I'm not a fraudster, says ex-Lagos deputy gov

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has maintained that she is innocent of the allegation of fraud levelled against her and her son, Samson. In a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, Ojikutu denied that she and Samson obtained N130m under false pretences from the complainant, Mr. Cajetan Okekearu. She claimed that the said amount was collected under genuine circumstances for the sale of a plot of land to Okekearu. According to the statement, the said plot belonging to Ojikutu and her late husband, Sampson Ojikutu, is Block 4, Plot 24, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme, Phase 1. It, however, accused the complainant of constructing on a wrong plot of land – plot 23 – which is the adjoining plot. The statement, which was signed by Ojikutu's solicitors, B. Ayorinde and Co., read in part, "That subsequently, Mr. Cajetan Okekearu commenced construction on Block 4, Plot 23, Lekki Residential Scheme Phase1, the land adjoining Block 4, Plot 24, Lekki Residential Scheme Phase 1, whereupon one Afolabi A. A. Coker successfully challenged Mr. Okekearu's entry onto the land. "It was after the events above that our clients discovered for the first time that Mr. Okekearu had built on Block 4, Plot 23, Lekki Residential Scheme Phase 1 instead of Block 4, Plot 24, Lekki Residential Scheme Phase 1." Ojikutu maintained that she and her son had relied on the authority of a Letter of Administration (without a will) granted by the Probate Registry of the Lagos State High Court in 2010 with reference no PHC/2114/2010, "pursuant to which my aforesaid son and me are the administrators of my aforesaid late husband's estate, which includes the said land." The statement further said that Alhaja Ojikutu had signed an undertaking to refund N130m to Okekearu, and had already paid N50m out of the said amount. Also in the statement, Ojikutu's lawyers maintained that she had legal rights to the land as its joint owner, and therefore, had the prerogative to sell following her husband's death in 2008. It also denied that Ojikutu ever used the said land in any transaction prior to when the land was sold to Okekearu. Earlier in the week, the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police had declared the former deputy governor wanted for allegedly defrauding a land buyer of N130m. The SFU alleged that the suspect and her son, Samson, fraudulently obtained the money from Okekearu by selling a plot of land belonging to one Mr. Afolabi, to the complainant. The police also accused Ojikutu of jumping bail and not willing to abide by the terms of payment, which should have had her completely refund Okekearu by November 2012. Meanwhile, Ojikutu is away in the United States of America and so far, there is no indication of when she intends to return to the country, in spite of her status as a wanted citizen. She directed all questions from Saturday PUNCH to her lawyer, Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), who did not pick his calls or respond to a text message to his phone.

CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi And The ‘Scandal’ That Won’t Go Away

Once upon a time, news from my family in Nigeria centered on the dead
or dying. Tired of all the negative news, I sent out a fatwa: give me
news of deaths and risk instant death! My folks knew I didn't mean
literal death. They also knew the sharpness of my tongue. A family
member once said (unfairly, I might add) that if I were goat meat, he
would eat everything except my mouth! I didn't mind that 'yabis'
because the avalanche of negative family news ceased.

I remembered a family member recently and realised I hadn't heard
about her in ages. When I asked my mother, she said the woman had
since passed away. "Why wasn't I told?" I asked with mild indignation.
My mother retorted: "I thought you didn't want to hear news about
death." Touche! I can't eat my cake and have it, can I?

Despite that, I continue to discourage news about deaths because they
often extract a high (emotional and financial) price. Even the happy
events such as weddings and births (not always in that order) have
their own price tags. For example, a younger cousin called one
Thursday to inform me that on that Sunday, she would dedicate her baby
(of whose existence I had been blissfully ignorant). She invited me to
the event (holding in three days!). I asked if she knew the distance
between Arizona and Akwa Ibom. Needless to say, she was only
interested in my presents rather than my presence.

