.

Dino Melaye

The Kogi State senator, Dino Melaye, at the Senate plenary on Tuesday rallied his colleagues to save him from being recalled by his constituents.

The appeal comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission unveiled a timetable and modalities for the exercise at his Kogi West Senatorial District.

The senator restated his claim that his recall was masterminded by his state governor, Yahaya Bello.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, assured Mr. Melaye of the upper chamber’s support, proclaiming the recall process “dead on arrival.”

Mr. Ekweremadu said the Constitution made recall a cumbersome process, and, as such, would be difficult for Mr. Melaye’s opponents to succeed.

“The Senate would also verify the legitimacy of the votes before a conclusion is made,” Mr. Ekweremadu said; although the deputy senate president’s claim is not stated in the constitutional requirement for recall.

Signatures for Mr. Melaye’s recall were collected at his constituency in an exercise that began on June 10.

Campaigners said 188,588 signatures were submitted to INEC, which is more than 52 per cent of about 260,000 voters in the constituency.

On June 22, INEC notified Mr. Melaye of the recall process. His lawyers responded with a lawsuit the next day, asking the electoral body to stay all actions relating to the exercise.

INEC, however, said it would proceed with the recall process since there was no court injunction stopping it.

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Nigerian Senate Of Alleged Thieves And Rogues (Part 2)

• The eighth National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria parades a long list of suspected thieves more than the number any anti-graft agency can prosecute in one administration. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have investigated a good number of the serving senators at one time or the other for embezzlement, money laundering, diversion of public funds and other criminal charges.

• In fact, a total of 21 of the lawmakers including the senate president currently are involved in corruption cases that have reached various stages of trials in courts. Sammynews4u profiles these lawmakers with blemished records of public service. Sammynews4u covered the first 10 in part one. Here is part two.

11. David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark

Former Senate President David Mark is reputed to be one of the most corrupt public officers in Nigerian history. The senator representing Benue-South in the upper legislative house is a retired army general who amassed a lot of wealth during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, another military autocrat with a history of corrupt self-enrichment. 

Mark, a fifth –term senator, is one of the few Nigerians listed in #PanamaPapers, the report that reveals identities of clients of the most secretive companies in the world, registered through the law firm of Mossack Fonseca. The senator together with his wife, Vikky Preye Mark both laundered billion of dollars abroad. As Nigeria’s Minister for Communications in the 1980s, David Mark acquired a reputation for speaking in a gruff manner. His most notorious gaffe was a statement that telephones were not meant for poor Nigerians. The statement was in response to criticism of the scarcity of telephone lines as well as their high cost.

Mark was then at the peak of a flourishing military career that saw him amass an incredible personal wealth that would later define his life as a member of Nigeria’s most corrupt military elite that ran the nation with an iron hand from the early 1980s till mid-1990s. SaharaReporters has at different times documented the sleaze and roguery that characterized his tenure as the leader of the Senate.

The first of the deals that catapulted David Mark into questionable wealth came from a $77 million “telecommunications deal” which he brokered while he was Communications Minister under General Babangida. The gist was that Mark procured aircraft for the nation’s telephone company- NITEL- at highly inflated prices. Mark made an instant profit of $70 million which he shared with President Ibrahim Babangida in accounts opened in Jersey and Cayman Islands. From this single deal, David Mark had set aside the sum of £6 million in a “trust” for his children as well as invested in real estate for his numerous wives and children in the UK and Ireland. In a remarkable, if curious, decision, Mark also invested the sum of £5.9 pounds in the 18-hole St. Margaret’s Golf Club near Dublin, just a five- minute drive from the International Airport in Dublin, Ireland and also in an unnamed business in Northern Ireland which officially employed him while he was in the UK in exile.

He also bought a private house worth £2.5 million pounds on Kingston upon the Thames River in London.

Besides, David Mark hired a personal assistant in England to help manage his businesses in London and Ireland. He lived a life of legendary luxury, arranging for most of his kids to be born in the UK, Switzerland and other Western European nations. From kindergarten to college, most of his children also attended schools in Europe or in some of England’s priciest educational institutions.

According to records available to Saharareporters, David Mark has married six times, his last marriage being in Ghana in 1995 where he retains a massive investment of funds looted from Nigeria. His sixth wife also lives in London with his children. Apart from Ghana, David Mark also has investments in the Caribbean and the US and maintains hefty bank accounts in Switzerland, Cayman Islands, and Jersey.

12. Akume George 

Senator Akume George was the Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015 representing Benue North and West. He was a detainee of EFCC over an allegation of money laundering to the tune of N41billion. His kinsmen led by Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, former Lagos State Police Commissioner, then accused him of spending N5 billion on gifts and donations to friends of the administration in 2004, despite the fact that the state lacks motorable roads, pipe-borne water, health care facilities and other basic amenities. 

13. Mohammed Goje Danjuma

Goje Danjuma, a senator representing Gombe Central is currently undergoing trial for stealing N5b. Danjuma Goje was the governor of Gombe State from 2003 to 2011. He is presently a second-term senator representing Gombe Central Senatorial District at the Nigerian Senate.
 Aside from chairing the Senate Committee on Appropriations, he is the chairman of the North-East Caucus of the National Assembly. The senator, along with four others, is facing an 18- count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud to N25bn instituted by the EFCC.
The case was transferred to Jos from Gombe in 2015 on the instruction of the Chief Justice of the Federation over security concerns.  

14. Abdullahi Adamu

Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu was the governor of Nasarawa State from 1999 to 2007. He represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District and is the Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture.

In Feb 2010, the EFCC arrested the lawmaker for allegedly misappropriating N15billion alongside 18 others.

