Faces Of The Big Men Who Put Nigeria In Darkness: Why They Are Untouchable

For some years now, Nigerians have had to cope with a lot of stress caused by the epileptic power supply. Typical of Nigerians, millions have devised coping strategies and there is hardly a household in the country that cannot boast of the capability to generate its own power when supply from the Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria fails; thanks to the different sizes of power generating sets now available in the Nigerian market. Street Journal has found out that till date, most of those indicted by the probe panel set up by the House of Representatives some years ago are still walking the streets as free men. Over the years, a number of them have even been given National Honours while some of those who should have been probed by anti-graft agencies as recommended by the Committee are still holding public offices. And till date also, a large chunk of the $ 16 billion spent on the power sector by the Obasanjo administration remains unaccounted for.
Why They Are Untouchable
Though the phrase “no one is above the law” is often used by the various law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The vast population of Nigerians have indeed come to realise that within the confines of their own country, the law indeed respects some people. For instance, the probe panel submitted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should be “called to account for the recklessness in the power sector during his tenure.” It was also recommended that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) should investigate him.
It is however an open secret that though Obasanjo had left office when the probe was carried out, his influence within the ruling party, PDP has remained enormous. He is still a major force and one of those who determine the way things go in the party. Moreover, the EFCC which was asked to investigate him was seen by many as a tool in his hand with which perceived political opponents were hounded.
Senator Liyel Imoke, the Cross River State Governor too was indicted and recommended for probe by the committee. As Minister of Power and Steel, Imoke was accused of subverting the process laid down by the Federal Government as well as using Presidential Anticipatory Approvals to tele-guide award of contracts to pre-determined entities. Since then, Imoke has not stopped being relevant in the PDP and only recently, he was re-elected as Governor of his state. It was obvious that he was not on the watch list of the anti-graft agencies when the EFCC slammed a six-count-charge on Timipre Sylva just days after he was sacked as the Governor of Bayelsa State. Incidentally, Imoke and Dickson were sacked on the same day by the Supreme Court, and while Sylva is a wanted man for allegedly looting his state, Imoke who was indicted for subverting due process to award contracts is back in the Government House.
One of those whose cases look similar to that of Governor Inoke is Dr. Segun Agagu, who became the Governor of Ondo State after his time as Minister. Some unregistered companies were discovered to have received huge contracts when Dr. Agagu ran the Ministry of Power and Steel. And when he was confronted with prima facie evidence that contracts were awarded in his time without recourse to due process and asked how that came to be, he simply told the panel that it was not his duty to verify the legal status of companies that were awarded contracts by the Ministry under his watch. It is an open secret that Agagu and Obasanjo are close and till date, Dr. Agagu is one of the arrowheads of the PDP in Ondo State.

A number of companies were also indicted for non execution of the contracts for which they took huge sums and in some cases the contracts were executed in manners that spelt gross incompetence. One of such companies is Chrome Consortium Energy, belonging to Chief Emeka Offor, similarly inclined is Harlesden Engineering, a company traced to Senator Ikechukwu Obiora and Rockson Engineering, owned by Sir Arumemi Johnson of the Arik Air fame.
While the law remains a respecter of individuals, companies owned by such “power brokers” too are untouchable.

The socio-political weight of most of the individuals involved necessitated the quashing of the recommendations of the panel. A review committee was set up and not only did the committee clear all those who had earlier been accused of wrongdoing, it went on to submit that “no fraud was evidenced” in the report of the probe committee.
An indication that the Federal Government has chosen to ignore both the recommendations and the actions that brought them is the fact that a number of those who were recommended for probe have their names on the list of “prominent Nigerians” on whom national awards have been bestowed.

