Tag Archives: ROTIMI AMAECHI

China’s $1.5bn loan ready but we need national assembly approval to borrow – Amaechi

Posted on by
1

Rotimi Amaechi, the minister of transportation, has urged the national assembly to approve the federal government’s borrowing plan so as to begin the construction of rail projects in the country.

The minister said the China Exim Bank was ready to loan $1.5bn to Nigeria for the Lagos-Ibadan rail line but approval was needed before the agreement can be signed.

Amaechi made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when he appeared before the senate committee on land transport.

The minister also said the foundation of the Lagos-Ibadan segment of the Lagos-Kano rail line will be ready before the end of the first quarter of 2017.

He said: “In the first quarter of 2017, the foundation of the Lagos-Ibadan segment two of the Lagos-Kano rail project will be laid. The implication here is that we will start the Lagos-Ibadan rail line before the end of March.

“Our target is to commence from the Apapa seaport down to Ogun and then to Ibadan. That is our plan. The counterpart funding is ready, but don’t forget that we are borrowing the money from China. The China Exim Bank is processing it. Our 15 per cent is ready; so, we are waiting for China Exim Bank. They have managed to release and approve $1.5bn for the Lagos-Ibadan line.

“It is also envisaged that segment three of the Lagos-Kano rail project, which is the Kano-Kaduna stretch, as well as the first phase of the coastal railway line Lagos-Calabar, commencing from Calabar to Port Harcourt with extension to the Onne Deep Seaport will commence after the conclusion of the negotiation of a financing loan agreement.

“The National Assembly needs to give us approval for the borrowing plan so that we can commence work. We can’t sign the loan agreement with China unless there is an approval from the National Assembly.

“What the National Assembly has approved is the counterpart funding, but we need the approval to borrow the remaining money. If you look at $6.1bn in naira, and we are paying 15 per cent, you will know that the remaining amount is coming from China and until we have approval, we cannot do anything.

“Even now, the China Exim Bank has approved $1.5bn for the Lagos-Ibadan line. We are not able to sign the loan agreement because we need the approval of the National Assembly.”

 

Source: The Cable

Rotimi Amaechi: the Knife that Tore the Umbrella, By Majeed Dahiru

Posted on by
2

In an atmosphere of extreme sectionalism that pervades the Nigerian political culture, it is better to keep the home front united behind you, irrespective of political differences. The same friends cheering Amaechi on today will exploit the faultline in his home base to undermine him while using his public display of impunity to discredit him, in the case of a power struggle that may most certainly arise within the APC.

Frontline Niger Delta region’s oil producing Rivers State, host to leading multi-national oil companies, as well as the largest oil and gas infrastructure in Nigeria, is truly the treasure base of Africa’s second largest oil producer. Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas export earnings (90 percent). It is not always gloomy in the Niger Delta. Oil producing states benefit significantly from the natural resource endowments of their land. A constitutionally guaranteed 13 percent derivation payable to oil producing states have put them ahead of other states in terms of financial resources. Rivers State is the most important of all the oil producing states.

 

Although the third largest oil producing state, it derives enormous resources from taxes as the host of the highest number of oil multinationals and oil and gas infrastructure in Nigeria. The state also has the largest population of all the Niger Delta coastal states due to the numerous economic opportunities that abound within its borders. Nigeria’s political culture thrives on a corrupt patronage system of crass cronyism; therefore, Rivers State is very important in the power equation at the highest level of government. Whoever governs this very important state is very influential and powerful in the politics of Nigeria. This explains why democratic elections in Rivers State are usually intense and sometimes violent.

 

Rotimi Amaechi, former governor and current minister of transport, proved the importance of Rivers State in national politics in the 2015 presidential elections. Amaechi was the man who led the revolt of five PDP governors, resulting in the break-up of the then ruling party. His boldness and political astuteness endeared him to millions of Nigerians across the country but alienated him from his people on the home front because the man he worked against, former president Goodluck Jonathan, is a son of the soil. The needless disagreements between Amaechi and the first family, were as a result of the former president’s little understanding of the Nigerian political space; an area in which Amaechi had a clearer understanding.

 

The minister of transport lived yesterday in order to exist today. He looked beyond Goodluck Jonathan, the first Niger Delta president of Nigeria, as the ultimate destination of the Niger Delta people. Unlike so many Niger Delta politicians who became regional ethnic champions because one of their own was president, Amaechi remained faithful to the broad alliance that was the PDP, by maintaining a nationalistic posture and outlook without falling for the immediate but temporary gains of sectionalism. He refused to compromise his position as the Governors Forum chairman on sectional considerations, by being fiercely loyal and faithful to his colleagues and pressing hard for the implementation of the resolutions of the body, which were sometimes in conflict with then Goodluck administration. When resisted, he was defiant in a manner which his kinsman perceived as disloyalty, if not outright despise. Amaechi was also not ready to tolerate the meddlesomeness of the then ebullient and provincial first lady, Patient Jonathan; a Dame no man could tame, not even her husband.