He was subsequently arraigned on a 149-count charge of fraud to the tune of N15 billion before Justice Ibrahim Buba, a controversial high court judge, Justice Marcel Awokulehin later took over the case.

The lawmaker and his co-accused denied all the charges and challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try the case, arguing that the money in question belong to the people of Nasarawa State and therefore does not fall under the purview of the Federal Government and the EFCC to investigate and prosecute.

The court, however, ruled against the accused persons and ordered them to face trial. The lawmaker and his co-accused subsequently appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeal sitting in Markudi, Benue State. The case is yet to be concluded.

15. Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako

Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, the son of former Governor Murtala Nyako, represents Adamawa Central Senatorial District in the Senate.

A first term Senator, he chairs the Committee on Special Duties, which oversees the general affairs of the Senate President, Ecological Fund, among others.

In July last year, the EFCC docked Abdulaziz and his father, Murtala Nyako the former governor of Adamawa State, at a Federal High Court in Abuja over cases of alleged corruption.

They were arraigned before Justice E. Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 37-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, stealing, money laundering and abuse of office.

Also charged with them, were Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba. They were accused of using five companies to siphon over N15billion at various times, between 2011 and 2013, from Adamawa State coffers. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

16. Ahmed Sani Yarima
Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima is a three-term senator and former governor of Zamfara State. He represents Zamfara West Senatorial District in the Senate.
Yarima is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport and a member of other committees, including the Senate Committee on Interior which oversees the police, prisons, immigration and the fire service.

In January 2017, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Zamfara State High Court in Gusau docked him on a 19-count charge of corruption.

The commission accused him of diverting part of the N1 billion project funds for the repair of collapsed Gusau Dam and resettlement of the victims of flood to other purposes.

The alleged offenses were committed in 2006 and mainly in October and November of that year, according to ICPC.  He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

17. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso 

Rabiu Kwankwaso representing   Kano –Central was a two-term governor. The governor has been accused of embezzling N2 billion belonging to pensioners in the state. The former Governor allegedly deposited the sum of N2billion in Kano branch of defunct Euro Bank Plc, which later went into liquidation a few months later.

Senator Kwankwaso has relocated to Abuja since he handed over power to Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and has reportedly left behind over N300billion liability that included N199 million in unpaid advert bills.
 
18. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko

Aliyu Wamako representing Sokoto North was a former governor of Sokoto State for eight years. The governor has been petitioned for embezzling over N14 billion. EFCC is yet to close in on the governor.

19 Sani Abubakar Danladi
Sanni Abubakar is a representative of Taraba-North; the former deputy governor of Taraba State was impeached over allegations of corruption when he was in office.  EFCC arrested him in 2013 for diversion of public funds meant for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) projects. He reportedly spent the funds to establish a private school, Yagai Academy. The school is estimated to be worth N1.3billion.

20. Jonah Jang

Jang, the senator from Plateau-North senatorial district, was the former governor of Plateau State for two terms. He has been accused of looting N10 billion SURE-P fund belonging to the people of the state as well as N2 billion released to the state in April 2015 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Small and Medium Scale (SME) businesses in the state. His administration also failed to account for N6.1 billion received on behalf of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The governor was accused of using a proxy company, Darmatist Consult to siphon N982 million for helping his state recover N7.56 billion from Nassarawa state.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has ordered the reopening of corruption cases against Jang and other corrupt former governors in the country.

21. David Umaru

David Umaru, a Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District was a personal lawyer to the Abachas, who assisted the former dictator; Sanni Abacha launder money in offshore tax havens. He is one of the Nigerians with shady dealings exposed in the #Panamapapers. In documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from the leaked Panama Papers, Senator Umaru incorporated two shell companies in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a notorious offshore tax haven, and in tiny South Pacific Ocean country, Niue Island.The first company, Yorkshire Investment Limited was incorporated on April 27, 1998, with a registered address at No2 Commercial Centre Square, Alofi, the capital of the Niue Island.The company was incorporated by International Trust Company (ITC), a Niue-based registering agent. In other to conceal the true ownership of the shell company, ITC provided two nominee directors for the company – Melvin Scales (Chairman) and Ramses Owens. And Umaru was named the true and lawful attorney of the company.

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The Senate of Alleged Thieves and Rogues (Part One)

• The eighth National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria parades a long list of suspected thieves more than the number any anti-graft agency can prosecute in one administration. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have investigated a good number of the serving senators at one time or the other for embezzlement, money laundering, diversion of public funds and other criminal charges. 

  • In fact, nine of the lawmakers including the senate president currently are involved in corruption cases that have reached various stages of trials in courts. SaharaReporters profiles these lawmakers with blemished records of public service.

1. Bukola Abubakar Saraki

Senator Bukola Saraki, the Senate president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a man whose name has become a major topic in the discussion about corruption in Nigeria. He represents Kwara Central constituency at the upper chamber. The senator, in connivance with his aides and associates, allegedly laundered N3.5 billion traced to the Paris Club loan refund to states. The senate president also allegedly acquired assets beyond his legitimate earnings while he served as a governor of Kwara State for eight years and operates off-shore accounts in violation of the law which forbids a public officer to own bank account abroad.

He is currently facing a 13-count charge at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and his spouse, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has a file at the EFCC over alleged squandering of Kwara State funds.

His bid to stop the trial at the CCT suffered a setback at the Supreme Court last year when the court dismissed his appeal and upheld an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal, ordering him to face trial at the tribunal. Saraki, a medical doctor by training, reportedly emptied the treasury of his father's bank Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) when he served as an executive director. The bank finally collapsed in 2003 after the Saraki Dynasty recklessly looted to fund their political activities that saw Bukola become the Governor of Kwara state in 2003. Mr. Saraki's thieving career started in 1990 according to police documents.