Below are the recommendations made by the Ndudi Elumelu led committee on power back then:
Persons recommended for investigation by the appropriate agencies
The following persons are recommended for investigation by the appropriate agencies for their roles in subversion of Government Policy on Due Process which gave rise to project over-scoping, project cost inflation, Awarding one contract two times and general lack of performance in the power sector in spite of huge expenditures made.
The barefaced looting of the National treasury through the NIPP and PHCN and other projects greatly diminished national capacity to provide electric power leading to wholesale decline in productive business activities and erosion of competitiveness of Nigeria products in the world market. Furthermore, it negatively affected the psyche of citizens. It was a cruel deprivation at the highest possible level, of the class, which George Moody-Stuart (1994) characterized as “grand corruption”, a phenomenon of developing countries “usually involving senior officials and politicians”
Grand corruption constitutes a crime beyond mere theft dealt with in the Penal Codes/Acts. Its devastating impact derogate from the standard of living and quality of life. It is an economic crime against humanity, depriving citizens of the wherewithal for the good life. It has caused Nigeria of all classes, students, market women, craftsman, small scale enterprises and industrialists not only financial loss but also inestimable mental and physical suffering.
Notable individuals in this category are:
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President and C-in-C
In view of the enormity of issues entailed in the findings above, it is recommended that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should be called to account for the recklessness in power sector during his time.
The Committee recommends that EFCC and ICPC should investigate him.
Senator Liyel Imoke, former Minister of Power and Steel
Senator Imoke is also liable to account for over costing of projects and subverting the reform process of the government by wilful non-compliance with the spirit and letter of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, especially as regards the transition from the initial holding company PHCN to the successor companies, thereby stifling the transitional institutional bodies required to facilitate the emergence of a viable electricity market; abuse of due process in respect of payments under the NIPP projects through the use of Presidential Anticipatory Approvals to tele-guide award of contracts to pre-determined entities, with the BMPIU being relegated to the role of providing retroactive certification thereafter; wilful manipulation of tender processes of PHCN and NIPP.
Senator Liyel Imoke is the principal author executive of waiver of “Due Process”. In addition to the facts laid bare in this investigation as outlined in this report, the Committee recommends that EFCC and ICPC should thoroughly investigate him.
Alhaji Abdulhamid Ahmed, former Minister of State Energy, for his patently and wilful manipulation of due process, flagrant abuse of due process, gross abuse of financial procedures in the award of contracts and payments, especially during the last weeks of the Obasanjo administration, exemplified by initiation of requests to the President, and procurement of presidential approvals for huge and questionable payments in respect of Papalanto Phase II, Omotosho Phase II, Geregu Phase II, Alaoji Phases II, Mambilla Packages 1,  Zungeru Hydro, Omoku Expansion, Gbarain-Ubie Expansion and Egbema Expansion (9 additional GE Frame 9 turbines to Rockson International) without due process compliance for contract award and certification for payment.
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC and if found culpable, banned from holding public office for the next 10 years and if he is already holding any, he should be recalled and the appointment cancelled.
Dr. Olusegun Agagu, former Minister of Power and Steel
The committee found that during the tenure of Dr. Olusegun Agagu as Minister of Power and Steel, numerous contracts were awarded. Relying on a letter from the Corporate Affairs Commission at the time of Agagu’s tenure as Minister in 2002, the Committee found that some unregistered companies were awarded huge contracts. In his testimony, he said that it was not his duty to verify the legal status of companies that were awarded contracts by the Ministry of Power and Steel under his watch. Consequently, there is a prima facie evidence that Agagu awarded contracts without due process.
Up till the time of this report, all efforts to get the owners of the companies to appear in person before the Committee proved abortive. Rather, the Committee received some documents containing reports that the companies were registered. The true identity of the owners remained unresolved.
Recommendation
In view of the huge amounts involved, the Committee recommends that EFCC and ICPC should investigate the allegations with a view to prosecuting anyone found culpable.
Engr. Joseph Makoju, former MD of PHCN, later Special Adviser to the President on Electric Power, for gross incompetence in the management of PHCN, the sector reforms and the NIPP.
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC and if found culpable, he should be banned from holding public office for the next 10 years and if he is already holding any, he should be recalled and the appointment cancelled.
Engr. G.O.P Osakue, CEO TCN, for presiding over and directing the manipulation of tenders, abuse of due process, and the deliberate over-scoping of transmission projects; incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in respect of management of transmission contracts awarded since 2001, all of which remain uncompleted to date in spite of payments exceeding 80% of contract costs having been made to the respective contractors; incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in the repeated award of contracts to contractors that have failed consistently on previous uncompleted and abandoned projects.
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge amounts, which he paid to people who ought not to have been paid. He should be redeployed to another position pending the conclusion of investigations.
Engr. (Dr.) C.E Ifesie, Head Transmission TCN and Project Manager (Transmission) NIPP, for his complicity in deliberate over-scoping of transmission lines projects in PHCN and NIPP, and duplication of projects within PHCN as well as between PHCN and NIPP (2nd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line; 3rd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line); incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in respect of management of transmission contracts awarded since Y2002, all of which remain uncompleted to date in spite of payments exceeding 80% of contract costs having been made to the respective contractors; incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in the  repeated award of contracts to contractors that have failed consistently on previous uncompleted and abandoned projects (ABB, Charnel Engineering, Chris-Ejike, Pivot Engineering); abuse of office in award of contracts to himself through relatives and proxies (Soltek, Union Allied Engineering).
