Tinubu-Before the facts are muddled up… Joint Task Force On Corruption Report on GEJ & 14 Others
The Full Joint Task Force On Corruption Report on 15 governors with Jonathan Goodluck Included that the government is trying to hide from the public) Before the facts are muddled up and we all fall into the trap of pronouncing a guilty judgement on
someone without all the facts over the issue of foreign bank accounts allegedly operated , there is the need to interrogate pertinent issues. Before the wool is pulled over our faces and we are led astray by an institutional power mafia, we need to ask certain fundamental questions and demand answers t. This attempt to peddle the rule of political might as the rule of law must not be allowed to go un-scrutinized .
These issues are not farfetched, but the most critical at this stage is that our democracy, any democracy is imperiled when the law is used as a tool of political vendetta to target certain individuals while others walk the land free. In any case, the time tested proviso in the administration of justice that insists that a person is innocent until proven guilty cannot be thrown out the door. The rush to judgement, aided by the manipulation of public opinion and goaded on by political opponents whose kingdom Tinubu has torn apart is in part condemnable and a gross violation of the right of the individual.
The most fundamental issue here is that why is no one talking or making public the Joint Task Force, JTC, report of June 2006 that listed 15 governors including the sitting President Jonathan Goodluck for chargeable offences for which they are to be arraigned based on initial investigations by the Code of Conduct. The sundry allegations range from operating and maintaining foreign bank accounts, ownership of properties beyond legitimate means and false asset declaration. Of the 15 ex-governors listed, 13 of them were PDP governors with the exception of former Governor Tinubu, now the leading voice of Nigeria's opposition and Attahiru Bafarawa, of the then ANPP. The ongoing attempt to arraign Tinubu is based on this document and in what appears to be political victimization and cherry picking, the other 14 accused persons are walking the land free. Sahara Reporters in 2006 was one of the first news sites to publish the full report, warts and all submitted to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. I will go ahead to re-produce the full report in this essay so that Nigerians and the world can see very clearly that Nigeria is slipping gradually in a lawless society and that unless you belong to the ruling party ,PDP, the law can be used to witch hunt you. But first, here are a few things arising from the Tinubu Summons and all that has been said and published in the past 2 weeks. Here is what we know: Asiwaju Tinubu denies operating and maintaining foreign accounts when he was in office. He has declared that what is happening to him is politically motivated by some elements in the ruling party who have won the sympathetic ears of the President. He refused to evade service or seek for his legal team to enter an appearance on his behalf before the Tribunal. He chose to appear in person in contrast to some PDP governors who ignored the summons and refused to appear. It is on record that former Governor of Lagos State, Governor Tinubu has not admitted to any of the allegations against him.
Nigerians, nay the world must demand answers of the government with regard to this case. First, we need the federal government to tell Nigerians how much money is involved here and how much was reportedly stashed away in these foreign bank accounts listed in Tinubu's name, that of his wife and his young daughters. This is very fundamental because the intention of the framers of the law is to plug the loop holes whereby foreign accounts are used as open channels to siphon or launder public funds. The public has been served the doctored salacious details of the bank names, account holders, location of banks, account numbers and swift codes, BUT the public has not been told how much is in each account and what is the total of the money we are talking about here. That said, we need details about the inflows and outflows and summary of the transactions that occurred on these accounts and during the alleged period of time. By now, the government knows the total sum in these accounts. Why are they hiding it from Nigerians and the world? Could it be the total sum of thirty-nine thousand pounds sterling as we have read in various publications? What were the sources of these founds- Interests, stocks, direct deposits or other yields? Right now the details are fuzzy and the public is being miss-led by the government towards achieving a political end. We must equally ask if the sums in the foreign bank accounts of Dariye, Ibori, Lucky Igbiniedon, and others were exposed and mentioned, why is the sum total of funds in the Tinubu case shrouded in secrecy? In what years were these accounts opened and for how long were they operational? Where there any inflows or financial activity on these accounts during this period? Did Governor Tinubu make any deposits into any of these accounts or conduct any transactions during this time? Where are the authenticated bank statements from all the banks listed? These are many more. There is more to the Tinubu case than meets the eye. And by asking critical questions, we can halt the government from using the power at its disposal to muzzle the opposition, harass political opponents, deny even the ordinary citizens of their rights and operating different standards of justice. In this case, he who alleges must prove and not just prove, but do it beyond reasonable doubts. Why was Mr. Adebo, the Code of Conduct Tribunal Prosecutor for the Southwest who ought to be in charge of the case kept totally in the dark? Why did the AGF violate laid down procedures in this matter by side stepping the CCB Commissioners in order to fast track the Tinubu case?
