Posted on 09/13/2006 4:01:11 PM PDT by Libloather
Nigeria: He Abused His Office - Obj
Daily Champion (Lagos)
September 13, 2006
Posted to the web September 13, 2006
David Idonor
Abuja
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday rose in stout defence of his decision to send the report of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which investigated Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the National Assembly, insisting that the V-P abused his office.
In a press statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, Obasanjo advised Atiku to "address pertinent issues at hand, rather than alleging it was a case of political persecution".
The President also debunked claims that Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State donated N100 million to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fund the campaign of the president, stating "the truth is that no such money was donated, as the N100 million cheque by the Governor was issued in the name of the controversial Marin Float, owned by the Vice President".
The statement noted that the president's position on the matter was not politically motivated but "it is a purely administrative and constitutional issue," saying that Nigerians should "not ignore the facts of the case".
Relevant Links
Mrs. Oyo explained that the investigation in the case became necessary "following a dispute between Netlink Digital Television (NDTV) and iGate chaired by Vernon J. Jackson, Congressman William J. Jefferson, representing Second Congressional District of Louisiana on May 28, 2004, wrote to President Olusegun Obasanjo alleging corruption in the Petroleum Technology Development Funds (PTDF)".
The President has also denied allegation by the Vice President that funds deposited in the controversial Marine Float Bank account were meant for the joint campaign of himself and Atiku, saying, "the allegations are to say the least, false".
According to Mrs Oyo, neither the President nor anybody had an inkling of the dealings in PDTF until he was tipped off by Jefferson, whose links to the vice president is well known. "Secondly, the country would not have known that a public trust like the PTDF has been used to further private interests had NDTV and iGate not disagreed on a deal and petitioned the President".
Let me guess, He needs help getting his money to the U.S. ?
President denies persecuting deputy
September 13 2006 at 05:17PM
Lagos - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has categorically denied persecuting his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, who is under investigation on charges of alleged corruption.
"Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has alleged political persecution and all sorts of things. That is far-fetched by all standards," the presidency said in the Obasanjo's first official statement on the issue late on Tuesday.
Abubakar is under investigation for allegedly receiving a bribe from US congressman William Jefferson to help the US politician win a telecoms contract in Nigeria.
The vice-president is also accused of influencing the placement of government petroleum funds in commercial banks in which he is alleged to have interests.
Abubakar is planning to run for the April 21, 2007 presidential elections to succeed Obasanjo who will be stepping down after two terms in office, but his bid could be thwarted by the corruption allegations.
Obasanjo on Tuesday released evidence from the investigation to the press, including cheques and letters received from Jefferson.
The president, who has publicly accused Abubakar of disloyalty and vowed not to hand over power to him, last week sent the Economic and Financial Crime Commission report on his deputy's alleged graft to the Senate for consideration.
The report has whipped up controversy here, with heated exchanges between Obasanjo and his deputy amid intense media interest.
Meanwhile, Abubakar has filed papers at a federal high court seeking an injunction against the EFCC report, and seeking to quash the indictment.
No date has yet been set for hearing. - Sapa-AFP
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Africa&set_id=1&click_id=&art_id=qw11581408808B252
looks like the corn cobs' buried pretty deep
It sounds like the famous African email has become reality.
Good grief, they're now planning on re-indicting Delay on a charge that was already thrown out -
Why the LOUD silence on Jefferson? Is there not ONE reporter/media outlet that it curious?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.