On the political arena, I also carefully filter the information that I
consume from Nigeria. I read the major headlines on Nigerian news
sites and studiously ignore photos of naked young black women that
have become regular pop-ups on these sites. I also avoid the often
deceptive headlines about Nollywood stars and their love interests,
unless the stories are about my favorite leading man, Ramsey Nouah.
Thankfully, he's not one of those crazy ones who run around with
unbridled libido, at least not that I know of. And after the stuff
that I 'accidentally' read this week, I would hesitate if asked to
"drink mbiam" (as my Annang folks would say) affirming his morality.

I am still traumatised by the story of an alleged affair between
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), and a woman who may or may not be a CBN employee. If the story
is true, then I need intense therapy to recover from the shock that my
'fiscal idol' has a serious case of clay-footedness. Okay, I
exaggerate … but it would be profoundly disappointing.

I first 'encountered' Sanusi last year on an Africa Magic broadcast.
That same week he made the headlines with his comment about how the
Nigerian civil service needed a trim. I teased him for desiring to
create a civil service that was as austere as his physical appearance.
The research that I did about him for the column showed a man with
utmost personal discipline. He also struck me as someone who
dogmatically pursues excellence. These characteristics are incongruous
with the image that has emerged in the recent stories of the alleged
sex scandal.

No one outside the newspaper that broke the story can confirm this
story. That hasn't stopped it from generating discussion on
Blogosphere. Many folks who have weighed in on it don't see anything
wrong if a supervisor has an affair with an employee over whom he has
influence (on hiring or promotion). Specifically, the general comments
can be classified in three categories. The first set features folks
who suggest that the story is a malicious attempt to smear a man whose
policies at the CBN have created discomfort for economic deviants. In
other words, enemies and political detractors are trying to "shoot
down" a good man.

The second group of comments argues that it shouldn't matter what a
CBN governor does behind closed doors as long as he's doing his job.
Sanusi's numerous awards, including the most recent (Best African CBN
governor), confirm that he knows his onions. Needless to interject
that private troubles and acts of indiscipline often translate to
policies!

Then there is the third category: if it happened, it must have been
consensual and therefore no crime was committed. The sub-text in this
group includes comments that reference the woman's 'shame' and
'disgrace'. It is framed in a narrative of 'man no be wood' but a
woman should be made of steel, and therefore strong enough to resist
the lecherous advances of a boss.

Some of the details of this case (if true) are certainly different
from the typical workplace sexual harassment. The individuals, as
confirmed by Sanusi himself, had prior knowledge of each other before
the woman was hired at a CBN affiliate agency. In a classic scenario,
the harassment would occur on the job. The victim's response (to
comply, resist or report) is often influenced by many factors. One of
these is the 'need factor', as the victim weighs the promised job or
promotion against the outcome of creating waves, and risking
unemployment. The morality factor may be insignificant in these
calculations.

There's also a 'fear factor' that hinders many victims of workplace
sexual harassment from reporting (even here in the United States with
its sophisticated advocacy mechanisms). The silence is obviously more
common in Nigeria because of the fear by the victim (mostly a woman)
that she'll be blamed, derided, disbelieved and dismissed (for trying
to create problems for an Oga-at-the-top).

In the Sanusi case, commentators are already arguing that the woman
participated actively (such as flying out to hotel rendezvous) because
of what she stood to gain from the relationship. Thus, they ignore the
factors that often create an unwilling but consensual participant out
of a victim of workplace sexual harassment. Unfortunately, regardless
of the truth or falsity of this alleged 'sex scandal', the woman's
reputation has taken a serious hit.

Still, I hope fervently that this scandal is indeed the work of
Sanusi's 'enemies' and 'political detractors'. Nevertheless, if it is
true, I don't want to know. Let me hold on to my austere, ascetic,
albeit not sterile, image of Mallam CBN Governor/. The fatwa on
bringers of bad news is still in force, remember?

