In early 2009, the irreverent and authoritative Sahara Reporter alleged that on or about September 24, 2008, the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory allocated plots of lands to Mrs. Farida Waziri, who was then the new boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In addition, 23 Nigerians -- including leading journalists like Bayo Onanuga, Bala Dan Abu, Comfort Obi and Reuben Abati, were named as beneficiaries. Of all the people so listed, most commentators and public intellectual were fixated on Dr. Abati, the chairman of the editorial board of The Guardian. It was as if dirty deals were expected of others, but not of Abati.

Not only was the land allocation considered a crooked deal, the fact that Abati was listed as a beneficiary was shocking and disappointing to most. After all, he is, in the estimation of many, a man of the people. He was well-regarded; a truth-teller who freely roamed the nation’s public intellectual space. He was a pontificator who sermonizes against corrupt practices and against evil doers. In some places, it was opined that “if Abati could not be trusted, then, all hope was lost.” But through it all, he refused to publicly comment on it.

He neither confirmed nor denied the allocation allegation. He kept silent. He didn’t think it was worth his time or effort to utter a word in regards to the allegation, insinuations and or inferences. He may have explained himself to his employers, his closest pals, and his pastor and to his immediately family -- but definitely not to the public. But the public wanted to hear from him because, after all, he was a public personality and they wanted to be assured that he had not strayed. More than six months after the charges were made, he remains silent. Did he or did he not? No one knows, at least not publicly.

The irony was that a man who had spent much of his adult and journalistic life calling for and espousing accountability, transparency and trust, stonewalled everyone. The pontiff at Rutham House went silent: deploying the same tactics crooked and roguish politicians frequently employ: ignore the people’s query and outcry. In Nigeria, armed robbers are routinely executed; petty thieves are jailed or burnt alive; but pen-robbers who steal and or mismanage millions and millions of dollars can stonewall and walk free. To be clear, land deals -- whether they have the appearance of illegality or unscrupulous touch -- are different from boldface theft and mismanagement. But you know, what is bad is bad assuming he did something bad.

I too lent my voice to the growing movement that demanded he come clean. In Reuben Abati’s Immolating Silence, I wrote: “Dr. Reuben Abati may not be guilty of anything. It is possible he has not committed any crime or ethical infractions…. we have no way of knowing what really happened or didn’t happen…his continuing silence will make some people wonder; it will continue to fuel the rumor mills, and people may associate him with the jackasses and fuckups that roam the Nigerian cesspool. He may not think so, but a lot is at stake here… The noise surrounding the alleged Abatilandgate may not go away quietly.” For a while the drum beat was loud, very loud. But the silence was louder.

The deafening silence continued. Even so, there was a determined group of readers -- especially at the Nigerian Village Square site -- who were determined to “show him hell…to make him talk.” Indeed several readers stalked him. Some abused him. Some questioned his heart and his courage, while others called into question the totality of his life’s work. For me personally, it was difficult to read some of the comments made about him. Here was a man who was adored by many. Suddenly, suddenly, “minions” were deriding him, calling him names. It was so sad. So very sad to read and observe.

After all these months, I thought the world had forgotten about it and moved on. After all, not much has been said on the Nigeria Village Square (www.nigeriavillagesquare.com) site or any other Nigerian-related site regarding the land matter. But apparently not. One of those who had not forgotten about the alleged land deal and who obviously has a running battle with Abati, was Mr. Hillary Okoronkwo. Okoronkwo is an accounting and finance strategist based in Michigan. He is a noted entrepreneur “with over 16 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hillary began his career in 1992 as a Financial Analyst in the Controller’s office of Arthur Anderson Detroit.” He studied Economics at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria and obtained a BSBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1994.

From all available documentary evidence, which is contained in electronic mails, the war of words between both men began in 2005, when Okoronkwo named Abati the “most annoying journalist of the year.” However, it was in recent days that the Abuja land issue became a focus of their conversation, a bone of contention. There are several salacious matters in the exchanges about which one could comment about, but the Abujalandgate is what is central to today’s piece. Specifically, Abati’s written comment, as brief as it was in regards to the land allegation, is what is relevant here. There are no smoking guns, no admission of guilt, no denial or confirmation…just…well, you decide. Abati wrote:

“I still insist that there is a land registry at the FCTA. You go there and do your investigations instead of asking me to respond to pure rubbish…. What is your problem? Land? If you feel that anything has been done that you feel uncomfortable about, and you have a serious stake in the matter, why don't you go to court, or report to the police, the EFCC or whoever. What I expect any intelligent man to do is to go to the FCTA and conduct a search, and see if there is anything amiss. If there is still any shred of humanity within you, I advise you to press it to service. Did you ever go to school at all? Please stop this nonsense.”