In the political calculations now on ground, no single personality or politician is more dreaded by the ruling party besides Bola Tinubu the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria. And if there is any Nigerian the ruling party desperate wants to stop, it is Tinubu. The reasons are not farfetched. Tinubu Is held responsible for the electoral defeats suffered by the PDP in the last April elections.Tinubu is held responsible for the electoral victory reversals suffered by the PDP in Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Edo states. This has become too much for PDP to stomach.Tinubu is held responsible for the emergence of Tambuwal as Speaker in a battle that gave PDP and Jonathan a bloodied face. The removal of Justice Salami as the head of the Appeal Court has been condemned in very strong terms by Tinubu and he is held responsible for sponsoring the heavy condemnations the government has suffered over this issue. Tinubu is seen as the driver of the heavy dose of criticisms coming from the opposition camp against government policies. The fear that Tinubu is likely to lead ACN to electoral victory in the coming elections has made him a target by the ruling party. Weather these fears are real or imagined is better left to each person, but there is clear political motive and those in power are bent on using the vehicle of the code of conduct tribunal to lynch the leader of Nigeria's opposition, one who commands a huge and faithful followership and one who founded and leads what is fast becoming Nigeria's strongest opposition party ever with electoral gains that is unequalled. If Tinubu's rising political profile as Nigeria's leading opposition voice is halted, the greatest beneficiary will be the ruling party PDP and the greatest casualty will be Nigerians who have been denied a choice and who have been manipulated to believe that might is right. We have not heard the last of this case. The road ahead is long, because it is almost certain that Tinubu will call out all those who have come to equity with dirty hands and who unfortunately lord it over us.
I hereby reproduce the full JTF Report on alleged corrupt practices by 15 former governors. In the list is the name of the current President Jonathan Goodluck and 13 of his party men who were before his colleague as governors.The allegations against each person is listed. Nigerians and indeed the world deserve to have a full benefit of this report and I am assured that Sahara Reporters will keep fate with its citizen journalism tradition and publish this.
FULL REPORT OF THE JOINT TASK FORCE ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION SET UP BY PRESIDENT OBASANJO . SUBMITTED IN JUNE 2006
BRIEF ON THE ACTIVITIES OF' THE JOINT TASK FORCE
The President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in June 2006 set up a Joint Task Force on fighting corruption comprising the following organizations namely; the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), The Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Police.
On the whole each of the Establishments named above contributed five members of staff on the team. The activities of this Joint Task Force came under the control and supervision of the EFCC hence its Chairman - Mr. Nuhu Ribadu is the Head of the Task Force.
The Task Force commenced its activities in a temporary office located at Asokoro. During its inaugural meeting, the team noted that its main functions were to complement the activities of their primary establishments.
ASSETS VERIFICATION EXERCISE
The team commenced its activities by embarking on the verification of Assets of Public Officers. This is to give it background knowledge to identify corrupt public officers for further investigation.
In doing this, the team decided to collate copies of the Assets Declaration of all State Governors as a starting point. The forms were scrutinized and the verification exercise commenced.
So far thirty-two State Governors have had their Assets verified. The remaining State Governors have been asked to schedule appropriate dates that they would make themselves available for the exercise. The Task Force has also notified the Deputy Governors, Speakers of State Assemblies and Secretaries, to the various State Governments to prepare for the verification exercise.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Arising from this exercise, three issues have been identified.
(i) Some public officers had declared Assets far above what they owned as their declaration could not be substantiated. A case of anticipatory declaration.
(ii) Some public officers did not declare some of the properties they acquired while in office.
