How Farida Waziri and Top Nigerian Editors Got Abuja Land Allocations-SAHARAREPORTERS

[salstep]

http://www.saharareporters.com/index...pic&Itemid=205


When James Ibori, Bukola Saraki and a coalition of other incumbent and former governors facing graft charges recruited Mrs. Farida Waziri to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), SaharaReporters did a detailed expose on her recruitment and eventual "clearance" by the Nigerian senate, despite loud protestations from conscientious Nigerian citizens and civic groups Mrs. Waziri was forced on Nigerians as EFCC chairperson.

SaharaReporters has also documented Waziri’s incompetence and many corrupt deals since assuming leadership of the anti-graft agency. Our detailed reports on her stint at the special-fraud unit of the Nigeria Police Force showed that she was in cahoots with major perpetrators of advance fee fraud ("419"). Under her watch, 419 crimes skyrocketed. A source recently disclosed to us that, in her days on the special-fraud unit, she remained a regular face at the Federal Palace Ikoyi hotel suite maintained by Fred Ajudua, a notorious 419 kingpin.

Our more recent investigation into her tenure at the EFCC has revealed a lot more troubling facts of her involvement in direct stealing of EFCC funds. Specifically, she has used her "special assistant" to make cash withdrawals from the agency. These withdrawals have been made under the bogus heading of "information funds".

SaharaReporters investigations showed that between June 23 2008 and October 22nd 2008, Mrs. Waziri – with the aid of her blood brother, Yisa Terfa Moses, whom she hired as a special assistant – withdrew the sum of N75 million as “information fund” from the accounts of the EFCC.

In preparation for what started as a petty pilfering of EFCC funds, Mrs. Farida had earlier recruited a police officer of her ethnic stock, a Tiv policeman named James Vandefan Tersudh, to take charge of the accounts department at the EFCC. A breakdown of Mrs. Waziri's "information fund" withdrawals shows that on Monday June 23 2008 she took out N5 million. Three days later, on June 26 2008, she made cash withdrawals of N15 million. She followed up with withdrawals of N15 million on July 22nd 2008 and another N15 million on July 28 2008.

Waziri’s looting of EFCC funds resumed on August 2nd 2008 with a cash withdrawal of N2 million, followed by another withdrawal of N3 million on August 14th 2008. On September 20th and October 14th 2008 respectively, Mrs. Waziri also took out N20 million in two N10 million installments.

Saharareporters investigators could not determine any specific “information” projects that the withdrawn monies were used for. At any rate, there are no accounts of their usage provided in the account books of the EFCC. However, two sources within the agency told us that Mrs. Waziri used the funds to fete and 'take care' of journalists in an attempt to shore up her badly battered image.

However, the cash withdrawals have coincided with our discovery of Mrs. Waziri's curious purchase of federal government owned properties in the Wuse II area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. As a retired former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mrs. Waziri owned only one plot of land in Maitama area of Abuja. According to our investigations, on May 26 1999, she was allocated Plot 601 at 23 Aso Garden Estate, Maitama Abuja. One Barrister Mike Idoko Ejeh submitted her application.


However since her assumption of office in 2008, Mrs. Waziri has acquired several properties in Abuja. SaharaReporters investigators found out that she purchased from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) a federal government house valued at N50.04 million at number 10 Port Novo Street, Wuse II, Abuja. The house was described in FCDA records seen by SaharaReporters as a five-bedroom detached house with boys’ quarters.

Mrs. Waziri paid N5 million for the property through a bank draft issued by Access Bank of Nigeria. The property is currently being renovated. A source told our correspondent that the Access Bank link was suspicious. On assuming office as EFCC chair she had moved almost all EFCC accounts to the bank where her daughter was employed. Shortly after her relocation of the agency's accounts, we confronted EFCC spokesperson Femi Babafemi who admitted that Access Bank had EFCC account, but he said only the salary accounts were moved there.

It was not clear how Mrs. Waziri paid the balance of N45 million on the property, but a source at FCT told SaharaReporters that the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Aliyu Umar Modibbo, grossly undervalued the property. “The minister was in trouble because of serious cases of corruption, and he offered the house to Mrs. Waziri at a give-away price in order to secure her support otherwise a property of that type in Wuse II cost at least N150 million,” said the source.

Mrs. Waziri's dealings with Moddibo started when “President” Umaru Yar'adua instructed Mrs. Waziri to investigate how another former minister of the FCT, Nasir El Rufai, managed proceeds of sales of Federal properties in Abuja under Obasanjo's tenure. El-Rufai was being sought for punishment as Yar'adua began clamping down on the vocal members of the former regime especially the so-called reformers.

Yar'adua was responding to allegations contained in petitions that accused El-Rufai of embezzling N32 billion. The Nigerian Senate was also simultaneously probing the alleged embezzlement. The funds at the center of the investigations were monies that El Rufai placed with an FCT-owned loans and savings bank, Aso Savings, from which federal civil servants were supposed to draw housing loans.