Reuben Abati

July 2009

What other matters are contained in the exchange between Reuben Abati and Hillary Okoronkwo? Oh well, ask Abati, or ask Okoronkwo…

Sabidde@yahoo.com

Robot  # 1 | 01.08.2009 08:20

He neither confirmed nor denied the allocation allegation. He kept silent. He didn’t think it was worth his time or effort to utter a word in regards to the allegation, insinuations and or inferences. Not a word was said…The irony was that a man who had spent much of his adult and journalistic life calling for and espousing accountability, transparency and trust, stonewalled everyone. The pontiff at Rutham House went silent: deploying the same tactics crooked and roguish politicians frequently employ: ignore the people’s query and outcry. To be clear, land deals are different from boldface theft and mismanagement. But you know, what is bad is bad assuming he did something bad....Read the full article.

Norris  # 2 | 01.08.2009 09:41

Abidde, I am in the vanguard of those that called for Abati to say something on his land allocation considering his erstwhile moral grandstanding - but I must confess that this your piece is suspicious, the end part most especially is leaving a big question mark. Or is it all about not letting the fire cease ?

S. Njokede  # 3 | 01.08.2009 10:09

It's out of herd mentality of keeping up with pliable Joneses that some Nigerians still read Abati's trifle of comments. Before delving into engineering the public in the right direction or choosing to tell corrupt politicians and suchlike to remove the tainted specks in their eyes, you yourself, should be ready to set and live by that same example. otherwise, you're living large, like a fraud. I've once, also written here asking Abati to come clean. Abati earns his living via public trust. This is the more reason why Abiti must put his hands where the public can see. Dodging and sweeping the Abuja land scam under the carpet has dealt him a big nasty blow. And he knows it. In advanced countries, he'd have either come clean or resigned from journalising. When CNN reporter, Christine Amanpour, married a president Bill Clinton White House staff, she resigned from reporting about White House activities. Have you ever heard about conflict of interest before, Rueben Abati? www.punchbadleaders@yahoo.com

Auspicious  # 4 | 01.08.2009 10:58

+ Thanks, Mr. Abidde. That SR story damaged Abati for good in the eyes of many - mine included. I am not as 'embarrased' by the story as I am by his suspicious silence. And, sadly, I never enjoyed anything he authored since that episode. It's like, suddenly, the scales fell off my eyes about him. It's that bad. I wonder if it's the quality of his pieces that's fallen, or I am just jaundiced. Whatever the case is, these days, he reads more pedestrian than ever. It's quite unfortunate. Auspicious.

kekerete  # 5 | 01.08.2009 11:23

I should advise Abati to watch the movie "Notting Hill", particularly the scene where one of the characters urges the other not to take the scandal currently brewing so seriously as today's newspaper will be tommorow's bin liner. She responded that the story has been filed for posterity, and that every story written about her in the future will reference this particular scandal. Until and unless Abati clears the air over this land matter, every of his actions will be viewed with reference to this particular incident.

Agidimolaja  # 6 | 01.08.2009 13:55

Sabella, I implored you {as I did Tijani in the past}to pls get better employment for your precious time by moving on to something of more intrest and importance to your vast readers, thus leaving this over flogged Abati's land issue alone. I cautioned that care must be taken lest Abati made a fool of you by not talking as demanded. He did not talk then regardless of numerous attacks launched at him from several locations.He is not talking now even in the face of similar attacks and he is most likely not to talk in the future. Possibly, he just wanted to be left alone and his silence be constitutionally respected. We can't blame him. You quoted from what we were told he wrote about the matter although I doubt it if indeed Abati wrote that, considering the style of the writing. All curious people were therein asked to double check with certain establishments concerning the issue and see if anything was done wrongly. If I may ask you,Sabella,did you check with those authorities?If not,why not?

lakota  # 7 | 02.08.2009 10:25

Agadimolaja, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRILLIANT CONTRIBUTION.I REALLY ENJOYED IT. THOSE WHO QUESTION ABATI LAND DEAL SHOULD PETITION EFFC OR VISIT THE LAND REGISTRY AT ABUJA TO FIND OUT IF ANYTHING IS AMISS. THANK YOU ABATI FOR YOUR SILENCE .......SILENCE IS AND WILL FOREVER REMAIN THE BEST ANSWER FOR FOOLS!

