Jailed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George was disallowed from having the food brought for him from home.
He has appealed the verdict, imprisoning him for 30 months for contracts fraud.
Members of his family who brought the food were turned back by warders at the Kirikiri Prison.
George, sources said, has not been eating since he got to the prison on Monday.
A source said his action may have been informed by the poor quality of food served.
It was gathered that George and his fellow convicts may have demanded that food be brought to them from their homes. But there was no approval for their action, a source said.
Spokesman of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Lagos command, Mr Ope Fatinikun, told The Nation that inmates were expected to apply to bring in food.
The prison, he said, is a sensitive security area, adding that proper procedure must be followed before food could be brought in.
The Nation
learnt that George may soon be moved from the Kirikiri prison for security reasons.
It was gathered that the prison authority is not comfortable with the number of people coming to see him since his arrival.
A source told The Nation that George is likely to be moved if his supporters pose a security threat at Kirikiri.
But Fatinikun said it was too early for anybody to begin to contemplate such a move.
He said any group that poses a security threat to the prison would be dealt with.
The inmates are yet to get their prison numbers, but the process has begun, it was learnt.
A source said they have not been given their numbers because the system is computerised.
According to the source, the numbers are in five digits but only four digits will be issued an inmate. The last digit will only be known to the prison – for security reasons.
The inmates have, however, been allocated their cells and uniforms.
George and others filed their notices of appeal at the registry of the Ikeja High Court.
In the appeal is a motion urging the court to grant them bail, pending the determination of the appeal.
Their lawyers refused to release copies of the papers, alleging that reporters had deliberately sensationalised the reports of their clients’ conviction.
The lawyers, who also refused to reveal their names, came into the court premise around 2pm, and finished filing the papers at about 4.00pm.
They accused the media of acting in bad faith by reporting that their clients were sentenced to 28 years imprisonment. This newspaper reported two and half years(The Nation).
Entreaties from reporters, who besieged the registry on learning that the lawyers were around, were ignored.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Our country will rise above the present rot!
Former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Nuhu Ribadu was ecstatic yesterday over the imprisonment of Bode George for contracts fraud.
Ribadu, who as EFCC chair probed George’s tenure as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said it was heartening that the investigation was not in vain.
He said in a statement issued from London that "ultimately, the law catches up with the bad guys", adding: "Nigeria will be great again".
The statement entitled: "Our country will rise above the present rot" reads: "The conviction of Chief Olabode George, former Chairman Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and four other board members, at the court of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole, in Ikeja Lagos, marks a great reference point in the investigation, prosecution, and trial of corruption cases in Nigeria.
"I salute the courage and intellect of the learned judge who has demonstrated over time that he is an exemplary reference point in the fight against corruption and for a true definition of rule of law in the country.
"As is very well known, the successful resolution of cases in favour of justice and equity commences from a thorough investigation. In this regard, we must also salute the long and strained investigation leading to the indictment of Bode George in 2005.
"At moments like this, investigators, stretched out in exhilarating adrenalin, are rightly thrilled that their hard work is rewarded by the society and its best institutions.
"It is a measure of the shamelessness of our elite and the institutions that fuel their values that Chief George could be awarded a national honour in our country, and that he could later sue some newspapers for libel on account of the damning indictment report I prepared against him.
"Chief George’s subsequent prosecution is evidence that ultimately the law catches up with the bad guys.
"Cynics will find therapy in the courageous stature of Justice Oyewole whose extraordinary example, in concluding a full trial of such a complicated case in just 14 months, ought to guide other courts where cases of grand corruption are still trapped.
"Nigeria will be great again!"
Ribadu, who as EFCC chair probed George’s tenure as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said it was heartening that the investigation was not in vain.
He said in a statement issued from London that "ultimately, the law catches up with the bad guys", adding: "Nigeria will be great again".
The statement entitled: "Our country will rise above the present rot" reads: "The conviction of Chief Olabode George, former Chairman Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and four other board members, at the court of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole, in Ikeja Lagos, marks a great reference point in the investigation, prosecution, and trial of corruption cases in Nigeria.