Hezbollah: Jonathan Met Our Leader At Aso Rock, Lebanese Suspects Tell Court

Three suspected Lebanese terrorists, Mustapha Roda Darwish Fawaz,
Talal Roda, and Abdulla Tahini, alleged to have imported arms into the
country yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that a
prominent member of their group identified as, Hussein Hajj once met
and shook hands with President Goodluck Jonathan.
The suspects, including the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket and
Wonderland resort in Abuja, Fawaz, who were alleged to be members of
Hezbollah terrorist organisation, further told the court that the
large cache of arms recovered from them by the Military Joint Task
Force, JTF, were mere hunting-riffles, insisting that the Nigerian
government has no right to curtail their fundamental human rights on
the allegation that they constitute threat to its national security.

The weapons recovered from a bunker at 3 Gaya Road, off Bompai Street,
Kano, following a search by a combined team of the JTF including
soldiers from 3-Brigade and the Department of State Services, DSS, on
the bunker, included anti-tank weapons, rocket-propelled guns,
anti-tank/anti-personnel mines among other dangerous weapons.

According to the security operatives that conducted the search, the
arms and ammunition were properly concealed with several layers of
concrete and placed in coolers, drums and bags neatly wrapped.

Meantime, the accused persons have urged the court to not only order
their immediate release from the custody of the DSS, but to award them
cost to the tune of N50billion, adding that contrary to allegation
against them that their organisation was a terrorist group, Hezbollah
is a political party in Lebanon.

Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, produced pictures
before the court showing where the said leading member of the
organization, Dr Hussein Hajj, met with President Jonathan at the Aso
Rock Villa, contending that the Nigerian government abused their right
when it earlier dragged them before a Chief Magistrate Court in Karu,
which they said lacked the competence to try them.

Meantime, the Federal Government, yesterday, asked the High Court to
dismiss the plaintiff's suit as grossly lacking in merit, saying it
has uncovered more evidence to prove that the suspects belong to the
military wing of Hezbolla which it described as a terrorist
organization.

Counsel to the government, Mr Clifford Osagie, informed the court that
the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, has already entered a fresh six-count
terrorism charge against them before the Federal High Court.

Osagie said, "We have proofs that the applicants belong to the
military wing of Hezbolla which is a terrorist organization and in the
coming days, this country will know more about them. The applicants
had in their affidavit attached pictures of someone who was shaking
hands with President Jonathan saying the President knew he was a
member of Hezbollah. If they could do that, then why have they failed
to attach the register of membership of Hezbollah as a political
party?

"Likewise, we urge this court to disregard their argument that what
were recovered from them were hunting-riffles. What we found were
assorted weapons of terror and prohibited fire arms. They are people
who hunt human beings and terrorists do so!

"Even if, without conceding that they were Air or Hunting- Riffles,
our animals are protected in this country. I do not know about their
own country. Besides, they need to tell this court where they have
gone hunting in this country. They want to kill us. They hunt human
beings. They need to show this court that they have license for such
deadly weapons."

Relying on the case of Dokubo Asari Vs FRN, Osagie, maintained that
where national security is in question, individual rights take second
place.

"This is a case where the security of Nigeria has been called to
question by individuals who have benefited so much from this country;
who have made immense wealth from the liberality of this nation. The
activities of the applicants threaten the national security of Nigeria
and the corporate existence of this country. They cannot lift up their
fundamental human rights as the basis to breach national security. The
Attorney General, on June 20, 2013, filed a six- count charge against
them. Once the case is assigned and a date fixed for arraignment,
their trial will commence.

"We therefore urge this court to dismiss this application in its
entirety as being of no substance, frivolous and intended to pervert
the course of justice. It is not in the interest of Nigeria or our
national security. It lacks merit," he added.

Meantime, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi has adjourned the
case till Monday to enable counsel to the applicants reply on points
of law to the arguments of the Federal Government, even as he ordered
that the suspects be remanded in the custody of the DSS.

