Niger Delta militants seize Liberian vessel

The Concerned Militant Leaders (CML), another Niger Delta militant group, captured a vessel with Liberian flag along Bakassi Peninsula of Nigerian wa­terways, Dailynews9ja.
This comes as the group revealed that the next target for attack would be Frontier Oil in Eket, Akwa Ibom state. The ship was heading to the Nigeria Liquefied Nat­ural Gas (NLNG), Bonny, Rivers state before it was seized by the group.

General Ben, the spokesperson of the CML, revealed that they seized the ship as part of their griev­ances against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and to cripple the economy. In a statement issued on July 20, Wednesday, Mr. Ben said they were yet to ascertain the number of crewmembers onboard the ship, continuing that they had every other information about the ship.

He said: “The vessel has the following details (ex­cluding crew onboard), MMSI: 636015354; IMO: 9113551; gross tonnage: 25,202; Country Flag, Li­beria; Crude oil tanker and Pilot, Captain Marcus.” The CML ruled out any plan to negotiate with the Nigeria’s authorities anywhere, unless it is around the Atlantic Ocean, which is their area of con­trol.

 The spokesman noted that the group had not decided what to do with the vessel and crewmembers now, but would inform the government of their in­tention before Wednesday, July 27. He cautioned that no mili­tant group should negotiate with the government until it addressed the agitations of the Niger Delta agitators, especially the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, which CML, in particular, is con­cerned about. “This is the worst gov­ernment we have had since this democratic dispensa­tion. People are suffering and dying due to hardship and government does not want to listen to the griev­ances of our people.

“There is no time again for negotiation with any government, and no group, even the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) should not do that. Government should wait for us and ex­pect more pipeline attack,” the group added. Renewed attacks by new militant groups in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region since early this year have reduced Nigeria’s oil production to a 22-year low. Some experts believe that if President Buhari sticks to his sledge hammer approach, the violence will escalate and the target and tactics of militants may change as well, with dire cascading economic and security consequences for the country.

Niger Delta militants seize Liberian vessel

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Concerned Militant Leaders (CML), another Niger Delta militant group, captured a vessel with Liberian flag along Bakassi Peninsula of Nigerian wa­terways, Dailynews9ja.
This comes as the group revealed that the next target for attack would be Frontier Oil in Eket, Akwa Ibom state. The ship was heading to the Nigeria Liquefied Nat­ural Gas (NLNG), Bonny, Rivers state before it was seized by the group.

General Ben, the spokesperson of the CML, revealed that they seized the ship as part of their griev­ances against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and to cripple the economy. In a statement issued on July 20, Wednesday, Mr. Ben said they were yet to ascertain the number of crewmembers onboard the ship, continuing that they had every other information about the ship.

He said: “The vessel has the following details (ex­cluding crew onboard), MMSI: 636015354; IMO: 9113551; gross tonnage: 25,202; Country Flag, Li­beria; Crude oil tanker and Pilot, Captain Marcus.” The CML ruled out any plan to negotiate with the Nigeria’s authorities anywhere, unless it is around the Atlantic Ocean, which is their area of con­trol.

 The spokesman noted that the group had not decided what to do with the vessel and crewmembers now, but would inform the government of their in­tention before Wednesday, July 27. He cautioned that no mili­tant group should negotiate with the government until it addressed the agitations of the Niger Delta agitators, especially the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, which CML, in particular, is con­cerned about. “This is the worst gov­ernment we have had since this democratic dispensa­tion. People are suffering and dying due to hardship and government does not want to listen to the griev­ances of our people.

“There is no time again for negotiation with any government, and no group, even the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) should not do that. Government should wait for us and ex­pect more pipeline attack,” the group added. Renewed attacks by new militant groups in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region since early this year have reduced Nigeria’s oil production to a 22-year low. Some experts believe that if President Buhari sticks to his sledge hammer approach, the violence will escalate and the target and tactics of militants may change as well, with dire cascading economic and security consequences for the country.

Document Signed By Diezani Exposes Buhari's Minister; Dambazau, Buratai Embezzle Billions From NNPC, Others

Sahara Reporters - Fresh evidence of industrial-scale corruption in the military uncovered by SaharaReporters shows that huge sums of money from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS) were funnelled into military/security operations in the restive Niger Delta in the past 13 years, with none of it accounted for.

A document dated  April, 30 2010, exclusively obtained by this online news medium and signed by Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was at the time Petroleum Resources Minister, shows that eye-watering amounts went to each of the armed forces and the police under the scheme. 

Entitled "Payments On Behalf Of Federal Government Re: Logistics Support For Security Operations In The Niger Delta From 2003 To Date," it was addressed by the Minister to Mr. Goodluck Jonathan who was at the time of the document Nigeria’s Acting president.

 

"We wish to apprise Your Excellency that between 2006 and 2007, the sum of $745million was approved for the Arms of Services and the Nigerian Police Force for funding of security expenses in the Niger Delta," states the document in its opening line.

The approved sum, she stated, was sourced from NAPIMS JV Cash Call budget and Federal Government dividends from NLNG, and was utilized.

She proceeded to give a breakdown of how much was given to each arm of service and the police.

According to the document:

$220million was approved for the Army;

$185million was approved for the Nigerian Air Force;

$160million was approved for the Nigerian Navy got; and

$180million for the Nigeria Police Force

For the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years, a total of $400million from the NAPIMS JV Cash Call budgets was also appropriated for security in the Niger Delta.

The document revealed that a total of $221.171million was expended on security in the oil-bearing region, as follows:

$46.8million to the Defence Intelligence Agency for logistics for security;

$158.7million to the Navy for patrol boats; and

$11.1million to the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security and Safety (PICOMSS).  That committee was eventually scrapped.

This, revealed the document, left a balance of $178.83million appropriated in 2008 and 2009. 

Despite the huge cash splash, Alison-Madueke went on to make additional requests totaling $154.11million, and yet another, of $35.75million. The additional requests, said the Minister in the document, were already with the NNPC awaiting Jonathan's approval for payment.

Broken down the Army made an additional request of $48.75million; the Nigeria Police Force, $15.70million; and PICOMSS, $86.66million.  Of the $35.75million also requested by the Minister, and captured as "commitments from the Arms of Service", $5.34million was to go to the Army, 0.07million to the Police, $7.29million to the Navy and $23.05million to the Police.

Before former president Jonathan was voted out of office last year, there were loud calls for an investigation into defence and security spending, with some of those making the calls asking for an extension of the demanded probe to the time of his predecessor, former president Umaru Yar'Adua.

The widespread belief was that there was grand theft while Yar'Adua, who later died, was incapacitated by ill-health. Under Yar'Adua, the Chief of Army Staff was General Abdurahaman Bello Dambazzau, who is currently the country's Interior Minister. Dambazzau, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari last August, has had his name mentioned in connection with the financial malfeasance that has dogged the military over the years.

Bizarrely, his name and that of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, current Chief of Army Staff, are missing from the list of those affected by the Federal Government probe into defence spending, prompting critics to accuse Buhari of favouritism.

The exclusion of Dambazzau and Buratai from the list has fuelled criticisms of the probe.  Notable among the critics is Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, who has challenged Nigerians to demand the release of the authentic report of the Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He described the Federal Government's claim that the probe panel only looked into procurement and contracts awarded by the military between 2011-2015 because documents related to procurement from 2007 to 2010 were unavailable as a clear indication of Buhari's support for corruption.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, the governor said, “There are many petitions relating to defence from 2007 that are been discarded, the question is why?

“Buhari’s’ Minister of Interior, Major General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) was Chief of Army Staff between 2008 and 2010 and the current Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Tukur Buratai, served as Director of Procurement, Defence Headquarters, from 2012 till May 2015.

“It is a fact that the committee in its terms of reference said it queried all procurement from 2007 to 2015.

"Even the press release issued was titled "Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015," Fayose sneered.

The governor also pointed out that the first paragraph of the committee report indicated that it used 2007-2015 as a reference, stressing that the committee "analysed procurement contracts awarded by or for the Nigerian Army between 2007 and 2015."

COAS Buratai was recently exposed by SaharaReporters as the owner of two luxury apartments, worth $1.5million, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  He claimed to have bought them from “personal savings.”

Following strident nationwide criticism, the Federal Government then announced its approval of further investigations into the purchase of military hardware and weaponry from 2007. Among the subjects of a further probe, disclosed the panel handling the investigation, are two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Generals Anthony Ihiejirika and KTJ Minimah; former Foreign Affairs Minister Nurudeed Mohammed; and three former Defence Ministry permanent secretaries

Document Signed By Diezani Exposes Buhari's Minister; Dambazau, Buratai Embezzle Billions From NNPC, Others

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Sahara Reporters - Fresh evidence of industrial-scale corruption in the military uncovered by SaharaReporters shows that huge sums of money from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS) were funnelled into military/security operations in the restive Niger Delta in the past 13 years, with none of it accounted for.

A document dated  April, 30 2010, exclusively obtained by this online news medium and signed by Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was at the time Petroleum Resources Minister, shows that eye-watering amounts went to each of the armed forces and the police under the scheme. 