However, Amaechi’s main adversary and nemesis will emerge from behind his own shadow – Ezenwo Nyesome Wike, his closest political ally, confidant and nominee into the Federal Executive Council (as minister of state for education). Wike is a man of proven ability in the grassroots politics of Rivers State. He was like the field marshal of the Amaechi political family. Like most Nigerian politicians, Wike was driven by personal ambition for power. The only problem was that his ambition to become governor did not fit into the equation of his leader’s permutation of power rotation in Rivers State. Amaechi, as then political leader of Rivers State, openly expressed the desirability of the governorship seat to rotate to the riverine area of the state after his tenure terminated. Wike, who like Amaechi, is from the upland area of the state, was nursing the ambition to be governor.

Amaechi refused to cave in but instead led the revolt of five PDP governors to join forces with other political associations to form the APC. Amaechi was the knife that ripped the umbrella. He became Jonathan’s ultimate nemesis. He knew so much about Jonathan and systemically exposed the former president’s weak points to millions of Nigerians who craved change.

Amaechi’s position on moving the seat of power in the state to the riverine areas was not to spite or shortchange Wike, but was only fair and consistent with PDP’S inherent zoning and power rotation pact. Driven by the burning fire of his political ambition, Wike who came to terms with the reality that he may stand no chance under the leadership of Amaechi, suddenly, in a deft move, pitched his tent with the first family. Goodluck Jonathan who was also nursing the ambition to become president a second time – an ambition which he suspected Amaechi may not support on account of the understanding that power should rotate back to the north – found a natural ally in Wike. Both men were united in their personal ambition over the common interest of the collective interest. This alliance further aggravated their dispute with Amaechi. Wike knew too much about his former boss and ally. He knew his weaknesses and strength and was able to deconstruct and demystify him at the highest echelon of power.

 

Goodluck Jonathan found in Nyesome Wike a trusted and reliable ally, and tied his presidential ambition to the governorship quest of Wike. In order to neutralise Amaechi and reduce his influence and power within the ruling PDP, the Godspower Ake-led Rivers State executive committee of the party was dissolved on the order of a federal high court sitting in Abuja. This was speedily obeyed and Wike installed the Felix Obuah-led caretaker executive committee. This move effectively made Wike the leader of the PDP in the state. The full weight of “federal might” was deployed to support Wike’s ambition. In the ensuing power tussle, Amaechi’s exercise of his authority and power as a governor were undermined by federal agencies on “orders from above”.

 

Amaechi refused to cave in but instead led the revolt of five PDP governors to join forces with other political associations to form the APC. Amaechi was the knife that ripped the umbrella. He became Jonathan’s ultimate nemesis. He knew so much about Jonathan and systemically exposed the former president’s weak points to millions of Nigerians who craved change. Amaechi’s rhetoric against Jonathan was perceived as an “insider’s account” and were largely held to be true. The deep purse of Rivers State was used to oil the electioneering wheel of APC’s Muhammadu Buhari effectively. Coming from Jonathan’s region, Amaechi’s revolt was very instrumental to uniting opposition forces against the former president, which led to his defeat at the polls. Amaechi achieved his ultimate goal, while Wike achieved his ultimate ambition of becoming governor. Jonathan lost out. The former president was fighting Wike’s war thinking it was his.

Rotimi Amaechi denies role in ‘hijacked’ Ikwerre results

Posted on by
Reply

The Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has denied allegations that his actions led to the non-declaration of results in Ikwerre and Emohua Local government Areas.

Mr. Amaechi said the Independent National Electoral Commission should be allowed to announce results when it is ready.

Ikwerre and Emohua are two of eight LGAs that constitute Rivers East senatorial district.

While the results of six LGAs have been announced, with PDP winning all, there are uncertainties over the results of Ikwerre and Emohua LGAs.

Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party accused Mr. Amaechi of using the Army and the Police to hijack Ikwerre results on Saturday night.

For Emohua, the governor and his spokesperson, Franklin Oraye, separately said that the military had taken over the collation centre to “concoct fake results”.

They said Mr. Amaechi, the APC leader, is being aided by the military and policemen as well as INEC to tamper with original results from the two LGAs in order to overturn PDP’s lead in the six LGAs already announced.

But Mr. Amaechi, Monday, told PREMIUM TIMES, the allegations against him were false.

He said INEC should be accorded the liberty to announce results freely, saying that Mr. Wike has no right to decide when INEC should release results.

Mr. Amaechi spoke through his spokesperson, David Iyiofor.

“The Minister is not aware of what Wike is talking about,” Mr. Iyiofor said in a text message.

“Wike must allow INEC to collate and announce the results of the rerun elections. As governor, Wike cannot be INEC or dictate to INEC how and when to announce election results.

“It’s sad, very sad that Wike is desecrating the office of the governor of Rivers State with all these spurious and silly allegations,” he said.

Rivers Rerun: “Don’t kill anybody but don’t be killed”- Rotimi Amaechi to APC Members

Posted on by
Reply

Ahead of Saturday December 10th legislative rerun election, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, today called on members of the party to be vigilante during the election and that they should not kill and also not get killed. Speaking at the final campaign of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Amaechi said;

“This is what we call the election of our lives. Before I used to tell you, ‘Please don’t fight’. Is that not what I used to tell you? But I think we will bend it a bit.