 "Office of the Inspector General of Police, detailed a scheme by the siblings Bukola and Gbemi Saraki, along with Tokunbo Salami, Jude Iluyomade, and Mohammed Bashir.  From 1990 to 2000, according to the Inspector General’s report dated August 21st 1990, Ms. Gbemi Saraki worked in the Treasury Department of Societe Generale Bank Nigeria while now-Senate President Bukola Saraki was a director of the bank. The Saraki family owned the largest shares of any Nigerian in the bank, a fact they exploited to obtain unsecured loans and engage in several other illicit transactions that saw to the bank’s demise.

In one letter to Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Societe Generale Paris, which owned a majority stake of Societe Generale Nigeria, accused the Sarakis and their cohorts of defrauding the bank out of 510,000 Naira through illegal and “unauthorized withdrawals of money.”

 Part of the letter read, “the amount, in this particular case, N510, 000, was cashed by Miss Gbemi Saraki—the daughter of Dr. Olusola Saraki [Senator Saraki’s father]. Miss. Gbemi Saraki works in the Treasury Department of Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) Limited where the alleged thefts constantly take place…Miss Saraki signed for the collection of the cash.”

 The letter also accused their father, Olusola Saraki, who died on November 14, 2012, of involvement in “stealing N8.5 million out of N10 million illegally withdrawn from the account of the Bank to purchase a house in Ikoyi.” Part of the charges filed against Saraki and others in 1990 Sahara Reporters Media

2. Godswill Obot Akpabio

The senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West, Ikot Ekpene is the minority leader in the Senate. He was the governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years. EFCC has alleged him of appropriating   N108.1billion of Akwa Ibom funds. Sources close to the governor alleged he has embezzled a lot more than what EFCC is charging him for.

Akpabio, who is the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, was twice invited by the EFCC in 2015, over the allegation of fraud. The anti-graft body in February 2017 impounded a school building in Akwa Ibom belonging to his wife pending completion of the investigation.

3.  Ben Murray-Bruce

The Bayelsa Senator Benjamin Murray-Bruce, former Director General of Nigerian Television Authority between1999 and 2003, allegedly diverted a loan he obtained from Union Bank of Nigeria to purchase a posh property in Beverly Hills, California in 2007. Bruce and his brothers used their companies to borrow funds from the bank at various times, and they repeatedly defaulted in paying back. Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON purchased the loan in 2011 to save the bank from collapsing. AMCON is now seizing the assets belonging to the three companies used in securing the loan – Silverbird Productions Limited, Silverbird Showtime Limited, and Silverbird Galleria Limited.

Mr. Bruce, the self-proclaimed "Commonsense Senator", was one of the most vocal senators during the #BuyNaijaToGrowTheNaira, a movement that criticizes those who needlessly import foreign goods. He touted his reputation for building businesses in Nigeria to champion the importance of domestic investment in goods.

Sources from different banks in Nigeria told SaharaReporters that the N11 billion loan Bruce took out from Union Bank around 2007 was supposed to be used to construct the Abuja Entertainment Center. But instead of using the loan to fund his Nigerian business operations, he diverted it to purchase an opulent property in the Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles and London.

The Los Angeles County Property Assessor’s Office, the Real Estate Records office, and the Special Investigation unit confirmed to SaharaReporters that the Nigerian senator from Bayelsa State purchased a property on August 6th, 2007 and remains the owner. The address is 605 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

A public records search, also confirmed by municipal employees in Los Angeles County, assessed the value of Senator Bruce’s land at $3.1 million. The value of the mansion and other structures at the property was estimated at no less than $795,000.

The senator’s Beverly Hills swanky property has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a swimming pool and is estimated to be at least 2,777 square feet. Assessments of real estate platforms show that the property is worth $5 million as of today.

4.  Dino Melaye

Self-styled progressive and anti-corruption activist, Senator Dino Melaye a.k.a "Daniel Jonah Melaye" is the Senator representing Kogi West. He illegally operates foreign accounts in the United States, despite that the Nigerian law forbids a public officer to operate a foreign account. Melaye operates a current account with number 4460 1649 8396 under the name “CampusEdge, senatorial” and regular savings account with account number 4460 1647 5966 with Bank of America in the state of Maryland. He is a close ally of the embattled Senator Saraki. 

The senator recently bought a home in Abuja valued at N1.3 billion ($6.5 million). The house is located at 11 Sangha Street, off Mississippi Street, in the Maitama upscale neighborhood of the city. Mr. Melaye who recently embroiled in a certificate scandal has no publicly known source of income, yet he parades a variety luxury automobiles emblazoned with vanity license plates customized to his adopted name.

5. Joshua Chibi Dariye

Senator Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State, is representing Plateau Central senatorial district in the Senate. He was the governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2003 and was re-elected in 2003 before he was impeached in 2006.

The senator is being prosecuted by EFCC, on a 23-count charge bordering on money laundering and diversion. Dariye is alleged to have siphoned the state’s ecological fund to the tune of N1.162 billion. Before his arrest and trial in Nigeria, Dariye was first arrested for money laundering in London in 2004. However, he jumped bail and fled to Nigeria before charges were filed against him in the UK. He is the chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals.

6. Peter Nwaobosi

Senator Peter Nwaobosi is a senator representing Delta North and the Chairman Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs. The Senator and his brother Augustine Nwaoboshi have been alleged of defrauding Delta State to the tune of N2.1 billion. The two men shortchanged the people of Delta by supplying used equipment in place of new ones to Delta State government and went away with N2.1 billion. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator is reported to have used the proceeds to acquire several properties in Lagos and Delta States using his companies as fronts. The senators and his brother allegedly operate over 20 bank accounts for fraudulent purposes.