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Mike Ezeudenna, AGM (Lines), TCN, for masterminding the deliberate over-scoping of transmission lines projects in PHNC and NIPP, manipulation of tender evaluation processes, duplication of projects within PHCN as well as between PHCN and NIPP (2nd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line; 3rd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line), gross abuse of due process.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. C.N.O Nwachukwu, Chairman Technical Committee and General Project Manager (NIPP) for gross negligence and incompetence in the conceptual development of NIPP projects evidenced by the comprehensively dismal failure in managing the NIPP program, and particularly for deliberate manipulation and abuse of due process in the procurement of due process certification for contract award in respect of NIPP Gas EPC Lot 3: extremely poor professional judgment in recommending the award of 3Nos. Power station EPC (Gbarain-Ubie, Omoku and Egbema) contracts to Rockson Engineering without regard to the contractor’s lack of capacity to execute these contracts alongside the Alaoji Phase I and II projects; incompetence, unprofessional conduct in recommending the expansion of scope for Egbema, Gbarain-Ubie and Omoku power plants and award of same to Rockson Engineering, mindful of the contractor’s lack of capacity to successfully execute these projects.
He told the Committee that he knew various project sites but during the on-the-spot assessment tour, the Committee found that he never visited the sites.
The Committee recommends his immediate retirement.
The Committee also recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to arraigning him for fraudulent management of NIPP projects.
Mr. J.A. Olotu, Managing Director, NDPHC/NIPP for gross incompetence, abuse of due process in the 1000% overpricing of NIPP distribution projects, which happened under his watch from October 2006.
The Committee recommends that he should be relieved of his post.
The Committee also recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to prosecuting him for involvement in huge fraudulent manipulations on NIPP distribution and other projects.
Engr. I. Onuoha, Deputy Chairman, Technical Committee, for gross negligence and incompetence in general project management and comprehensively dismal failure in managing the supervision of projects under the NIPP program.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Emmanuel Okonkwo, Project Manager Distribution, NIPP, for his ignoble role in presiding over the 1000% overpricing of NIPP distribution contracts.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Tope Onadipe, Project Manager Gas, NIPP for his role in the abuse of due process, fraudulent procurement of BMPIU contract award certifications, revocation of contracts and misleading the Federal Executive Council to procure ratification of award of contract to Messrs. IOEC/Kaztec Consortium in respect NIPP Gas EPC Lot 3.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Mr. J.C.W Balami, Head Finance NIPP and AGM Finance PHCN, for presiding over the violation of financial guidelines resulting in overpayments to contractors on NIPP projects, especially with respect to milestone payments against measured works.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Ayodele
As GM, Technical Services, Engr. Ayodele failed to ensure that the scoping of work on contracts was realistic and that costing was properly done.
Consequently, he contributed to the huge financial loss suffered by the Federal Government on account of over-scoped contracts.
He also failed to bring his professional competence to bear in monitoring PHCN Distribution Projects across the country where most of the CEOs related directly with him in channelling technical jobs in the zones.
Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that Engr. Ayodele be deployed to the Ministry of Energy (Power) or one of the Discos, given serious warning for the above lapses and enjoined to put the interest of the nation first in the performance of his professional duties.
Engr. Sam Gekpe, MD/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
In spite of opening offices in various parts of the country, the REA under Dr. Gekpe’s watch failed to ascertain actual projects thereby causing duplication in award of contracts. The Committee found instances of REA projects awarded by the Federal Government already taken over and executed by State Governments while others were awarded by both State and Federal Governments, making the projects as dual awards for the same projects thereby leading to financial loss for the country.
It was equally noted that some contractors have not even been to project sites after collecting mobilization fees while others merely erected poles, abandoned the projects and never returned to site.
In all of the above, there was no evidence of strong action taken by the Director-General of REA to protect the interest of government.
The Committee recommends that Engr. Gekpe should be redeployed and the EFCC and ICPC should thoroughly investigate the entire REA, finances, particularly duplicated contracts and the role of its MD/CEO. Engr. Sam Gekpe.
Mr. P.M. Chigbo
The Committee found that he was responsible for duplication of figures, later found to be typographical errors, in the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).
Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that Mr. Chigbo should be more careful in computation to avoid re-occurrence of such mistakes.
Mr. S.S. Hayatu
The Committee found that he was responsible for duplication of figures, later found to be typographical errors, in the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN.
Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that Mr. Hayatu should be more careful in computation to avoid re-occurrence of such mistakes.
Companies recommended for investigation by appropriate agencies
The companies in this category include:
Rockson Engineering/Rockson International (Owned Arumemi-Johnson -ARIK Airline boss) for incompetence, lack of execution capacity and poor performance on Alaoji I, Omoku, Egbema and Gbarain-ubie powers stations and complicity in unreasonably high contract sums claimed for projects.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Pivot Engineering for extremely poor performance on Alaoji – Umuahia 132kV DC transmission line awarded to it since May 2001; non-completion of substantial aspects of the Owerri – Ahoada – Yenagoa 132kV DC transmission line awarded to it since Y2000.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Marubeni (WA) and Marubeni International for very poor performance in respect of LOT 1 (Calabar), LOT 4 (Sapele) and LOT 6 (Eyaen.Ihovbor) power stations projects, and complicity in the violation of financial procedures by obtaining and/or receiving payments in respect of construction activities not yet performed to the tune of 100% in respect of the same projects.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Lahmeyer International for generalized project management failure in respect of the NIPP project, complicity in tender manipulation, negligence or complicity in over-scoping as well as overpricing of NIPP projects, abuse of due process certification of invoices for payments for works not yet done by contractor (e.g., Marubeni).