I don’t want my church to stop me from taking holy communion. So, what I will tell you is don’t kill anybody, but do not be killed. Now let me explain why I said that. My friend in the army said if you hear the sound of a gun, it’s not meant for you.

The implication therefore is that if you allow them shoot you, you will die. So, don’t allow them. It is not they alone who that have the right to life; you also have a right to life.

I don’t want to hear ‘They shot me and took the result sheet’. If anybody takes the result sheet, take it back from him. You know I have never spoken like this before”.

In the same vein, Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, called on the party members to slap whoever slaps them during the election.

“I am glad with what I am hearing here today, very glad. If they push you, push them back. If they slap you, slap them back. We cannot allow them.

 

The APC came on a rescue mission. Unfortunately they are fighting back, the same way they have always done. Are you going to allow them?

 

It is within your powers to return the members of the house of assembly. Return the members of house of representatives and senators because we need them. When you do that, it will be the beginning of the end”,  he said.

I was more popular than any PDP governor, says Amaechi

Posted on by
407

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says he was “more popular than any PDP stakeholder, including governors” during his eight years at the helm of Rivers state.

Amaechi, who presided over the state between 2007 and 2015, said his goodwill remained intact throughout his tenure because he never abused office.

Amaechi spoke in Port Harcourt after arriving in the state for Saturday’s legislative rerun election.

“During my tenure as governor, l never abused the office. The office of the governor is sacred and should be respected in all ramifications,” he said.

“When I was governor, I had over 75 per cent support from Rivers people and other Nigerians resident in the state. l am very sure l had more popularity than any PDP stakeholder including governors across the country.

“This is so because, as governor then, l overhauled the health and education sectors by promoting free healthcare system and free education, over 10,000 teachers were employed, including the building of critical infrastructures, roads and youth empowerment, making Rivers people and other Nigerians to experience change.”

He appealed to supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to turn out en masse for the rerun election, assuring them of their safety.

He accused opponents of his party of employing desperate means to secure victory, but asked the people to resist them.

“This is another opportunity for us to exercise our right to vote for candidates of our choices. You would recall that the last time the elections were held, members of the APC were brazenly, crudely and violently prevented from exercising their inalienable rights to elect those they wanted,” he said.

“Those same characters and forces that stole our votes by violently denying us the right to vote the last time are at it again.

“In the months and weeks leading to this Saturday’s election, they have employed the use of violence and intimidation and harassment all aimed at preventing us from coming out to vote.

“They have turned our hitherto peaceful state into a haven of brazen criminality, culminating in killings and maiming of innocent citizens.

“However, it is gratifying to know that the Commander-in- Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the election. Mr. President has graciously provided adequate security through the length and breadth of the state.

“I therefore enjoin you all to come out en masse and exercise your civic right on Saturday. I  implore you all to come out and exercise your rights to vote now that you have a chance to vote and your vote will count. Choose wisely, vote APC.”

Nigerian Senate probes Rotimi Amaechi

Posted on by
1

The Nigerian Senate has resolved to probe the country’s Ministry of Transport headed by Rotimi Amaechi over the procedure leading to concession of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri and Lagos-Kano rail lines to General Electric, GE, a U.S. conglomerate.

Mr. Amaechi had in an interview with CNBC in June announced Nigeria’s engagement with GE regarding the concession of Western and Eastern rail lines – Lagos to Kano and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri respectively – worth around $2 billion.

“GE is already in; we are trying to get the government agencies to allow us negotiate with GE,” Mr. Amaechi said. “The company is going to bring in over $2 billion in the Nigerian railway sector in which they are going to revive the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge and revive the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri narrow gauge by private investment.”

Due to lack of funds, concessioning appears the method of choice of the Muhammadu Buhari administration for major projects. Apart from the rail lines, the government has also announced its decision to concession Nigeria’s four major international airports.

But in a motion at the Senate on Tuesday, Akpan Bassey (PDP-Cross River) said Mr. Amaechi violated the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act, 1999 by “unilaterally engaging General Electric for the concessioning of the Western and Eastern Rail Lines.”

Mr. Bassey, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, said upon approval of the of the project by the National Privatization Council in April 2015, twilight of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility had developed a roadmap.

He said the BPE had engaged the Global Infrastructure Facility and the World Bank in discussions on how to access funds to manage the project before Mr. Amaechi’s “unilateral” deal with GE.

Following the motion, the Senate resolved to refer the matter to its committees on privatization, finance, land transport, anti-corruption and financial crimes, trade and investment for further actions.

The GE engagement, however, has the backing of President Buhari who announced it in his Independence Day speech.

“General Electric is investing two point two billion USD in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line. The Lagos-Calabar railway will also be on stream soon,” the president said.

AMAECHI’S CHALLENGES

During the 2016 budget process, Mr. Amaechi had a fractious relationship with the National Assembly over the Lagos-Calabar coastal rail project which the legislature did not include initially, after passing the budget.