Entitled "Payments On Behalf Of Federal Government Re: Logistics Support For Security Operations In The Niger Delta From 2003 To Date," it was addressed by the Minister to Mr. Goodluck Jonathan who was at the time of the document Nigeria’s Acting president.

 

"We wish to apprise Your Excellency that between 2006 and 2007, the sum of $745million was approved for the Arms of Services and the Nigerian Police Force for funding of security expenses in the Niger Delta," states the document in its opening line.

The approved sum, she stated, was sourced from NAPIMS JV Cash Call budget and Federal Government dividends from NLNG, and was utilized.

She proceeded to give a breakdown of how much was given to each arm of service and the police.

According to the document:

$220million was approved for the Army;

$185million was approved for the Nigerian Air Force;

$160million was approved for the Nigerian Navy got; and

$180million for the Nigeria Police Force

For the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years, a total of $400million from the NAPIMS JV Cash Call budgets was also appropriated for security in the Niger Delta.

The document revealed that a total of $221.171million was expended on security in the oil-bearing region, as follows:

$46.8million to the Defence Intelligence Agency for logistics for security;

$158.7million to the Navy for patrol boats; and

$11.1million to the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security and Safety (PICOMSS).  That committee was eventually scrapped.

This, revealed the document, left a balance of $178.83million appropriated in 2008 and 2009. 

Despite the huge cash splash, Alison-Madueke went on to make additional requests totaling $154.11million, and yet another, of $35.75million. The additional requests, said the Minister in the document, were already with the NNPC awaiting Jonathan's approval for payment.

Broken down the Army made an additional request of $48.75million; the Nigeria Police Force, $15.70million; and PICOMSS, $86.66million.  Of the $35.75million also requested by the Minister, and captured as "commitments from the Arms of Service", $5.34million was to go to the Army, 0.07million to the Police, $7.29million to the Navy and $23.05million to the Police.

Before former president Jonathan was voted out of office last year, there were loud calls for an investigation into defence and security spending, with some of those making the calls asking for an extension of the demanded probe to the time of his predecessor, former president Umaru Yar'Adua.

The widespread belief was that there was grand theft while Yar'Adua, who later died, was incapacitated by ill-health. Under Yar'Adua, the Chief of Army Staff was General Abdurahaman Bello Dambazzau, who is currently the country's Interior Minister. Dambazzau, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari last August, has had his name mentioned in connection with the financial malfeasance that has dogged the military over the years.

Bizarrely, his name and that of General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, current Chief of Army Staff, are missing from the list of those affected by the Federal Government probe into defence spending, prompting critics to accuse Buhari of favouritism.

The exclusion of Dambazzau and Buratai from the list has fuelled criticisms of the probe.  Notable among the critics is Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, who has challenged Nigerians to demand the release of the authentic report of the Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He described the Federal Government's claim that the probe panel only looked into procurement and contracts awarded by the military between 2011-2015 because documents related to procurement from 2007 to 2010 were unavailable as a clear indication of Buhari's support for corruption.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, the governor said, “There are many petitions relating to defence from 2007 that are been discarded, the question is why?

“Buhari’s’ Minister of Interior, Major General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) was Chief of Army Staff between 2008 and 2010 and the current Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Tukur Buratai, served as Director of Procurement, Defence Headquarters, from 2012 till May 2015.

“It is a fact that the committee in its terms of reference said it queried all procurement from 2007 to 2015.

"Even the press release issued was titled "Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015," Fayose sneered.

The governor also pointed out that the first paragraph of the committee report indicated that it used 2007-2015 as a reference, stressing that the committee "analysed procurement contracts awarded by or for the Nigerian Army between 2007 and 2015."

COAS Buratai was recently exposed by SaharaReporters as the owner of two luxury apartments, worth $1.5million, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  He claimed to have bought them from “personal savings.”

Following strident nationwide criticism, the Federal Government then announced its approval of further investigations into the purchase of military hardware and weaponry from 2007. Among the subjects of a further probe, disclosed the panel handling the investigation, are two former Chiefs of Army Staff, Generals Anthony Ihiejirika and KTJ Minimah; former Foreign Affairs Minister Nurudeed Mohammed; and three former Defence Ministry permanent secretaries

I Don't Know 'We' Stole Such Huge Billions of Dollars For Election, Culprits Should Be Jailed - PDP BoT Member, Wabara

A member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Board of Trustee member and former Senate President during Obasanjo's regime, Chief Adolphus Wabara said he was startled, and so was so many Nigerians when it was revealed that his party, the PDP spent so huge amount of United States Dollar in prosecuting the 2015 general election.

Wabara speaking with correspondent, IHEANA­CHO NWOSU, in an interview said he never had faintest idea that such money exchanged hands. he further said he believed many Nigerians are really startled that such amount of money in dollars in billions exchanged hands. I don’t think any Presidential elec­tion in any part of the world has spent the type of money that was spent in the last election in Nigeria on election. Everybody more or less participated in the booty. So, any­body found guilty should be prosecuted

"I never had the faintest idea that such money exchanged hands. I’m sure many Nigerians are really star­tled that such amount of money in dollars in billions exchanged hands. I don’t think any Presidential elec­tion in any part of the world has spent the type of money that was spent in the last election in Nigeria on election. Everybody more or less participated in the booty. So, any­body found guilty should be prosecuted," Wabara opined 

On if the revelation destabilizes the PDP, Wabara said;

"I really don’t think it has. Don’t forget that you are innocent until proven guilty and that has to be in the court of law. That explains why you find the likes of (Olisa) Metuh before last Saturday, doing his job and all of them that have been mentioned so far are going around doing their thing, until maybe the day of judgment. In a criminal matter, the onus of proof is on the prosecution and it must be proven beyond all reasonable doubt for you to jail someone on a criminal charge. The EFCC, because of the enormity of their commitments, you find that they are not handling most of the matters professionally. We might end up having people escaping from jail on technical grounds."

On this questions:

You said you have no problem with the way they are handling the anti-cor­ruption war so far. But some people have raised the is­sue of party funds; that the probe so far has not dis­tinguished between party money and funds from the public coffers. Some have said that If you are probing public money, it should not be mixed with money that belongs to the political par­ty, which the party used for election purposes. Don’t you see the EFCC is mixing these together?

"I don’t think they are bringing ev­erything together. We are all Nigeri­ans and we knew how much the PDP raised during the presidential cam­paign – about twenty something bil­lion Naira, not dollars. But what we are hearing is different. If you sub­tract twenty something billion Naira from that, you will find that the whole thing is startling. But Buhari cannot get all the money that is involved, even if he is able to jail all them. I’m being very practical."

As you said, no one is guilty until proven guilty. Now, the same court had approved bail applications of some of these suspects, but none of it appears to enjoy the support of the arresting au­thorities. Is this in itself not an abuse of the process?

"There are two sides to a coin. I don’t want to believe that the EFCC or the ICPC will keep suspects un­necessarily. There was a case that they mentioned and they gave rea­sons why they were still keeping the person. That’s why they moved out of Abuja; they now obtained hold­ing charge from Lagos. You cannot blame the judiciary for doing that. If they get court judgment to continue to hold someone, then you cannot fault that. It’s just that we are alarm­ists. We want things to happen now and I think people are also getting a little bit tired."

I Don't Know 'We' Stole Such Huge Billions of Dollars For Election, Culprits Should Be Jailed - PDP BoT Member, Wabara

Posted by Sylvester No comments

A member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Board of Trustee member and former Senate President during Obasanjo's regime, Chief Adolphus Wabara said he was startled, and so was so many Nigerians when it was revealed that his party, the PDP spent so huge amount of United States Dollar in prosecuting the 2015 general election.

Wabara speaking with correspondent, IHEANA­CHO NWOSU, in an interview said he never had faintest idea that such money exchanged hands. he further said he believed many Nigerians are really startled that such amount of money in dollars in billions exchanged hands. I don’t think any Presidential elec­tion in any part of the world has spent the type of money that was spent in the last election in Nigeria on election. Everybody more or less participated in the booty. So, any­body found guilty should be prosecuted

"I never had the faintest idea that such money exchanged hands. I’m sure many Nigerians are really star­tled that such amount of money in dollars in billions exchanged hands. I don’t think any Presidential elec­tion in any part of the world has spent the type of money that was spent in the last election in Nigeria on election. Everybody more or less participated in the booty. So, any­body found guilty should be prosecuted," Wabara opined 

On if the revelation destabilizes the PDP, Wabara said;

"I really don’t think it has. Don’t forget that you are innocent until proven guilty and that has to be in the court of law. That explains why you find the likes of (Olisa) Metuh before last Saturday, doing his job and all of them that have been mentioned so far are going around doing their thing, until maybe the day of judgment. In a criminal matter, the onus of proof is on the prosecution and it must be proven beyond all reasonable doubt for you to jail someone on a criminal charge. The EFCC, because of the enormity of their commitments, you find that they are not handling most of the matters professionally. We might end up having people escaping from jail on technical grounds."

On this questions:

You said you have no problem with the way they are handling the anti-cor­ruption war so far. But some people have raised the is­sue of party funds; that the probe so far has not dis­tinguished between party money and funds from the public coffers. Some have said that If you are probing public money, it should not be mixed with money that belongs to the political par­ty, which the party used for election purposes. Don’t you see the EFCC is mixing these together?