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
The World Bank has already blacklisted the Company. Nigerian Government should henceforth blacklist it.
ABB Powerlines for failure of contracts in respect of 2nd Benin – Onitsha 330kV transmission line project and Katampe – Kukwaba (National Stadium) 132kV transmission line project.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts, and blacklisted.
Energo Nigeria Ltd for complicity in the over-scoping of NIPP Lot 3 Transmission project, and acquiescence in accepting underserved payments totalling over N13 billion, and for non-diligent prosecution after receiving payments representing about 100% of what the actual project cost should be for the actual scope, 167 kilometers, instead of the contracted 240 kilometers.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Chrome Consortium Energy  (Emeka Offor’s Company) for gross incompetence, non-diligent contracts, prosecution and non-performance on all projects awarded to it since 2001, especially Gombe –Yola-Jalingo 330kV SC transmission line awarded to it since May 2001.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts and blacklisted.
IOEC/Kaztec Consortium for complicity in abuse of due process and procurement of control award for NIPP Gas EPC Lot 3.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Cartlark International for complicity in the over-scoping of NIPP Lot 4 Transmission project, and acquiescence in accepting payments totaling over N4 billion
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
KEC/News Engineering for non-performance and lack of diligent prosecution of contract for Gombe – Damaturu –Maiduguri 330kV transmission Line project
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.
Hoquado Nigeria Ltd
This company received payment sums in excess of $ 10 million since March 2006 and refused to carry out its contract on the excuse that the community landowners claimed compensation of N 18 million when interest it earned on the $ 10 million it received would be about  $ 2 million (N240 million).
The company displayed disgusting lack of diligence in prosecuting its contracts and was apparently enjoying the excuse so as to collect more money and receive interest on dollar payments while ignoring] to perform the contract thereby leading to worsening of the power problems in Nigeria.
The Committee recommends that this company should be thoroughly investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge and underserved financial gains it made at the expense of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria.
Santon Energy for failure to execute contract for Umuahia – Mbalano 132kV Trx Line.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Union Allied Engineering for failure to execute three substation contracts awarded to it since 2001 contracts.
The Committee advice that the company be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts. The relationship between this company and Engr. (Dr.) E.C. Ifesie should also be investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Mogabs
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.
Atlantic Engineering for failure to execute contract for Mbalano – Okigwe 132kV transmission line awarded to it since 2001.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.
Harlesden Engineering (Owned by Senator Ikechukwu Obiora)
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts
For some years now, Nigerians have had to cope with a lot of stress caused by the epileptic power supply. Typical of Nigerians, millions have devised coping strategies and there is hardly a household in the country that cannot boast of the capability to generate its own power when supply from the Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria fails; thanks to the different sizes of power generating sets now available in the Nigerian market. Street Journal has found out that till date, most of those indicted by the probe panel set up by the House of Representatives some years ago are still walking the streets as free men. Over the years, a number of them have even been given National Honours while some of those who should have been probed by anti-graft agencies as recommended by the Committee are still holding public offices. And till date also, a large chunk of the $ 16 billion spent on the power sector by the Obasanjo administration remains unaccounted for.
Why They Are Untouchable
Though the phrase “no one is above the law” is often used by the various law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The vast population of Nigerians have indeed come to realise that within the confines of their own country, the law indeed respects some people. For instance, the probe panel submitted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should be “called to account for the recklessness in the power sector during his tenure.” It was also recommended that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) should investigate him.
It is however an open secret that though Obasanjo had left office when the probe was carried out, his influence within the ruling party, PDP has remained enormous. He is still a major force and one of those who determine the way things go in the party. Moreover, the EFCC which was asked to investigate him was seen by many as a tool in his hand with which perceived political opponents were hounded.
Senator Liyel Imoke, the Cross River State Governor too was indicted and recommended for probe by the committee. As Minister of Power and Steel, Imoke was accused of subverting the process laid down by the Federal Government as well as using Presidential Anticipatory Approvals to tele-guide award of contracts to pre-determined entities. Since then, Imoke has not stopped being relevant in the PDP and only recently, he was re-elected as Governor of his state. It was obvious that he was not on the watch list of the anti-graft agencies when the EFCC slammed a six-count-charge on Timipre Sylva just days after he was sacked as the Governor of Bayelsa State. Incidentally, Imoke and Dickson were sacked on the same day by the Supreme Court, and while Sylva is a wanted man for allegedly looting his state, Imoke who was indicted for subverting due process to award contracts is back in the Government House.
One of those whose cases look similar to that of Governor Inoke is Dr. Segun Agagu, who became the Governor of Ondo State after his time as Minister. Some unregistered companies were discovered to have received huge contracts when Dr. Agagu ran the Ministry of Power and Steel. And when he was confronted with prima facie evidence that contracts were awarded in his time without recourse to due process and asked how that came to be, he simply told the panel that it was not his duty to verify the legal status of companies that were awarded contracts by the Ministry under his watch. It is an open secret that Agagu and Obasanjo are close and till date, Dr. Agagu is one of the arrowheads of the PDP in Ondo State.