(Hi) The issue of ownership of foreign account and late declaration was treated with levity.
The consequences of the above is that so far 15 State Governors have been found to have individually contravened some of the Provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Part I to the 5th Schedule, especially on the issue of false declaration of Assets and or acquisition of properties outside legitimate means.
The State Governors and the various chargeable offences identified against them have been reproduced below:-
( 1) JAMES IBORI - GOVERNOR DELTA STATE
Substance of Charges
(I) False declaration of Assets
(i) In respect of No.1 Ibori Close
Off New Road Lekki - Lagos Buildings located in a whole close most of them newly acquired
(ii) 3 Ibori Drive - A new mansion acquired but not declared.
( 2) LUCKY IGBINEDION - GOVERNOR EDO STATE
Substance of Charges
(I) False Declaration of Assets in respect of:
(i) 42 Oduduwa Way, Ikeja (ii) Concealment of information in respect of Plot No. 12192 and 2449 located at Asokoro district, Abuja.
(3) AYO FAYOSE - GOVERNOR EKITI STATE
Substance of Charges
(I) False Declaration of Assets.
(II) Acquisition of properties outside legitimate means i.e.
Declared two building at Lagos only one was there Declared two buildings at Iqangaku Ibadan while only one building exists there which was newly constructed.
10 No. Plots at Off Iwokoro Road Afao-Ekiti were recently acquired as the dates show but were declared on assumption of office.
(4) BONI HARUNA - GOVERNOR ADAMAWA STATE
Substance of Charges
(I) False Declaration of Assets
(II) Acquisition of properties beyond legitimate means:
(i) A mansion worth over N400 m
(ii) Office complex at Atiku Abubakar Way, Yola
(iii) AP Filling Station at Yola-Jimeta Road, Yola
(iv) Boni Haruna Shopping Complex at Mubi
(v) Madugu Filling Station along Yola - Federal University of Technology road.
( 5) OLUGBENGA JUSTUS DANIEL - GOVERNOR OGUN STATE
Substance of Charges
(1) Maintaining of foreign Bank Account in contravention of the CCB Act 1990 to wit:
Barclays Balllr PLC K1bC 68 Knightbridge London CIA No. 80561096
(6) OLAGUNSOYE OYINLOLA - GOVERNOR OSUN STATE
Substance of Charges
(1) Maintaining of foreign Account in contravention of the CCB Act 1990 to wit:
Barclays Bank, Bomater House Knightbridge London S/W
(2) Running of Business Enterprise while still in public service
Simiade - Lagun Nig. Ltd
Funbuk Nig. Ltd
Honey Lagon Nig. Ltd
Comfortola Nig. Ltd
(7) ADAMU ALIERO - GOVERNOR OF KEBBI STATE
Substance of Charges
False Declaration 4 Houses declared could not be traced.
(8) ATAHIRU BAFARAWA - GOVERNOR SOKOTO STATE
Substance of Charges
(1) False Declaration of Assets
"Two Duplexes acquired during 1st Term 1999 - 2003 were not declared.
Acquired a property in London @ the cost of N200 million two years on assumption of office. Could not explain the source of funds.
(9) IBRAHIM SAMINU TURAKI - GOVERNOR JIGAWA STATE
1" Substance of Charges Operation of Foreign Account in contravention of the CCB Act 1990 Union Bancaire Privee, London
(10) ALH. AHMAD MAKARFI - GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE
Substance of Charges
(1) False Declaration of Assets
(2) Acquisition of properties outside legitimate income through proxies Le.
(i) Northern Oil Marketing Co. Ltd
(ii) AI-Mudeco Petroleum Ltd Hanwa Area along Sokoto Road - Kaduna
(iii) Likoro Petroleum Hanwa Area Sokoto Raod - Kaduna
(iv) Fasada Petroleum Nig Ltd Dogara Junction - Zaria
(vi) Likoro Petroleum Station - Kaduna
(vii) Tashir Yari - Kaduna
(viii) Makarfi Petroleum Ltd - Kaduna
(ix) Makarfi Service Station Makarfi Kaduna State
(x) Makarfi Sugar Industry Yari Road, Makarfi - Kaduna State These properties are managed by one Alh. Abbas Likoro for the Governor. Subject did not declare any of the properties some of which were acquired while in office. House No. 10 Jabi Close GRA Kaduna was built between 2002 and 2004 while a sitting Governor but was declared in anticipation.