"I don’t think they are bringing ev­erything together. We are all Nigeri­ans and we knew how much the PDP raised during the presidential cam­paign – about twenty something bil­lion Naira, not dollars. But what we are hearing is different. If you sub­tract twenty something billion Naira from that, you will find that the whole thing is startling. But Buhari cannot get all the money that is involved, even if he is able to jail all them. I’m being very practical."

As you said, no one is guilty until proven guilty. Now, the same court had approved bail applications of some of these suspects, but none of it appears to enjoy the support of the arresting au­thorities. Is this in itself not an abuse of the process?

"There are two sides to a coin. I don’t want to believe that the EFCC or the ICPC will keep suspects un­necessarily. There was a case that they mentioned and they gave rea­sons why they were still keeping the person. That’s why they moved out of Abuja; they now obtained hold­ing charge from Lagos. You cannot blame the judiciary for doing that. If they get court judgment to continue to hold someone, then you cannot fault that. It’s just that we are alarm­ists. We want things to happen now and I think people are also getting a little bit tired."

We Were Forced To Create HIV Virus To Wipe Off African Race - Dr. Robert Gallo

A site run by a friendly and reasonably honest woman I know recently reposted a text titled “The Man Who Created AIDS: Robert Gallo.” The text went super-viral, over 80,000 shares on Facebook alone. Once I read it, I was aghast at how much misinformation and how many scientifically illiterate statements were in the text and attached video.
I wrote her explaining my reasoning, and she immediately agreed to take down the text. It still exists on other, less responsible, sites.

Unfortunately, a large part of the damage has already been done, and that among other articles has helped foster the continued existence of a completely unfounded theory based primarily on not understanding what a patent is in molecular biology. A patent on Ebola or HIV is not the same as a patent on an engine.
Whereas the engine’s patent is reserving the production of that type of engine to the patent holder, a patent on HIV or Ebola is a patent meant to specify how the virus was isolated, how the genotype was determined, and what this consensus genotype is.

In biology, you can patent things you found to concretely identify that component, potentially for use in a more complex system later. Keep in mind that you can even patent seeds obtained from cross-pollination: the patent does not mean the species was genetically modified in a laboratory.

The same way a patent on cross-bred species does not mean it was created in a lab, a patent on a virus genome does NOT mean it was created in a lab. Robert Gallo first published his isolation and identification of HIV in 1984, and patented this in 1985. After older blood samples were then analysed in a search for this virus, it was then found in the past: it didn’t suddenly occur in the 1970s or 1980s.

Despite the claims of the article whose damage I am working to undo, the earliest samples of HIV positive blood did not originate from New York homosexuals from the 1970s, but instead date back to 1920s Congo.

The virus most certainly did not originate from biological weapons programs, which are only today becoming advanced enough that creating such a virus is even theoretically possible. They were most certainly not advanced enough in 1920, or even 1960, to create a synthetic retrovirus, which I might add, has still never actually been accomplished. One of the articles I saw blaming Gallo comically claims that chimps were supposedly deliberately infected and released in 1979, which somehow led to the virus occurring in New York in 1971.

The viral “Gallo did it” article that I convinced my friend to take down had an embedded video, where a man “explains” over dramatic music that HIV was created through “combining lymphoma, leukemia, and carcinoma viruses.” I literally burst out laughing, because none of what he listed was a retrovirus or even a virus, and cancer has literally nothing to do with HIV.

You could spend your entire life combining lymphomas, carcinomas, and leukemia, and you would still never end up with a retrovirus at the end.

All of these theories make very specific claims, without any evidence. They encourage me to believe that a man (who thinks cancers are viruses) has special knowledge and access to untold classified documents. To prove his point, the video displays extremely blurry documents that are barely legible beyond seeing Gallo’s name.

For all we know, these documents are completely fake, or actually completely harmless. We don’t know, because as is the norm in such articles or videos: no sources are supplied. Yes, the United States did and maybe still does have biological weapons programs. The Soviets did, and Russia still runs its “Vector” high-security lab, as well.

This is absolutely no indication that HIV is a bioweapon, especially considering the actual time-line of infections. There are even more reasons why Ebola is certainly not a bioweapon, but that is beyond the scope of this text.

Gallo was a scientist, and a researcher, and his position in the public eye is yet another reason to doubt him being an evil mastermind. There is no historical evidence actually implicating Gallo, or any others, in creating a HIV virus.

All of the historical and scientific evidence, as well as a general understanding of patents in science, point to a legitimate researcher, along with his peers, simply trying to identify understand a human illness. There may very well be one or more synthetic doomsday viruses sitting snugly or being worked on in undisclosed locations (or in BSL-4 labs), but HIV and Ebola are not examples of this.

Culled from Zubby Blog

We Were Forced To Create HIV Virus To Wipe Off African Race - Dr. Robert Gallo

Posted by Sylvester No comments

A site run by a friendly and reasonably honest woman I know recently reposted a text titled “The Man Who Created AIDS: Robert Gallo.” The text went super-viral, over 80,000 shares on Facebook alone. Once I read it, I was aghast at how much misinformation and how many scientifically illiterate statements were in the text and attached video.
I wrote her explaining my reasoning, and she immediately agreed to take down the text. It still exists on other, less responsible, sites.

Unfortunately, a large part of the damage has already been done, and that among other articles has helped foster the continued existence of a completely unfounded theory based primarily on not understanding what a patent is in molecular biology. A patent on Ebola or HIV is not the same as a patent on an engine.
Whereas the engine’s patent is reserving the production of that type of engine to the patent holder, a patent on HIV or Ebola is a patent meant to specify how the virus was isolated, how the genotype was determined, and what this consensus genotype is.

In biology, you can patent things you found to concretely identify that component, potentially for use in a more complex system later. Keep in mind that you can even patent seeds obtained from cross-pollination: the patent does not mean the species was genetically modified in a laboratory.

The same way a patent on cross-bred species does not mean it was created in a lab, a patent on a virus genome does NOT mean it was created in a lab. Robert Gallo first published his isolation and identification of HIV in 1984, and patented this in 1985. After older blood samples were then analysed in a search for this virus, it was then found in the past: it didn’t suddenly occur in the 1970s or 1980s.

Despite the claims of the article whose damage I am working to undo, the earliest samples of HIV positive blood did not originate from New York homosexuals from the 1970s, but instead date back to 1920s Congo.

The virus most certainly did not originate from biological weapons programs, which are only today becoming advanced enough that creating such a virus is even theoretically possible. They were most certainly not advanced enough in 1920, or even 1960, to create a synthetic retrovirus, which I might add, has still never actually been accomplished. One of the articles I saw blaming Gallo comically claims that chimps were supposedly deliberately infected and released in 1979, which somehow led to the virus occurring in New York in 1971.

The viral “Gallo did it” article that I convinced my friend to take down had an embedded video, where a man “explains” over dramatic music that HIV was created through “combining lymphoma, leukemia, and carcinoma viruses.” I literally burst out laughing, because none of what he listed was a retrovirus or even a virus, and cancer has literally nothing to do with HIV.

You could spend your entire life combining lymphomas, carcinomas, and leukemia, and you would still never end up with a retrovirus at the end.

All of these theories make very specific claims, without any evidence. They encourage me to believe that a man (who thinks cancers are viruses) has special knowledge and access to untold classified documents. To prove his point, the video displays extremely blurry documents that are barely legible beyond seeing Gallo’s name.

For all we know, these documents are completely fake, or actually completely harmless. We don’t know, because as is the norm in such articles or videos: no sources are supplied. Yes, the United States did and maybe still does have biological weapons programs. The Soviets did, and Russia still runs its “Vector” high-security lab, as well.

This is absolutely no indication that HIV is a bioweapon, especially considering the actual time-line of infections. There are even more reasons why Ebola is certainly not a bioweapon, but that is beyond the scope of this text.

Gallo was a scientist, and a researcher, and his position in the public eye is yet another reason to doubt him being an evil mastermind. There is no historical evidence actually implicating Gallo, or any others, in creating a HIV virus.

All of the historical and scientific evidence, as well as a general understanding of patents in science, point to a legitimate researcher, along with his peers, simply trying to identify understand a human illness. There may very well be one or more synthetic doomsday viruses sitting snugly or being worked on in undisclosed locations (or in BSL-4 labs), but HIV and Ebola are not examples of this.

Culled from Zubby Blog

BREAKING: Saraki Dumps APC 24hrs After Pledging Loyalty, Meets PDP Caucus, Jonathan

Fresh report suggests that the embattled President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Olubukola Saraki has defected back to former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP

Saraki's reported defection comes in barely 24 hours when he reiterated his loyalty to his former Party APC.

According to an online news platform, Nigerian Times who exclusively reported on Saraki's defection, the Senate President unofficially defected to the PDP at a secret meeting with the PDP caucus yesterday evening at the Abuja home of his deputy in the Senate, Ike Ekeremadu at the Apo Legislative Quarters. 

Our source further revealed that, after the meeting,Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, led a group of senators to Goodluck Jonathan’s Maitama home to brief him. The meeting with Jonathan is on going at press time.

Saraki has been facing prosecution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for falsely declare assets.