The project was not in the original appropriation bill presented to the lawmakers by Mr. Buhari, but was forwarded through the committee on land transport as a supplementary proposal of the transport ministry.

Mr. Amaechi was also recently under the spotlight, after he was accused by two Supreme Court judges of trying to manipulate judgements in favour of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress. He has denied the allegations while the judges, as well as seven others have been suspended pending conclusion of corruption charges against them.

FG To Reconnect Railway With Sea Ports – Amaechi

Posted on by
1

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi has said that the Federal Government will re-connect the country’s railway with the sea ports in a bid to boost economic activities.

 

Amaechi said this during a meeting he had with port professionals on Monday in Lagos.

 

The minister said President Muhamadu Buhari’s resolve to diversify the economy had brought to the front burner the need to implement the inter-modal means of transportation in the country.

 

“We expect that before June or July, we should begin the process or we should start the construction of the Lagos-Kano, and possibly the Lagos-Calabar railway.

 

“If those two contracts commence, then we expect that they would generate employment (and) economic activity would improve.

And we say that all of these must terminate at the sea ports, so anybody can import from any particular place in time.

You can import from Warri Sea Port; you can import from Port Harcourt sea port; you can import or export from Calabar sea port or any of the sea ports.

In terminating the railway, we are going to terminate one at Apapa and another one at Tin Can to encourage inter-modal means of transportation.’’

 

The minister gave the assurance that appropriate measures would be taken to ensure that the country received the right amount of revenue from the system.

 

“We also want to know how much is coming in and how much is being spent.’’

Nobody is expected to spend more than the budget has been approved for you so that we save money for the economy.’’

 

Amaechi, therefore, urged Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government as its works assiduously to revive the economy, beginning with the implementation of the 2016 budget.

 

(NAN)

Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi Emerges Ohanaeze Igbo Man Of The Year

Posted on by
1

Nigeria’s Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi has won the 2015 Igbo Man of the Year Award.

 

 

National Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, who disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing on Thursday, said “the former Governor of Rivers State from the Ikwerre sub Igbo clan won the award after a stiff poll organised by the OYC.”

 

 

While disclosing that the award will officially be conferred on Hon Amaechi on Saturday, 30th January, 2015 at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, he stated that the Deputy Senate President, Chief Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerged as the outstanding Igbo politician of the year.

 
According to him, winners of other categories include Governor Willy Obiano- the best Igbo Governor of the year, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Igbo legislator of the year, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, the Igbo entrepreneur of the year, Leo Stan Ekeh, the Igbo Scientist of the year, Prof Ben Nwabueze, the Igbo Elder statesman of the year and Prof May Nwoye the Igbo Woman of the year.

 

 

Others are Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Igbo Minister of the year, Chief Charles Okereke, the Igbo Journalist of the year, Chief Innocent Chukwuma , the Igbo investor of the year, Chief Author Eze, the Igbo philanthropist of the year and Chief Maduka Onyishi, the Igbo Transporter of the year.

 

 

On why Amaechi won the award, Okwu explained that “his actions before and during the 2015 presidential election has so much helped in deepening Nigeria’s democracy.

 

 

“We recall how he doggedly fought and retained his position as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, against all odds.

 
“Apart from that, as the Director of President Buhari’s campaign team, he gallantly led the fight that led to the change in the country today. These no doubt, put him forward as a true Igbo son from the South-South.

 

 

“On the part of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, apart from the effective representation he has given to his constituency and the South-East Zone, he emerged as the Deputy Senate President against all odds”.

 

 

On the recognition of Gov Willie Obiano as the best Igbo Governor of the Year in the zone, he explained that even though all the governors, especially the three new ones, had make remarkable impact, the Anambra Governor had created so many indelible records.

 

 

He further stated that other categories of awards to be announced later include the Igbo Sportsperson of the year, the Igbo Farmer of the year, the Igbo Academic of the year, the Igbo footballer of the year, among others.

 

 

 

Credit : Daily Post

Amaechi Proceeds On One Week Casual Leave

Posted on by
Reply

Newly appointed Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, will not resume duty until November 17 as he has proceeded on a one week casual leave following his appointment yesterday.

 

During a brief meeting with top officials of the ministry, Amaechi said he will be on leave until Sabiu Zakari, the newly appointed permanent secretary assumes duty. Like the ministers, permanent secretaries too have just been appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari and several of them have yet to assume office.

 

The minister added that his meeting with the Permanent Secretary and the Directors on November 17 would begin by looking at the budget and its level of implementation.

 

According to him, the meeting is necessary to chart a new course toward completing all ongoing projects, especially the rail and extending it to different part of the country.

 

He has pledged to complete all ongoing rail projects around the country and extend rail lines to all parts of the country.

 

He called for cooperation from all parastatals and agencies of the ministry and the aviation sector.

Edward E. Pepple: Amaechi is innocent until proven otherwise by court

Posted on by
1

A former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, fights back over Ministerial screening and has written three letters on why the Senate should not stop his screening as a ministerial nominee.

 

He said the allegations against him were not only false but also made malafide with the intent to “solely irritate, embarrass and tarnish his hard-earned reputation.”

 

He said he should be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.