Unknown to Yar'adua, Modibbo had withdrawn the funds from Aso Savings and distributed it amongst various commercial banks leaving behind a meager N7 billion. In “gratitude,” the banks paid Modibbo the interests generated from the deposits. Even a Presidency circular asking him to return the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria was ignored. EFCC agents found out about the extensive fraud as they interrogated Modibbo and took his statements – which were forwarded to the Presidency before Mrs. Waziri could see them. Unaware of her agents’ damning report, she commissioned another report on Modibbo, highly favorable, which was again dispatched to the Presidency.

Briefed on Modibbo's extensive corruption dossier with the Presidency, SaharaReporters reported in September 2008 that he was penciled in for removal from office. While awaiting his removal from office, Modibbo hurriedly allocated lands to 24 individuals on September 24 2008. The list of beneficiaries included EFCC chair, Farida Mzamber Waziri, who was allocated the second largest piece of land-about 1 ½ acress- on the list. Coincidentally, the list contained names of top journalists and editors such as Reuben Adeleye Abati (editorial page editor of the Guardian), Adebayo Onanuga of TheNEWS, Comfort Chinezerem Obi of the SOURCE magazine, Mr. Director Uhunmwernkpenma Osa of Insider Weekly and Bala Dan Abu of Newswatch.

An FCT official told Saharareporters that all ministerial approvals derive from land applications. Two of the editors we contacted stressed the same point. Still, an official at the EFCC familiar with details of Modibbo’s corrupt deals told Saharareporters that the former minister's decision to allocate lands to Mrs. Waziri alongside top newspaper editors was done to ensure that the transaction was not reported – and that Modibbo’s extensive scams at the FCT were covered up.

On receiving the list, we contacted Comfort Obi, publisher of the SOURCE and a member of the Police Service Commission (PSC), a body that recently dismissed former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu from the police. Ms. Obi told our reporter that she got land alongside other editors by applying for it, noting that there was nothing unusual about it. She also said some editors got land allocations in Abuja two years before her crew got theirs. Also, Mr. Bayo Onanuga of TheNEWS told Saharareporters that he purchased the land in Abuja legitimately like every other Nigerian, and that he paid for it. He further told our reporter that the former minister did not give land to any editor for free, underlining that some of the editors had a difficult time putting the money together for their allocations.

Mrs. Waziri's Certificate of Occupancy was offered to her the next day. The C of O read that she was allocated Plot 1460 of 25 Trent River Street, Maitama, Abuja with file number 60219 in Cadastral zone B06 of MABUSHI. The land area size is 2336.26 square metres.

However, her plot soon became the subject of a hide-and-seek game. According to a source within the FCT who knew about the transactions, Mrs. Waziri and the former minister suspected that SaharaReporters was aware of the land allocation to her. Waziri arranged with the FCT to change the ownership of her land. On October 13 2008, the Federal Capital Territory Administration Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) wrote her a "withdrawal letter" titled "Notice of Withdrawal of right of Occupancy." The short letter, addressed to Mrs. Farida Mzamber Waziri, stated that her Right of Occupancy to Plot 1460 within B06 MABUSHI was revoked by "DISCRETION BY AUTHORITY". The letter listed the director of development control, director legal, and director “URP” as the source of the letter.

Two days after the revocation, the same plot was allocated to Mrs. Waziri's daughter, Zainab Naomi Salawu. The same plot was now assigned a new file number GO 60167. In an attempt to hide the exact identity of the re-allocated land, FCT officials gave the address as 2 River Trent Crescent, Maitama Abuja.

In a move that betrayed her stake in the land, Mrs. Waziri sent Mohammed A. Bako, the EFCC protocol officer, to sign a letter accepting the land. Bako, who signed on behalf of Zainab Naomi Salawu, gave his EFCC office phone number 09-64441118, his e-mail address, abako@efccnigeria.org, as well as his home address in Karu area of Abuja. Zainab Salawu is believed to own a hair saloon in London known as "Naomi Davids".

The land grab by Mrs. Waziri is coming on the heels of our recent revelation of her receipt of a Mercedes Benz GL 450 gift from Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom.

Our efforts to reach Aliyu Moddibo – whose removal led him to weep openly at his handing over ceremony – did not yield any results. Two of his former aides claimed he was out of Nigeria but sources knowledgeable about his whereabouts said he is currently in Kano where he maintains a sprawling mansion he “commissioned” a few weeks ago.

[salstep]

Even Reuben Abati dey collect!!!! wunderment

[easekieled]

Even Reuben Abati dey collect!!!! wunderment

This na Nijeriya...nothing absolutely nothing is impossible!

[salstep]

If na ribadu, this thread for don reach 10 pages! But as na Farida Waziri and Reuben Abati + 4 other newspaper editors being allocated land in prime abuja location, on the same list, nobody wan talk. YEYE!!!

[Luchi]

Just one year in office, Madam Waziri has already acquired these things? Naija is just something else!And some of the editors who are supposed to be asking questions about this kind of things have boxed themselves into a corner.

[Bill Carson]

Haba! Abati, you sold your soul for a piece of the DEVIL’S PIE....

[toksy]

Oh well, as they say, "If you can't beat them, kuku, fcuking join them." Welcome o, Ogbeni Abati!! Next thing we expect from you (Abati and your fellow sell-outs) is a thesis extolling the virtues of Madam Waziri and how successful EFCC have been under her Chairladyship.