7. Stella Odua-Ogiemwonyi

EFCC has traced N3.6b in stolen funds to former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah.

As Minister of Aviation, Ms. Oduah secured several multi-billion naira contracts to upgrade Nigeria’s 22 airports. It was later revealed that much of this money went into the minister’s private account and that the program’s progress that she touted was grossly overstated. Documents made available to SaharaReporters showed that of the 192 contracts awarded in the second phase of the program, only six were completed.

Ms. Oduah first came under scrutiny after compelling the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to buy her two bulletproof BMWs valued at N255m. The House of Representatives and a presidential committee indicted the minister for violating the country’s procurement regulations.

8. Buruji Kashamu

Buruji Kashamu is a Nigerian senator representing Senatorial district, and the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on States and Local Governments.

The senator is wanted in the United States for being a drug baron; he has for a long time avoided traveling to the US. The elections tribunal court in Nigeria annulled his election but was later upheld by the Appeal Court. His case is still in court.

 9. Theodore Ahamefule Orji

Theodore Orji representing Abia Central senatorial district was the former governor in his state. Orji together with his wife and son allegedly looted his state to the tune of N47 billion He was accused of embezzlement of funds that were meant for the several development projects in the state. His case is still pending.

10. Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni

Lt. General Jeremiah Useni, a senator representing Plateau South was the Federal Capital Territory Minister during General Sanni Abacha regime. He served Nigeria in various capacities as Minister for Transport and as Quarter-Master General of the Nigeria Army and was accused of looting the public fund running to billions along with his principal, Abacha. 

 The media reported in 1998 that over N4 billion was found in his palatial country home at Langtang by the combined team of SSS and DMI officers, and over N2 billion of the money was in foreign currency. Also found at his house in the millionaires’ quarters on the British-American road Jos, were a dozen of coaster buses then valued at N110 million, brand new Peugeot cars, jeeps and nine latest models of Mercedes-Benz cars.

 Sources in Jos, who witnessed the raid, said they saw several bags of money being moved out of Useni’s house where he has an underground vault. Like several other army generals who looted the treasury during Abacha regime, he is yet to be prosecuted by any anti-graft agency.

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President Muhammadu Buhari's Anti-Corruption Adviser, Itse Sagay Writes Saraki, Vows To Challenge Senate Summons In Court

• Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has written to the Senate President, Mr. Bukola Saraki, demanding a withdrawal of the Senate resolution summoning him to appear before it.

• Should the Senate fail to do so, Mr. Sagay said he would challenge the summons in court once they are served on him.

Itse Sagay

The Senate recently asked Professor Sagay to appear before it for criticizing its call on President Mohammadu Buhari to sack Mr. Ibrahim Magu, acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the personally signed letter, dated 3 April, Mr. Sagay said his criticism of the Senate was founded on Section 171(1) of the Constitution, which gives power to the President to appoint any person to hold or act in the office of the head of any extra-ministerial department of the Federal Government.

The PACAC Chairman explained that though he is yet to be served with any summons from the Senate, he is willing to join issues with the Senate over what he considers a potential violation of his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression.

 “As you are no doubt aware, Section 88 of the Constitution, under which you have purportedly summoned me, is subject to other provisions of the Constitution, including Section 39 thereof. In other words, my freedom of expression cannot be abridged or violated in the course of exercising the oversight functions of the Senate,” wrote Mr. Sagay.

The PACAC Chairman noted that the National Assembly is empowered by Section 88 (1) and (2) of the Constitution to conduct investigations into the affairs of the Federal Government, with a view to promoting good governance and curbing corruption. He, however, argued that such powers are not limitless. He contended that the wide-ranging investigative powers of the National Assembly are circumscribed as they are exercisable subject to other provisions of the Constitution.

Mr. Sagay cited a number of cases to support his position.

“In Innocent Adikwu v. Federal House of Representatives (1982) 3 NCLR 394 at 416, the applicant, a journalist, was summoned by the respondent to disclose the source of a report published by him. The plaintiff challenged the order of the defendant,” wrote Mr. Sagay.

To set aside, the summons served on the applicant, noted Sagay in the letter, the Lagos High Court examined the limit of the investigative powers of the respondent under section 82 of the 1979 Constitution. The trial judge, Balogun J., Mr. Sagay said, held: “...it seems to me that an investigation directed by the National Assembly to probe into irregularities in election procedure with a view to amending the Electoral Act cannot be used to summon a secretary or leader of a registered political party to appear before it and produce the register of the members of that political party or the list of all persons who had made contributions to the fund of that political party. Nor could any person summoned to appear before such committee (whatever its terms of reference) be asked to state what political party he voted for at the last general election or any election. Such questions will infringe on fundamental rights of freedom of idea, speech, and expression. The examples of non-permissible usage of the legislative power of investigation could be multiplied to show that the powers of an investigating committee of the National Assembly or the House of Assembly of a State are not limitless but must be exercised in conformity with the Constitution.”

 He also referred to the case of the Senate vs. John Momoh (1983) at the Federal Court of Appeal, which held that the Section 82 of the 1979 Constitution was not designed to enable the legislature to usurp the general investigative functions of the executive nor the adjudicative functions of the judiciary.

“The section enables either House to exercise power only with respect to any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws and ‘the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry, or government department charged or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for’ – ‘executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly’ and ‘disbursing and administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly’. In other words, the section does not constitute the House as a universal ‘ombudsman’ inviting and scrutinizing the conduct of every member of the public for purposes of exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste,” the Federal Court of Appeal held.

On the basis of the cases cited, Mr. Sagay said he is convinced that the Senate lacks the power to summon him to justify his condemnation of the illegal actions of its members.