 

He said since there are pending cases at the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal, any action by the Senate will be subjudice.

 

He asked the Senate to preserve its Standing Order which bars it from dabbling in any matter pending before a court.

 

Amaechi broke his silence in three separate letters to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

 

The letters were written by his solicitor, Edward E. Pepple.

 

In the letters, he asked the Senate to “discard” the  petition against him by the Integrity Group  and the report of the Justice G. G. Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

 

Citing the case of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Amaechi said the Supreme Court had emphasized  that an indictment by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry or Administrative Panel is not an “indictment” or sufficient for the purpose of preventing a person from holding a public office.

 

The October 12 letter to Saraki (EW/GC/CRA/15/012) reads in part: “ It has informally come to our client’s attention that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief/Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, to judicially investigate our client and probe into some transactions of the Rivers State Government undertaken during the tenure of our client has purportedly come up with a report based on which the Governor and Government of Rivers State have supposedly also issued a White Paper, wherein it has proposed that certain steps and actions should be taken against our client.

 

“Of course, this is clearly in defiance of the pending suit at the Court of Appeal on the issue.

 

“It is important to mention that our client only became aware of this situation through a news bulletin aired on both the Channels Television and the Independent African Television (AIT). Apart from those, no other form of communication has been sent to our client, whether directly or indirectly.

 

“As had been mentioned in our earlier letters, our client is challenging the competence and validity of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and its powers to make any valid or binding decision or pronouncement as it relates to him.  The matter is pending at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, in suit No. CA/PH/342/2015; Between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (claimant/appellant) and the Governor of Rivers State; Attorney General of Rivers State; Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others (defendants/ respondents).

 

“On the 14th of July 2015, our client caused to be issued an originating summons against the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney General of Rivers State, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others before the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi in suit No. PHC/189/2015 between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi vs. The Governor Of Rivers State & 9 Others, wherein he challenged the competence and powers of the Hon. Justice G.O. Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry to carryout judicial function of investigating him and making pronouncements thereof, instead of the authorities established by law to do so. However, Hon Justice S.C. Amadi on the 20th of August 2015 dismissed the suit on very spurious and unjustifiable grounds. This led to the appeal referred to above.

 

“Much as we do not intend to canvas our arguments at the Court of Appeal before the Distinguish Senate, it is pertinent to highlight some salient provisions of the law and pronouncements of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on this issue and the rationale for our client’s challenge of the competence of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

 

“ The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the grundnorm upon which every other law derives. Therefore, any law that is inconsistent with the Constitution is to the extent of the inconsistency void. Section 6 of the Constitution establishes the judicial powers of a state, which is vested in the courts, being courts established for a state pursuant to the Constitution. Section 272 of the Constitution provides for the jurisdiction of the High Court of a state, in this case, Rivers State. See the provisions of sections 1, 6, 36, 251 and 272 of the Constitution on the above propositions of the law.

 

“On the other hand, the summary of the provisions sections 7 (b-f), 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 21 of the Commission of Inquiry Law (Cap 30), Laws of Rivers State 1999 is to the effect that the commission under that law has the power to summon, issue warrants of arrest, impose fines, commit for contempt and summarily convict and impose terms of imprisonment. This is contrary to the express provisions of the constitution. These are obviously powers exercisable by the courts.

 

“This position of the law has been upheld and reaffirmed severally by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In the case of Doherty V. Balewa (1961-1962) NSCC (page 248) at 257, lines 35-50, the Supreme Court in a similar situation with the instant case held as follows:

 

“The power of the commission to impose imprisonment is clearly contrary to the provisions of Section 20, and this was not disputed by the Attorney-General. This must also apply to the power to impose a fine, which is enforceable by imprisonment. In these circumstances, we would hold that Sections 8, 15 and 18 are invalid to the extent that they purport to empower a commissioner to inflict a punishment of a fine or imprisonment that the Sections should be ‘read down’ accordingly.”

 

Earlier in an October 9 letter to Saraki and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions (EW/GC/CRA/15/011), Amaechi said the petition against him by Integrity Group was heinous.

 

He said: Sir, following the receipt of the letter for and on behalf of the Distinguished Senate (Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions)which was graciously served on our client today (9th October, 2015) with a copy of the petition, accordingly inviting him to appear before the committee, we wish to furnish you and the committee with some further and better particulars, hence this letter.

 

“ We make bold to say that as grievous, heinous and worrisome as the contents of the petition may seem on the face value, it is as malicious, dubious and libelous as it is falsehood.

 

“As we had stated in our earlier letter, whereas our client is very desirous of defending himself of these allegations made against him, we are sincerely afraid that he is, in this case, constrained and unable to do so before the distinguished Senate at this moment. This is because the subject matter of the petition is subjudice, being issues pending and subsisting before courts of competent jurisdiction. The cases include:

 

Suit No: CA/PH/342/2015; Between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (claimant/ appellant) and the Governor of Rivers State; Attorney General of Rivers State; Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others (defendants/respondents), pending at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division. (ANNEXURE 1)

Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15; between Advante Consulting & Mgt Co Ltd; Result Import Export Co Ltd; Capital Index Ltd (plaintiffs) and Livingstone Wechie (for and on behalf of the Integrity Group), The Sun Publishing Ltd, Leaders and Company Ltd and Guardian Newspapers Ltd (defendants), pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. (ANNEXURE 2)

“Sir, at the Court of Appeal, our client is challenging the competence and validity of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and its powers to make any valid or binding decision or pronouncement against him.