[Ewuro]

Oh well, as they say, "If you can't beat them, kuku, fcuking join them." Welcome o, Ogbeni Abati!! Next thing we expect from you (Abati and your fellow sell-outs) is a thesis extolling the virtues of Madam Waziri and how successful EFCC have been under her Chairladyship.

It is better to wait for Reuben Abati's response to this.

[Bunch17]

It is better to wait for Reuben Abati's response to this.

It is better to wait for Waziri's Abati's response to this.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
What is good for Dora is good for Nuhu!

[tonsoyo]

Haba! Abati, you sold your soul for a piece of the DEVIL’S PIE....

What is wrong with getting a land allocation in Abuja? It is purely legal, as long as it is not undervalued or involve iwuruwuru like Farida's own.

Land allocations were offered to Nigerians in diaspora during Obasanjo's regime, houses and lands are allocated to people in Lagos on an ongoing basis. There is nothing wrong with land allocations per se, what to look for is any act of illegality.

I am yet to see any as far as Abati is concerned.

[WaleAkin]

I am just wondering as to how SR gets its informations. As far as i am concerned, the above correspondences are personal and bringing such unto a public board is more or less a breach of trust and who is that person? I am not against SR, not at all but when we have a deliberate breach of trust to satisfy a guerilla-journalism, then heads must roll! When i have surbodinates (Admin, Office Helps, Secretaries, Typists, PAs, SAs) who sell confidential info to tabloids, then why wont the FG ask them all to swear to an oath of secrecy despite the fact that it was an ill-conceived approach and a dent on free speech but suffice to say that when a surbodinate deliberately pick up info and sell such on, then we have a problem. MHO

[DaBishop]

I am just wondering as to how SR gets its informations. As far as i am concerned, the above correspondences are personal and bringing such unto a public board is more or less a breach of trust and who is that person? I am not against SR, not at all but when we have a deliberate breach of trust to satisfy a guerilla-journalism, then heads must roll! When i have surbodinates (Admin, Office Helps, Secretaries, Typists, PAs, SAs) who sell confidential info to tabloids, then why wont the FG ask them all to swear to an oath of secrecy despite the fact that it was an ill-conceived approach and a dent on free speech but suffice to say that when a surbodinate deliberately pick up info and sell such on, then we have a problem. MHO

I fail to see ya point . sir.
The world over, tabloids or journalists of the investigative kind use lure, monetary inducements, and insider info to bring out exposes. If SR did not show photo and scanned copies, some will still deny...case in point, the Atiku denial in spite of their exhibition of the SEC case filings...which is a public document.

Yar Adua and co. need not swear anyone to secrecy if they have nothing to hide. Government business is the peoples' business. The people's business should be conducted in the open...except for the security stuff...

Besides, Land Registries are supposed to be legal registars of land holdings open to the public. If I want to find out who owns plot #747 Angel's Avenue, I should be able to go to the land registry pay the required search fee and find out who owns what...when it was bought, transfered or registered.

You should be happy SR is forcing government to be honest/transparent if they do not want to be exposed...
In a less than serious note...Abi one of the exposed journalist na ya paddy?

[salstep]

What is wrong with getting a land allocation in Abuja? It is purely legal, as long as it is not undervalued or involve iwuruwuru like Farida's own.

Land allocations were offered to Nigerians in diaspora during Obasanjo's regime, houses and lands are allocated to people in Lagos on an ongoing basis. There is nothing wrong with land allocations per se, what to look for is any act of illegality.

I am yet to see any as far as Abati is concerned.

Me I am not saying anything illegal has taken place o! But I find it a bit odd that a few editors/journos will appear on the same page as Farida Waziri. The list is not even in alphabetical order. Looking at their publications now I am beginning to smell a rat!

Take Comfort Obi for example. On the Payroll of PSC and also editor of source magazine. This mag has recently been used for public disinformation services. The Ribadu house saga and the igbinedion 90 houses in London come to mind. The source of both stories was the EFCC. The aim was to muddle the truth that was already out there.

We are all been played by yar'adua's gang of thiefs.

[Dapxin]

If na ribadu, this thread for don reach 10 pages! But as na Farida Waziri and Reuben Abati + 4 other newspaper editors being allocated land in prime abuja location, on the same list, nobody wan talk. YEYE!!!

And your point sir ? This is a fresh SR post here as far as I know.

Is it illegal for RA to buy a land in Abuja ni ? or just because SR report features that alongisde cr00k Waz, RA is therefore becomes a corrupt person too ?

I would worry about the cost and size of the land so allocated.

[Mikky jaga]

IF Madam Waziri that retired as AIG and was alleged to be in cahoot with 419ers as the Head of the Fraud Unit of the Police could have only one plot of land on retirement and within such a short time amass all those properties claimed by SR, the she must be a very good student of history.

She must have seen Abdulsalami that became multibillionaire for ruling Nigeria for only 9 months and OBJ, the Baba of them all leaped from N20,000 to ownership of multibillion Dollar companies within 8 years. She must have noticed how El Rufai conned Nigeria of multi billion Naira under the watchful eyes of Nuhu Riba. She must have put two and two together and arrived at the conclusion that she must make hay while the sun shines.

