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Hadizagate: APC campaign was funded from NPA in 2019 elections – ADP
As reactions continue to trail the suspension of the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), over the alledged unremitted N165 billion to the Federation Account, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) on Sunday said APC’s campaign in 2019 was illegally funded by NPA under Hadiza Bala Usman.
In a statement by the National Chairman of the party, Engr Yabagi Sani which was sent to CAPITAL POST on Sunday, said, plans were afoot to again fund APC’s 2023 general election before the calamity befell the embattled MD of NPA.
The statement reads:
“The ADP is also very much aware of her use of the NPA as a major source of illegal funds used in the APC campaign and rigging of the 2019 general elections.
“That is just as our party is also abreast with the plot being hatched by certain APC gladiators to again use her and the agency as their source of funds in the 2023 elections.
“The last week revelation that NPA under Miss Hadiza Bala Usman, failed to remit sum of over 165 billion naira to the federation account between 2016 and 2020 and her resultant apparent indictment and actual suspension, didn’t come as a surprise to informed Nigerians.
“It has been an open secret that all the while, that the NPA and a number of agencies classified as, ” lucrative”, are cesspools of corruption and cash cows from which officials milk the nation dry with breathtaking recklessness.
“In the unfolding case of the NPA scam or, “Hadizagate” as it may turn out to be, the ADP is calling on Nigerians not to allow this to be swept under the carpet or lost in obfuscating abracadabra, in the usual style of this administration.
“Let us insist on a full-scale investigation by a credible team of investigators instead of the dubious sham of a panel of cronies empaneled by persons already being mentioned as potential accomplices in the scam.
ADP further faulted the probe panel, saying that such fraud couldn’t have been perpetrated without the Director of Account’s involvement, noting that Muhammed Koko shiuld also be investigated.
“Is it not a hoax and an assault on our collective intelligence that they expect us to believe in the credibility of a panel under a Director supported by other lower ranked officers in the Ministry of Transport under the supervision of Mr Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister?
“Further, in carrying out its assignment, the Amaechi’s so-called investigative panel obviously cannot but rely on documents obtained from the NPA which is now under the supervision of a Muhammed Koko who before now, has strategically worked all along with Hadiza Bala Usman as the Executive Director of Finance and Accounts at the agency.
“Could it have been possible for miss Bala-Usman to have all alone, committed such a monumental act of financial misconduct or, malfeasance without the input or knowledge of Muhammed Koko?
“Also, why the appointment of Mr Koko as the Acting MD of NPA in clear contravention of standard administrative procedures by which, the most senior officer in charge of Administration or Operations and NOT Finance, is the one to be appointed in acting position in the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chief Executive?
“The answer to the above puzzles may be found in the widely reported intimate relationship between Mr Koko and Mr Rotimi Amaechi way back to the latter’s tenures as Speaker and Governor in Rivers state which is said to have culminated in the appointment of the former Banker as Executive Director of Finance and Accounts at the NPA on the emergence of Amaechi as Minister of Transportation in 2015.
“To set the records straight, the ADP wishes to make it clear that it does not have a tinge of sympathy for Miss Hadiza Usman over her ordeal. If anything, our party sees her as steaming in her own stew having been one of the architects of the political contraption, the APC whose governance has led to unprecedented economic retardation, poverty, and ravaging insecurity in the last harrowing six years.
“While the Action Democratic Party is in no way taking sides, the party is of the position that there is much more to the unfolding show of shame at the NPA beyond the picture being portrayed in the public domain.
“We believe that some of the actors are not as altruistic as they are making the public to believe.
“For a start that the cordiality between Mr Amaechi and Miss Bala-Usman wrought as political bedfellows and soulmates in the Buhari Campaign Council in 2014/2015, broke down due to Bala-Usman’s alleged obstinacy and jettisoning refusal of Amaechi’s several plots of using the NPA as a bottomless treasure throve in the advancement of his financial and political interests.
“A number of credible news outlets have also explained the latest mind bungling scam at the NPA as a result of the umbrage of some top functionaries of the APC federal government over the reluctance the NPA’s management to “play along” in a plot to fleece the nation of millions of Dollars through a phony contract for the supply and installation of “cargo tracking devices” at the seaports.
“One of the President Muhammadu Buhar’s ubiquitous ministers along with the top leadership of the Senate and of course, his Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi were alleged to be the triumvirate behind the shady deal.