“Senate cannot be the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in its own case. However, any aggrieved member of the Senate has the liberty to sue me for defamation in a competent court of jurisdiction. Consequently, I urge you to withdraw the resolution summoning me to appear before the Senate. If you fail to accede to my request I will not hesitate to challenge the legal validity of the summons, once it is served on me,” concluded Mr. Sagay.

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Senator Dino Melaye Named In US State Department Report On Assassination Of Witness In Electoral Petition

In 2008, the American State Department wrote a report that focused on the 2007 murder of one Victor Obafaiye, the principal witness against Senator Dino Melaye in an electoral petition against the controversial legislator from Kogi State. 

Dino Melaye

The US State Department’s report about Mr. Obafaiye’s murder was issued on March 11, 2008 and written by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Report. The report noted that Mr. Melaye was elected into the Federal House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) filed a legal challenge disputing his election. However, Mr. Obafaiye, said to be in possession of documents that might have shown that Mr. Melaye tampered with election results, was murdered before he could testify.

“On August 19, Victor Obafaiye, the principal witness for the Action Congress in the Kogi State Election Tribunal, was assassinated. Obafaiye was crucial to the case, as he was supposedly in possession of documents that would have served as evidence of election tampering by the PDP House of Assembly [sic] candidate, Dino Melaye,” stated the US State Department report.

The report did not directly accuse Mr. Melaye of masterminding Mr. Obafaiye’s murder, but the report suggested that the State Department considered the case one of the significant instances where the use of violence undercuts the practices of electoral democracy in Nigeria.

Mr. Melaye, who was in 2015 elected to the Nigerian Senate, has since been able to visit the US, suggesting that the State Department did not have conclusive evidence tying him to the murder of Mr. Obafaiye. The senator is currently at the center of a certificate forgery scandal after this website reported that his graduation from Ahmadu Bello University was questionable as whistleblowers in the Geography Department informed us that he had not completed certain required classes. Mr. Melaye had also claimed to possess degrees from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts as well as London School of Economics, a claim both institutions denied.

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Senator Andy Uba’s Extensive Academic Fraud Has Been Exposed - Saharareporters

• Senator Andy Uba has extensively falsified his academic credentials, according to finding by a team of investigators at SaharaReporters.

 

• Documents obtained by our investigators reveal that Mr. Uba has systematically lied about every level of his academic experience, brazenly doctoring his secondary school leaving certificate and making claims to several university degrees, including a doctorate, even though he never obtained even a bachelor's degree.

Our investigation showed that Senator Uba, whose formal names are Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba, completed his secondary school education at Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, Enugu, the capital of then Anambra State, in 1974. His authentic statement of result issued by his secondary school revealed that Mr. Uba sat for nine subjects, namely English Language, Literature in English, Christian Religious Knowledge, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Statistics. The document, which contained the senator’s examination number, 05465089, showed that Mr. Uba failed Literature in English, Christian Religious Knowledge, and Economics, obtained “pass” grades in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Statistics, and earned “credit” only in Chemistry. However, Mr. Uba forged a different “Confirmation of Result” dated November 13, 2013, claiming that the document was issued by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). In it, the senator offered a rosier picture of his academic performance. The fake document listed his grades as follows: English Literature 4, English Language 7, Christian Religious Knowledge 7, Economics 4, Statistics 6, Mathematics 6, Physics 4, and Chemistry 6.

 In the lower part of the document, which Mr. Uba apparently presented to the UK Border Agency in London, was the message, “You will have to satisfy yourself that he/she and UBA EMMANUEL NNAMDI of our records are one and the same person.” The document, which gave Senator Uba’s address as “14 Vaal Street, Mattama (sic) Abuja,” was signed by Oshunbote S. (Mrs.) as “Results and Certificates Officer,” and Okelezo A.A. (Mr.), “for Head of National Office.” The forged document is riddled with bad grammar, including the sentence, “The details of him/her performance at the examination are as follows.” On WAEC’s official website, www.waec.org, one of the signatories, Mr. A.A. Okelezo, is listed as the branch controller in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State. 

SaharaReporters also obtained another forged school certificate document that Mr. Uba had used to misrepresent his mediocre performance in secondary school. The results recorded in the document tally with those in the so-called “Confirmation of Result.” However, the forged certificate also betrays sloppiness, with GRADE spelled as GARDE.

Senator Uba, who emerged as a major shadowy figure on the national political stage when he worked in Aso Rock as senior domestic aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, actually intensified the falsification of his academic credentials post-secondary school. On his “official website,” www.andyuba.blogspot.com, Senator Uba, who represents Anambra South senatorial zone, authorized the posting of an educational profile that is discredited by the facts. Under “Education,” the official website names Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; California State University, USA, and Buxton University, UK as institutions where Mr. Uba obtained degrees. The entries in Mr. Uba’s website, often written in poor English, claim that he earned a “PhD in Biological Sciences” at Buxton University.

In a section captioned “Biography,” the website notes: “Senator (Dr.) Nnamdi Emmanuel Uba (Andy) was born on December 14, 1958 in Enugu, Enugu State…Having witnessed and survived the Nigerian civil war, with his parents and siblings, Senator Andy continued his education after the war at Boys High School Awkunanaw, Enugu State where he obtained his senior school certificate (SSCE). He gained admission abroad and was engaged in geological studies at Concordia University, Montreal Canada where he graduated with honors in 1984.

had further academic studies at the California State University later proceed to Buxton University in the United Kingdom where he earned a Doctor degree in Bio-Sciences in 1996.” Mr. Uba’s page on the official website of the National Assembly paints a muddled picture, reflecting the senator’s desire to mislead the public about his academic credentials. The page lists St. James Primary School in Uga and Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, as one of three institutions attended by the senator, with “CALIFONIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES” (sic) as the third. However, the page leaves “date of graduation” from the primary and secondary schools blank. It also claims that Mr. Uba obtained “WASC” (West African School Certificate) from the elementary and secondary schools respectively. For California State University, Mr. Uba enters 2013 as his year of graduation. And then, in the space for “Certificate” obtained, he puts down “BA, P.HD, DPA AWARD” (sic). It is not surprising that Mr. Uba does not list Concordia University and “Buxton University” on his official senator’s page.