When Nigeria is ready to fight corruption, everybody will know. But for now, the music plays on.

[DaBishop]

What is wrong with getting a land allocation in Abuja? It is purely legal, as long as it is not undervalued or involve iwuruwuru like Farida's own.

Land allocations were offered to Nigerians in diaspora during Obasanjo's regime, houses and lands are allocated to people in Lagos on an ongoing basis. There is nothing wrong with land allocations per se, what to look for is any act of illegality.

I am yet to see any as far as Abati is concerned.

SR clearly gave their hypothesis.
They have not contended that it was wrong to allocate land to anyone.

They have put it out there with a theory, that is the subject as concerns lady Wazz and da EFCC accounts as well as the coincidence of land allocation...cancellation, then re-allocation within days to her daughter, a Naomi...then the coincidence of the jounalistic group...Is someone trying to buy their silence? Is that theory too abstract, too tenous a connection?

[tonsoyo]

Me I am not saying anything illegal has taken place o! But I find it a bit odd that a few editors/journos will appear on the same page as Farida Waziri. The list is not even in alphabetical order. Looking at their publications now I am beginning to smell a rat!

Take Comfort Obi for example. On the Payroll of PSC and also editor of source magazine. This mag has recently been used for public disinformation services. The Ribadu house saga and the igbinedion 90 houses in London come to mind. The source of both stories was the EFCC. The aim was to muddle the truth that was already out there.

We are all been played by yar'adua's gang of thiefs.

Have you considered the other side of the coin that Reuben Abati and other Editors names may be included to give the allocation some measure of credibility?

For instance, if my hatchetman is the Source Editor and I want to give him some undue benefit, all I need to do is to allocate the Editor a prominent land at Asokoro or Maitama Districts for a peanut and then include names like that of Abati on the same allocation for credibility at a price he probably would not be able to afford.

Are we even sure that Abati accepted the allocation yet?

[tonsoyo]

SR clearly gave their hypothesis.
They have not contended that it was wrong to allocate land to anyone.

They have put it out there with a theory, that is the subject as concerns lady Wazz and da EFCC accounts as well as the coincidence of land allocation...cancellation, then re-allocation within days to her daughter, a Naomi...then the coincidence of the jounalistic group...Is someone trying to buy their silence? Is that theory too abstract, too tenous a connection?

You are preaching to the choir here. My response is directed at those already criticizing Abati on the allocation.

[WaleAkin]

I fail to see ya point . sir.
The world over, tabloids or journalists of the investigative kind use lure, monetary inducements, and insider info to bring out exposes. If SR did not show photo and scanned copies, some will still deny...case in point, the Atiku denial in spite of their exhibition of the SEC case filings...which is a public document.

Yar Adua and co. need not swear anyone to secrecy if they have nothing to hide. Government business is the peoples' business. The people's business should be conducted in the open...except for the security stuff...

Besides, Land Registries are supposed to be legal registars of land holdings open to the public. If I want to find out who owns plot #747 Angel's Avenue, I should be able to go to the land registry pay the required search fee and find out who owns what...when it was bought, transfered or registered.

You should be happy SR is forcing government to be honest/transparent if they do not want to be exposed...
In a less than serious note...Abi one of the exposed journalist na ya paddy?

Ula,

Re-read my post one more time pls and also note that the correspondences were not duly signed. Now, who will send out a federal parastatal correspondence without signing such? No doubt that SR is doing a "clean" job but when certain perimeters are crossed, such "whiter hands and cleaner jobs" becomes sleazy.

I see a Nuhu Ribadu Vs Farida Waziri camps at war and SR is being used as the conduit.

Finally, are you saying SR is putting out monetary inducement to get its "hot" information (Thats is what you wrote above, not my words pls!!), If yes, then who is giving SR the funds? DFID

[toksy]

Originally Posted by Ewuro

It is better to wait for Reuben Abati's response to this.

Okay, i hear you my brother. Let's wait for Mr. Abati's response to this allegation afterall, a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


Like Tonsoyo said:

Land allocations were offered to Nigerians in diaspora during Obasanjo's regime, houses and lands are allocated to people in Lagos on an ongoing basis.There is nothing wrong with land allocations per se, what to look for is any act of illegality.

However, judging from the way Mr. Abati and his fellow members of the press have been criticizing Baba-Go-slow/ Do nothing yar adua's rudderless govt of late and the ongoing riddle of Ribadu vs EFCC under the leadership of Madam Waziri, I would not be surprised if there is a K-Leg somewhere along the line in this new developement, which we can dubbed "Abuja land Allocationsgate".


Here, I stand..............

[DaBishop]

You are preaching to the choir here. My response is directed at those already criticizing Abati on the allocation.

Abati is part of the group allocated land, and while I do not preach in this regard, persons are welcome to be floored that he is to be found in, within, next to, or around that list...if the hypothesis turns to a correct theory...

Yes, ordinarily, persons should wait to hear his side before making judgments, but in the nature of things in this digital community, persons can comment, 'subject to his defense' if any...

As in, 'Is Abati also among the prophets?'

[tonsoyo]

Ula,

Re-read my post one more time pls and also note that the correspondences were not duly signed. Now, who will send out a federal parastatal correspondence without signing such? No doubt that SR is doing a "clean" job but when certain perimeters are crossed, such "whiter hands and cleaner jobs" becomes sleazy.