Government had in its affidavit against the suit, maintained that
"Mustapha Fawaz (2nd respondent) was arrested on May 11, 2013. His
residences at Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja, and 58 Adetokumbo
Ademola Street Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, were duly searched in the course of
which prohibited firearms and other incriminating items were
discovered. A copy of the duly endorsed search warrant and pictures of
the said firearms are hereby exhibited and marked exhibits 1 and
1(A-D) respectively.

"That further investigation led to the arrest of Abdullah Tahini (1st
respondent) on May 12, 2013 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International
Airport, Kano, on his way to Egypt en route Lebanon. He was found to
be in possession of $61, 170."

The government further told the court that "On May 26, 2013, the 3
Gaya Road, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Kano residence of one Ahmed
Hassan Taher, a relative of the 2nd respondent (now at large) was
searched. At the material time, Talal Roda (3rd respondent) and a
suspect in the unfolding investigation was found in the house. He was
arrested in the course of the search which was conducted in his
presence as he had access to the hidden recesses discovered in the
premises.

"A further search of the Kano residence led to the discovery of large
cache of sophisticated weapons and weapons of mass destruction. It was
a war arsenal. A copy of the duly endorsed search warrant executed on
the residence as well as pictures of the discovered prohibited arms
are exhibited and marked exhibits 2."

