GENESIS OF BOKO HARAM, TRAINING AND CHANGING TACTICS.

In 1995, the group was said to be operating under the name Shabaab, Muslim Youth Organisation. It operated from the Indimi Mosque, located along Damboa Road, Maiduguri, Borno State and had one Mallam Lawal as leader and another Mallam Usman as secretary.
It was learnt that in 1999, Lawal left Nigeria for further studies at the University of Medina, Saudi Arabia, thereby yielding the leadership of the group to the man known as Mustapha Modu Jon, commonly called Mohammed Yusuf.
Yusuf’s leadership was said to have opened the group to political influences and increased popularity.
Although Yusuf’s religious activism was linked to Kano, where he had brushes with popular Islamic clerics, he was said to have laid the foundation for the growth of the organisation.
Details about the late Yusuf, however, indicated that he hailed from Gingir village in Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State. He was born on 29 January 1970, married four wives and had 12 children.
“By 2000, Yusuf had won the respect and confidence of some clerics and youths at Indimi Mosque. He started presiding over some mosque activities and along the line, he upstaged all the teachers to emerge a leader. Many youths who followed him saw the older clerics as secular and anti-Sharia.
“His followers are largely illiterate youths who engaged in petty trading or had dropped out of school,” a source said.
ESTABLISHMENT OF MUHAMMAD YUSUF.
He then established his own mosque in an area called Railway Quarters in Maiduguri, while also extending his preaching to the mosques located at Kandahar, Unguwar Doki (near Monday Market) and Millionaire’s Quarters.
Investigators were also told that by early 2004, the Islamic sect had grown in states of presence with Borno, Yobe and Bauchi being notable and that some of the converted youths abandoned their studies to join the group. The ready-made army of followers were, however, said to be the Almajiri.
It was after 2004 that the sect leaders were said to have established links with the Algerian Salafist Group, now known as Al-Qaeda in Islamic Magreb, (AQIM), which gave them training on combat and use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
From trainings acquired in AQIM, it was gathered that members of Boko Haram were able to show dexterity in handling of weapons and manufacture of what is called “dirty bombs” through IEDs
NEW STRATEGY.
It was gathered that investigations by operatives have revealed that following recent arrests of high profile members of the sect as well as the fortification of most high targets, including headquarters of security outfits, a strategy has been put in place to ensure precision of attack.
Said a source close to the administration, “recent discoveries have shown that due to the fortification of premises of important buildings set aside as targets by Boko Haram, strategy has been put in place to simulate convoys of high profile Nigerians so as to gain access to target buildings.”
The plan, according to sources, is to use convoys with sirens to infiltrate headquarters of security agencies and local government area offices of such agencies to unleash terror.
Another strategy is to attack christian worship centers in volatile Northern states, this will trigger reprisal in all parts of the country, therefore the security will be highly involved in containing the situation that will enable Boko Haram to unleash deadlier attacks to their targets easily and achieve their aim of causing general chaos and anarchy.
RECRUITMENT.
As a result of the comments said to have been attributed to a top Nigerian security source that the Boko Haram would soon run out of suicide bombers, investigators were also said to have confirmed fresh recruitment drives.
It was gathered that the group now uses internet to propagate its activities and enhance its radicalisation and circulation of extremist ideologies.
Already, it was said that the sect is planning to double its huge following in such states as Kano, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Plateau, Kaduna and Katsina.
The recruitment drive is said to be targeted at muslims between ages of 17 and 30, a source said, adding that the group has also been recruiting its followers through prison breaks when freed prisoners are brainwashed to become adherents. - Nigerian Dan Arewa.

JTF Arrest Militant General, Gbereke .

The Joint Task Force (JTF) have apprehended Mr Seiyifa Gbereke alias General Cairo. General Cario is one of the most wanted militants operating in the Niger Delta, who has been accused of been responsible for various pipeline vandalizations along Bayelsa and Delta creeks.
JTF release said that they lured to Bayelsa from Warri where he was arrested and been questioned for his activities.

How Oshiomhole’s convoy was attacked – Police

THE Edo State Police Command said yesterday that it has commenced investigation into the attack on the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole Thursday night and the burning of the Police post by youths alleged to be students of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Usen.
However, the State Government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, alleged thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state opened fire on the Governor’s convoy at about 6pm, shortly after he paid a visit to the Onogie of Usen,  His Royal Highness Oluogbe 11,at his palace.
It stated however that “the brave security details attached to the governor, supported by an additional contingent of regular policemen deployed to maintain law and order, rose to the occasion. They were able to shield the governor, key government functionaries and ACN leaders.  But several official vehicles including Toyota Land cruisers, Hilux pick up van and Toyota Corrola Saloon car were either badly damaged or riddled with bullet”.
The attack is coming barely two months after the Governor escaped death following the accident involving his convoy at Auchi, where three journalists in his convoy lost their lives.
However, the Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesman in the state, DSP Anthony Airhuoyo, narrated that “the governor went on campaign tour to Usen town in Ovia South West Council of Edo state, the governor while on his way to the campaign venue met the students and promised to address them on his way back.
After the campaign at about 6: 15pm, the governor decided to address them on a later date as it is already getting late.
But the students barricaded the high way at the outskirt of the town and were compelling the governor to visit their institution. When there demands could not be met, it became riotous. Throwing stones and missile at the governors convoy.
“In the process of dispersing the riotous students, two of them were injured and are currently receiving treatment.
No body was killed in the process. The students later regrouped and went to Usen Police out post and vandalized the place. However, investigation has commenced as the area is closely being monitored by the police” it stated.