I see a Nuhu Ribadu Vs Farida Waziri camps at war and SR is being used as the conduit.

Finally, are you saying SR is putting out monetary inducement to get its "hot" information (Thats is what you wrote above, not my words pls!!), If yes, then who is giving SR the funds? DFID

Walata,
Let us clarify the issues here. Do you have a problem with the veracity of the claims or you have a problem with how they get the information or it is a problem for publishing same?

If you have a problem with the veracity of their claims, I have nothing to say about that but personally, I believe the story, even if their own copy of the letter was unsigned, it depends on how they got it.

I will disagree with you if you have problem with how they got the information, that is their own problems, this is what investigative Journalists do, the SR have proved to be a master of the game. It does not matter if they pay for it or who is behind it, I do not care, there is always somebody powerful behind investigative Journalists the purpose of informing the public is served as long as the story is true.


Like Da Bishop said these information are supposed to be public documents available online anyway. I will therefore be surprised if you have any problems with their publishing it. We have a right to know. Thanks SR for making it a public knowledge.

You will recal that I have taken issue with some of the publications of SR in the past as unethical. For instance the pictures of Yar'Adua's son.

I considered that as stepping out of line and irresponsible. It is apparent that the little guy in that picture is a minor who is not yet capable of independent reasoning. It looks like a set-up job from all indications. It is therefore unethical to project the guy to the whole world in such manner just because the father is the President.
What about the little guy's interest? There is nothing he did inthose pictures that is inconsistent with what a boy his age will be fasctinated with if they have access to it.

But in this case, Wale, I think you are wrong.

[tonsoyo]

Abati is part of the group allocated land, and while I do not preach in this regard, persons are welcome to be floored that he is to be found in, within, next to, or around that list...if the hypothesis turns to a correct theory...

Yes, ordinarily, persons should wait to hear his side before making judgments, but in the nature of things in this digital community, persons can comment, 'subject to his defense' if any...

As in, 'Is Abati also among the prophets?'

Da Bishop,
I do not get it. His name is found where it should be found, among other newspaper Editors. Only Waziri is inconsistent.

It could be a PR job, but there is nothing wrong with PR job. We still have to see evidence of bias to complain.

[salstep]

Da Bishop,
I do not get it. His name is found where it should be found, among other newspaper Editors. Only Waziri is inconsistent.

It could be a PR job, but there is nothing wrong with PR job. We still have to see evidence of bias to complain.

I suppose all the editors decide to apply for allocation the same time and appear on the same list!!!
Though i won't put it pass waziri EFCC to release more disinformation. Something don't look good here.

[tonsoyo]

I suppose all the editors decide to apply for allocation the same time and appear on the same list!!!
Though i won't put it pass waziri EFCC to release more disinformation. Something don't look good here.

salstep,
The funny thing about these phony allocations is that you need not apply before you are awarded, if you are a public figure.

Even if they did, they could have done so at different times, it is the Ministrys prerogative to decided in what batch to include it.

[Bill Carson]

What is wrong with getting a land allocation in Abuja? It is purely legal, as long as it is not undervalued or involve iwuruwuru like Farida's own.

Land allocations were offered to Nigerians in diaspora during Obasanjo's regime, houses and lands are allocated to people in Lagos on an ongoing basis. There is nothing wrong with land allocations per se, what to look for is any act of illegality.

I am yet to see any as far as Abati is concerned.

Perception of corruption Is what Abati Is guilty of regardless of the land allocation transparency.

Abati Is not naïve not to understand the Implication of such transaction. The mannar of the transaction clearly shows desperate/successful attempt by FCT Minister & Civil Servants to nobble him.

If Nduka of ThisDay was the benefactor of such largesse’s then eyebrows won’t be raised or should we now measure Abati’s journalistic credentials with the same benchmark as Nduka?

[salstep]

salstep,
The funny thing about these phony allocations is that you need not apply before you are awarded, if you are a public figure.

Even if they did, they could have done so at different times, it is the Ministrys prerogative to decided in what batch to include it.

On receiving the list, we contacted Comfort Obi, publisher of the SOURCE and a member of the Police Service Commission (PSC), a body that recently dismissed former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu from the police. Ms. Obi told our reporter that she got land alongside other editors by applying for it, noting that there was nothing unusual about it. She also said some editors got land allocations in Abuja two years before her crew got theirs. Also, Mr. Bayo Onanuga of TheNEWS told Saharareporters that he purchased the land in Abuja legitimately like every other Nigerian, and that he paid for it. He further told our reporter that the former minister did not give land to any editor for free, underlining that some of the editors had a difficult time putting the money together for their allocations.

I suppose the quotes above says it all.

[Showcase]

Perception of corruption Is what Abati Is guilty of regardless of the land allocation transparency.

Abati Is not naïve not to understand the Implication of such transaction. The mannar of the transaction clearly shows desperate/successful attempt by FCT Minister & Civil Servants to nobble him.

If Nduka of ThisDay was the benefactor of such largesse’s then eyebrows won’t be raised or should we now measure Abati’s journalistic credentials with the same benchmark as Nduka?