A number of companies were also indicted for non execution of the contracts for which they took huge sums and in some cases the contracts were executed in manners that spelt gross incompetence. One of such companies is Chrome Consortium Energy, belonging to Chief Emeka Offor, similarly inclined is Harlesden Engineering, a company traced to Senator Ikechukwu Obiora and Rockson Engineering, owned by Sir Arumemi Johnson of the Arik Air fame.
While the law remains a respecter of individuals, companies owned by such “power brokers” too are untouchable.

The socio-political weight of most of the individuals involved necessitated the quashing of the recommendations of the panel. A review committee was set up and not only did the committee clear all those who had earlier been accused of wrongdoing, it went on to submit that “no fraud was evidenced” in the report of the probe committee.
An indication that the Federal Government has chosen to ignore both the recommendations and the actions that brought them is the fact that a number of those who were recommended for probe have their names on the list of “prominent Nigerians” on whom national awards have been bestowed.

Below are the recommendations made by the Ndudi Elumelu led committee on power back then:
Persons recommended for investigation by the appropriate agencies
The following persons are recommended for investigation by the appropriate agencies for their roles in subversion of Government Policy on Due Process which gave rise to project over-scoping, project cost inflation, Awarding one contract two times and general lack of performance in the power sector in spite of huge expenditures made.
The barefaced looting of the National treasury through the NIPP and PHCN and other projects greatly diminished national capacity to provide electric power leading to wholesale decline in productive business activities and erosion of competitiveness of Nigeria products in the world market. Furthermore, it negatively affected the psyche of citizens. It was a cruel deprivation at the highest possible level, of the class, which George Moody-Stuart (1994) characterized as “grand corruption”, a phenomenon of developing countries “usually involving senior officials and politicians”
Grand corruption constitutes a crime beyond mere theft dealt with in the Penal Codes/Acts. Its devastating impact derogate from the standard of living and quality of life. It is an economic crime against humanity, depriving citizens of the wherewithal for the good life. It has caused Nigeria of all classes, students, market women, craftsman, small scale enterprises and industrialists not only financial loss but also inestimable mental and physical suffering.
Notable individuals in this category are:
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President and C-in-C
In view of the enormity of issues entailed in the findings above, it is recommended that former President Olusegun Obasanjo should be called to account for the recklessness in power sector during his time.
The Committee recommends that EFCC and ICPC should investigate him.
Senator Liyel Imoke, former Minister of Power and Steel
Senator Imoke is also liable to account for over costing of projects and subverting the reform process of the government by wilful non-compliance with the spirit and letter of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, especially as regards the transition from the initial holding company PHCN to the successor companies, thereby stifling the transitional institutional bodies required to facilitate the emergence of a viable electricity market; abuse of due process in respect of payments under the NIPP projects through the use of Presidential Anticipatory Approvals to tele-guide award of contracts to pre-determined entities, with the BMPIU being relegated to the role of providing retroactive certification thereafter; wilful manipulation of tender processes of PHCN and NIPP.
Senator Liyel Imoke is the principal author executive of waiver of “Due Process”. In addition to the facts laid bare in this investigation as outlined in this report, the Committee recommends that EFCC and ICPC should thoroughly investigate him.
Alhaji Abdulhamid Ahmed, former Minister of State Energy, for his patently and wilful manipulation of due process, flagrant abuse of due process, gross abuse of financial procedures in the award of contracts and payments, especially during the last weeks of the Obasanjo administration, exemplified by initiation of requests to the President, and procurement of presidential approvals for huge and questionable payments in respect of Papalanto Phase II, Omotosho Phase II, Geregu Phase II, Alaoji Phases II, Mambilla Packages 1,  Zungeru Hydro, Omoku Expansion, Gbarain-Ubie Expansion and Egbema Expansion (9 additional GE Frame 9 turbines to Rockson International) without due process compliance for contract award and certification for payment.
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC and if found culpable, banned from holding public office for the next 10 years and if he is already holding any, he should be recalled and the appointment cancelled.
Dr. Olusegun Agagu, former Minister of Power and Steel
The committee found that during the tenure of Dr. Olusegun Agagu as Minister of Power and Steel, numerous contracts were awarded. Relying on a letter from the Corporate Affairs Commission at the time of Agagu’s tenure as Minister in 2002, the Committee found that some unregistered companies were awarded huge contracts. In his testimony, he said that it was not his duty to verify the legal status of companies that were awarded contracts by the Ministry of Power and Steel under his watch. Consequently, there is a prima facie evidence that Agagu awarded contracts without due process.
Up till the time of this report, all efforts to get the owners of the companies to appear in person before the Committee proved abortive. Rather, the Committee received some documents containing reports that the companies were registered. The true identity of the owners remained unresolved.
Recommendation
In view of the huge amounts involved, the Committee recommends that EFCC and ICPC should investigate the allegations with a view to prosecuting anyone found culpable.
Engr. Joseph Makoju, former MD of PHCN, later Special Adviser to the President on Electric Power, for gross incompetence in the management of PHCN, the sector reforms and the NIPP.
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC and if found culpable, he should be banned from holding public office for the next 10 years and if he is already holding any, he should be recalled and the appointment cancelled.
Engr. G.O.P Osakue, CEO TCN, for presiding over and directing the manipulation of tenders, abuse of due process, and the deliberate over-scoping of transmission projects; incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in respect of management of transmission contracts awarded since 2001, all of which remain uncompleted to date in spite of payments exceeding 80% of contract costs having been made to the respective contractors; incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in the repeated award of contracts to contractors that have failed consistently on previous uncompleted and abandoned projects.
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge amounts, which he paid to people who ought not to have been paid. He should be redeployed to another position pending the conclusion of investigations.
Engr. (Dr.) C.E Ifesie, Head Transmission TCN and Project Manager (Transmission) NIPP, for his complicity in deliberate over-scoping of transmission lines projects in PHCN and NIPP, and duplication of projects within PHCN as well as between PHCN and NIPP (2nd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line; 3rd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line); incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in respect of management of transmission contracts awarded since Y2002, all of which remain uncompleted to date in spite of payments exceeding 80% of contract costs having been made to the respective contractors; incompetence and gross dereliction of duty in the  repeated award of contracts to contractors that have failed consistently on previous uncompleted and abandoned projects (ABB, Charnel Engineering, Chris-Ejike, Pivot Engineering); abuse of office in award of contracts to himself through relatives and proxies (Soltek, Union Allied Engineering).
The Committee recommends that he should be investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Mike Ezeudenna, AGM (Lines), TCN, for masterminding the deliberate over-scoping of transmission lines projects in PHNC and NIPP, manipulation of tender evaluation processes, duplication of projects within PHCN as well as between PHCN and NIPP (2nd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line; 3rd Benin – Onitsha 330kV Single-circuit Transmission Line), gross abuse of due process.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. C.N.O Nwachukwu, Chairman Technical Committee and General Project Manager (NIPP) for gross negligence and incompetence in the conceptual development of NIPP projects evidenced by the comprehensively dismal failure in managing the NIPP program, and particularly for deliberate manipulation and abuse of due process in the procurement of due process certification for contract award in respect of NIPP Gas EPC Lot 3: extremely poor professional judgment in recommending the award of 3Nos. Power station EPC (Gbarain-Ubie, Omoku and Egbema) contracts to Rockson Engineering without regard to the contractor’s lack of capacity to execute these contracts alongside the Alaoji Phase I and II projects; incompetence, unprofessional conduct in recommending the expansion of scope for Egbema, Gbarain-Ubie and Omoku power plants and award of same to Rockson Engineering, mindful of the contractor’s lack of capacity to successfully execute these projects.