In a series of investigative reports done by this website in 2006 and 2007, we exposed the fraudulence of Senator Uba’s claims that he had earned degrees, including a PhD. In one of those investigative reports titled “Andy Uba: the Face of a Fraud,” we reported, “Our investigations into Andy Uba’s educational background determined that Andy Uba does not have a Bachelors degree from Concordia University (formerly Sir George Williams University)—a Canadian institution he claimed to have attended. The official records at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada indicate that he dropped out prior to completing the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree. The university’s alumni office of records told us that Concordia University has no record of Uba ever graduating from the school
“Our investigations also revealed a wrinkle in Uba’s claim to having obtained a Master’s degree from California State University. The official records we obtained from California State University indicated that the former presidential aide never earned a Master’s degree from there. In fact, he was never a graduate student of the said institution. The records of California State University show that Andy Uba was first enrolled at the school for an undergraduate program from March 1985 and dropped out March 1987 and then re-enrolled in September 27, 1990 till March 21, 1992 when he dropped out again, but never graduated.”

The claim on Mr. Uba’s website that he earned a doctorate degree from Buxton University in the United Kingdom shows the absurd lengths to which he went to fudge his academic records. Several major media in the US and elsewhere, including the Washington Post, have reported that Buxton University was never a university but a fraudulent operation, once based in Portugal, that sold all levels of “degrees” to anybody willing to pay a small fee. In 2004, an employee of a TV station in San Antonio, TX placed an order for a degree from a website called InstantDegrees.com. Within a few days, the employee received in the mail a master’s degree from Buxton University. In another instance the same year, an employee of another TV station based in Knoxville, Tennessee paid $160 and received by mail a PhD “degree” from the so-called Buxton University.

Buxton University is not recognized as a legitimate degree-awarding institution by any credible accrediting body in the world. In fact, since 2011, the shadowy operators of the sham degree merchant seem to have ceased all operations. There is no question that Senator Uba simply bought the alleged PhD in “bio-sciences” his official website claims he received from Buxton University in 1996.

During our original investigation in 2006, a UK-based Nigerian academic told this website, “Since [Mr. Uba] has no certifiable first degree, the idea of his holding a doctorate is, on the face of it, fraudulent.” He and other sources in the UK then emphasized that Buxton University was an unaccredited institution that was notorious for awarding bogus degrees to clients like Mr. Uba. In fact, Mr. Uba’s Wikipedia recognized the irregularity of the doctorate “degree” the senator claims to hold. According to an entry on Wikipedia, the senator “studied at California State University and then Buxton University, gaining a PhD in Biosciences in 1996. (Buxton University is incorporated in the Seychelles, and issues degrees to anyone who provides an employment background form and submits the fee.”

Mr. Uba, who in late January, 2017, announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), represents one of the most scandalous cases of Nigerian public officials who inflate their academic credentials to an extraordinary extent. His closest relatives and associates, including those who knew him when he resided in Canada and the US, openly admit that the only academic level he completed was the secondary school leaving certificate. Even then, his performance in the final WAEC tests was so unimpressive that he has forged new results. The impression on his website that he graduated from California State University in 2013 points to a desperate effort to cover the gaping holes in his past claims to having earned academic degrees.

In order to help cover his fraudulent claims, Mr. Uba swore to oaths at various courts claiming that some of his academic credentials were missing.

 In 2011, Andy Uba’s INEC form C.F 001 claimed he attended Concordia University with “AWAITING ”

In a lawsuit filed by Mr. Ikechukwu Obiorah at the National Assembly Election Tribunal in Awka, Anambra State in 2011, the petition asked the Tribunal to invalidate the election in the Anambra South Senatorial District and order a re-run because Mr. Uba was not qualified to have run for the Upper House in the first place.

 Drawing attention to Mr. Uba’s declaration that he attended tertiary institutions that include Concordia University Canada, and California State University, the petitioner claims that Mr. Uba could not have been admitted in those institutions of learning because he lacked the minimum entry requirement.  The petitioner also challenged Mr. Uba’s declaration of a “Bachelor of Science (AWAITING) 1985 -1992” in his application, saying, “The 1st Respondent is presently not enrolled in any University to be expecting any Bachelor of Science twenty (20 )years after his last academic adventure.”

However, Sahara Reporters is in possession of a degree certificate forged by Mr. Uba when he served President Olusegun Obasanjo as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs before running for governor in Anambra State. In the certificate Mr. Uba claimed to have received the certificate in 1994.

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40 Reps, 5 Senators Paraded O’ Level certificates

A peek into the qualification details of the members of the National Assembly by Daily Trust on Sunday reveals that a staggering number of the parliamentarians got elected with Ordinary Level certificates during the 2015 general elections, a development that leaves doubts on the capacity and quality of legislation in the 8th National Assembly.

Where is your Certificate?

A peek into the qualification details of the members of the National Assembly by Daily Trust on Sunday reveals that a staggering number of the parliamentarians got elected with Ordinary Level certificates during the 2015 general elections, a development that leaves doubts on the capacity and quality of legislation in the 8th National Assembly.

A total of 45 federal lawmakers who got elected into the Nigerian parliament during the 2015 general elections to represent their various constituencies across the country were inaugurated into both chambers of the National Assembly with either Secondary School Certificates or Grade-II Teachers’ Certificates as their highest educational qualification, investigations by Daily Trust on Sunday has revealed.