PDP Moves To Reconcile With Governor Amaechi, Others

PDP Moves To Reconcile With Governor Amaechi, Others Strong indications emerged yesterday that the lingering political problem between the Governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP would soon be resolved. This was even as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said yesterday that the lingering problems in the party between some governors and the ruling party would soon be over. Uduaghan spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abuja at the end of a meeting of the PDP Special National Convention, noting however that viable opposition party or parties was good for the development of democracy in the country, even as he was quick to add that the PDP was not in any way threatened by the coming together of opposition political parties to form the All Progressives Congress, APC. ‘’We had our emergency NEC meeting yesterday which was very successful and we have a national convention which is coming up on July 20, to regularize elections that INEC has issues with at the party level. The party is still very much intact and very very strong for that matter. ‘’Some of these governors that people are saying are not pleased with the party, virtually all the governors were there yesterday. May be one or two were not there because they traveled. ‘’At the PDP Governors’ Forum; within ourselves, we are doing a lot of reconciliation. You would have noticed that even the coming back of Wamakko had a lot of input from us. We had to appeal to the leadership of the party that the suspension should be reversed and the party graciously agreed to reverse it. So, whatever is left, we are handling it at that level. On the formation of APC, he said, ‘’I don’t think the PDP has ever been threatened. Like the President said, it is good that we have a stronger opposition but it is not that there is any threat.” However, sources said that the decision by the PDP to resolve its crisis with Governor Amaechi became necessary in view of the determination by the party not to lose any of its governors especially ahead of 2015 general elections. However, the Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio confirmed that moves were on to ensure that Amaechi and the party withdraw their cases from the court for amicable settlement of their dispute. Meanwhile, Chairman of PDP Special National Convention Planning Committee, Professor Jerry Gana has said that vacant offices arising from the resignations of former members of the National Working Committee, NWC, would be open to all qualified members of the party including the erstwhile officers during the July 20 Special National Convention to be attended by about 4,000 delegates. Gana said, ‘’4000 delegates are expected. The offices that are vacant will be open to all interested members of the party and we have already written to INEC to inform them that the NEC of our party has resolved to reconvene the convention on July 20. The only zonal congress that has been affected is the one for the south west which we have now scheduled for July 11.” The Deputy Senate President and Secretary of the Special Convention Planning Committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu also said that there would be no re-zoning of positions occupied by former members of the NWC who resigned following the report of the INEC, adding that the party took the 2012 convention for granted where there was yes vote for a candidate. Ekweremadu said, ‘’I am not aware that Nigerians decided that our chairman will leave. It is not for Nigerians to decide for PDP. PDP will decide whether their chairman will stay or not. It was entirely an internal issue; let us put it in a proper perspective; what we are doing in PDP is to demonstrate that we are a party that is committed to rule of law. ‘’Now the INEC made an observation regarding our last Convention and the observation is straight forward. They are saying that we had a guideline that stipulated that even when you have one candidate for a particular position, there must be voting for the person, but unfortunately, we took it for granted that since we had one candidate for each of these positions, we could as well do a yes vote. ‘’Some of our colleagues went to court to challenge the decision of the convention and electing those other people in pursuant to the voice vote. The matter is still in court, but we said, instead of waiting for court to decide one way or the other, why don’t we do it again and in doing that, are you going to stay those whose elections were said to be correct to resign, it doesn’t make sense.’’ Governor Akpabio had said that the resolution of the crises between the party and Amaechi would, ‘’show that PDP is always able to resolve every single conflict. It also shows that we will continue to rule Nigeria for a long time to come because we have stakeholders, members of the party that think more of this country; they want peace for this country, they believe strongly on this country over and above their personal interests. ’’That was a major significance of yesterday’s event. When we had the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the PDP and heard that all the officers from the deputy National Chairman down to the deputy Financial Secretary and Treasurer were affected by the INEC report, we resolved that the best way to go was to ask them to tender their resignations in the interest of the party; and to enable the party call for a Special National Convention and regularize the process that INEC pointed out. ‘’And for me, I was very elated and happy that we have members and stakeholders who are more concerned about the stability of the party and about the future of Nigeria than their personal interests. What that means in essence is that PDP will always be in a position to resolve its problems internally.” On reconciliation between the PDP and some of its governors, Akpabio who is the Deputy Chairman, Special National Convention Planning Committee said, ‘’the reconciliation among the governors is already on going. If you noticed yesterday, we had almost all the governors of the PDP there even the recently recalled brother of mine and governor of Sokoto State attended the NEC meeting. ’’Almost all the PDP governors were there. If there was any governor that was not there yesterday, he was probably on an official duty for the Federal Government and for this nation because I know that the Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam is a member of this IPP committee that is going around looking for investors in the power sector; they travelled to Hongkong. ‘’You can see that peace is gradually returning to the fold of the entire PDP and I assure you that all issues will be resolved because the other day, a press man asked me yes, you have recalled Wamakko, the governor of Sokoto State through the National Working Committee; what about the governor of Rivers State? I pointed out that the governor of Sokoto State did not go to court and that the other matter regarding my brother, the governor of Rivers State was in court and was therefore subjudice, but we are exploring all means to ensure out of court settlement to bring back everybody to the fold. ‘’I think it is important to note that we are determined through the PDP Governors’ Forum to bring all our brothers together; the intention of our forum is not to lose a single governor, we want to increase the number. When I came in as a governor in 2007, we were almost 29 governors, but through various court cases and internal wrangling, the rank and file depleted until we are now 23. Under this new forum, we are now determined to increase the number.” Meanwhile, a group under the aegis, North, South New Nigeria yesterday said the PDP would win 33 states in 2015, just as it will continue to control the National Assembly as well as State Houses of Assembly. The Chairman of the group and former Minister of Education, Alhaji Dauda Birmah said that it was formed to support the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and affirmed that President Jonathan would contest for a second term in office. Meanwhile, the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur has described the outcome of Thursday’s NEC meeting of the party, as indication that PDP should be seen as a strong and peaceful political association of like minded patriots. He however thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, other members of the National Assembly, members of NEC, Board of Trustees, BoT, as well as the governors for their support at the meeting where he survived plots to remove him. Tukur noted that PDP members were nationalists united in their resolve to take Nigeria to greater heights irrespective of minor political differences, adding, ‘’the PDP has by the successful hosting of the NEC meeting proved that it is a political institution which has come to stay in Nigeria’s political hemisphere and cannot disintegrate as doomsday prophets are bound to conjuncture or surmise.”