He told the Committee that he knew various project sites but during the on-the-spot assessment tour, the Committee found that he never visited the sites.
The Committee recommends his immediate retirement.
The Committee also recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to arraigning him for fraudulent management of NIPP projects.
Mr. J.A. Olotu, Managing Director, NDPHC/NIPP for gross incompetence, abuse of due process in the 1000% overpricing of NIPP distribution projects, which happened under his watch from October 2006.
The Committee recommends that he should be relieved of his post.
The Committee also recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to prosecuting him for involvement in huge fraudulent manipulations on NIPP distribution and other projects.
Engr. I. Onuoha, Deputy Chairman, Technical Committee, for gross negligence and incompetence in general project management and comprehensively dismal failure in managing the supervision of projects under the NIPP program.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Emmanuel Okonkwo, Project Manager Distribution, NIPP, for his ignoble role in presiding over the 1000% overpricing of NIPP distribution contracts.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Tope Onadipe, Project Manager Gas, NIPP for his role in the abuse of due process, fraudulent procurement of BMPIU contract award certifications, revocation of contracts and misleading the Federal Executive Council to procure ratification of award of contract to Messrs. IOEC/Kaztec Consortium in respect NIPP Gas EPC Lot 3.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Mr. J.C.W Balami, Head Finance NIPP and AGM Finance PHCN, for presiding over the violation of financial guidelines resulting in overpayments to contractors on NIPP projects, especially with respect to milestone payments against measured works.
The Committee recommends that he should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Engr. Ayodele
As GM, Technical Services, Engr. Ayodele failed to ensure that the scoping of work on contracts was realistic and that costing was properly done.
Consequently, he contributed to the huge financial loss suffered by the Federal Government on account of over-scoped contracts.
He also failed to bring his professional competence to bear in monitoring PHCN Distribution Projects across the country where most of the CEOs related directly with him in channelling technical jobs in the zones.
Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that Engr. Ayodele be deployed to the Ministry of Energy (Power) or one of the Discos, given serious warning for the above lapses and enjoined to put the interest of the nation first in the performance of his professional duties.
Engr. Sam Gekpe, MD/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
In spite of opening offices in various parts of the country, the REA under Dr. Gekpe’s watch failed to ascertain actual projects thereby causing duplication in award of contracts. The Committee found instances of REA projects awarded by the Federal Government already taken over and executed by State Governments while others were awarded by both State and Federal Governments, making the projects as dual awards for the same projects thereby leading to financial loss for the country.
It was equally noted that some contractors have not even been to project sites after collecting mobilization fees while others merely erected poles, abandoned the projects and never returned to site.
In all of the above, there was no evidence of strong action taken by the Director-General of REA to protect the interest of government.
The Committee recommends that Engr. Gekpe should be redeployed and the EFCC and ICPC should thoroughly investigate the entire REA, finances, particularly duplicated contracts and the role of its MD/CEO. Engr. Sam Gekpe.
Mr. P.M. Chigbo
The Committee found that he was responsible for duplication of figures, later found to be typographical errors, in the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).
Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that Mr. Chigbo should be more careful in computation to avoid re-occurrence of such mistakes.
Mr. S.S. Hayatu
The Committee found that he was responsible for duplication of figures, later found to be typographical errors, in the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN.
Recommendation:
The Committee recommends that Mr. Hayatu should be more careful in computation to avoid re-occurrence of such mistakes.
Companies recommended for investigation by appropriate agencies
The companies in this category include:
Rockson Engineering/Rockson International (Owned Arumemi-Johnson -ARIK Airline boss) for incompetence, lack of execution capacity and poor performance on Alaoji I, Omoku, Egbema and Gbarain-ubie powers stations and complicity in unreasonably high contract sums claimed for projects.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Pivot Engineering for extremely poor performance on Alaoji – Umuahia 132kV DC transmission line awarded to it since May 2001; non-completion of substantial aspects of the Owerri – Ahoada – Yenagoa 132kV DC transmission line awarded to it since Y2000.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Marubeni (WA) and Marubeni International for very poor performance in respect of LOT 1 (Calabar), LOT 4 (Sapele) and LOT 6 (Eyaen.Ihovbor) power stations projects, and complicity in the violation of financial procedures by obtaining and/or receiving payments in respect of construction activities not yet performed to the tune of 100% in respect of the same projects.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Lahmeyer International for generalized project management failure in respect of the NIPP project, complicity in tender manipulation, negligence or complicity in over-scoping as well as overpricing of NIPP projects, abuse of due process certification of invoices for payments for works not yet done by contractor (e.g., Marubeni).
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
The World Bank has already blacklisted the Company. Nigerian Government should henceforth blacklist it.
ABB Powerlines for failure of contracts in respect of 2nd Benin – Onitsha 330kV transmission line project and Katampe – Kukwaba (National Stadium) 132kV transmission line project.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts, and blacklisted.
Energo Nigeria Ltd for complicity in the over-scoping of NIPP Lot 3 Transmission project, and acquiescence in accepting underserved payments totalling over N13 billion, and for non-diligent prosecution after receiving payments representing about 100% of what the actual project cost should be for the actual scope, 167 kilometers, instead of the contracted 240 kilometers.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Chrome Consortium Energy  (Emeka Offor’s Company) for gross incompetence, non-diligent contracts, prosecution and non-performance on all projects awarded to it since 2001, especially Gombe –Yola-Jalingo 330kV SC transmission line awarded to it since May 2001.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts and blacklisted.
IOEC/Kaztec Consortium for complicity in abuse of due process and procurement of control award for NIPP Gas EPC Lot 3.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Cartlark International for complicity in the over-scoping of NIPP Lot 4 Transmission project, and acquiescence in accepting payments totaling over N4 billion
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
KEC/News Engineering for non-performance and lack of diligent prosecution of contract for Gombe – Damaturu –Maiduguri 330kV transmission Line project
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.
Hoquado Nigeria Ltd
This company received payment sums in excess of $ 10 million since March 2006 and refused to carry out its contract on the excuse that the community landowners claimed compensation of N 18 million when interest it earned on the $ 10 million it received would be about  $ 2 million (N240 million).
The company displayed disgusting lack of diligence in prosecuting its contracts and was apparently enjoying the excuse so as to collect more money and receive interest on dollar payments while ignoring] to perform the contract thereby leading to worsening of the power problems in Nigeria.
The Committee recommends that this company should be thoroughly investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge and underserved financial gains it made at the expense of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria.
Santon Energy for failure to execute contract for Umuahia – Mbalano 132kV Trx Line.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulent received on power project contracts.
Union Allied Engineering for failure to execute three substation contracts awarded to it since 2001 contracts.
The Committee advice that the company be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts. The relationship between this company and Engr. (Dr.) E.C. Ifesie should also be investigated by EFCC and ICPC.
Mogabs
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.
Atlantic Engineering for failure to execute contract for Mbalano – Okigwe 132kV transmission line awarded to it since 2001.
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.
Harlesden Engineering (Owned by Senator Ikechukwu Obiora)
The Committee recommends that the company should be further investigated by EFCC and ICPC with a view to recovering huge sums fraudulently received on power project contracts.