Jumbo salaries: Reps evasive on court order

The House of Representatives has avoided making a direct comment on whether it will comply with the order of an Abuja Federal High Court asking the National Assembly to compute and make public the total salaries and allowances collected by lawmakers from 1999 till date.

The House, in a reaction to the decision of the court, total sum of us that its comments on the issue would be “prejudicial.”

According to the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, the House will not commit itself by saying whether it will comply with the order or not.

Mohammed said, “Our comments will be prejudicial; we are an arm of the government and the order of the court was on a specific issue.

“The matter is before the court; so, we won’t commit ourselves.”

An organisation, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project, had sought the leave of the court to compel the Clerk of the National Assembly to make public the salaries and allowances of senators and members of the House.

Arguing that the lawmakers were earning more than they deserved, the body sought the leave under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

The court granted the prayer on Monday.

However, while the Senate responded on Wednesday that it would obey the decision of the court, the House claimed that its comments would amount to prejudice.

The Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba, stated, “We have nothing against the judgement.

“We have nothing to hide. Our salaries are already public knowledge.

“Our salaries are fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and we will not be disclosing anything new.”

The Senate leader had dismissed insinuation that members of the National Assembly were being paid “jumbo salaries.”

He argued that the acclaimed jumbo salaries were actually funds provided in the budget of the National Assembly for the running of offices and supply of utilities.

New NSA, Dasuki, meets with Sambo, declines comments

New National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Issues relating to government’s expectations from the new NSA were said to have formed part of the meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.
Before leaving the villa, Dasuki also went into the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadhome.
It was not clear whether he met with Oghiadhome.
Dasuki however declined to grant interviews when approached by State House correspondents.
“You want to talk to me? Not now, not now,” he said.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday appointed Dasuki, a former ADC to former military President Ibrahim Babangida, to replace Gen Owoye Azazi as the NSA.
Azazi was sacked alongside the Minister of Defence, Dr. Haliru Bello.
Jonathan during his presidential media chat on Sunday justified the sacking, saying it was borne out of the need to change tactics in order to confront the Boko Haram sect.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has insisted that the wave of terrorism in some parts of the country will not lead to the nation’s break-up.
He said this after a session of the Senate Retreat on Tuesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said, “Our leaders at the various levels of government must also be reminded of the fact that it is not that easy to dismember Nigeria along religious lines. As we speak, of the six states in the South-West, four of the governors are Muslims, and in these states, we have substantial number of Muslims, tell me, are we going to throw them in the lagoon?
“In the North too, we have substantial number of indigenous Christians; are we going to kill all of them? Nigeria is too big for any group of persons to hold it to ransom. However, as leaders, we must have the sincerity of purpose, commitment and political will to tackle these problems.”
President of the Senate, David Mark, in his address at the opening of the retreat on Monday, warned that the country’s unity was threatened by the continued attacks on churches.
He noted that the patience of the victims could no longer be guaranteed, calling for a decisive action to stop the bomb blasts.
Shettima however commended the Senate for focusing the retreat on national security.
He said, “A situation where a crisis broke out in a state, and you treat the state, as if it is not part and parcel of the federation, called Nigeria, in no distant future, the crisis in one state, could spread to other states, and by which time it becomes difficult to control immediately.
“If you recall, even before I was sworn in as a governor, I expressed my willingness to toe the line of dialogue in resolving this matter. I even went as far as saying I was ready and willing to grant them amnesty.”

OGSIEC recognises Obasanjo faction’s list for council election

The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission on Tuesday said it would recognise only the list of candidates for the forthcoming local government elections submitted by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state believed to be loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

OGSIEC’s position was, however, in defiance of Wednesday last week’s ruling of a state High Court in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government, which ordered that only the state Executive Committee of the Ogun PDP, led by Chief Bayo Dayo, had the authority to nominate and submit the list of candidates for the July 21 council election in the state.

Chairman of OGSIEC Screening Committee, Mr. Mutiu Agboke, who is also a commissioner of the electoral body, said at a press conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday that the commission sought clarification from the PDP national headquarters on which of the factions should be accorded recognition for the purpose of the July 21 council poll before reaching the decision.

Agboke said the commission had therefore rejected the list of candidates forwarded to it by the Dayo-led faction of the Ogun PDP.

Citing section 221 of 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 5 (M) of the 2012 Ogun election guidelines, he explained that the commission’s activities were guided by the sanctity of the constitution which mandated OGSIEC to deal with political parties, and not individual or group of persons.

Agboke further said the commission received a letter from the national headquarters of the PDP which though recognised factions in Ogun PDP, instructed OGSIEC to recognise only the caretaker committee set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Ireti Oniyide in the state.

In the letter dated June 26, 2012 obtained by our correspondent, Oyinlola stated, “As you are aware, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has by its recent ruling in Suit No. CA/L/-38/2012 granted a stay of proceeding in a matter brought before it by some people opposed to the decision of the National Working Committee of the peoples Democratic Party to endorse candidates fielded for the forthcoming local government elections in Ogun State.