A source who was at the meeting told Nigerian Times that Saraki, who has faced persecution from the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) decided to leave the party and return to the PDP, which he left in 2014 with five PDP Governors.

The source said Saraki says he will use the PDP as a platform to actualize his ambition. He added that Saraki is likely to take with him to the PDP, APC Senators loyal to him. This would affect the balance of power in the Senate as the PDP would most like upturn the APC’s majority in the Red Chamber.

“Saraki has finally had it with the APC and the Buhari government. He believes he has faced enough embarassment and persecution from them after his investments to help the party wrest power from the PDP, ” our source said. 

Last week, he was in Sokoto, on the pretext of condoling the family of late Umaru Shinkaffi. But sources familiar with the Saraki travails told this our source that he met with the Sultan of sokoto to prevail on President Mohammadu Buhari to pull back his loyalists are who bent on sending Saraki to jail. And as a last ditch effort, he got former senate presidents to visit Buhari earlier in the week.

Saraki’s defection back to the PDP will not come as a surprise to watchers of Nigerian politics. Since his emergence as President of the Senate, he has been at odds with his party, the APC over what the party feels was his decision to present himself as candidate for the Senate Presidency against the party’s wish. The APC’s preferred candidate, was Ahmed Lawan.

BREAKING: Saraki Dumps APC 24hrs After Pledging Loyalty, Meets PDP Caucus, Jonathan

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Fresh report suggests that the embattled President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Olubukola Saraki has defected back to former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP

Saraki's reported defection comes in barely 24 hours when he reiterated his loyalty to his former Party APC.

According to an online news platform, Nigerian Times who exclusively reported on Saraki's defection, the Senate President unofficially defected to the PDP at a secret meeting with the PDP caucus yesterday evening at the Abuja home of his deputy in the Senate, Ike Ekeremadu at the Apo Legislative Quarters. 

Our source further revealed that, after the meeting,Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, led a group of senators to Goodluck Jonathan’s Maitama home to brief him. The meeting with Jonathan is on going at press time.

Saraki has been facing prosecution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for falsely declare assets.

A source who was at the meeting told Nigerian Times that Saraki, who has faced persecution from the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) decided to leave the party and return to the PDP, which he left in 2014 with five PDP Governors.

The source said Saraki says he will use the PDP as a platform to actualize his ambition. He added that Saraki is likely to take with him to the PDP, APC Senators loyal to him. This would affect the balance of power in the Senate as the PDP would most like upturn the APC’s majority in the Red Chamber.

“Saraki has finally had it with the APC and the Buhari government. He believes he has faced enough embarassment and persecution from them after his investments to help the party wrest power from the PDP, ” our source said. 

Last week, he was in Sokoto, on the pretext of condoling the family of late Umaru Shinkaffi. But sources familiar with the Saraki travails told this our source that he met with the Sultan of sokoto to prevail on President Mohammadu Buhari to pull back his loyalists are who bent on sending Saraki to jail. And as a last ditch effort, he got former senate presidents to visit Buhari earlier in the week.

Saraki’s defection back to the PDP will not come as a surprise to watchers of Nigerian politics. Since his emergence as President of the Senate, he has been at odds with his party, the APC over what the party feels was his decision to present himself as candidate for the Senate Presidency against the party’s wish. The APC’s preferred candidate, was Ahmed Lawan.

Buhari Under Fire Over Arms Panel’s Exemption Of Dambazau In Latest Probe Report

President Buhari has come under attack over reports suggesting his government may have deliberately doctored the latest report of the presidential arms audit panel.

The reports have cast doubt on the integrity of an administration that repeatedly defined honour and transparency in public service as part of its cardinal objectives, critics said.

Mr. Buhari set up the investigative panel three months after he assumed office to help uncover fraudulent practices that might have occurred in the procurement of arms for the military between 2007 and 2015.

While the committee has so far uncovered monumental corruption in military procurement, indicting many political and military bigwigs, critics say there were strong indications the government doctored the latest probe report.

At issue is the suspicion that the government may have removed the name of the Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Dambazau from the report to shield him from prosecution.

Mr. Dambazau served as Chief of Army Staff from 2008 to 2010.

A deluge of comments beneath PREMIUM TIMES’ report on the matter showed that even the president’s staunch supporters were opposed to the exemption of Mr. Dambazau from the report.

Many Nigerians also took the debate to Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms to express anger, with some of them questioning the president’s integrity.

Some critics also believe the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, who served briefly as Director of Procurement, Defence Headquarters, from February until May 2014, should also have been indicted.

Below are some reactions sourced from our website and social media. (Some of the comments were edited to correct spelling, syntax, grammatical or typographical errors.)
On Web site

Adekunle Ajayi:

“I will be highly disappointed if these two generals are left out of this probe, but we will wait and see how they can wiggle their way out if other actors are arrested and tried. A thief is a thief, no matter what part of the country they come from. My President, your integrity and honour are at stake here.”

Gaskins:
“All Buhari is interested in is the investigation of his enemies while he shields his friends. Burutai, who all his life has been a soldier, earned enough salary from FGN to own properties in Dubai?”

Julius:
“If this report is true, it raises alarm with the way things are done with this administration and should be corrected immediately. This is where a serious and reliable Senate would come in and do their constitutional duty. But, as we all know, they are fighting for their own personal survival to hold on to power. They are failing us in every which way they can. The admin should also respond to this news. ASAP!”

Maria:

“Buhari is a disappointment .Hypocrite. Shame on you! I supported this government because I wanted corruption stamped out but with this selective prosecution, I have no respect for you anymore. I was happy you started fighting corrupt people but leaving out this type in your government, and in fact, appointing that man in the first place is an indictment on your socalled integrity.”
On Twitter:

@Chxta:

“This story will return one day. If nothing is done before then, it will be the coffin of Buhari’s vaunted integrity.”

@StanleyAzuakola:

“At some point, we have to come back and talk about how the @MBuhari government doctored that arms probe report and took out Dambazau’s name

On Facebook
Austin Emy:

“The hailers are now the wailers – such is life! When PDP said Buhari anti-corruption fight was selective, lopsided, vindictive, vendetta, witch-hunting, perceived political enemies and to settle old wounds, most people didn’t believe. Nigerians can see the full manifestations now. Anyone in APC is protected. No nation can go far or make any progress without sincerity of purpose. The APC apologists are now defending corruption. Nigeria we hailed thee. Shame of a nation.”

John Hamza Hamza:
“I love Premium Times. To be candid, Premium Times has fulfill all necessary requirement of being a standard newspaper based fully on international standard. Premium Times and Sahara Reporters remain my best newspapers in Nigeria. Even devil knows that Danbazzau and Buratai can never be clean in this scandal. However, since we have a government that is bent on religious, tribal as well as political bigotry, it’s not surprising that their names were removed. Good job Premium Times, keep exposing any foul committed by anybody as you are actually doing.”

Jude Chikwendu Njoku:
“Any indictment, probe, investigation and prosecutions without the involvements and indictments of Dambazzu and Buratai would amount to total and monumental failures like Buhari and APC to nigerians. In fact, the joke of the century.

Raymond Aisabor:
“These guys have no shame or conscience. They keep on deceiving Nigerians with their perfidy and perdition on some corruption campaigns only to sideline their friends and family members indicted for corruption. What kind of country are we in?”

Louis Akhigbe:
How can you probe arms purchase, indicate even people like Fayose that are not in military, and yet the army procurement officer has no question to answer. Nigeria has been reduced to a laughing stock. How on earth will the rest of the world take us serious? The same purchasing officer then is now having properties in Dubai and yet, the government gave him a clean bill.

Buhari Under Fire Over Arms Panel’s Exemption Of Dambazau In Latest Probe Report

Posted by Sylvester No comments

President Buhari has come under attack over reports suggesting his government may have deliberately doctored the latest report of the presidential arms audit panel.

The reports have cast doubt on the integrity of an administration that repeatedly defined honour and transparency in public service as part of its cardinal objectives, critics said.

Mr. Buhari set up the investigative panel three months after he assumed office to help uncover fraudulent practices that might have occurred in the procurement of arms for the military between 2007 and 2015.

While the committee has so far uncovered monumental corruption in military procurement, indicting many political and military bigwigs, critics say there were strong indications the government doctored the latest probe report.

At issue is the suspicion that the government may have removed the name of the Interior Minister, Abdulrahman Dambazau from the report to shield him from prosecution.

Mr. Dambazau served as Chief of Army Staff from 2008 to 2010.

A deluge of comments beneath PREMIUM TIMES’ report on the matter showed that even the president’s staunch supporters were opposed to the exemption of Mr. Dambazau from the report.

Many Nigerians also took the debate to Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms to express anger, with some of them questioning the president’s integrity.

Some critics also believe the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, who served briefly as Director of Procurement, Defence Headquarters, from February until May 2014, should also have been indicted.

Below are some reactions sourced from our website and social media. (Some of the comments were edited to correct spelling, syntax, grammatical or typographical errors.)
On Web site

Adekunle Ajayi:

“I will be highly disappointed if these two generals are left out of this probe, but we will wait and see how they can wiggle their way out if other actors are arrested and tried. A thief is a thief, no matter what part of the country they come from. My President, your integrity and honour are at stake here.”