“In the light of the foregone, the Action Democratic Party is, firstly, reiterating its demand for a thorough, transparent and full-scale investigation into the allegation of over 165 billion naira allegedly unremitted by the NPA between 2016 and 2020.
“Our party vehemently objects to the “Administrative panel” presently entrusted with the task because, in our view, that will tantamount to asking Rotimi Amaechi to sit in judgement over his own case.
“Secondly, in order to make for a credible probe, the ADP is of the strong view that on the grounds of his moral baggage and administrative anomalies in his appointment, the NPA Acting Managing Director, Muhammed Koko is too clearly compromised and stained and must therefore be replaced to enhance equity and transparency in the dispensation of justice.
“The ADP is advocating that while the scope of investigation of the allegation of the 165 billion naira should be widened to cover the entire finances of the NPA from 2015 to date, a similar exercise should be conducted into the books of the other “lucrative” agencies and departments where humongous sums of funds have been obviously diverted or siphoned into private coffers.
“The ADP believes that will be a more effective panacea to the pulsating economy than the resort to reducing the salaries of the nation’s workforce as being suggested by some insensitive and coldblooded government functionaries.
“As it is, the above observations and recommendations cannot see the light of day, for as long as the man at the helm of affairs of the country decides to be mute and aloof even when national exigencies demand otherwise.
“In spite of this known tendency, the Action Democratic Party is hereby once again stridently calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to come out of the cozy cocoon of the Villa and demonstrate leadership.
“This is one yet such momentous reasons for the President to prove he has not abdicated his solemnly sworn covenant with the electorate. It is another auspicious time for our leader to let the citizens appreciate that he is indeed there, awake and in charge as the pilot of the ship of our nation.
“If he must be told the truth, it is time President Buhari realized that those to who he has entrusted or bequeathed the burden of leadership have simply been running their own show by feathering their own nests.
“It is amazing that a President who wishes to leave a legacy of a crusader against corruption should appear so complacent and comfortable with a swarm of brazen, unabashed kleptomaniacs”, the statement concluded.
By Sunday James
The gruesome killing of 16 innocent northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, over false accusations of kidnapping is yet another damning indictment of the failure of law and order in Nigeria.
Time and again, innocent lives have been lost to the mindless brutality of mob justice, a savage and inexcusable act that has become far too common across the country.
This is not an isolated incident. Nigeria has witnessed several tragic cases of jungle justice where angry mobs, fueled by misinformation and misplaced aggression, have taken the law into their own hands.
The Aluu Four incident in 2012, where four young university students in Rivers State were falsely accused of robbery, beaten, and burned to death in a horrific public spectacle, remains one of the most chilling examples.
In 2022, Deborah Samuel, a young student in Sokoto State, was lynched by fellow students over alleged blasphemy, an incident that sparked outrage but yielded little justice. In Lagos, several suspected petty thieves were set ablaze by mobs in broad daylight without any fair trial.
Across the country, from Anambra to Kano, Port Harcourt to Abuja, numerous cases of public executions by mobs continue to surface, often with little to no legal consequences for perpetrators.
The rise of mob justice is fueled by a cocktail of systemic failures that have left Nigerians disillusioned with formal justice mechanisms.
The breakdown of law and order, where the Nigerian police fail to deliver swift and transparent justice, has led to public distrust, encouraging citizens to take matters into their own hands. Rising insecurity, including the surge in kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes, has left many communities in perpetual fear, triggering knee-jerk reactions to perceived threats. Ethnic and religious tensions have also played a major role, with deep-seated biases making certain groups more vulnerable to targeted attacks.
The proliferation of unregulated local vigilante groups and security outfits has further emboldened extrajudicial actions against innocent civilians. Additionally, the slow pace of criminal trials and the failure to punish perpetrators of jungle justice have normalized impunity.The Edo killings, like many before them, must not be swept under the rug.
The government must ensure immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of all those involved in this heinous act. Strengthening law enforcement agencies to curb vigilante excesses and restore public trust is paramount.
There must be massive public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on legal redress rather than mob action. Strict penalties must be enforced against communities and groups involved in jungle justice to deter future occurrences.The Nigerian government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring justice for all.
If mob justice continues unchecked, no one is truly safe. This latest atrocity in Edo should be the final warning: justice delayed is justice denied. The killers must be held accountable, and a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice must begin immediately. Enough is enough. The rule of law must prevail.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
The celebration marks the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje rejoiced with Muslims for the spiritual renewal and discipline attained during the sacred month of fasting, prayer and devotion to Almighty Allah.