“Following the development, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission is hereby requested by Ogun State Caretaker Committee under the Chairman of Chief Ireti Oniyide for the purpose of enabling PDP candidates validly recognised by the PDP National Working Committee to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

“We also enjoin you to also deal with the said Committee for all issues pertaining to Ogun State PDP.”

Agboke therefore said, “For anybody to be a candidate, such person should have been nominated by his political party. The Commission cannot exclude any political party. The Commission sought clearance from the national headquarters of the party on which of the factions should be recognised.”

STF summons Jagaba, committee members over bribery scandal

Police Special Task Force has again summoned members of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management.

Investigations by our correspondent on Tuesday showed that the fresh invitation followed the STF’s discovery that the $620,000 bribe Zenon Oil Chairman, Femi Otedola, claimed that he gave the committee chairman, Farouk Lawan, was allegedly shared among the members.

The STF last week invited the committee members, through a letter written to the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuawal.

The police also invited the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics/Drug and Financial Crimes, Mr. Adams Jagaba.

While Jagaba sent a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, denying that the N96m bribe was handed over to him by Lawan, the fuel subsidy committee members had yet to report to the police.

A police officer said, “Investigators have got fresh facts that the committee members must have benefitted from the bribe following the refusal of the main accused person, Farouk Lawan to reveal the whereabouts of the money.

“There is no way they can be excluded from the investigation. They must come here (police headquarters to clear their names.”

It was learnt that STF invited the committee members following Jagaba’s denial that the money was given to him by Lawan.

The turn of events left the police with no choice than to interrogate the committee members who had been silent on the scandal since it broke out two weeks ago.

Sources told our correspondent that the police might declare the committee members wanted if they fail to show up at the Force Headquarters on Wednesday (today) as their absence had frustrated and delayed the probe.

A police source said, “Police had written to the committee members twice asking them to come and assist the STF in its investigations; they declined to come the first time and a reminder was sent to them individually, but if they don’t show up tomorrow (today), then we will have no choice than to declare them wanted and issue a warrant for their arrest.”

The committee members are Ali Ahmad (PDP); John Enoh (PDP); Umar Sade (PDP); James Faleke (ACN) Eucharia Azodo (PDP) and Irona Alphonsus (PDP), Farouk Lawan (PDP) and Boniface Emenalo, a civil servant.

Meanwhile,the Bishop of the Akure Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Michael Ipinmoye, said on Tuesday the sacking of Andrew Azazi as National Security Adviser and Bello Haliru as Minister of Defence would not be enough to check the activities of Boko Haram.

Gunfight Erupts Near Dala Police Station In Kano

Residents of Goron Dutse and Dala in Kano state said fierce gun battles has erupted near the police station between security agents and suspected militants in the area.
Witnesses said the intense gunfight is ongoing in the area. Some reports indicated that the gunfight has spread to Sherada quarters in Kano. Police sources stated that militants were being chased on a highway linking Dala and Sharada area.
Kano state police spokesperson Mohammed Dutshe confirmed there was a "problem" in the area. He said efforts is being made to reach the Police divisional officer to verify the position on the ground.
 More to come...
Gunmen, Bombers Attack Nigeria’s Kano City -PMNEWS, LAGOS
The city of Kano, northwest Nigeria went on fire Tuesday evening as terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram invaded a Police Station and Prison Yard at Dala Local Government Area, near Ishyaku Rabiu House.
As at the time of filing in this report, multiple explosions and sporadic gunshots are still being heard within the area.
P.M.NEWS learnt from security sources that there are huge casualties involving civilians, security men and the terrorists.
Residents of the area are trapped inside their homes as bullets and explosions continue to rent the air.
“We are hearing multiple sounds of explosions followed with shootings. As I am speaking with you now, there is frightening sounds of gunshots. We could not ascertain where the shots and bombings are coming from.
“People who left for the day’s business could not come back home, while some of us inside our homes are trapped. No one goes out or comes in. Children and women are wailing. It is a terrific situation,” a resident said on phone.
According to security sources, over 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were planted within the area..
A JTF officer who spoke to P.M.NEWS on phone said, “we were very surprise at the attack, but I want to assure you that we are on top of the situation. As I am speaking to you now, we are taking them on a deadly shoot out. There is heavy reinforcement of the Joint Security Task Force.
“Over 15 Hilux of our men have cordoned off the area. We want them and they must surrender. We are not taking chances. They must be brought down to their knees.”
AFP initially reported that the gunmen with explosives attacked a Nigerian police station at Goron Dutse.
An AFP journalist heard five blasts and saw smoke in the area of the police station. The explosions later halted, and the extent of the damage remained unclear as well as if there were casualties.
Kano, Nigeria’s second city and the largest in the north, was the site of Boko Haram’s deadliest attack yet,
when coordinated bombings and shootings left at least 185 people dead in January.
Since then, another 45 people have been been killed, including a retired police deputy inspector general.
The Islamist group’s insurgency, concentrated in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, has killed more than 1,000 people since mid-2009.