 

“The issues for determination before the Court of Appeal therefore relate and pertain to the ‘wrongful allegations of corruption and corrupt practices’ levelled against our clients and the unlawful and unconstitutional procedure adopted by his accusers and indicters (which in this case includes the Governor and Government of Rivers State, the Petitioner, Mr. Livingstone Wechie, and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry) in what may seem as an attempt at establishing the ‘purported wrongful doings’ against our client.

 

“On the 14th of July 2015, our client issued an originating summons against the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney General of Rivers State, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and 7 others before the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi in suit No. PHC/189/2015 Between Tr. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi vs. The Governor of Rivers State & 9 others, wherein he challenged the competence and powers of the Hon. Justice G.O. Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry to carry out judicial functions of investigating him and making pronouncements thereof. However, Hon Justice S.C. Amadi on the 20th of August 2015 dismissed the suit on very spurious and unjustifiable grounds. This led to the appeal referred to above.

 

“  In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/2677/15 that is before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the issues relate directly and specifically to the contents and subject of this petition. The petitioner, Mr. Livingstone Wechie, between 3rd and 4th August, 2015, using the title ‘Looting of Rivers State Treasury’ caused to be published the same contents of this petition in some national newspapers (Thisday, The Guardian, Daily Sun, The Nation, etc), wherein he published that our client and Messers Advante Consulting &Mgt Co Ltd; Result Import Export Co. Ltd; Capital Index Ltd were involved in corrupt practices.

 

“He did, as in this present petition, also allege that the said companies were fraudulent and not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Aggrieved by the libelous publications, these juristic persons (the companies) approached the court to challenge the veracity of the contents and subject matter of this petition and to seek damages for libel against the petitioner for the falsehoods published and circulated against them and our client. Find attached the bundle of court processes; including Writ of Summons, Statement of Claim, Order for Substituted Service on Mr. Livingstone and other defendants, etc.

 

“Mr. President, this suit is still pending and subsisting at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The court in order to come to the conclusion that the contents of that publication are false and libelous, for which damages should be paid must make findings and resolve some issues, including for instance:

 

whether or not our client was involved in any form of corrupt practices as alleged, be it stealing, unlawful enrichment and laundering of public funds through the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15

whether or not the companies (Plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15) are registered with CAC, fake or authentic;

iii.    whether or not there are glaring cases of corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment and wanton conversion of funds as it relates to the transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15.

 

whether or not our client approved the sale of the Gas Turbines to NG Power-HPS Limited, and if he did, whether it was for the said amount and whether the proceeds were diverted by our client

whether or not there was any transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15, and if so, whether there was any corrupt practices in the said transactions.

“ Mr. President, we have no doubt that the Senate being an Arm of Government established under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria verily appreciates the general principle of the rule of law, hence the invitation extended to our client to respond to the petition.

 

“Whereas we appreciate the commitment of the Senate to be fair and just, especially in offering our client an opportunity to state his side of the matter, however we need to state, and most regrettably too, that our client is unable to comment or respond in specific terms to the allegations contained in the said petition, as that would amount to commenting on the subject matter before the court of law.

 

“Sir, we are afraid that there is no way the distinguished Senate can effectively, successfully and conclusively investigate and determine the allegations in this petition without making findings, decisions and pronouncements, one way or another, on the issues listed below, which would be substantially the same issues that the court needs to resolve.

 

“Some of the issues that this Senate would have to resolve for instance will include:

 

whether or not our client was involved in any form of corrupt practices as alleged, be it stealing, unlawful enrichment and laundering of public funds through the Plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15;

whether or not the companies (plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15) are registered with CAC, fake or authentic;

iii.    whether or not there are glaring cases of corruption, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment and wanton conversion of funds as it relates to the transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15;

 

whether or not our client approved the sale of the Gas Turbines NG Power-HPS Limited, and if he did, whether it was for the said amount and whether the proceeds were diverted by our client;

whether or not there was any transactions between the Rivers State Government under our client and the plaintiffs in suit No: FCT/HC/CV/2677/15, and if so, whether there was any corrupt practices in the said transactions; and several others.

“Just as the general principle of law is that commentaries and other forms or outside-the-courtroom discussions should not be encouraged or engaged in relation to the subject matter of any judicial litigation, so as not to prejudice and prejudge a matter before a court, we have also realized that this distinguished Senate has not only adopted this principle of law, but has also made it a written code in its Rules and Standing Orders, which is the compass for the proceedings of the Senate.

 

“The Senate by so doing has debarred distinguished Senators from considering matters which are rightly or wrongly subjudice for the sake of ensuring the much-desired separation of powers and preventing possible loopholes that may exist or be created in an attempt at short-circuiting the process of justice and circumventing the stringent application of the laws of our land.