(3) Maintenance of foreign Account in contravention of the Provisions of the 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria @ Habib Bank Ltd. London.
(11) DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN - GOVERNOR BAYELSA STATE
Substance of Charges
(1) False Declaration of Assets
(i) Lexus Jeep worth N1B million claimed to have been acquired through savings in 2004. Verification reveals that the Jeep was a gift collected in contravention of the CCB Act of 1990.
Same for BMW 7351 Series bought in 2005 wortl1 N5.5 million
(ii) Acquisition of properties outside legitimate income.
Seven Bedroom Duplex acquired in 2001 wortl1 N1B million at Otuke Ogbia LGA Four Bedroom Duplex acquired in 2003 worth N15 million at Goodluck Jonathan Street Yenegoa
Five Bedroom Duplex - acquired in 2003 worth N25 million at Citec Villas, Gwarimpa II - Abuja.
(12) DR. CHIMAROKE NNAMANI - GOVERNOR ENUGU STATE
Substance of Charges
(I) False Declaration of Assets
(i) Farmland at Agbani - No such farm exists Plots CR 11 Golf Course El1ugu Plot Q 1 Independence Layout Enugu No documents to support claim
Claimed to own a property at Heathrow Orland Florida USA No documents to support the claims. Did not declare it in 2003 during his 2nd tenure.
(13) ACHIKE UDENWA - GOVERNOR IMO STATE
Substance of Charges
(I) Operation of foreign Account in contravention of the CCB Act of 1990
(i) Dresdner Bank AG Account No. 8965822100 No. 01 Jung Fernsteig 22, Hanburg Germany.
(ii) Barclays Bank PLC Account No. 00643068 Haringey Branch Green Lanes London N4
{2} False Declaration of Assets as reflected in an undeclared property at his home town Le.
(i) Duplex - Ihiala Orlu road Amicheke - Amaifeke Oriu Imo State Valued at N15 million
(14) SAM EGWU - GOVERNOR EBONYI STATE
Substance of Charges
(1) False Declaration of Assets.
(i) Governor Built a 5 Star Hotel named Grace Court Hotel while still a public officer and this was not declared.
(ii) A duplex at his home town which was acquired between 1999 - 2003 during his 1st tenure. This was not declared in 2003:
(Hi) Jointly built an International school with his spouse Mrs. Egwu with State funds.
(15) BOLA TINUBU - GOVERNOR LAGOS STATE
Substance of Charges (1) Operating and maintaining foreign accounts in his named and or his Company, compass Finance and Investment Ltd. with following particulars:
(i) NAME OF BANK: FIRST HERITAGE BANK COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, ILLINOIS
ACCONT NAME: ACCOUNT NO:
BOLA TINUBU 263226700
(ii) NAME OF BANK: CITIBANK N.A., NEW YORK
ACCOUNT NAME: BOLA TINUBU & COMPASS FINANCE AND INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD ACCOUNT NOS: 39483134 39483396 4650279566 00400220 39936404 39936383
(viii) NAME OF BANK: HSBC 177 Great Portland Street London WIW 6QJ ACCOUNT NAME: TINUBU ZAINAB ABISOLA (MISS) ACCOUNT NOS 1720447101
(ix) NAME OF BANK: HSBC 177 Great Portland Street London WIW 6QJ ACCOUNT NAME: TINUBU OLUREMI SHADE (MRS) ACCOUNT NOS 1916667988 (x) NAME OF BANK: HSBC 177 Great Portland Street London WIW 6QJ
ACCOUNT NAME: OLUREMI SHADE TINUBU
ACCOUNT NOS 41421522 SORT CODE 40-03-15
These State Governors have to be arraigned before the Code of Conduct Bureau on various charges as stipulated in the extant Caps in the CCB Act.
End.
By Danlami Umoru