Way forward: Northern part of Nigeria sets up 7 committees

The Coalition of Concerned Northerners, which met in Abuja last week to x-ray the multiple problems facing the geopolitical region with the objective of providing a pathway out of the difficulties, has set up seven standing committees to look into the various challenges facing the North.

The group, convened by Dr Junaidu Mohammed, at its meeting had several northern leaders like Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Malam Lamido Sule of Jigawa State, and many intellectuals in attendance.

A participant at the conference and veteran journalist, Timaus Mathias, told our reporter last night that the committees set up included those on religious harmony, economic situation (which will look into the issue of revenue allocation), security (which will probe the Boko Haram crisis), poverty and agriculture. The other two committees are charged with the task of looking into the problems of unemployment and the collapsing education system in the region.

The meeting, it was gathered, had the objective of attacking the long-term problems facing the North, with the aim of providing a kind of roadmap which northern governors can successfully apply. The short-term issue which the group intended to tackle is a political problem related to the ongoing role that the Joint Task Force (JTF) is playing in northern states in the name of containing Boko Haram.

In its communiqué, signed by Dr Junaidu Mohammed and circulated at the weekend, the group said, “In the course of the meeting the Northern Group reflected on the deteriorating security situation in the region, particularly with regards to the growth and spread of attacks and impunity by the Boko Haram insurgents and other ethnic and religious militias in the North. In addition, the meeting dwelled on the threats posed by the resurgent activities of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), other Niger Delta militant groups, Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). In addition, the meeting dwelled on the threats and recent calls by groups for a Sovereign National Conference.

“The meeting reflected on the elements that bond the Northerners and their cultures together, irrespective of ethnicity and religion over many years at their association, and expressed their sadness that the basis of unity of the region has of recent come under a serious assault. The meeting noted the positive fallouts of the recent nationwide strike,, in the course of which the ordinary people of the North, and of the rest of the country manifested a refreshing desire to support and protect one another against the clear evidence of orchestrated designs to polarize and keep the people apart.

“The meeting also received the shocking details of the several excesses of the JTF (Joint Task Force) which amounted to no less than gross human rights abuses. The meeting expressed the view that the threat posed by Boko Haram insurgency could best be attended to without the attendant attacks on individual rights and on businesses.

“The meeting resolved to support the calls for the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation in the hope that the lopsidedness in the structure of the nation’s politics and economy will be a key agenda issue.

“It then called on the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) to liaise with other Stakeholders in the North, such as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Union (NU), Jama’atul Nasirl Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Women, Youth and Student Bodies and other groups to join hands together to tackle the identified threats confronting the region.”

Former South AfricaPresident Mandela Leaves Hospital

Nelson Mandela has left a South African hospital after undergoing a laparoscopy.

The much-loved former South African president left the Johannesburg hospital in a convoy after undergoing the procedure on Saturday.

South Africa's defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu said that the former South African president is "fine and handsome" after the successful procedure.

"We thank all South Africans for their love and support of Madiba. We also thank all for affording Madiba and his family privacy and dignity," said President Jacob Zuma.

Mandela, 93, had an investigative laparoscopy , a procedure in which the abdominal area is probed by tiny cameras inserted through small incisions, Ms Sisulu said.

"He's fine and he is recovering from anaesthetic and he is as fine as can be at his age," she said.

Mr Mandela's granddaughter Ndileka told Sky News: "He is fine. He is doing well."

The Nobel peace laureate, who is simply known as Madiba by most South Africans, retired from public life in June 2004 and has been rarely seen since.

His last official photograph was in September 2011, which showed him celebrating the birth of his latest great grandchild.

President Jacob Zuma on Saturday said Mr Mandela was admitted for a long-standing abdominal complaint.

Mr Mandela had undergone the probe because of ongoing discomfort, but Ms Sisulu said: "There never was anything wrong with him.

"The only way that we could finally get to the bottom of this is by taking him to hospital and having a number of tests to find out if in fact what was prescribed, what we were giving him, was working and if we could not make it any better."

… And The Bell Tolled For Zakari Biu

It was like a tale told in the movies; full of twists and turns. But the curtain finally fell on the career of Zakari Biu, Commissioner of Police in charge of investigation at Police Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja. In this piece, CHIZOBA OGBECHE, examines the issues, controversy and argues that in the end, Biu became an expendable in the murky battle against the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The report:

For embattled Commissioner of Police, Hassan Zakari Biu, 34 years as an officer of the Nigeria Police Force came to nought on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 as the Police Service Commission in its 26th Plenary and in exercise of the powers conferred on it by the PSC Establishment Act, 2001 dismissed him from the force.

The PSC in its statement signed by Ferdinand Ekpe stated that “…after due consideration of the role played by Commissioner of Police, Hassan Zakari Biu, in the escape of the Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, today February 22, 2012 approved the dismissal of Mr. Hassan Zakari Biu from the Nigeria Police Force with effect from February 22, 2012.”

The Biu saga, a fallout of the infamous bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Suleja on Christmas Day 2011, and the subsequent dramatic escape of Kabiru Abubakar Dikko, a.k.a. Kabiru Sokoto, the alleged mastermind of the bombing in which over 40 lives were lost, was of intense interest to not a few Nigerians.

Trouble started for the controversial now dismissed Commissioner of Police when he let the then wanted Sokoto to literarily take a stroll from his watch in what turned out to be a major PR disaster not just for the police but the entire security apparatus of the country.

According to Biu’s account in his reply to query from the Police High Command, he and his men were “overpowered by a riotous mob of over a 1000 youths, who set the alleged mastermind free.”

Many did not buy his story as it left a lot of questions. “Why did he not radio in for help immediately the suspect was “rescued by the riotous mob?” some had asked. Others queried the ferrying of such a high profile suspect in an open truck in late evening with a few policemen.

No matter the number of questions, Biu in his letter gave the indication that he was not culpable rather was carrying out the directive of the former Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.