Details of this, which was obtained after a scrutiny of the list of elected National Assembly members in the 2015 general elections as contained on the official website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has left analysts expressing fears over the impact of such on the quality of legislation, especially in view of the fact that most of them are first-timers with little or no experience as it relates to debates, initiation of bills and motions.

Nigeria’s National Assembly comprises 109 senators in the Upper Chamber (Senate) and 306 representatives in the Lower Chamber (House of Representatives), but observers say most of them in the current Eighth Assembly are hardly seen taking an active part in proceedings. A check of the list from INEC website showed that 40 of the affected federal lawmakers, representing 11 per cent of the members, were elected to the House of Representatives while five got elected into the Senate.

The lists are separately titled: “Independent National Electoral Commission 2015 updated-elected Reps” and “Independent National Electoral Commission 2015 updated-elected Senators.” They are displayed on Microsoft spreadsheet in different columns indicating:  state, constituency, name of candidate, sex, party, age and qualification of each member as at the time of the election.

While 28 of them were elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), 21 others got elected on the tickets of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with their qualification details indicating that they either possessed the West African School Certificate (WASC), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), West African Examination Certificate (WAEC), General Certificate of Education (GCE) or Teachers’ Grade-II Certificate.

Although the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for the possession of a School Certificate or its equivalent as the minimum requirement for election into the Senate and the House of Representatives, many critics have called for an upward review, saying the business of lawmaking, especially at the federal level, was a serious one that requires not only experience but a higher level of educational attainment.

Going by the 2015 elected National Assembly members list on the INEC website, an average of two representatives from each of the federal constituency in the country from the various zones got elected with Ordinary Level certificates.

Low qualification by zones

The list shows that the North-West zone comprising Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and Jigawa states, has the highest number of Rep members with low academic qualifications, totaling 11. Three representatives from the zone with the lowest qualifications are from Jigawa State, namely: the member representing Hadeja/Kafin Hausa/Auyo in Jigawa State, Usman Ibrahim Auyo (Grade II), member representing Kazaure federal constituency, Muhammed Gudaji Kazaure (SSCE) and the member representing Miga/Jahun, Hon. Saidu Yusuf Miga (Grade-II).

Three other representatives from the North-West with similar qualifications are from Kaduna State, namely: the member representing Kachia/Kagarko, Jagaba Adams Jagaba (WASC), member representing Kaduna South, Rufai Ahmed Chanchangi (WASC), and the member representing Ikara/Kubau, Yusuf Bala (WAEC).

Also from the North-West are three reps from Sokoto State and one from Kebbi. Those from Sokoto include the member representing Kware/Wammako, Abdullahi M. Wammako (Grade-II), member representing D-Shuni/Bodinga/Tureta, Aliyu Shehu A.A. (WASC) and the member representing Binji Silame, Saadu M. Nabunkari (WASC), while the only member from Kebbi State is Salisu Garba Koko, representing Koko/Besse/Maiyama (Grade-II).

The North-Central has the second highest number, with nine representatives who were elected with lower qualifications during the 2015 elections. Out of this number, three are from Niger State, namely: the member representing Wushishi/Mashe/Gukgora/Miriga, Garba Abdullahi (WAEC), member representing Gbako/Bida/Katcha, Muhammadu Bida Faruq (GCE) and the member representing Mokwa/Lavun/ Edati, Ahmed Abu (SSCE). Two are from Benue State while one each represents Kwara and Plateau states, respectively. Those from Benue include the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo, Christian Adaba Abah (GCE) and the member representing Makurdi/Guma, Dickson Dominic T. (GCE), while Plateau and Kwara have the member representing Jos North, Suleiman Yahaya Kwande (WASC), as well as the one representing Ifelodun/Ifa, Olayonu Olarinoye Tope (Grade-II).

The North-East has representatives in this category from Borno, Bauchi, Taraba and Yobe states. The only member from Borno is the one representing Maiduguri Metropolitan, Abdulkadiri Rahis (SSCE). In Bauchi, the member representing Torro federal constituency, Lawal Yahaya Gamau (WASC) also falls in the list. The same is the case of the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa, Haliru Dauda Jika who has a WASC, while Taraba has the member representing Ardo Kola/Lau/Karim Lamido, Baido Danladi Tijos parading WASC and the member representing Bali/Gassol, Garba Hamman-Julde Chede having a Grade-II. Yobe State has the member representing Nangere/Potiskum, Alhaji Sabo Garba with WASC.

The South-West and South-South zones also have five federal lawmakers each that were elected during the 2015 elections with the minimum qualification requirement. Lagos State has five federal lawmakers who make the list in the South-West, namely: the member representing Shomolu, Diya Oyewole (WAEC), member representing Oshodi/Isolo-I, Shadimu Mutiu A. (WASC), member representing Oshodi/Isolo-II, Nwulu Tony Chinelu (WASC) and the member representing Agege, Adaranijo Taofeek Abiodun (WAEC).

The South-South has one member each from Rivers, Edo and Cross Rivers states while two are from Delta State. Rivers State has the member representing Akoku-Toru, Boma Godhead (SSCE), Edo has the member representing Egor Ikpoba, Johnson E. Agbonayinma (SSCE), while Dalta has the member representing Bomadi/Pantani, Nicholas Mutu Egbomo (WAEC), and the member representing Isoko North/Isoko South, Leonard O. Ogor (WAEC).

The South-East has the least in this category with one representative each from Imo and Ebonyi states, namely: the member representing Ahiazu/Mbaise, Raphael Uzodi Igbokwe (WAEC) and the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu, Nwazunku Chukuma (WASC).