I wonder what is going on here? Are journalists no longer Nigerians? Are they not entitled to land allocations like everyone else? If they applied and were allocated like they should, but some other people decide to lay politics with it, how are they to blame?

Like Tonsoyo said, we have a problem with Abati and the other journalists if it is proven that there were shady deals in how they got their allocations. Until then, we can't deny them their entitlements because they are journalists. No Nigerian is more Nigerian than any other Nigerian. It is not a crime to be a journalist.

[MrOneNaija]

JOURNALISM OF RECKLESS INNUENDO

It is flippant and irresponsible on the part of Sahara Reporters (SR ) to engage in the kind of recklessly speculative journalism that is more innuendo-based than anything else. Of course, I am referring here to the deeply worrying attempt to associate the names of some newspaper men with the alleged corruption by the current EFCC chairperson.

That SR apparently has no proof to accuse Reuben Abati and those other media persons of involvement in any unethical conduct and yet has gone ahead to suggest some form of morally reprehensible action on their part should be seen as damaging to the crusading identity Sowore and his team have been struggling to establish for some time now. The overwhelming majority of Nigeria-related media outfits have not to date reported about the alleged wrongdoings by Mr. Modibbo, the former FCT minister. Should one then go on to insinuate that their editors have been bribed in one form or the other to look the other way?

Those calling on Abati of The Guardian to speak up are not being fair to the man. In my opinion, Abati and the other "editors" do absolutely have no need to explain themselves based strtictly on what has been said in the text attributed to SR. If in its investigative (?) zeal SR has not been able to rise above the trap of pedestrian innuendo and suggestion, it would be most uncharitable to expect the newsmen in question to face, with rational arguments, what is tantamount to a lynch mob that is dangerously playing on our aversion to those vices that have had a foothold in the contemporary Nigerian society.

Not long ago, a fellow author took the time to offer some words of advice to Sowore and his SR. He opined that the urge to construct anti-status quo narratives should not be interpreted as providing carte blanche to peddle in reckless posturings that are a negation of the assumed objectives of SR and its proprietor (s). I implore Sowore to heed that wise counsel.

[Soul Sista]

I like Sowore but sometimes, he goes overboard. There is insufficient evidence from what he has provided to conclude that Abati and co got their land allocations in an underhand manner or as some form of payment for something. Many law abiding Nigerians with nothing to hide have property in Abuja or are in the process of acquiring same. It is not such an unbelieveable achievement, really.

This reminds me of the time that he and Elendu did an expose on Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's Potomac residence, conveniently neglecting to point out that the residence was acquired long before Ngozi joined the Nigerian Government and deliberately lumping her with Jamilla Atiku-Abubakar. It is also like he put up the pictures of the Obasanjo grand children - an unneccessary and, possibly, emotionally damaging moment for those young, innocent kids. Even the pictures of Baba Go Slow's young son make me uncomfortable because it would seem to me that the young boy may not yet have the capacity to fully determine right from wrong, given his possible age in those pictures.

I know Nigerians are angry. But, sometimes Sowore (and some villagers) can be so mean and petty and one track minded that I think he loses all perspective and come off sounding really out of control.

Of course, should there be additional information about Abati et al, I will revise my priors.

Soul Sista a/k/a Soul Sizzling

[Ewuro]

It is better to wait for Waziri's Abati's response to this.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
What is good for Dora is good for Nuhu!

Reuben Abati is not employed by government. That is a BIG DIFFERENCE compared to gander or geese or the other names you have mentioned. Oo when does it become a crime for a journalist to seek to buy a piece of land?

[Auspicious]

--

Oh this Sahara Reporters people and all their informationses..

See how they are exposing private chit unto Fublik Domain!

How dare they open nyanshes for opening nyanshes' sake??

Oh how I wish I can lay my hands on my Samurai Sword, khai!

Uhn, Ogun Ree! (Auspicious tosh Tongue and point to Sky)..

I will off some heads and Quentin Tarantillo will shriek with fear!

Okija Shrine MUST be awarded government contract, circa, now.

This random open of nyanshes must stop with umudate uffet.

In Janmerica, this kind of sheet will NEVER happen laye-laye.

If you're A Doubt, ask the New York Times or the Drudge Report.

Or..a-ha, even 'better-still-yet', ask London's "Daily Telegraph".

I am, Auspicious..Son of Suspicious.

[WaleAkin]

Walata,
Let us clarify the issues here. Do you have a problem with the veracity of the claims or you have a problem with how they get the information or it is a problem for publishing same?

If you have a problem with the veracity of their claims, I have nothing to say about that but personally, I believe the story, even if their own copy of the letter was unsigned, it depends on how they got it.

I will disagree with you if you have problem with how they got the information, that is their own problems, this is what investigative Journalists do, the SR have proved to be a master of the game. It does not matter if they pay for it or who is behind it, I do not care, there is always somebody powerful behind investigative Journalists the purpose of informing the public is served as long as the story is true.


Like Da Bishop said these information are supposed to be public documents available online anyway. I will therefore be surprised if you have any problems with their publishing it. We have a right to know. Thanks SR for making it a public knowledge.

You will recal that I have taken issue with some of the publications of SR in the past as unethical. For instance the pictures of Yar'Adua's son.