Jonathan fires NNPC boss, Austen Oniwon, names Andrew Yakubu as replacement

Austen Oniwon, Former Group Managing Director of NNPC

President Goodluck Jonathan has fired the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Austen Oniwon, and other top officials of the corporation.
Mr. Oniwon was sacked along other top management of the corporation in a sweeping move by Mr. Jonathan.
The NNPC management has been involved in several scandals including the petroleum subsidy payment scandal.
Part of the recommendations of the Farouk Lawan committee report by the House of Representatives is the removal of Mr. Oniwon and the NNPC management.
Andrew Yakubu, an engineer, has been appointed Mr. Oniwon's replacement.
Details later...
See full press release from the presidency on the new appointments below.
PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPROVES RE-COMPOSITION OF NNPC MANAGEMENT TEAM
To further strengthen the ongoing reforms and transformation of Nigeria’s Petroleum sector, and in furtherance of efforts to achieve greater transparency  and accountability in government, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the re-composition of the executive management team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as follows:

1.      Engr. Andrew Yakubu - Group Managing Director

2.      Mr. Bernard O.N. Otti - Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts)

3.      Engr. Abiye Membere - Group Executive Director (Exploration and Production)

4.      Dr. Peter S. Nmadu - Group Executive Director (Corporate Services)

5.      Engr. Anthony Ogbuigwe - Group Executive Director (Refineries & Petrochemicals)

6.      Dr. Attahir B. Yusuf - Group Executive Director (Commercial & Investments)

7.      Dr. David Ige - Group Executive Director (Gas & Power)

The incoming Group Managing Director, Engr. Andrew Yakubu graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined the NNPC in 1980. Positions he has held in the corporation include Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company and Group Executive Director (Exploration and Production). Engr. Yakubu is an indigene of Kaduna State and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
President Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Engr. Victor Briggs as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).
The incumbent Group Managing Director, Engr. Austen Oniwon, and Mr. Michael Arokodare (outgoing Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts), Mr. Philip Chukwu, outgoing Group Executive Director (Refineries & Petrochemicals), and Engr. Billy Agha, outgoing Group Executive Director (Engineering & Technology) are to proceed on retirement.
President Jonathan commends the outgoing directors for their service to the nation and urges the new management team to be fully committed to rapidly implementing the critical interventions needed to positively transform Nigeria’s petroleum industry.


Nigerian breaks academic record at John Hopkins University

 

A 22 year old Nigerian has emerged the best graduating student of John Hopkins University in the US. Emmanuel Ohuabunwa from Arochukwu, Abia State obtained a Grade Point Average of 3.98 out of a possible 4.0 to earn a degree in Neurosciences. Emmanuel is the first black man to make this Grade in the university.

For his efforts, he has won a scholarship to Yale University to pursue a degree in medicine. He has also been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society, a prestigious honour group that features membership of 17 US Presidents, 37 US Supreme Court Justices, and 136 Nobel Prize winners.

Kaduna relaxes 24-hour curfew, tension persists

Despite the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew by the Kaduna State Government on Monday, the ever-busy Ahmadu Bello way in the metropolis was still deserted.

The state government had relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state as a result of the outbreak of violence following the bombing of three Churches in Kaduna and Zaria two weeks ago.

However, even as the curfew was relaxed, residents restricted their movements to the vicinity of their residence.

After a Security Council meeting at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, on Monday, the government announced that residents were free to move about from 12 noon to 4pm.

The state added that as from Tuesday, residents in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi and Chikun local Governments of the state would be free to move about from 7am to 4pm.

The statement added, “The 19 remaining local governments in the state, people can move freely from 6am to 6pm.”

But the relaxation of the curfew appeared not to have made any difference as the metropolis remained deserted.

The ever-busy Ahmadu Bello Way, Independence Way, Ali Akilu Road, the Central Market and the Kawo Motor Park were deserted. Only few vehicles plied the roads. As at the time of filing this report, shops along the Ahmadu Bello Way remained closed.

As a result of the crisis, which left many people dead, some residents that spoke with our correspondent vowed never to go out of their houses to the city centre until they were sure that normalcy had been restored.

One of the residents said, “I will not step to the town until I am sure that everywhere is peaceful. If my employers wish, let them sack me, but I cannot compromise my life for their work.

“Many people were killed on Tuesday when the government relaxed the curfew and we thought all was well.

“I have my shop in the town, but I will not go out tomorrow until I am sure that there would not be trouble again.”

Meanwhile, the umbrella body of the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum, said on Monday that the sacking of the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Defence was a reaction to the outcry across the nation.

The National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Anthony Sani, told our correspondent on Monday in Kaduna that the appointment of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki “may or may not solve the security challenges” the country was currently facing unless conscious efforts were applied in containing the insecurity in the land.

Sani said, “The sacking of the National Security Adviser and the Minster of Defence by President Jonathan is reaction of outcry across that nation that the government need to do more in its campaigns against the security challenges.

“The appointment of Sambo may or may not solve the problems. It depends on how conscious efforts are applied towards containing the security challenges.

“The constitution of Nigeria only provides that each state of Nigeria must have at least one minister. It makes no reference to how portfolios are distributed.”

B’Haram, foreign groups sharing bombs, money – US

ACTIVITIES of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, may get worse given revelations that the group is sharing funds and swapping explosives with two other terrorist organisations in Africa.