Gaskins:
“All Buhari is interested in is the investigation of his enemies while he shields his friends. Burutai, who all his life has been a soldier, earned enough salary from FGN to own properties in Dubai?”

Julius:
“If this report is true, it raises alarm with the way things are done with this administration and should be corrected immediately. This is where a serious and reliable Senate would come in and do their constitutional duty. But, as we all know, they are fighting for their own personal survival to hold on to power. They are failing us in every which way they can. The admin should also respond to this news. ASAP!”

Maria:

“Buhari is a disappointment .Hypocrite. Shame on you! I supported this government because I wanted corruption stamped out but with this selective prosecution, I have no respect for you anymore. I was happy you started fighting corrupt people but leaving out this type in your government, and in fact, appointing that man in the first place is an indictment on your socalled integrity.”
On Twitter:

@Chxta:

“This story will return one day. If nothing is done before then, it will be the coffin of Buhari’s vaunted integrity.”

@StanleyAzuakola:

“At some point, we have to come back and talk about how the @MBuhari government doctored that arms probe report and took out Dambazau’s name

On Facebook
Austin Emy:

“The hailers are now the wailers – such is life! When PDP said Buhari anti-corruption fight was selective, lopsided, vindictive, vendetta, witch-hunting, perceived political enemies and to settle old wounds, most people didn’t believe. Nigerians can see the full manifestations now. Anyone in APC is protected. No nation can go far or make any progress without sincerity of purpose. The APC apologists are now defending corruption. Nigeria we hailed thee. Shame of a nation.”

John Hamza Hamza:
“I love Premium Times. To be candid, Premium Times has fulfill all necessary requirement of being a standard newspaper based fully on international standard. Premium Times and Sahara Reporters remain my best newspapers in Nigeria. Even devil knows that Danbazzau and Buratai can never be clean in this scandal. However, since we have a government that is bent on religious, tribal as well as political bigotry, it’s not surprising that their names were removed. Good job Premium Times, keep exposing any foul committed by anybody as you are actually doing.”

Jude Chikwendu Njoku:
“Any indictment, probe, investigation and prosecutions without the involvements and indictments of Dambazzu and Buratai would amount to total and monumental failures like Buhari and APC to nigerians. In fact, the joke of the century.

Raymond Aisabor:
“These guys have no shame or conscience. They keep on deceiving Nigerians with their perfidy and perdition on some corruption campaigns only to sideline their friends and family members indicted for corruption. What kind of country are we in?”

Louis Akhigbe:
How can you probe arms purchase, indicate even people like Fayose that are not in military, and yet the army procurement officer has no question to answer. Nigeria has been reduced to a laughing stock. How on earth will the rest of the world take us serious? The same purchasing officer then is now having properties in Dubai and yet, the government gave him a clean bill.

SERAP sues Nigerian Govt. For Failing To Name Suspected Looters.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Federal Government for failing “to release the names of suspected looters and the circumstances under which recovered stolen public funds were recovered.”

The suit, filed Friday at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, followed a Freedom of Information request to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, asking him to “provide information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount of funds recovered from each public official.”

The originating summons, with suit number FHC/CS/964/2016, was brought pursuant to section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

The plaintiff is arguing that, “By a letter with reference No MJ/FOI/GEN/014/1/54 and dated 21 June 2016, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN confirmed that the FOI request by SERAP was brought to the attention of the Defendants for handling. However, since the receipt of the FOI request and the confirmation by Mr Malami that the request was brought to the attention of the Defendants for handling, and up till the filing of this suit, the Defendants have so far failed, refused and/or neglected to provide SERAP with the details of the information requested.”

SERAP is asking the court to determine “Whether by virtue of the provision of section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under an obligation to provide the Plaintiff with the information requested for.”

The suit reads in part: “By virtue of Section 1(1) of the FOI Act 2011, the Plaintiff is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution. Under the FOI, when a person makes a request for information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or agency to whom the application is under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff/Applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within 7 days after the application is received.”

“The information requested by SERAP does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act. The information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, bothers on an issue of National interest, public concern, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability.”

“The defendants will not suffer any injury or prejudice if the information is released to the members of the public. It is in the interest of justice that the information be released. Unless the reliefs sought herein are granted, the Defendants will continue to be in breach of the Freedom of Information Act, and other statutory responsibilities.”

“While the suspects generally are entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, the FOI Act implicitly prohibits blanket non-disclosure of names of high-ranking public officials from whom some of the funds were recovered.”

“It is further submitted that the recoveries, specifically from high-ranking public officials (and not private individuals), are matters of public interest. Publishing the names of those public officials will provide insights relevant to the public debate on the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat a culture of grand corruption and the longstanding impunity of perpetrators in the country.”

Earlier in its FOI request, the plaintiff sai, “The gravity of the crime of grand corruption, the devastating effects on the socially and economically vulnerable sectors of the population, and the fact that recovery of huge funds from high-ranking public officials entrusted with the public treasury raise a prima-facie case and therefore amount to exceptional circumstances that justify naming those high-ranking officials in the public interest.”

“SERAP believes that the right to truth allows Nigerians to gain access to information essential to the fight against corruption and in turn development of democratic institutions as well as provides a form of reparation to victims of grand corruption in the country.”

SERAP is seeking the following reliefs:

A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff with up to date information relating to the following:

To widely disseminate, including on a dedicated website, information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered since May 2015, and the circumstances under which stolen public funds were returned.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The Ministry of Information had recently published details of the recoveries, which showed that the Nigerian government successfully retrieved total cash amount N78,325,354,631.82, $185,119,584.61, £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 between May 29, 2015 and May 25, 2016. Also released were recoveries under interim forfeiture, which were a combination of cash and assets, during the same period: N126,563,481,095.43, $9,090,243,920.15, £2,484,447.55 and €303,399.17. Anticipated repatriation from foreign countries totalled: $321,316,726.1, £6,900,000 and €11,826.11. The ministry also announced that 239 non-cash recoveries were made during the one-year period.

The non-cash recoveries are – farmlands, plots of land, uncompleted buildings, completed buildings, vehicles and maritime vessels.

SERAP sues Nigerian Govt. For Failing To Name Suspected Looters.

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Federal Government for failing “to release the names of suspected looters and the circumstances under which recovered stolen public funds were recovered.”

The suit, filed Friday at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, followed a Freedom of Information request to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, asking him to “provide information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount of funds recovered from each public official.”

The originating summons, with suit number FHC/CS/964/2016, was brought pursuant to section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

The plaintiff is arguing that, “By a letter with reference No MJ/FOI/GEN/014/1/54 and dated 21 June 2016, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN confirmed that the FOI request by SERAP was brought to the attention of the Defendants for handling. However, since the receipt of the FOI request and the confirmation by Mr Malami that the request was brought to the attention of the Defendants for handling, and up till the filing of this suit, the Defendants have so far failed, refused and/or neglected to provide SERAP with the details of the information requested.”

SERAP is asking the court to determine “Whether by virtue of the provision of section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under an obligation to provide the Plaintiff with the information requested for.”

The suit reads in part: “By virtue of Section 1(1) of the FOI Act 2011, the Plaintiff is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution. Under the FOI, when a person makes a request for information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or agency to whom the application is under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff/Applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within 7 days after the application is received.”

“The information requested by SERAP does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act. The information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, bothers on an issue of National interest, public concern, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability.”

“The defendants will not suffer any injury or prejudice if the information is released to the members of the public. It is in the interest of justice that the information be released. Unless the reliefs sought herein are granted, the Defendants will continue to be in breach of the Freedom of Information Act, and other statutory responsibilities.”

“While the suspects generally are entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, the FOI Act implicitly prohibits blanket non-disclosure of names of high-ranking public officials from whom some of the funds were recovered.”

“It is further submitted that the recoveries, specifically from high-ranking public officials (and not private individuals), are matters of public interest. Publishing the names of those public officials will provide insights relevant to the public debate on the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat a culture of grand corruption and the longstanding impunity of perpetrators in the country.”

Earlier in its FOI request, the plaintiff sai, “The gravity of the crime of grand corruption, the devastating effects on the socially and economically vulnerable sectors of the population, and the fact that recovery of huge funds from high-ranking public officials entrusted with the public treasury raise a prima-facie case and therefore amount to exceptional circumstances that justify naming those high-ranking officials in the public interest.”

“SERAP believes that the right to truth allows Nigerians to gain access to information essential to the fight against corruption and in turn development of democratic institutions as well as provides a form of reparation to victims of grand corruption in the country.”

SERAP is seeking the following reliefs:

A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff with up to date information relating to the following:

To widely disseminate, including on a dedicated website, information about the names of high ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered since May 2015, and the circumstances under which stolen public funds were returned.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The Ministry of Information had recently published details of the recoveries, which showed that the Nigerian government successfully retrieved total cash amount N78,325,354,631.82, $185,119,584.61, £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 between May 29, 2015 and May 25, 2016. Also released were recoveries under interim forfeiture, which were a combination of cash and assets, during the same period: N126,563,481,095.43, $9,090,243,920.15, £2,484,447.55 and €303,399.17. Anticipated repatriation from foreign countries totalled: $321,316,726.1, £6,900,000 and €11,826.11. The ministry also announced that 239 non-cash recoveries were made during the one-year period.