For most Nigerians, Biu had a grudge against the Nigerian state right from his days in the dreaded Abacha Strike Force where it was alleged he was responsible for the death of journalist Bagauda Kaltho in Hamadala Hotel Kano.

His grouse was to further deepen when he lost his son, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the October 1, 2010 bombing near Eagle Square Abuja. Whatever conjectures people might proffer, there was little doubt that Hassan Zakari Biu was a controversial figure.

He was that controversial that he was eased out of the Police Force during Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency but was to find his way back into the force, in what some cynically say: through the backdoor, during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Even Biu himself acknowledges his controversial nature when upon his arrest for Sokoto’s escape was quoted as saying: “My life has always been like that – full of controversy.  I am sure that there is nothing that I did to undermine the interest of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the nation for the personal benefit of Zakari Biu. At this stage, I don’t want to say anything yet. Government has set up a panel.”

It, however, seemed his career of controversy was back to normal when the PSC at the end of its 25th plenary deliberations, approved the promotion of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Hassan Zakari Biu to the rank of Commissioner of Police with effect from December 15, 2011 based on the Inspector General of Police' recommendations.

 That Inspector General was the disgraced Hafiz Ringim!

Following the escape of Sokoto from Biu’s keep, the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, said Ringim had announced the setting up of a disciplinary committee with a 24 hour caveat for the sacked Ringim to provide the escaped mastermind.

He said: “Like I did say the other time, I have given some directives. The Inspector-General of Police has responded. A committee has been set up above the police, which takes into cognisance experts in various aspects to come together and conduct another investigation, so that is been assembled and they have been set to work. I think this is how far we have gone."

The committee, Olubolade referred to was that setup by the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi (rtd). The panel was set up to determine the culpability or otherwise of the police personnel in the escape saga.

Sensing the impatience of Nigerians over the work of the panel, the minister said: "I have to tell Nigerians that because an investigation panel has been set up, Nigerians should be patient and allow them do their job very briefly. A time line has been given to them and at the end of that, something will come out, so we should not pre-empt.

"There are senior officers, military officers are there, officers from the ministry are also there and other agents are there so it is a combined one. I think they will complete it within a week," he said.

True to his assertion, the work of the committee came to pass through the PSC. But before then, Biu’s fate was sealed when the State Security Service on February 2, 2012 arrested the spokesperson of Boko Haram, Abu Qaqa in Kaduna State and the subsequent nabbing of Kabiru Sokoto by the agency eight days later on February 10, 2012 at Mutum-Biu in Gassol LGA of Taraba State.

Before their inglorious exits, a Chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Audu Ogbeh had called for thorough investigation and sacking of all those involved in the Sokoto escape saga for negligence of duty and a judicial probe to unmask those responsible for the escape of the suspect.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ogbeh had alleged that, “The so-called escape was packaged at the highest level by an individual who hates this country who wears uniform of security agency.

“How does anybody convince us that Kabiru Sokoto was arrested in a Governors’ Lodge in the presence of an air officer, after he was searched for by the SSS for so many days and then he was handed over to Zakari Biu, who accompanied him nicely to the road and then told him to go home and he is telling us that he escaped.”

Such was the misgivings by most Nigerians. Now that Biu’s era in the police has come to a bad end, will he spill the beans as he has promised? Biu in a brief encounter with journalists in the early days of his ordeal had said: “I will not also comment on any issue and how I was treated after the incident for now.  I assure you, I will talk later.”

It will be no surprise that now that he has lost all, he might just spill the beans and bring the house crashing on those who have traded him in for their own safety.

Proposed ECOWAS currency not good for Nigeria —Economists

Economists have described the plan of the Economic Community of West African States to establish a monetary union across West African countries as detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.

They said the plan to use a single currency across Anglophone West African countries by 2015, and the rest of West African sub-region by 2020 was not feasible.

According to them, it is not practicable to meet the conditions necessary for such economic union within the time frame.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Associates and member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee, Ayo Teriba, said that the union, if it ever comes to fruition, would be a burden on Nigeria, considering that her economy constitutes about half of the economy of West Africa.

“ECOWAS has been talking about this monetary union for about 15 years now. They set dates, shifted it and they have not been able to achieve it. The problem is that the reforms needed for such a union have not been done.

“There are still barriers to the movement of goods and services; duties are still being paid on goods moving from one West African country to another. There are still barriers on the movement of labour; you cannot just migrate to a neighbouring West African country and get a job easily. There is also no single financial system; a bank in Nigeria cannot do business in another West African country. You have to take these steps before talking about a single currency,” he said.

Teriba added that Europe should be studied properly on the steps it took on the Euro.

“Europe took those steps before deciding on Euro. However, the challenges that Europe is facing now, shows that those steps are not even enough. I don’t see how ECOWAS would be able to achieve a single currency. I very much doubt its feasibility and I don’t see how that would benefit Nigeria.

“The rest of ECOWAS offers Nigeria less than what Nigeria offers them. None of them is bringing something to the union. They would just merge and still be dependent on imports from Europe. So I think Nigeria is better off on its own than joining such a union.”

Similarly, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr. Usman Muttaka, told our correspondent on the phone that it would be very difficult to achieve a single currency in West Africa, considering other economic affiliations, such as the place of Francophone West African countries.

Muttaka noted that the Francophone West African countries have one central bank, which directly relates with the Central Bank of France, and therefore, it would be difficult to get them to join the proposed union.

He noted that Customs Union, which meant that all West African countries would charge the same customs duties, was meant to start in 2010, but it failed.

“I don’t know how that would be feasible, because it would mean having the same macroeconomic policies and similar fiscal policies. And I think it would affect Nigeria’s economy adversely because these other West African countries are non-productive and they would be depending on Nigeria, which is the biggest economy in the sub-region,” Muttaka said.

Culled from the Punch.....