Commander of the U.S. military’s Africa Command, General Carter Ham, said indication of cooperation between Boko Haram, al Shabaab in East Africa, and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb could signal a dangerous escalation of security threats on the continent.

The three organisations are said to be the continent’s most violent and they are believed to be sharing money and explosive materials while training fighters together.

Reuters reports on Monday quoted Ham as saying, “Each of those three organisations is by itself a dangerous and worrisome threat.

“What really concern me are the indications that the three organisations are seeking to coordinate and synchronise their efforts. That is a real problem for us and for African security in general.”

He spoke at an African Centre for Strategic Studies seminar for senior military and civilian officials from Africa, the United States and Europe.

The United States classified three of the alleged leaders of Boko Haram, as “foreign terrorists,” on June 20. But it declined to blacklist the entire organisation to avoid elevating the group’s profile internationally.

Police confirmed that members of the sect seized a prison in Damaturu, Yobe State, on Sunday and freed 40 inmates.

Islamist militant group al Shabaab is active in war-ravaged Somalia and has been blamed for attacks in Kenya. Last year it claimed responsibility for the death of Somali Interior Minister, Abdi Shakur Sheikh Hassan.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, an affiliate of al Qaeda based in North Africa, is mainly a criminal organisation operating in the Sahel region. It kidnaps Westerners for ransom and aids Africa’s drug trade, according to intelligence officials.

The U.S. and regional officials fear that a power vacuum in northern Mali following a military coup in March may open an expanded area of operations for Islamist militants. Some western diplomats talk of the country becoming a “West African Afghanistan.”

Ham said AQIM was now operating “essentially unconstrained” throughout a large portion of northern Mali, where Islamists have imposed a harsh version of Shariah law.

“The group was a threat not only to the countries in the region, but also has “a desire and intent to attack Americans as well. So that becomes a real problem,” Ham said.

Emphasising that the U.S. military played mainly a supporting role in Africa, Ham said the US was providing intelligence and logistical help in the hunt for Ugandan warlord, Joseph Kony, whose Lord’s Resistance Army was accused of abducting children to use as fighters and hacking off limbs of civilians.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague had indicted Kony for crimes against humanity in 2005, and his case hit the headlines in March when a video entitled Kony 2012; put out by a U.S. activist group and calling for his arrest went viral across the Internet.

Ham said he was confident that Kony would ultimately be apprehended by African troops.

“This is an African-led effort. It is the African Union increasingly taking a leadership role with a little bit of support from the United States military. We think that is the right approach,” Ham said.

Meanwhile, Ham said on Monday that the U.S. military was increasing its operations on the continent as terrorist groups began to work closer together to carry out attacks in the region.

He said the terrorist threat in Africa was growing and that the U.S. forces under his command were focused on al Shabab, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb in the north, and Boko Haram.

The US new defence strategy calls for a greater focus on Africa, but only with a limited presence of U.S. personnel to train and assist the militaries of countries on the continent to counter security threats.

Last year, President Barack Obama authorised the deployment of about 100 U.S. troops to Africa to help the armed forces of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic in their campaigns against Kony and his LRA.

Ham said that enabling the militaries of partner nations was a more effective approach than sending the U.S. forces to do the work in the vast area where the LRA was operating.

“We can help in terms of logistics, some information and intelligence sharing, of communications, and a little bit of mobility. I think that’s the best way for us to provide what I would term unique U.S. military capabilities to assist our African partner,” Ham said.

The US has only one permanent military base in Africa, in Djibouti, with about 2,000 American personnel.

Ham said there were no plans to build any other base on the continent.

House Of Reps Bribery Scandal: Public Interest Lawyers Want Immediate Arrest of Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha

Emeka Ihedioha

The Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), which on June 13 called for the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, now wants the arrest of the Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, saying he has a case to answer.
At a press conference today addressed by its President, Abdul Mahmud, PILL said it has taken steps in the past two weeks to establish the connection of certain principal members of the House to the bribe saga, and has come to the irresistible conclusion that Mr. Ihedioha has a case to answer.
Mr. Mahmud pointed out that in these trying times for Nigeria and for such an august body as the House which is charged that with the constitutional responsibility of law making, it is important that all Nigerians help to restore the confidence in it, and that Nigerians can only come to that decision when the truth is established and the guilt of individual and principal members of the House is established.
“For us, our responsibility is to expose the rotten bones and flesh masquerading as leaders of the House of Representatives,” he said of the work of PILL.
Mr. Mahmud said that his League’s allegations against Mr. Ihedioha are set out in its petitions to the Special Task Force; Ethics and Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives; Independent Corrupt Practices Commission; and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.
He drew special attention to PILL’s petition to the police, in which it asked for the widening of the scope of the investigation to include a comprehensive look into the activities and the role of the Deputy Speaker of Mr. Ihedioha in the Farouk Lawan bribe saga.
In the petition, PILL stressed that the Police Special Task Force owes Nigerians the greater responsibility of coming to the truth of the bribe saga by unearthing and exposing those who are connected to the shameless incident of bribery and who hide inside the shadowy recesses of the House and pretend that they cannot unearthed and or who work the system within the House to cover their perfidious trails.
“No matter the positions of these individuals, it is in our national interest to use this opportunity the bribe saga avails us to cleanse the House and redeem its image for our collective good,” the petition said.  “The greatest failing of any August legislative body is for the citizenry not to repose confidence in it.”
In that regard, the petition called on the Special Task Force to avail itself of the following disclosures:
•    That the bribery was coordinated by Mr. Ihedioha;
•    That two members of the House: one member of the Ad Hoc Committee and one non-member, arranged contacts with oil marketers and collected bribes for Mr. Ihedioha;
•     That contacts and collections took place at the home of a member of the House who is like Mr. Ihedioha is from Imo State; and
•    That Mr. Ihedioha sat at the core bribe-receiving syndicate, with his accomplices (all sitting members of the House) operating from the margins.   
Drawing attention to a variety of pertinent questions that need to be asked, PILL also called for, among others:
•    An immediate and unfettered inspection of the records of the proceedings of the Ad Hoc Committee and of the House, particularly the records of proceedings of the House on April18;
•    An order of production to be served on Channels Television for the audio-visual clip posted on YouTube and titled, ‘$3 million bribery: Farouk Lawan request removal of Otedola’s company from fuel subsidy report’;
•    That PILL be allowed to serve interrogatories on the Special Task Force for Mr. Ihedioha and his other accomplices that PILL will name; and
•    That Mr. Ihedioha be made to take a polygraph test.
Encouraging the Special Task Force to proceed with its statutory duties without fail, PILL said that if it failed to do so within seven days of the receipt of the petition, it would not hesitate to seek for a Mandamus to compel it to discharge its public legal duty.

Give Us State Police Now, Governors Tell Jonathan

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chair of the Nigeria Govs Forum

Nigeria’s thirty-six governors have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently consider the establishment of state police.
The governors are also demanding the establishment of a special intervention fund to enable them to combat terrorism in their states.
The governors’ forum expressed these demands in a communiqué at the end of a meeting that started on Sunday night but ended in the early hours of Monday.
The communiqué was read by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, the chairman of the Governors’ Forum. In the statement, the forum said it “strongly condemned the current state ???? and violence which has been drifting the nation towards anarchy and called for a multi-dimensional approach to security issues including enhanced co-ordination and collaboration among security forces, effective use of technology and intelligence, value re-orientation, employment generation and sincerity of purpose.”
In addition, the governors’ group declared its commitment “to convene a Governors’ Forum conference on security in Nigeria.”
The communiqué contended that state government finances are currently overstretched by security challenges and asked the Federal Government to provide a special intervention fund, especially to the states most affected by insecurity.
The forum also “identified the increasing need for state police as a strategy for combating the rising insecurity in the country.”
It was unclear whether the governors discussed the investment of their controversial security votes in programs aimed at combating rising security crises. Each Nigerian governor receives a hefty monthly sum ranging from $2 to $5 million that is purported to be for security issues. However, critics have said that the so-called security vote is one of the myriad ways governors and the Presidency siphon off public funds, since recipients of the fund are never obligated to account for how they were spent.
Some civil rights advocates have called for security votes to be rolled into the regular budgets of the police as well as other law enforcement and security agencies.

B*O*M*B*S*H*E*L*L:Sen David Mark Drops the Bomb.

• Boko Haram may result in the break-up of the country
• The South will keep developing, as no investor would risk investing his money in any part of the North when his life is in danger.
• On Killing of Christains by Boko Haram: There is a limit to patience.