"I salute the courage and intellect of the learned judge who has demonstrated over time that he is an exemplary reference point in the fight against corruption and for a true definition of rule of law in the country.
"As is very well known, the successful resolution of cases in favour of justice and equity commences from a thorough investigation. In this regard, we must also salute the long and strained investigation leading to the indictment of Bode George in 2005.
"At moments like this, investigators, stretched out in exhilarating adrenalin, are rightly thrilled that their hard work is rewarded by the society and its best institutions.
"It is a measure of the shamelessness of our elite and the institutions that fuel their values that Chief George could be awarded a national honour in our country, and that he could later sue some newspapers for libel on account of the damning indictment report I prepared against him.
"Chief George’s subsequent prosecution is evidence that ultimately the law catches up with the bad guys.
"Cynics will find therapy in the courageous stature of Justice Oyewole whose extraordinary example, in concluding a full trial of such a complicated case in just 14 months, ought to guide other courts where cases of grand corruption are still trapped.
"Nigeria will be great again!"
Anambra: INEC Bars Soludo from Election Activities
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Anambra governorship candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has yet another battle to fight as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced he would be excluded from activities leading to the February 6, 2010 election, on account of a court order. Also, the electoral umpire has picked issues with the party over the controversial method through which Soludo emerged as its flagbearer.
But in yet another twist, Judge B. O. Nwankwo of the Anambra High Court yesterday granted an injunction restraining INEC from removing Soludo's name as the candidate of the PDP in the governorship poll. The injunction followed a prayer sought by Okey Muo Aroh, one of the 47 aspirants in the botched PDP governorship primaries.
INEC's decision to officially exclude Soludo follows an Abuja High Court order restraining him from parading himself as the party candidate. According to the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief Rowland Uwa, who spoke to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the commission had no option than to obey the Abuja court order which was served on it yesterday. Uwa, however, explained it was only Soludo as a candidate and not the party that is being excluded from the activities that would lead to the governorship election next year.
He disclosed that INEC is planning a forum for all candidates of political parties for the election as well as their respective parties tomorrow. Soludo would therefore be unable to attend as a result of the court order, he said. The resident electoral commissioner also stated that the commission's Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu, would address the stakeholders’ forum. He advised all governorship candidates and their deputies to collect their letters of accreditation from his office on or before 6pm today.
Chairmen and secretaries of the respective political parties involved in the election should obtain duly signed letters of credence from their national secretariats, he added. Uwa further stated that all INEC accredited observers and civil society groups who participated in the 2007 election were invited to the forum which would kick off by 12 noon. Meanwhile, Iwu expressed its disappointment with the way Soludo emerged last week when he met with the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor; the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Harilu Mohammed Bello; the National Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; and the National Legal Adviser of the party, Chief Olusola Oke, at INEC office in Maitama, Abuja. According to sources, the INEC chairman lambasted the PDP chieftains for not leading by example in ensuring that internal democracy thrives in their party.
“INEC is not happy that internal democracy did not take place in the selection of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as your party’s flag bearer for the Anambra State governorship election. We are particularly not happy that PDP as a ruling party is not showing good example over the institution of internal democracy in the affairs of political parties”, Iwu was quoted as saying by the source. It was gathered that Iwu urged PDP to take advantage of the December date for the substitution of candidates to put its house in order. The National Chairman of PDP, Ogbulafor, was said to have thanked the INEC chairman and asked the National Legal Adviser of the party, Oke, to respond to his comments.
In response, Oke reminded the INEC chairman of the legal tussles which the party waded through before it eventually decided to adopt Soludo as a consensus candidate. Oke told Iwu that before the National Working Committee (NWC) took the decision, there were nine legal constraints against the party. According to Oke, the PDP chose Soludo in line with its constitution as contained in articlexs 17.1 and 17.2. Oke specifically referred the INEC Chairman to the Supreme Court verdict on the rights of political parties to choose or select their candidates as contained in the apex court’s landmark judgment of Ehinlanwo vs Oke earlier this year.