 

“Mr. President, needless to emphasise that it is one of the cardinal pillars of fair hearing that an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. Again, this position is strengthened and reinforced by section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) (hereafter simply referred as the Constitution).

 

“As our client has indicated, the allegations are not only false, they are also made mala fide with the intent to solely irritate, embarrass and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of our client and maliciously represent him as a person not fit and proper to occupy public office.

 

Sir, this intention is borne out clearly from the conduct and restless activities of the petitioner who has expressly stated in his petition to the Senate that he had written same petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC), the two foremost institutions in the country vested with the authority to prosecute financial and corrupt practices related offences. Except to speculate that the petitioner has no confidence in both the EFCC and ICPC, one would have thought that the petitioner should have awaited the outcome of the investigation of his allegations by these institutions. He did not do so because he has one goal, one mission: to malign and discredit the person of our client before the Nigerian people.

“Mr. President, we wish to resist the temptation of delving into the subject matter so as not to fall foul of the law and prejudice the case before the court.

 

“ In the circumstances, we most respectfully urge the Senate to invoke its powers and the Rules and Standing Orders to protect our client from commenting on the subject matter of the petition and any issues relating to or arising from the judicial commission of injury and/or the purported White Paper issued thereto.”

 

 

 

 

Credit : The Nation

 

Senate Defers Screening Of Rotimi Amaechi To Thursday

Posted on by
Reply

The Senate on Wednesday deferred the screening of minister-nominee Rotimi Amaechi to Thursday.

The development followed the inability of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to submit its report on the petition against Mr. Amaechi.

The Chairman of the Committee, Sam Anyanwu, while briefing the senate, said that the committee could not meet on Tuesday following the late adjournment of plenary.

Mr. Anyanwu said that as at the time of adjournment of plenary, most of the members of the committee were “too tired to meet”.

He promised that the committee would meet on Wednesday so as to finalise the report on Mr. Amaechi and submit it on Thursday to enable his screening.

The development reduces to nine, the number of minister-nominees to be screened on Wednesday.

Among the nominees to be screened are Chris Ngige, former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola and Ibe Kachikwu.

Read More: premiumtimesng

Integrity Group petitions Rotimi Amaechi’s ministerial nomination

Posted on by
Reply

Integrity Group, an anti-corruption group,  has filed a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate protesting the nomination of the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, as a ministerial nominee, citing allegations of fraudulent practices during his tenure as the governor of the state.

The group argue that Amaechi is yet to clear his name over allegations of fraud concerning the sale of the state power plants and conversion of proceeds running into $302 million, unlawful payment of over N4 billion to Clinoriv Specialist Hospital and unlawful enrichment of a firm, Messrs Collect Nigeria Ltd., with public funds amounting to over N1.5 billion.

In an address in a press briefing in Abuja today, the Publicity Director of Integrity Group, Livingstone Wechie, allege that Amaechi is currently being investigated by anti-corruption agencies for unlawful enrichment and conversion of over N70 billion state resources and as such, should not be made a minister in the country.

Wechie added that Amaechi has resisted efforts to get him to explain the circumstances regarding the monies to the people of Rivers State, as he failed to appear before the recent Justice Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by the state government.

Amaechi sues PDP, others for libel, demands N300bn

Posted on by
1

The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has dragged the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, its Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, and two others to an Abuja High Court over allegations that he embezzled funds belonging to the state to the tune of $757 m (N80bn) while in office.

 

Amaechi said in a statement he signed and issued on Tuesday that he had also sued the state PDP and two others for alleging that he (Amaechi) operated a private foreign account where he lodged the said public funds.

 

Though, the former governor did not identify the two other persons he joined in his suit, Amaechi said the allegation had done a lot of harm to his person and reputation and demanded N300bn as damages.

 

Amaechi recalled that the state PDP on August 6, and August 21, 2015, alleged that he stole the sum of N80bn of Rivers money and stashed them in an account in his name in Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, United States of America.

 

The immediate past governor explained that ever since the said libelous publications by the PDP and Felix Obuah got to the general public, he had been “inundated, bombarded and confronted by several persons who expressed lack of respect, loss of faith in him and who no longer regarded him as trustworthy and now viewed him as a common criminal.”

 

“That he had been confronted by persons who offer him disrespect arising from the false accusations, even though he denied committing the several heinous offences which the PDP and Felix Obuah falsely and maliciously accuse him of committing.

 

“The PDP also alleged that Amaechi had embezzled millions of dollars of Rivers State money and stashed the money in other foreign accounts in his name, including in a bank in Switzerland. The PDP claimed that the various Amaechi foreign accounts were revealed and blown open by Christiane Amanpour of America’s Cable News Network (CNN).

 

“The PDP went further to claim that Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, had written to President Muhammadu Buhari that part of the funds was to purchase a house for Amaechi in America and that they (Bancorp Bank) intend to return the stolen funds to Nigeria.