The non-cash recoveries are – farmlands, plots of land, uncompleted buildings, completed buildings, vehicles and maritime vessels.

NIMASA: Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Receive Report of The Ministerial Committee On Reforming.

Honourable Minister of Transportation, Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi, Received report of the Ministerial Committee on Reformation of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at Ministry of Transportation office Abuja..... Monday.

FG receives the report of the Ministerial Committee on reformation of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The Ministerial Committee on reformation of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) set up by the Federal Government in May 2016 in order to properly re-position NIMASA for effective and efficient performance of its statutory functions has submitted its report.

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while receiving the report on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja, Monday 18/07/2016, said the intention of Government to set-up the Committee was basically to ascertain the numerous challenges militating against the Agency’s performance of its functions and re-position it, in order to function in line with international best practice noting that it was not to witch-hunt anyone.

“When we decided to set-up the Ministerial Committee on the reformation of NIMASA, our intention is to know what NIMASA is really about and not to witch-hunt anyone”, he said.

Explaining further, Amaechi said his visit to some of the Agency’s Training Centres like the Research, Rescue Institute and Resource Centre (RRIRC) including the Library to mention a few in Lagos revealed decay facilities meant to promote and facilitate the Man-power development of the Agency.

He thanked the committee members for what he described as a detailed and well articulated report noting that he would work in conjunction with the Ministry’s management to carefully study the report and come up with a decision that will be of best interest to the growth and development of the Maritime sub-sector.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who presented the report to the Hon. Minister of Transportation, said that the Committee was mandated to draw up a framework template will be used for the restructuring, reforming and repositioning of NIMASA to make it performed optimally.

Dakuku further explained that the Committee worked diligently to achieve its mandate stating that a few challenges militating against the optimal performance of the Agency were uncovered.
He added the Committee members would wish that the report is adopted noting that it will serve as a catalyst to moving NIMASA to the next level.

NIMASA: Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Receive Report of The Ministerial Committee On Reforming.

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Honourable Minister of Transportation, Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi, Received report of the Ministerial Committee on Reformation of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at Ministry of Transportation office Abuja..... Monday.

FG receives the report of the Ministerial Committee on reformation of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The Ministerial Committee on reformation of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) set up by the Federal Government in May 2016 in order to properly re-position NIMASA for effective and efficient performance of its statutory functions has submitted its report.

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while receiving the report on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja, Monday 18/07/2016, said the intention of Government to set-up the Committee was basically to ascertain the numerous challenges militating against the Agency’s performance of its functions and re-position it, in order to function in line with international best practice noting that it was not to witch-hunt anyone.

“When we decided to set-up the Ministerial Committee on the reformation of NIMASA, our intention is to know what NIMASA is really about and not to witch-hunt anyone”, he said.

Explaining further, Amaechi said his visit to some of the Agency’s Training Centres like the Research, Rescue Institute and Resource Centre (RRIRC) including the Library to mention a few in Lagos revealed decay facilities meant to promote and facilitate the Man-power development of the Agency.

He thanked the committee members for what he described as a detailed and well articulated report noting that he would work in conjunction with the Ministry’s management to carefully study the report and come up with a decision that will be of best interest to the growth and development of the Maritime sub-sector.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside who presented the report to the Hon. Minister of Transportation, said that the Committee was mandated to draw up a framework template will be used for the restructuring, reforming and repositioning of NIMASA to make it performed optimally.

Dakuku further explained that the Committee worked diligently to achieve its mandate stating that a few challenges militating against the optimal performance of the Agency were uncovered.
He added the Committee members would wish that the report is adopted noting that it will serve as a catalyst to moving NIMASA to the next level.

Judicial Panel Indicts Nigerian Army General, Others for Zaria Massacre Of Shiites

The General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army’s 1st Division, Adeniyi Oyebade, a major general, authorized last December’s military operation that massacred at least 347 members of the Shi’a Muslim group in Zaria, and should be prosecuted, a judicial commission of inquiry into the killings, has said in its final report.
The commission of inquiry, set up by the Kaduna State government, indicted Mr. Oyebade and other senior army officers for the attack, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report.

The panel’s report was submitted to Gov. Nasir el-Rufai on Friday, but its details are yet to be made public.

The killings drew worldwide condemnations, and several investigative reports said hundreds of people were killed by government troops and secretly buried in a mass grave in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Shi’a Islamic movement said it lost more than a thousand members in the attack that took place between December 12 and 14 at its headquarters in Zaria.

A representative of the Kaduna State government told the commission of inquiry that 347 bodies were handed over by the army for a secret mass burial.

But despite the evidence, the army claimed it killed only seven Shiites who blocked a public road and attempted to assassinate its chief, Tukur Buratai, a lieutenant general.

It said troops only used force after it became clear that Mr. Buratai’s life was in danger.

The leader of the Shi’a group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who was arrested by soldiers during the operation, has remained in custody seven months after.

The attacks were never condemned by the army hierarchy or the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

After his initial silence, Mr. Buhari later suggested during a televised interview on December 30 that the victims invited the wrath of the military upon themselves by “hitting the chest of generals”.

The report neither apportioned any blame to the federal government nor the army leadership, headed by Mr. Buratai.

Still, its details provide a glimpse into what was clearly a deadly use of disproportionate military force in quelling a civil unrest. The report confirmed that by any measure, the killings took place at a horrific scale.
Shooting through the blockade

The panel said it was able to confirm the death of 349 people, including a soldier. But it made clear it lacked the cooperation of military officials to establish the actual number of those killed.

The commission of inquiry listed culpable actors for civil or criminal prosecution and suggested ways of preventing similar incidents in future.

A copy of the report, exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, said the GOC of the Army’s 1st Division, Kaduna, Mr. Oyebade, deployed soldiers to carry out such a large scale operation without recourse to the chain of command.

It recommends that Mr. Oyebade and other yet-to-be-disclosed officers who participated in the operation “should be brought to trial before a court of competent jurisdiction”.

The report, which contains 101 pages of correspondences and exhibits, starts with a recap of what transpired on December 12, 2015.

It said the Chief of Army Staff, Mr. Buratai, left Dutse, Jigawa State, at about 11:30 a.m for Zaria, where he was invited to be the reviewing officer at the passing out parade of the 73 Regular Recruits Intake of the Nigerian Army Depot.

Mr. Buratai and his entourage arrived at the Hussainiyya Baqiyyatillah shrine of the Shi’a group along Sokoto Road, Zaria, around 2:20 p.m.

There, the report said, he encountered members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in their hundreds.

A memo submitted by the Nigerian Army said the individuals were armed with “dangerous weapons”.

In a testimony to the commission, an officer in Mr. Buratai’s security detail, said after all entreaties to the protesters to leave the road failed, they decided to “shoot their way through the blockade” to prevent their principal from being attacked.

The next day, the report said, Mr. Oyebade deployed troops to the shrine to arrest the leaders of the Shi’a group, which resulted in the killings.

The panel said it established that the invasion of the IMN compound was carried out strictly on Mr. Oyebade’s order and without any rules of engagement, an action the commission said was at variance with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 1994, and the 1999 Constitution, both of which vested such authorities strictly in the president of the federal republic.

“There was no evidence that there was the requisite delegation by the president to the officer who issued oral order for the deployment of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for the cordon and search operation,” the report said.

The commission rebuked military officers for refusing to give useful information that could have helped it reach a more detailed conclusion, hinting that the number of those killed could have been far higher than 349.

“All the officers who testified were not forthcoming in providing full disclosure on the number of the dead, wounded and missing persons,” the report said.

Similarly, the medical examiner in charge of the bodies kept at Nigerian Army medical facility in Kaduna also withheld support for the judicial panel.

“It is unfortunate that the medical officer in charge of the Nigerian Army Depot Health Centre who took custody of some of the corpses was not forthcoming in giving evidence that would have enabled the commission to ascertain the actual number of people killed,” the report said. “The officer said he didn’t even ascertain the gender of both the adult and children corpses that were deposited in his medical centre.”

The report said the refusal of the Shi’a group, IMN, to appear and give testimony during its sittings, did not help the process in confirming the actual number of casualties.

“Had IMN submitted a memo and appeared before the commission, it might have been able to shed light on the number of their members who might have lost their lives in the clashes.”

Kaduna government undignified treatment of corpses

The commission was unable to determine the causes of death of the deceased victims owing to the mass burial conducted by the state without any autopsy, the report found.

The panel said the burial of all corpses of male and female Muslims in one grave violated Islamic traditions and other relevant burial laws of Kaduna State and Rule 115 of the Geneva Convention.

The commission found members of the IMN culpable in the death of an army officer, Dan Yakubu, a corporal, and recommended that those found culpable in the killing of the officer should be prosecuted.

Still, in a damning verdict, the panel said the force deployed by the army against the Shi’ites was “disproportionate”.

“The Nigerian Army should intensify efforts in ensuring compliance with the rules of engagement and other legal standards in cordon and search operations at all times.”

The report also recommended that soldiers should never be deployed against civilians and that the police should be better equipped for adequate response to public disturbances.