I considered that as stepping out of line and irresponsible. It is apparent that the little guy in that picture is a minor who is not yet capable of independent reasoning. It looks like a set-up job from all indications. It is therefore unethical to project the guy to the whole world in such manner just because the father is the President.
What about the little guy's interest? There is nothing he did inthose pictures that is inconsistent with what a boy his age will be fasctinated with if they have access to it.

But in this case, Wale, I think you are wrong.

Woked,

I typed a response and lost it due to a severed internet connection just now..................Jeez, it was tiring typing the response! Give another 12 hrs and i shall respond to the above.

Good night

[WaleAkin]

Reuben Abati is not employed by government. That is a BIG DIFFERENCE compared to gander or geese or the other names you have mentioned. Oo when does it become a crime for a journalist to seek to buy a piece if land?

I am not supporting Reuben Abati, not at all but at the moment he does the following paid jobs:

1. The Chair, Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos

2. Books Reviewer

3. Compere at coperate launch events

4. Discussant, Patito's Gang-A TV Series

I know that it is very easy to make good dough in Nigeria if you know your way around and i will give him the benefit of doubt till we hear and/or read from him via his weekly opinion before we take the next step.

Now, looking at the fact that he has been at the upper rung of working class for close to 15 years now, raising the money to buy a choice property should NOT be an issue but lets read from him.

Abati is a good Man and he deserves a good living

[Ednut]

This is one of the reasons why Nigeria will never amount to nothing. See who is willing to hang Waziri but giving Abati a pass. Just look at those defending the man and it tells you a lot about Nigeria and as long as he is our son, he must be protected and defended.

[Dapxin]

This is one of the reasons why Nigeria will never amount to nothing. See who is willing to hang Waziri but giving Abati a pass. Just look at those defending the man and it tells you a lot about Nigeria and as long as he is our son, he must be protected and defended.

What Rubbish ?

Mrs. Dora is an Ibo - almost all Nigerians on this forum are unified in fearing for her reputation, in accepting to, as Auspicious put it, to clean the govaments pant when it shits.

Nuhu Ribadu nko ? 50-50. People her thought there were significants in his efforts. other thought it was null, because he allowed himself to be objs boy.

Now, SaharaReporters publish a file saying R.Abati owns a plot in Abuja ? And you make such randomly ethno-centric statement as above.

Use your brain dear - sorry not being offensive - but say putting Gani Fawenhimi's name on a piece of paper that he owns a jet in space doesnt make Gani corrupt instantly.

I hate to spell it out for you, You are the racists (oops! etho-centric n00b).

[emj]

This is one of the reasons why Nigeria will never amount to nothing. See who is willing to hang Waziri but giving Abati a pass. Just look at those defending the man and it tells you a lot about Nigeria and as long as he is our son, he must be protected and defended.

What's up Ednut? You do bad o....wey my New Yr Kola?
BTW, na wetin u dey yarn for up dia?

[Kenn]

--------------------



Fellow Nigerians and well-wishers of Nigeria,

Please follow the link below to read and sign a Petition to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police and other authorities concerned to begin immediate investigation into allegations of corruption against the Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri, Aliyu Umar Modibbo, editors of some national newspapers and others.


http://www.petitiononline.com/pwem2009/petition.html

[Auspicious]

What Rubbish ?

Mrs. Dora is an Ibo - almost all Nigerians on this forum are unified in fearing for her reputation, in accepting to, as Auspicious put it, to clean the govaments pant when it shits.

Nuhu Ribadu nko ? 50-50. People her thought there were significants in his efforts. other thought it was null, because he allowed himself to be objs boy.

Now, SaharaReporters publish a file saying R.Abati owns a plot in Abuja ? And you make such randomly ethno-centric statement as above.

Use your brain dear - sorry not being offensive - but say putting Gani Fawenhimi's name on a piece of paper that he owns a jet in space doesnt make Gani corrupt instantly.

I hate to spell it out for you, You are the racists (oops! etho-centric n00b).

Aaaaaah, is it not Ednut?

You never see wehn! Wait make eim come cry for you well-well about unfair Naija - like he did when that plane of military top-brass crashed enroute Obudu Cattle Ranch a couple years back.

Believe it or not, this dude - this same EDNUT o! - came here and started crying, tearing his shirt and grovelling on the ground with sand entering his mouth. He was protesting the fact that, of all the military men that died on that plane, there was NO "Igbo" man on it.

Nna, na like this my Jaw drop: GBAGAM!

AuspY.

[Kenn]

-------------------------

We Are All SaharaReporters!

Fellow Nigerians, I am a member of SaharaReporters, but today, I’m addressing you as another concerned citizen of our serially abused nation. On January 25, 2006 when SaharaReporters was founded, we made a clear, solemn and irrevocable declaration. We told you, Nigerians, that in the spirit of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are establishing this bastion of advocacy journalism to involve you all in the process of self-empowerment. We said we are here to give you the power of information, the power of truth. For the past three years, we can say in good conscience, we have stood steadfast and acted on these principles without fear or favour. And you Nigerians can bear us out.