Senate President, David Mark, has proposed an immediate comprehensive review of existing laws on terrorism to give more powers to security agents to tackle the insecurity challenge posed by the extremist sect, Boko Haram.
Mr. Mark, who was speaking during the opening of the three days Senate retreat in Uyo on Monday, noted that desperate times require desperate measures by the Executive and the Legislative arms of government to strengthen the security take the battle to the sect, which he identified as the country’s main security challenge today.
“At the moment, we cannot just go with the rule of law,” he said.
“The way Boko Haram is going, if nothing drastic is done to halt it, God forbid, it may result in the break-up of the country,” Mr. Mark said.
Dismissing suggestions that poverty is behind the Boko Haram insurgency, the Senate President said if every poor man in the country decides to become a suicide bomber, Nigeria would not exist today, pointing out that the problem might be as a result of lack of education, which requires a long term solution.
He placed the origin of the problem squarely on issues of ideology and religious fundamentalism as well as dearth of national values, urging the government not to be deterred by the antics of the terrorists, by ensuring that it does stop any of its programmes.
“Boko Haram has resulted in massive regional movement, promoted ethnic and religious conflicts in the country, while under-development in the Northern part of the country has worsened. If government stops any of its programmes, the terrorists would have succeeded in frustrating national development,” he said.
He posed the challenge to political leaders and elites from the North to come together to find solutions to the menace of Boko Haram, saying the growing insecurity in the region constitutes the greatest disincentive to development and economic growth.
“Those behind Boko Haram are shooting themselves on the foot. Other regions are not going to wait for the North to develop before they carry on their development programmes. The same people who are crying about under-development in the North are responsible for the current situation, because no investor would risk investing his money in any part of the North when his life is in danger.
“The investor who comes into Nigeria would look at the safe areas of the country to do business, and the safe areas in the country today are the Southern states. The Northern states have to think properly before they allow what a few selected cabals in Boko Haram are doing to bring the North to its knees. If allowed to go on, it will encourage disunity and religious war, because there is a limit to patience. Christian leaders have been appealing against vengeance. But, for how long would the people continue to listen, while they are being killed?” he said.
Nevertheless, he called on the government to keep the avenues for dialogue open for the sect, on condition that it would make their leaders known if they have genuine grievances.
To address the unemployment at the grassroots, which he blamed for the situation, Mr. Mark underscored the need to make the Local Governments function properly, pointing out that at the moment most of them are in a comatose state, because the states that control them hardly allow their allocations to get to them.
President Goodluck Jonathan, as he declared the retreat open, stressed the need for cooperation between his administration and the National Assembly in waging a concerted war against Boko Haram, urging all parties to avoid the politicisation of the Insecurity issue.
While emphasizing accountability on security policy issues, the President noted that the nation’s security depends on its economic growth, assuring that the economy is growing well, as it is currently being diversified, with greater focus on agriculture and food security as crucial factors for national security.
“We must work together under a new social and political contract to safeguard the country,” the president said.
“Whatever are the causes, the solution lies in a stronger union among all stakeholders, equity and justice, transparency and accountability, above all the fear of God. If God did not will it, we would not be together today as a country of Christians, Moslems and traditionalists. If God did not will it, we would not be together as a people of multi-ethnic groups. If God did not will it, we will not be Nigerians today.
“Our unity is the will of God, and our diversity is the binding ligament of our strength. Those who want to weaken us use axes of hate to cut the tree of our strength. But, we should refuse to be weakened. Let us unite to defeat the forces of darkness. We should not play politics with national security. The challenge of terror and insecurity should unite the country as we take the fight to the terrorists,” the president said.

James Ibori’s mistress,Udoamaka Onuigbo released from prison

James Ibori’s mistress Udoamaka Onuigbo has been released from a UK prison after serving only two years of her 5 year sentence. Ms Onuigbo was found guilty on a three-count charge of money laundering in June 2010 and was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Christopher Hardy of a Southwark London Crown Court.
She was released from prison last week and has returned to Nigeria.Seems in the UK 5 means 2. Ibori himself was sentenced to 13 years, so maybe he’ll be out in say…6 years.

Lawan promises to surrender N93m bribe

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the probe of fuel subsidy mismanagement, Mr. Farouk Lawan

Embattled lawmaker, Farouk Lawan, has finally promised to surrender the $500,000 bribe to the Special Task Force before the end of the week following serious psychological and physical pressures mounted on him by investigators.

It was learnt that Lawan succumbed to the pressure mounted him by the STF Commissioner of Police, Ali Ahmodu, on Wednesday and agreed to bring the money which he was said to have received from Femi Otedola on April 24, 2012.

He was said to have told investigators that he would only surrender the money before witnesses which would include his lawyers, Mike Ozhekome (SAN) and Israel Olorundare.

Boniface Emenalo had been asked to report on Friday, but it could not be ascertained if he would surrender his share of the bribe on that day.

Sources told our correspondent that Lawan cracked when he was confronted with the letter from the Chairman, Committee on Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Adams Jagaba, who denied knowledge of the money.

“When subjected to intense pressure by CP Ahmadu, Lawan finally cracked and said he was tired of the drama and stories surrounding the matter. In an agitated tone, he said he will bring the money before weekend on the condition that there would be witnesses there: this is the breakthrough investigators needed to conclude the case,” a source said.

Jagaba, had in a letter to the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday denied that he was in possession of the money.

He stated, “I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that there was never a time I was in possession of the sum of $620,000 or any other exhibit (in my personal capacity or official capacity as Chairman, House Committee on Drugs/Narcotics and Financial Crimes).”

Lawan had last week claimed that he had handed over the money to Jagaba.

Our correspondents could not reach Lawan on Wednesday as he did not pick calls made to his telephone sets.

Brazil trip: FG defends Jonathan, says President can rule from anywhere

THE Federal Government on Wednesday reacted to the public outcry against President Goodluck Jonathan’s trip to Brazil at a time that two northern states–Kaduna and Yobe–were under siege of bombers and gunmen.

The government said Jonathan could rule the country from anywhere in the world and that his absence at the height of the crisis did not amount to negligence because he was on an official assignment to Rio De Janeiro to take part in a United Nations’ Earth Summit.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, warned the citizens, especially politicians, not to politicise security issues in the country.

He said, “The President can take decision from anywhere in the world; his absence will not hamper his power to act.

“The Vice-President effectively takes charge of affairs once the President is out of Nigeria and he is in touch with the President on an hourly basis.

“There is no vacuum, the most important thing is that the President and the Vice- President work harmoniously and are in constant touch.

“If the President panics, what will the people do? We must stop making politics out of the unfortunate incident going on in Northern Nigeria.”

At the height of the public worry over the long absence of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2010, the Attorney-General then, Micheal Andoaka, had similarly said his boss could rule Nigeria from any part of the world.

Jonathan jetted out of the country on Monday night, barely 24 hours after 75 persons were killed in the bombing of three churches and consequent reprisals in Kaduna.