Judicial Panel Indicts Nigerian Army General, Others for Zaria Massacre Of Shiites

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The General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army’s 1st Division, Adeniyi Oyebade, a major general, authorized last December’s military operation that massacred at least 347 members of the Shi’a Muslim group in Zaria, and should be prosecuted, a judicial commission of inquiry into the killings, has said in its final report.
The commission of inquiry, set up by the Kaduna State government, indicted Mr. Oyebade and other senior army officers for the attack, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report.

The panel’s report was submitted to Gov. Nasir el-Rufai on Friday, but its details are yet to be made public.

The killings drew worldwide condemnations, and several investigative reports said hundreds of people were killed by government troops and secretly buried in a mass grave in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Shi’a Islamic movement said it lost more than a thousand members in the attack that took place between December 12 and 14 at its headquarters in Zaria.

A representative of the Kaduna State government told the commission of inquiry that 347 bodies were handed over by the army for a secret mass burial.

But despite the evidence, the army claimed it killed only seven Shiites who blocked a public road and attempted to assassinate its chief, Tukur Buratai, a lieutenant general.

It said troops only used force after it became clear that Mr. Buratai’s life was in danger.

The leader of the Shi’a group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who was arrested by soldiers during the operation, has remained in custody seven months after.

The attacks were never condemned by the army hierarchy or the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

After his initial silence, Mr. Buhari later suggested during a televised interview on December 30 that the victims invited the wrath of the military upon themselves by “hitting the chest of generals”.

The report neither apportioned any blame to the federal government nor the army leadership, headed by Mr. Buratai.

Still, its details provide a glimpse into what was clearly a deadly use of disproportionate military force in quelling a civil unrest. The report confirmed that by any measure, the killings took place at a horrific scale.
Shooting through the blockade

The panel said it was able to confirm the death of 349 people, including a soldier. But it made clear it lacked the cooperation of military officials to establish the actual number of those killed.

The commission of inquiry listed culpable actors for civil or criminal prosecution and suggested ways of preventing similar incidents in future.

A copy of the report, exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, said the GOC of the Army’s 1st Division, Kaduna, Mr. Oyebade, deployed soldiers to carry out such a large scale operation without recourse to the chain of command.

It recommends that Mr. Oyebade and other yet-to-be-disclosed officers who participated in the operation “should be brought to trial before a court of competent jurisdiction”.

The report, which contains 101 pages of correspondences and exhibits, starts with a recap of what transpired on December 12, 2015.

It said the Chief of Army Staff, Mr. Buratai, left Dutse, Jigawa State, at about 11:30 a.m for Zaria, where he was invited to be the reviewing officer at the passing out parade of the 73 Regular Recruits Intake of the Nigerian Army Depot.

Mr. Buratai and his entourage arrived at the Hussainiyya Baqiyyatillah shrine of the Shi’a group along Sokoto Road, Zaria, around 2:20 p.m.

There, the report said, he encountered members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in their hundreds.

A memo submitted by the Nigerian Army said the individuals were armed with “dangerous weapons”.

In a testimony to the commission, an officer in Mr. Buratai’s security detail, said after all entreaties to the protesters to leave the road failed, they decided to “shoot their way through the blockade” to prevent their principal from being attacked.

The next day, the report said, Mr. Oyebade deployed troops to the shrine to arrest the leaders of the Shi’a group, which resulted in the killings.

The panel said it established that the invasion of the IMN compound was carried out strictly on Mr. Oyebade’s order and without any rules of engagement, an action the commission said was at variance with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 1994, and the 1999 Constitution, both of which vested such authorities strictly in the president of the federal republic.

“There was no evidence that there was the requisite delegation by the president to the officer who issued oral order for the deployment of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for the cordon and search operation,” the report said.

The commission rebuked military officers for refusing to give useful information that could have helped it reach a more detailed conclusion, hinting that the number of those killed could have been far higher than 349.

“All the officers who testified were not forthcoming in providing full disclosure on the number of the dead, wounded and missing persons,” the report said.

Similarly, the medical examiner in charge of the bodies kept at Nigerian Army medical facility in Kaduna also withheld support for the judicial panel.

“It is unfortunate that the medical officer in charge of the Nigerian Army Depot Health Centre who took custody of some of the corpses was not forthcoming in giving evidence that would have enabled the commission to ascertain the actual number of people killed,” the report said. “The officer said he didn’t even ascertain the gender of both the adult and children corpses that were deposited in his medical centre.”

The report said the refusal of the Shi’a group, IMN, to appear and give testimony during its sittings, did not help the process in confirming the actual number of casualties.

“Had IMN submitted a memo and appeared before the commission, it might have been able to shed light on the number of their members who might have lost their lives in the clashes.”

Kaduna government undignified treatment of corpses

The commission was unable to determine the causes of death of the deceased victims owing to the mass burial conducted by the state without any autopsy, the report found.

The panel said the burial of all corpses of male and female Muslims in one grave violated Islamic traditions and other relevant burial laws of Kaduna State and Rule 115 of the Geneva Convention.

The commission found members of the IMN culpable in the death of an army officer, Dan Yakubu, a corporal, and recommended that those found culpable in the killing of the officer should be prosecuted.

Still, in a damning verdict, the panel said the force deployed by the army against the Shi’ites was “disproportionate”.

“The Nigerian Army should intensify efforts in ensuring compliance with the rules of engagement and other legal standards in cordon and search operations at all times.”

The report also recommended that soldiers should never be deployed against civilians and that the police should be better equipped for adequate response to public disturbances.

10 Damning Revelations From The Latest Presidential Arms Audit Report

An investigative panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to audit procurement of arms by and for the Nigerian military between 2007 until he assumed office in 2015 submitted another interim report on Thursday.

The Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces completed the first of its piecemeal reports in November 2015 in which a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was indicted for allegedly mismanaging over N13 billion budgeted for procurement of arms.

Mr. Buhari ordered immediate arrest of Mr. Dasuki as recommended by the 13-member committee and he had since remained in detention amid disputes about how he should be prosecuted.

In February 2016, the committee, which consists of individuals pooled from mainly military or security background, visited military facilities across the country to carry out a physical examination of military weaponry and equipment and verify if new deliveries were taken, how they were purchased and their quality.

The panel then found over a dozen former military chiefs culpable in fraudulent arms deal within the period under review.

A former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, and Adesola Amosu, a former Chief of Air Staff, were subsequently indicted. They are facing trial in various high courts.

The report submitted to President Buhari on Thursday is third in the series, and it uncovered how ex-political appointees, private individuals and former military chiefs, including two erstwhile Chiefs of Army Staff, were suspected culpable in alleged fraudulent diversion of funds meant for arms procurement.

Azubuike Ihejirika and Kenneth Minimah, who both served under President Goodluck Jonathan, were recommended for further investigation by the committee

Mr. Buhari was, however, criticised for allegedly doctoring the outcome of the latest report.

Critics said the panel indicted a close ally of Mr. Buhari and the current Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, but that the administration compelled the committee to have his name removed before publishing the report.

The government denied the allegations.

As supporters and opponents argued over the impact the alleged protection of Mr. Dambazau would have on Buhari government’s much-avowed zero-tolerance for corruption, PREMIUM TIMES looked at the 10 biggest revelations from the latest arms panel findings.

1) Receiving big to deliver little:

The committee, led by Jon Ode, a retired Air Vice Marshal, found that, “3 contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000.00 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware including 20 units of K-38 Twin Hull Boats and 6 units of 4 x 4 Ambulances fitted with radios.

“The Committee found that the 2 companies collected N5,103,500,000.00 representing 86% of the total value of the 3 contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31.”

2) Inconclusive delivery:

In another instance, 2 contracts were awarded to Baram International Nigeria Limited, amounting to N420,726,799.20 for the procurement of 53 Armoured Vehicles Spare Parts at the cost of N169,916,849.77 and that of Ballistic Vests, Night Vision Binoculars and 3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at the cost of N250,809,949.50. Sadly, the contract worth N169,916,849.77 with 90 days completion time is yet to be completed 5 years after.

3) ‘International embarrassment’:

Similarly, between 29 April 2005 and 19 October 2010, the MOD (Ministry of Defence) awarded 2 contracts to Progress Limited for the supply of 42 units of BTR-3U Armoured Personnel Carriers and spare parts for the Nigerian Army.

However, neither the MOD nor the NA could provide the contract agreements to ascertain the cost of the APCs. Although 26 of the APCs were delivered in 2007 and immediately deployed for Peace Keeping Operations in Sudan, the APCs scandalously broke down on induction.

The Committee observed that the APCs did not meet the operational requirement for the Army, caused Nigeria international embarrassment and deprived her appropriate reimbursement from the United Nations.

4) Circumventing due process:

With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the Committee found that many of the contracts were characterised by lack of due process, breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.

In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000.00 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

Though the Committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics.

Also, analyses of the various banks accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals related to the then Chief of Army Staff.

5) A brave colonel paid the ultimate price for the greed of his superiors:

Furthermore, the post- delivery Technical Inspection Reports revealed that the APCs were unsuitable for the North East operation. However, sequel to the deployment of the APCs in the North East, one was destroyed by RPG fire, killing a Colonel inside.