Mikel Confirms Chelsea Exit

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has confirmed Galatasaray have made him
an offer and he is ready quit his EPL club.
"I'm very pleased with Galatasaray's offer," Mikel told Turkish newspaper Sabah.

"I asked Drogba for advice and he told me that Istanbul is a fantastic
city, that Galatasaray is a huge club and that I have to make the
move.

"I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it's now time for me to leave.

"I'm still only 26 and it's great to receive an offer from a club
[Galatasaray] playing Champions League football and doing well in the
competition."

The Nigeria international said he does not expect any cash problems
and Chelsea to stand in his move to Turkey.

"Talks have reached an advanced level between Chelsea and Galatasaray.
Chelsea won't make the move difficult and regarding my salary there
won't be a problem," he said.

"All that is left is for the clubs to reach an agreement."

The 26-year-old defensive midfielder joined Chelsea from FK Lyn for
€26 million in 2006 and has four years left on his contract.

Mikel has made 277 appearances for Chelsea during which time he has
won the Premier League title, four FA Cups and lifted the Champions
League as well as the Europa League trophy

Galatasaray are considering their options in the defensive midfield
position after talks with Juventus over a transfer for Felipe Melo hit
a stalemate.

Birthday boy Tiote appears in court charged with string of motoring offences

Newcastle United star Cheick Tiote has appeared in court charged with
five offences, which include using a false identity document and
fraud.

The Ivory Coast international, who turns 27 today, is accused of using
a fake Belgian driving licence in a bid to obtain a UK licence.

Tiote, who signed for the Magpies from Dutch side FC Twente in 2010,
was stopped by Northumbria police near the club's training ground on
12 February on suspicion of fraud in relation to driving offences.

The midfielder's car, a Chevrolet Camaro, estimated to be worth
£75,000, was seized by police at the time of his arrest.

Magistrates were told the false identity document charge could only be
dealt with at the Crown court and that the other charges were linked.

Tiote was given unconditional bail to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on 5 July.

Fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana sentenced to 20 months in prison after being convicted for £850million tax evasion

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were today convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 20 months in prison. The fashion designers were found guilty at a court in Milan, Italy, of failing to declare £850million ($1.34billion) in income tax to authorities. Prosecutors argued that the pair had evaded taxes on income of £356million ($558million) each and £172million ($268million) through a Luxembourg-based company. The statute of limitations had run out on a charge of misrepresenting income. The designers had denied the charges - and their sentences were suspended pending an appeal. Two years ago, a judge threw out a tax evasion and fraud case against the pair, whose label Dolce&Gabbana is a Milan fashion mainstay. Italy's high court in November ruled, however, the designers could be prosecuted for tax evasion - though not for fraud. A case against the Italian designers, whose A-list fans include Madonna, Beyonce and Angelina Jolie, was looked into in detail by the Italian Supreme Court. This followed efforts to clamp down on tax avoidance in Italy, as experts revealed that an estimated £96billion ($150billion) a year was lost in undeclared revenues. The investigation found that Mr Dolce, 54, and Mr Gabbana, 50, sold their Milan-based labels to their own holding company, Gado srl, which is based in Luxemburg - a notorious tax haven. Prosecutors said at the time that both the Dolce & Gabbana and D&G brands were sold for just  £309million ($483million), about one-third of their true market value, which was decreed a further attempt to avoid paying millions in taxes. As a result the two designers, who founded their company 28 years ago, were ordered to stand trial last November and the case began earlier this year. The designers vehemently denied the allegations and called the charges 'absurd' and based on 'a completely abstract calculation' of their companies' market value. But in April this year, they lost their appeal. The Milan provincial tax commission ruled in favor of Italy's tax authority, Agenzia delle Entrate, finding a 'conduct of abuse with the only goal of obtaining a fiscal advantage'.