The senators found in this category are: the senator representing Adamawa North, Binta Masi Garba (GCE); Adamawa Central, Abdulazeez Murtala Nyako (GCE); Bayelsa West, Ogola Foster (TC-II) and the senator representing Imo West, Uzodinma Good Hope (WAEC).

The flip side

On the flip side, however, Daily Trust on Sunday discovered that about 24 of the federal lawmakers were elected with the highest academic qualification of doctorate degrees (PhD). They are made up of 14 members of the House of Representatives and 10 Senators. Out of this number, 15 were elected on the platform of the ruling APC, while nine came through the PDP.

The representatives with PhDs are: the member representing Uyouram/Nsit/ Ebesikpo Usutan in  Akwa Ibom State, Michael Okon; the member representing Ihiala/Anhonu in Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Reginald; the member representing Alkaleri-Kirfi of Bauchi State, Mohammed Sani Abdu; the member representing Gboko/Tarka of Benue State, John Dyeh; the member representing Nkanu East-West, Chukwuemeka Ujam; the member representing Uzo/Uwani/Igbo/Etiti of Enugu State, Stella Uchenna Obiagheli Ngwu; the member representing Zaria in Kaduna State, Abbas Tajudeen and the member representing Kiru Bebeji in Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin (currently under suspension).

Others are the member representing Lagos Island-I, Enitan Dolapo Bau; the member representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo in Osun State, Moyeed Olujinmi; the member representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke in Plateau State, Golu Timothy; the member representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo in Rivers State, Jonathan B. Nbina; the member representing Ilela/ Gwadabawa in Sokoto State, Abdullahi Balarabe Salame and the member representing Jalingo/Yorro/Zing from Taraba State, Aminu Ibrahim Malle.

The senators in this category are Stella Oduah (Anambra North); Samuel Ominyi Egwu (Ebonyi North); Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West); Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North); Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim (Kwara South); Robert Ajayi Borofice (Ondo North); Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central); Buhari Abdul Fatai (Oyo North); Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan (Yobe North).

Implications

For Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, the executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the possession of only Ordinary Level certificates by a large number of legislators in the current National Assembly is a matter of serious concern, given what he called the character of the current legislature.

“It explains why there is poor legislative experience in terms of procedures and proceedings because if you have this kind of people, it affects not only the quality but individual contributions to legislative business. Although some of them hire competent legislative aides due to their lack of capacity and knowledge, we cannot expect quality from them due to the way and manner they came in,” Rafsanjani said.

Stressing that it was important for voters to know the kind of people they vote for to represent them, especially in the parliament, Rafsanjani, who is also the acting secretary-general, West African Civil Society Forum (WASCOF), said: “If you are elected with only WASC in the legislature, there is a huge gap compared with those in the executive, some of whom have 25 years’ experience.”

While advocating that whoever wants to serve in the National Assembly should have a requisite capacity and knowledge, Rafsanjani said there was low capacity in the current parliament due to the way and manner the elections threw up the candidates.

“About 70 percent of them are new members who are learning; some are not even interested in the legislative business but seeking for opportunities and privileges,” he said, adding that the best way is to upgrade the minimum requirement for election into the National Assembly to diploma, with at least 10 years working experience.

He said political parties should also help in fielding qualitative candidates with capacity and experience to deliver, as it is by so doing that there could be quality deliberations and debates.

Speaking in the same vein, a former speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Josiah Sabo Kente, said the quality of performance in the current legislature, both at the states and the federal levels, has dwindled, due largely to the low level of education of the lawmakers.

“In modern day democracy, you don’t just stop at School Certificate. This is why we are having low level of participation in the legislature because only a few attend sittings; some do not attend sittings because of their low level of education while some are coming there just to make money. I can even mention names of non-contributors in the National Assembly,” Kente said.

He called for a constitutional amendment that would raise the qualification requirement for election into the legislature.

But for Senator Dansadau, educational qualification is not the issue but voter preference as, according to him, the voters know their people very well. “Someone may have a PhD but may be weak in debates, so only the voter knows who are capable. But so long as the voter is taking money you will continue to have this problem. So, the key issue is to avoid money politics,” he said.

While calling on voters to jettison money and go for credibility, Dansadau said there could be many PhD members who do not have money to dish out. He said the current National Assembly has failed to perform optimally because it is bedeviled with political crisis, especially in the Senate.

Dansadau’s view is corroborated by a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Mark Useni, who said there should be a balance between capacity and educational qualification. “Some people have school certificates but do well, and I have come across some of them who speak and deliver well. Those that flaunt academic degrees have a questionable capacity to deliver well,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, capacity building is essential in terms of the qualification a lawmaker possesses, while agreeing that it is good to raise the current minimum qualification requirement for election into the legislature.

Umar Ardo, a politician, said what is critical is intellect and wisdom, which he said are lacking in the current National Assembly. “Most of them have low level of exposure and intellectual capacity; most of them go there for a job - something to survive without understanding the basic rudiments. Even for governors, there are those who know next to nothing. So what matters most is not qualification but intellect and wisdom,” he said.

‘No cause for alarm’

But the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas, allayed such fears, saying the 8th National Assembly is vibrant and capable of performing its statutory functions.

Namdas said: “Forty out of 360 shows that the 8th House of Representatives is a vibrant one. We have several lawyers, one of whom was only recently awarded the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). We also have professors and many PhD holders.

“Among all those that ruled Nigeria, only two are graduates (Yar’Adua and Jonathan), yet they performed. The act of lawmaking is not for lawmakers alone; we often conduct public hearings to collate views.”

On whether the current qualification requirement for election into the National Assembly should be reviewed upward, Namdas said it would depend on the views of Nigerians to that effect. “If Nigerians want it that way, so be it,” he said.

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