As at 13 May 2016, only one of the 10 Igirigi APCs deployed to the North East was serviceable.

6) Double jeopardy for troops attached to Operation Boyona:

It was also found out that following a request by the ONSA on 13 May 2013, the Government released N1,340,000,000.00 for OPERATION BOYONA, aimed at dislodging terrorist camps along the borders with Cameroun, Chad and Niger. In August 2013, ONSA requested and got approval for additional N2,000,000,000.00. However, DHQ (Defence Headquarters) and the Services confirmed non-receipt of any additional funds for Operation BOYONA.

7) Fictitious firms as conduit for fraudulent proceeds:

Similarly, in January 2015, the then Honourable Minister of State Foreign Affairs (HMSFA II) requested N7,000,000,000.00 to urgently fund the operation of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin which was approved and released to ONSA.

However, the Committee could not ascertain the utilization of the funds from ONSA, DHQ and the Services. The returns made by ONSA to the Committee showed that about N1,500,000,000.00 was withdrawn in cash while several disbursements were made to some companies that appeared not to have any relationship with the MNJTF or any operations against Boko Haram.

8) How dollars became orphaned:

The Committee observed that contracts awarded to SEI and its two associated companies, APC Axial Ltd and HK-Sawki Nig Ltd, fell short of established norms. Between May 3, 2014 and March 2015, the ONSA mandated CBN to release various sums totalling $386,954,000.00 to SEI and the two associated companies for ‘procurement of technical equipment’, without tying the money to particular items of procurement.

Thus, the allotment of the fund was left at the discretion of the vendor without input or consultation with ONSA or the Nigerian Army.

9) When NIMASA sub places with the CBN:

The Committee also noted that between September 3, 2014 and 30 April 30, 2015, NIMASA funded accounts of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield with various sums totalling N8,542,586,798.58 purportedly to enhance operations of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta.

Analyses of the accounts of the Joint Task Force showed that transfers totalling N6,277,698,885.13 were made from the account. The then JTF Commander could not justify these transfers but confirmed that the sums were changed into dollars and handed over to a private citizen. Additionally, he could not account for the balance of N2,264,887,914.45

10) Looting without limit:

Finally, going by the last flag raised by the committee, it appeared there was no limit the suspected looters couldn’t go, as even accrued tax revenues were not remitted to the appropriate authorities.

The Committee observed breaches of the laws and regulations on payments of With-holding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT). The unremitted WHT from 2007 to 2015 amounted to about N862,962,065.99, $2,093,710.06 and €2,700.00 respectively.

However, through the intervention of the Committee, some companies remitted N109,843,495.40 to FIRS. The Committee is of the opinion that the Federal Inland Revenue Services should liaise with the Nigerian Army to recover all outstanding payments of WHT.

10 Damning Revelations From The Latest Presidential Arms Audit Report

Posted by Sylvester No comments

An investigative panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to audit procurement of arms by and for the Nigerian military between 2007 until he assumed office in 2015 submitted another interim report on Thursday.

The Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces completed the first of its piecemeal reports in November 2015 in which a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was indicted for allegedly mismanaging over N13 billion budgeted for procurement of arms.

Mr. Buhari ordered immediate arrest of Mr. Dasuki as recommended by the 13-member committee and he had since remained in detention amid disputes about how he should be prosecuted.

In February 2016, the committee, which consists of individuals pooled from mainly military or security background, visited military facilities across the country to carry out a physical examination of military weaponry and equipment and verify if new deliveries were taken, how they were purchased and their quality.

The panel then found over a dozen former military chiefs culpable in fraudulent arms deal within the period under review.

A former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, and Adesola Amosu, a former Chief of Air Staff, were subsequently indicted. They are facing trial in various high courts.

The report submitted to President Buhari on Thursday is third in the series, and it uncovered how ex-political appointees, private individuals and former military chiefs, including two erstwhile Chiefs of Army Staff, were suspected culpable in alleged fraudulent diversion of funds meant for arms procurement.

Azubuike Ihejirika and Kenneth Minimah, who both served under President Goodluck Jonathan, were recommended for further investigation by the committee

Mr. Buhari was, however, criticised for allegedly doctoring the outcome of the latest report.

Critics said the panel indicted a close ally of Mr. Buhari and the current Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, but that the administration compelled the committee to have his name removed before publishing the report.

The government denied the allegations.

As supporters and opponents argued over the impact the alleged protection of Mr. Dambazau would have on Buhari government’s much-avowed zero-tolerance for corruption, PREMIUM TIMES looked at the 10 biggest revelations from the latest arms panel findings.

1) Receiving big to deliver little:

The committee, led by Jon Ode, a retired Air Vice Marshal, found that, “3 contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000.00 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware including 20 units of K-38 Twin Hull Boats and 6 units of 4 x 4 Ambulances fitted with radios.

“The Committee found that the 2 companies collected N5,103,500,000.00 representing 86% of the total value of the 3 contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31.”

2) Inconclusive delivery:

In another instance, 2 contracts were awarded to Baram International Nigeria Limited, amounting to N420,726,799.20 for the procurement of 53 Armoured Vehicles Spare Parts at the cost of N169,916,849.77 and that of Ballistic Vests, Night Vision Binoculars and 3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at the cost of N250,809,949.50. Sadly, the contract worth N169,916,849.77 with 90 days completion time is yet to be completed 5 years after.

3) ‘International embarrassment’:

Similarly, between 29 April 2005 and 19 October 2010, the MOD (Ministry of Defence) awarded 2 contracts to Progress Limited for the supply of 42 units of BTR-3U Armoured Personnel Carriers and spare parts for the Nigerian Army.

However, neither the MOD nor the NA could provide the contract agreements to ascertain the cost of the APCs. Although 26 of the APCs were delivered in 2007 and immediately deployed for Peace Keeping Operations in Sudan, the APCs scandalously broke down on induction.

The Committee observed that the APCs did not meet the operational requirement for the Army, caused Nigeria international embarrassment and deprived her appropriate reimbursement from the United Nations.

4) Circumventing due process:

With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the Committee found that many of the contracts were characterised by lack of due process, breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.

In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000.00 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

Though the Committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics.

Also, analyses of the various banks accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals related to the then Chief of Army Staff.

5) A brave colonel paid the ultimate price for the greed of his superiors:

Furthermore, the post- delivery Technical Inspection Reports revealed that the APCs were unsuitable for the North East operation. However, sequel to the deployment of the APCs in the North East, one was destroyed by RPG fire, killing a Colonel inside.

As at 13 May 2016, only one of the 10 Igirigi APCs deployed to the North East was serviceable.

6) Double jeopardy for troops attached to Operation Boyona:

It was also found out that following a request by the ONSA on 13 May 2013, the Government released N1,340,000,000.00 for OPERATION BOYONA, aimed at dislodging terrorist camps along the borders with Cameroun, Chad and Niger. In August 2013, ONSA requested and got approval for additional N2,000,000,000.00. However, DHQ (Defence Headquarters) and the Services confirmed non-receipt of any additional funds for Operation BOYONA.

7) Fictitious firms as conduit for fraudulent proceeds:

Similarly, in January 2015, the then Honourable Minister of State Foreign Affairs (HMSFA II) requested N7,000,000,000.00 to urgently fund the operation of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin which was approved and released to ONSA.

However, the Committee could not ascertain the utilization of the funds from ONSA, DHQ and the Services. The returns made by ONSA to the Committee showed that about N1,500,000,000.00 was withdrawn in cash while several disbursements were made to some companies that appeared not to have any relationship with the MNJTF or any operations against Boko Haram.

8) How dollars became orphaned:

The Committee observed that contracts awarded to SEI and its two associated companies, APC Axial Ltd and HK-Sawki Nig Ltd, fell short of established norms. Between May 3, 2014 and March 2015, the ONSA mandated CBN to release various sums totalling $386,954,000.00 to SEI and the two associated companies for ‘procurement of technical equipment’, without tying the money to particular items of procurement.

Thus, the allotment of the fund was left at the discretion of the vendor without input or consultation with ONSA or the Nigerian Army.

9) When NIMASA sub places with the CBN:

The Committee also noted that between September 3, 2014 and 30 April 30, 2015, NIMASA funded accounts of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield with various sums totalling N8,542,586,798.58 purportedly to enhance operations of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta.

Analyses of the accounts of the Joint Task Force showed that transfers totalling N6,277,698,885.13 were made from the account. The then JTF Commander could not justify these transfers but confirmed that the sums were changed into dollars and handed over to a private citizen. Additionally, he could not account for the balance of N2,264,887,914.45

10) Looting without limit:

Finally, going by the last flag raised by the committee, it appeared there was no limit the suspected looters couldn’t go, as even accrued tax revenues were not remitted to the appropriate authorities.

The Committee observed breaches of the laws and regulations on payments of With-holding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT). The unremitted WHT from 2007 to 2015 amounted to about N862,962,065.99, $2,093,710.06 and €2,700.00 respectively.

However, through the intervention of the Committee, some companies remitted N109,843,495.40 to FIRS. The Committee is of the opinion that the Federal Inland Revenue Services should liaise with the Nigerian Army to recover all outstanding payments of WHT.