We have broken information barriers in a country where there is no freedom of information either in law or in practice. We have given you an insight into what passes for governance and you have responded by overwhelmingly acknowledging that we have indeed brought something different, something empowering, something refreshing and uplifting to the table. Throughout our existence though, the powers that be in the country have found it necessary to stifle us with all sorts of dangerous tactics and antics; but we know why we took on this duty, we know why we are doing what we are doing and we know that even in your seeming silence and acquiescence, you the long-suffering Nigerian people have stood by us and, more importantly, we know you are using the information passed to you to make assessment and perception-changing judgment of your political leadership, your future and your children’s future. Of course, no one said it was going to be easy. No one is brimming with illusions, because we all know our country has been thrown in the dung-heap for a long time and the smear is now near-natural!

But for me personally, I think Sunday, 4 January, 2009 marks a watershed in the relationship between the Nigerian people and SaharaReporters. On that day, we reported a potentially mind-boggling scandal that involves the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs Farida Waziri and certain named and unnamed editors of Nigerian national newspapers. For those who haven’t read the story, please find the link below. I advise you read the story first before continuing with the rest of this message:

http://www.saharareporters.com/index...pic&Itemid=205

Okay, I know some of you have passed the shock threshold when it comes to news about corruption in our country. But, if you have, it’s time you take back your conscience from wherever you lost it or wherever it is hidden. If you are a true Nigerian, an avid lover of our dear nation, a proud patriot, you must be really worried by this news. Indeed, if there is anything that encapsulates the relentless affront on the people’s sovereignty and right to a worthwhile future, it is the brazen nature of political and related corruption in our nation! It is today at the level of crime against humanity!

Admittedly, this may not be the biggest corruption or potential corruption case we’ve ever heard of; it may not involve a lot of people; indeed, there could be going on right now a worse case of corruption in some shady corridors of power that we don’t know of and may never know of; but this one, this very one that we are now confronted with represents, if true, the biggest danger to our polity. Its negative significance is head-shattering! When the woman appointed to head the most resourced, the most empowered anti-corruption agency in the country is possibly in cahoots with the operative heads of the national media on such a massively corrupt agenda, nothing short of the death of the nation is their aim!

Of late, we have all been embroiled in the Ribadu dismissal saga. Patriots and scoundrels have held different positions on the issue, because the man is indeed a controversial figure, who, while he served as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the position Mrs Farida Waziri now occupies, did some good things and some not-so-good things. The good things he did are encapsulated in the way he tackled the menaces of 419 and advance fee fraud and the not-so-good things in the way and manner he allowed himself and the EFCC to be used to subvert the people’s will and pollute the political environment, becoming a lapdog and fanatical protector of President Obasanjo and his clan of nation-looters in the process.

But wherever we stand on the Ribadu debate, we all must agree that the fate being visited upon him now by those in government isn’t only the fallout of a high-stake political game in which he’s turning out the loser, but part of a grand design by the nation-strippers to finally cart Nigeria off to the bottomless pit! Yet, we must keep Ribadu out of this, but we must follow his progress in court and insist that he be allowed to put his case across freely as a citizen of Nigeria. Whatever the court decides over the issue of his demotion or sack, we will accept; but justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done!

So, whether you are a pro or anti-Ribadu patriot, please look away from him now. All decent citizens need to unite now! We need to focus all energy on this issue SaharaReporters has brought to our attention now. Focus! Focus on what these people are doing and the extent they are going to achieve the immoral conquest of our nation! Have they now seized men and women we consider consciences of the Fourth Estate? Have they taken hostage all voices of reason and rebellion in one fell swoop? Well, would you fold your hands and let them do it or get away with it if they are doing it, or would you today join Nigerians Against Corruption International (NACI) to do something about it?

As a first step to confront these people head on and get to the bottom of all this, we are initiating a Petition to the President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. As I said, this is only a first step. The President’s response will determine how far it goes. If we all come together, we should be prepared to push it as far as we can, and when we say “as far as we can”, we should mean as far as we can worldwide! We are no friends of people who do not know their basic responsibility in public service. We are no friends of rouges who occupy State Houses, government offices or other positions of trust within the community! We are no friends to people who betray our people’s trust. We certainly are no friends of deceivers, murderers and two-a-penny traitors! The worst they can do is to kill, but there is no grave to hold a people prepared to claim what is theirs! There is no grave big enough to hold Nigerians, if, and only if we decide that enough is enough! SaharaReporters has done its bit. Will you do yours?

If you really feel as we feel, you must join us to strongly express our concerns to President Yar’Adua. Seeing what we are seeing, he needs now to let Nigerians know once and for all if he’s running a government or a conglomerate of crooks. In other words, is he for Nigeria and Nigerians or for those stripping her bare? This may sound harsh, but Mr President needs to tell Nigerians where he truly stands now. He will do that by the way he responds to our Petition.

Fellow Nigerians, it is time to wake up from your slumber! It is time to seize your country from the hands of the vermin who lord it over you! It is time to clear the putrid Aegean stables! It is time you say with real conviction: “Yes, we can!”

So, please, go on and sign this Petition and call your fellow Patriots wherever they may be to come sign it too. This is a national project. Be part of history!

Please, follow the link below to sign the Petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/pwem2009/petition.html


Thank you and God bless!