10Kobo  # 8 | 02.08.2009 16:50

Sabella, I implored you {as I did Tijani in the past}to pls get better employment for your precious time by moving on to something of more intrest and importance to your vast readers, thus leaving this over flogged Abati's land issue alone. I cautioned that care must be taken lest Abati made a fool of you by not talking as demanded. He did not talk then regardless of numerous attacks launched at him from several locations.He is not talking now even in the face of similar attacks and he is most likely not to talk in the future. Possibly, he just wanted to be left alone and his silence be constitutionally respected. We can't blame him. You quoted from what we were told he wrote about the matter although I doubt it if indeed Abati wrote that, considering the style of the writing. All curious people were therein asked to double check with certain establishments concerning the issue and see if anything was done wrongly. If I may ask you, Sabella, did you check with those authorities? If not, why not? Agidimolaja, I think a lot of people, like you, are missing the point. Granted, some people launched scathing attacks at Reuben, and that is undeserved; everyone has the benefit of doubt. The issue you fail to observe is that of morality and like they say, Caesar's wife must not only claim to be clean, she must be seen, to be clean. Some people, by virtue of their contributions to society, by virtue of their knowledge, by virtue of the position-of-responsibility (to the society) they occupy, or just by virtue of the respect they have garnered, have become what l will call "public property"! For a long time, l choose what Article/columns l read in Newspapers and like so many millions of Nigerians, Reuben Abati is it! If it is written by Reuben, then l will read it....and l will believe it!! Abati, to some of us, comes across better and more trustworthy than the Pastor on the Pulpit! If someone makes an allegation against your Pastor (like when some made one against the G.O of Redeem Church!), you will definitely be concerned, not because you "deserve an explanation or that he owed you one" but because, you have elevated such people to the level of moral sainthood and you're only waiting for them to confirm that your thoughts, that the allegation is baseless and unfounded. To say that people should mind their business, does not cut it, Abati has become the "business of his numerous fans":D Honestly, he did not ask us to "believe in him", like Jesus! But we do. He is our darling, we love him and if we "ask questions", we do it not with a spirit of maliciousness or that we sought to "convict him" of a probable misdeed but out of love and respect we have for him. Nothing is of better interest to anyone who is a "follower of Reuben" like me, than to be constantly reminded that "he is, as l know and perceive him", still one of those fine gentlemen whose voice and pen, is a beacon of light in the dark, murky and morally bankrupt league of leadership that be-straddles our great country. Though there might be underlining tones as to why others are asking for an explanation from Reuben on this matter (given that corruption and patronage are known tactics used to destroy the conscience of some Nigerian...and given that the Head of EFCC, a body becoming very popular for shady deals and corruption, was also listed along as a recipient!some undoubtedly, may be looking for an excuse to rubbish Abati's good name!) but there are also millions of Nigerians who just wanted their hero, Reuben, to be and to remain, what he is.....an untainted hero. But on the contrary, if Reuben Abati think "people dont count" and he does not owes his "fans" any assurance, then it is his legal right but we all know that "Morality is not always and only defined by the law"...which in most cases, is an Ass that is easily manipulated. His silence still remains troubling! I rest my case but l still admire Reuben, despite this "matter". 10Kobo

Auspicious  # 9 | 02.08.2009 18:09

=Agidimolaja;377641>Sabella, I implored you {as I did Tijani in the past}to pls get better employment for your precious time by moving on to something of more intrest and importance to your vast readers, thus leaving this over flogged Abati's land issue alone. I cautioned that care must be taken lest Abati made a fool of you by not talking as demanded. He did not talk then regardless of numerous attacks launched at him from several locations.He is not talking now even in the face of similar attacks and he is most likely not to talk in the future. Possibly, he just wanted to be left alone and his silence be constitutionally respected. We can't blame him. You quoted from what we were told he wrote about the matter although I doubt it if indeed Abati wrote that, considering the style of the writing. All curious people were therein asked to double check with certain establishments concerning the issue and see if anything was done wrongly. If I may ask you,Sabella,did you check with those authorities?If not,why not? LOOOOL! Nna Bros aw yu take kno say Sabella, na Area Boy wey nor get job eim be? Abi yu see am for Unda Bridge for Lagos dey hussle? Plus, weytin 'we' go do, if Sabella snub all dis Ogbonge Warning and Advises wen 'we' dey dash am lai gba Kobo? Evin sef, why we care to dash am advise sef? Eim na small pikin wehn nor fit tink for eimsef? Prus, finarry, when Abati go finarry carry out dis threat wey yu sef dey make on eim behalf take "make fool" of Sabella, ehn? Me, ah nor rike shakara O! If na punsh unu wan thro, make unu thro. Nor dey off shirt dey puff like adder wen notin dey to show, abeg. So, Bros ehn, make yu sef carrey time abeg..:rolleyes: Auspy.

Miliki Way  # 10 | 02.08.2009 21:05

=Auspicious;377622>And, sadly, I never enjoyed anything he authored since that episode. Enjoy? Hmm.. you even try sef. I haven't read any of his hypocritical articles since the land issue came to limelight.

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