 

“However, in this fresh suit filed before an Abuja High Court, FCT, Amaechi stated that each of the said malicious publications by the defendants (PDP, Felix Obuah and two others) are untrue, false, motivated by ill-will and without any foundations in truth whatsoever and further avers that the defendants made the said libelous publications after the PDP failed in the presidential election and with a view to rubbishing him in the eyes of right thinking members of the society and the persons to whom the said libelous publications have been made.”

 

He added that the PDP had claimed that the US-based bank had revealed to President Muhammadu Buhari that part of the money lodged therein were meant to purchase a house for him (ex-governor).

 

Amaechi had, however, declared in his statement of claims in the said suit that he did not steal the sum of N80bn belonging to the state and did not stash the said amount of money in Bancorp Bank in the United States of America or Switzerland.

 

Amaechi further declared, “The Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, United States, did not write and did not communicate with President Muhammadu Buhari over any said sum of $757m allegedly looted by him (Amaechi) that is kept with it and in Switzerland since no such money was ever looted by him.”

 

 

 

Amaechi noted that part of his worry is that the defendant (PDP, Obuah and two others) had further circulated the alleged malicious publications that exposed his person to ridicule, public odium, contempt and disparagement in the eyes of right thinking members of the society.

 

Describing the allegations against him as wild, Amaechi maintained that he served the state with distinction, initiated and completed numerous public projects and undertook other public infrastructure projects.

 

He also affirmed that he had never been convicted by any court with either stealing or embezzlement of public funds anywhere in Rivers State or Nigeria or anywhere in the world.

 

 

–Punch

Oshiomhole: Buhari’s Running Mate???

Posted on by
353

Previously, reports had it that Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers state, is considered as the top contender for the VP slot against Bola Tinubu, APC national leader.

New developments provide that Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, is now in strong contention for the vice-presidential slot of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against earlier reports that he was not interested in the race.

Reports also claim that this new development came to being after APC leaders were unable to settle for a vice president after General Buhari’s win, thus the announcement of his victory proceeded without a running mate beside him.

Credit: The Cable Nigeria

Opposition Leaders Have Biggest Gains From Boko Haram Insurgency – PDP

Posted on by
1

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), of trying to make political gains from the war against Boko Haram, by stating that he will end Boko Haram insurgency in a few months, if elected.

In a statement issued by the national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Wednesday, the PDP regretted Buhari’s insinuation that the Federal Government had failed in its attempt to tackle the problem and it would only end when Buhari was elected.

It said: “It is unfortunate that Buhari, being a former head of state, has continued to play politics with a very serious security challenge, which has claimed the lives of many Nigerians, by always trying to use the pains of the people to score cheap political points at a time all patriotic Nigerians are joining hands with government to look for solution

Source – Daily Post NG

Rivers APC Clears The Air Why Amaechi Dumped PDP ,Warns Blackmailers

Posted on by
11

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has cleared the air on why the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi dumped the ‘tattered umbrella’ of the doomed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and embraced the ‘revolutionary broom’ of APC despite having spoken negatively about the APC symbol in the past.

 

The party warned blackmailers who are so frightened by the high rise of the national political profile of Governor Amaechi and are desperate to bring him down by attempting to make a mountain out of a molehill to look for something better to do as Rivers people and, indeed, Nigerians are too politically advanced to be easily deceived by unserious minds that clutch at straws in their quest for political relevance.  

 

Rivers APC said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya: “There is a time and season for everything under the sun, as the Holy Book rightly says. It is disgraceful that empty minds that cannot stand the rigours of intellectual political debate are making so much fuss about a 2011 statement credited to Governor Amaechi to the effect that ‘those who carry brooms are night soil men and juju priests’.   

 

“Like the true African that he is, Amaechi was speaking in parables but suffice it to say that he did not in any way contradict himself by later dumping the torn umbrella of the doomed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the clean-sweeping broom of the APC.”

 

Rivers APC insisted that Amaechi was 100% right in his 2011 statement and had to take his leave from the PDP when the mess by the PDP-controlled Federal Government under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan became an unmistakable threat to the very survival of the country, thus leaving all patriots with no other option than to join the league of proverbial night soil men. 

 

“The mess by the PDP-led Government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as manifested in monumental corruption, suffocating insecurity and strangulating economic hardship is such that every Nigerian patriot needs to carry brooms to flush out this evil party and clean up the country for the sake of present and future generations. There is no gainsaying that going by the present sorry state of Nigeria, the country desperately needs good night soil men to clean up PDP’s faeces. Indeed, it is time for all those who truly love Nigeria to bring the brooms out and get down to work with APC’s broom revolution as we seek to bring about change after forming the next government in 2015,” Rivers APC said.

 

The party berated the faceless Association of Concerned Indigenes of Rivers State and other faceless groups being promoted by the Presidency and Rivers State PDP Leader, Nyesom Wike, “for wasting billions of taxpayers’ money on a worthless advertorial in some National and Port Harcourt based papers in its doomed propaganda campaign that can only make Governor Amaechi and APC stronger as they work to salvage Nigeria from the evil grip of PDP.”

 

The party advised Wike and his cohorts to find something better to do as nobody is interested in their childish propaganda campaign which was doomed to fail from the very beginning.