The legal adviser stated that no one has the right to meddle in the affairs of political parties, particularly with regard to the choice and selection of candidates, provided they are in line with the constitution of the party. After the meeting, Iwu again, urged the party to take advantage of the December date for substitution. In another development, a rally believed to have been organised by Mr. Chris Uba in the state has been suspended by the party.
In a statement, the Zonal Secretary of PDP, Vin Okpalaeke, said the NWC of the PDP directed the rally scheduled for today in Awka be suspended based on grounds that it aimed at undermining "the gains" of the party in the state and Soludo's candidacy. "For the avoidance of doubt, our great party will initiate appropriate actions against all persons who flout this directive,” it said.
But in yet another twist, Judge B. O. Nwankwo of the Anambra High Court yesterday granted an injunction restraining INEC from removing Soludo's name as the candidate of the PDP in the governorship poll. The injunction followed a prayer sought by Okey Muo Aroh, one of the 47 aspirants in the botched PDP governorship primaries.
INEC's decision to officially exclude Soludo follows an Abuja High Court order restraining him from parading himself as the party candidate. According to the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief Rowland Uwa, who spoke to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the commission had no option than to obey the Abuja court order which was served on it yesterday. Uwa, however, explained it was only Soludo as a candidate and not the party that is being excluded from the activities that would lead to the governorship election next year.
He disclosed that INEC is planning a forum for all candidates of political parties for the election as well as their respective parties tomorrow. Soludo would therefore be unable to attend as a result of the court order, he said. The resident electoral commissioner also stated that the commission's Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu, would address the stakeholders’ forum. He advised all governorship candidates and their deputies to collect their letters of accreditation from his office on or before 6pm today.
Chairmen and secretaries of the respective political parties involved in the election should obtain duly signed letters of credence from their national secretariats, he added. Uwa further stated that all INEC accredited observers and civil society groups who participated in the 2007 election were invited to the forum which would kick off by 12 noon. Meanwhile, Iwu expressed its disappointment with the way Soludo emerged last week when he met with the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor; the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Harilu Mohammed Bello; the National Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; and the National Legal Adviser of the party, Chief Olusola Oke, at INEC office in Maitama, Abuja. According to sources, the INEC chairman lambasted the PDP chieftains for not leading by example in ensuring that internal democracy thrives in their party.
“INEC is not happy that internal democracy did not take place in the selection of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as your party’s flag bearer for the Anambra State governorship election. We are particularly not happy that PDP as a ruling party is not showing good example over the institution of internal democracy in the affairs of political parties”, Iwu was quoted as saying by the source. It was gathered that Iwu urged PDP to take advantage of the December date for the substitution of candidates to put its house in order. The National Chairman of PDP, Ogbulafor, was said to have thanked the INEC chairman and asked the National Legal Adviser of the party, Oke, to respond to his comments.
In response, Oke reminded the INEC chairman of the legal tussles which the party waded through before it eventually decided to adopt Soludo as a consensus candidate. Oke told Iwu that before the National Working Committee (NWC) took the decision, there were nine legal constraints against the party. According to Oke, the PDP chose Soludo in line with its constitution as contained in articlexs 17.1 and 17.2. Oke specifically referred the INEC Chairman to the Supreme Court verdict on the rights of political parties to choose or select their candidates as contained in the apex court’s landmark judgment of Ehinlanwo vs Oke earlier this year.
The legal adviser stated that no one has the right to meddle in the affairs of political parties, particularly with regard to the choice and selection of candidates, provided they are in line with the constitution of the party. After the meeting, Iwu again, urged the party to take advantage of the December date for substitution. In another development, a rally believed to have been organised by Mr. Chris Uba in the state has been suspended by the party.
In a statement, the Zonal Secretary of PDP, Vin Okpalaeke, said the NWC of the PDP directed the rally scheduled for today in Awka be suspended based on grounds that it aimed at undermining "the gains" of the party in the state and Soludo's candidacy. "For the avoidance of doubt, our great party will initiate appropriate actions against all persons who flout this directive,” it said.
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