He urged the faithful to uphold the virtues of piety, selflessness, and compassion that Ramadan represents while also extending love and kindness to one another, especially to the less privileged in society.
The APC National Chairman further called on Muslims and all citizens to remain steadfast in promoting unity, peace, and national progress in the country.
He emphasized that the lessons of Ramadan—patience, sacrifice, and perseverance—are essential in fostering harmony and strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions.
The two-term Kano State Governor also urged the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in his efforts to lift the country from economic doldrums and resolve lingering security challenges.
He assured Nigerians of the APC-led government’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of all citizens, noting that Nigerians will not regret voting for President Tinubu after his first tenure.
News
Abia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
The Chairman of Aba North Local Government Council, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke has been accused of excesses and high-handedness in revenue collection at the popular Ariaria International Market.
In a statement issued on Monday by Ariaria Stakeholders Forum and signed by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Chukwudi and Secretary, Chief Boniface Kalu on Sunday, the Forum lamented the excesses of the Local Government where he used the soldiers to detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures, Mr Benedict Elias who is a law abiding citizen.
The statement made available to CAPITAL POST pointed out that Mr Elias was duely appointed as agent to Abia Stat3 Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS), hence, he wasn’t carrying out illegality.
The LG however claimed to have the backing of Governor Alex Otti, but further findings revealed that the Governor would never support illegality to the extent that a law abiding citizen was arrested and detained.
A source told CAPITAL POST in Umuahia that Governor Otti believes in the rule of law and will not support any intimidation whatsoever.
Partof the statement read: “The attention of Ariaria Stakeholders Forum (ASF) have been formally drawn to the unlawful and improper action taken by the Local Government Chairman of Aba North Local Government, Mr Timothy Kalu Iheke who used soldiers to illegally arrest and detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig, Mr Benedict Elias, a duely appointed Revenue Agent of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), regarding the revenue collection at Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State.
“The Local Government Chairman of Aba North, Mr Timothy Iheke had attempted to unlawfully assume control over the revenue collection operations at the Ariaria Market, which is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Abia State Government wherein the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) is saddled with the responsibility of revenue collection in the said market.
“The Local Government Chairman has no legal authority to interfere with or take control of the revenue collection process that falls under the remit of the State Government market.
“However, despite this, the LG Chairman Mr Iheke had unlawfully and wrongfully used soldiers who before now have been banned by the appreciate authorities from engaging in such illicit activities to unlawfully arrest without any warrant of arrest and illegally detain Mr. Benedict Elias without any detention order at Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia for two days over false and baseless allegations.
“Mr Benedict Elias the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig. a duly appointed and authorized Revenue Agent of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service was falsely accused of impersonation and of being a fake revenue agent, charges that are entirely unfounded and baseless.
“We would like to emphasize that Mr. Benedict Elias was legally and duely appointed on 13 September 2024 to 31 January 2025 by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, and was fully authorized to carry out revenue collection and enforcement duties at the Ariaria market which he stopped collection of any revenue at the expiration of the said contract with the state government.
“His appointment letter and identification as a state revenue agent, were in full compliance with the law and can be verified by the relevant authorities.
“The actions taken by the Local Government Chairman Mr Iheke and his unauthorized use of soldiers to arrest a legitimate state revenue agent are highly concerning and represent an overstep of authority.
“This interference not only disrupts the lawful revenue collection process but also undermines the authority of the State Executive Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti on which Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service is working for.
“The Board Chairman of BIRS had on many occasions warned Mr Timothy iheke to desist from harassing a Mr Benedict Elias and his team who are bonafide Abia State revenue agent in Ariaria market which is state owned but Iheke blatantly refused but rather threatened to deal with the Board Chairman for telling him to desist from working against the interest of the state government.
“As Stakeholders of Ariaria International Market which most of our members have been doing business in the market for over 40 years, we know Mr. Benedict Elias and he has never been involved in any form of illegality or any questionable acts. He is a man of integrity and uprightness.
“We respectfully request that an immediate investigation be initiated into the actions of the Local Government Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke, and the use of soldiers in this unlawful arrest. Additionally, we ask that Mr. Benedict’s name be cleared and any wrongful actions against him be rectified.
“The relevant authorities at the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service should be consulted to verify Mr. Benedict’s legitimate position and the legal framework governing revenue collection at the Ariaria market.
“We trust that a thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate action taken to ensure that the Aba North Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke is brought to book to account for the use of soldiers on an unarmed and law-abiding civilian Mr Benedict Elias.”
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