A fierce gunfight between security operatives in the military Joint Task Force and suspected members of Boko Haram also led to the death of 25 people in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The two states are currently under a 24-hour curfew.

The House of Representatives, opposition parties and lawyers on Tuesday criticised the President’s trip, describing him as “insensitive.”

Joined at the briefing by his Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Ms. Amma Pepple, as well as the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, Maku recalled that Vice-President Namadi Sambo had on Tuesday convened an emergency security meeting with security chiefs on the insurgence.

He said if Jonathan did not attend the summit, the same people who criticised him for attending would have gone against him.

He said rather than criticising the President at every opportunity, critics should come forward with practical solutions to the terrorism ravaging the nation.

“We should stop turning the tragedy in the northern Nigeria to politics. We are not being invaded by foreigners but it is our people killing themselves.

“The President has provided every leadership on this matter; let people make meaningful contribution to how to end this and not to play cheap politics and engage in political blackmail.

“For those turning this to politics, they should re-examine their level of patriotism to this country,” he said.

The House of Representatives had said the President could have delegated the trip to Sambo or any of his senior aides since the trip was “not special or of economic interest.”

“A trip like that could have been delegated by Mr. President so that he can stay at home to take charge of security. We know that security agencies are supposed to do their job, but we cannot afford to compromise security. If our security is compromised, it is a failure of governance,” spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had told our correspondent.

Mohammed had added that investors would not come to Nigeria if the country was not safe.

The Action Congress of Nigeria, in a statement by his National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had also faulted Jonathan’s journey amid what it described as a “national tragedy.”

“We are constrained to ask whether this President is getting quality advice from the myriad of aides surrounding him, or whether, like his benefactor, Olusegun Obasanjo, he has decided he may not even take any advice from his advisers. In other climes, the usual thing is for leaders to cancel foreign trips or rush home from such trips when their countries suffer tragedies,” the ACN had said.

The Congress for Progressive Change had also slammed the President, saying it was wrong for him to leave the country at the time of the crisis. It said the President’s trip was “disappointing.”

“The action of the President is akin to the head of a family leaving his burning home to attend the village meeting on the cleanliness of the environment. Succinctly put, this is not the propitious time for frivolous travels,” the CPC had said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin.

Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay had said, “Honestly, I don’t know. The situation in the country is very serious. He should sit down and face it.

“The impression one has now is that he has lost control, his responses have been weak. We expected something more forceful. We expected a decisive attitude towards a very serious problem.

“I don’t think it is the right time for him to travel because the situation is very critical.”

Suspected Militants Ambush Police Checkpoint In Kano Killing One Officer

Kano State Police told SaharaReporters an ambush at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday by suspected members of Boko Haram at a checkpoint at Madobi, Kano state.  The attackers, in a Golf Volkswagon and 3 motorbikes, launched the surprise attack on the security checkpoint in Madobi/ Sanni Abacha Youth Centre in Panshekara, killing one.
Police regrouped and chased the attackers who abandoned their vehicles and escaped on foot. Police then searched the nearby Sani Abacha Youth Center in Pashekara and discovered bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) already planted there by the insurgents.
 Commissioner of police in the state, Alhaji K Idris, said they called in a special bomb unit to carry out the controlled detonation of the IEDs whose explosive sounds panicked local area residents.
A search is underway for the attackers.

FIRS Sues Jimoh Ibrahim, Air Nigeria, for forgery, N5 billion Tax Fraud-NAN

Jimoh Ibrahim and Air Nigeria staff during launch of Air Nigeria at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport

By NAN- petition provided by John Nnorom

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has filed charges of evading five years tax payment of N4.86 billion naira and forgery of Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) against Air Nigeria.
A copy of the charge filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja was exclusively obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, the company’s Chairman, Mr Kinfe Kahssaye, Managing Director and Air Nigeria Development Company Limited (formerly Virgin Nigeria Airways Ltd), were joined in the 10-count charge.
The suit comes barely 48 hours after the service arrested Kahssaye in Lagos on Monday.
He was flown to Abuja same day and detained by the service and released on Tuesday afternoon.
An official of FIRS, who confirmed his release to NAN, said the service met with Ibrahim on Tuesday, but did not reach any agreement on the payment of the tax.
In the charge, FIRS accused officials of the indigenous airline of illegally obtaining Tax Clearance Certificates.
They were also said to have unlawfully presented the fake certificate to the Minister of Interior for the renewal of expatriate quota positions for 20 pilots and 10 other persons.
According to the FIRS, the accused persons failed to deduct and pay taxes accruing to government from Withholding Tax  and Value Added Tax (VAT) from 2007 to 2010, totaling N4.86 billion.
The charge said Air Nigeria and the accused persons failed to deduct at source, N394.16 million being taxes accruing to government from withholding tax between January and December 2006.
Similarly, the company was said to have failed to deduct withholding tax of N775.20 million being 10 per cent of the payments for direct services as prescribed under the Companies Income Tax Act.
The offence, according to the court papers, is punishable under Section 40 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act No 13 of 2007.
The accused were also said to have failed to file annual returns of the company for 2011 with the FIRS, as prescribed by Section 55 (1) of the Companies Income Tax Cap C21 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.
The charge said the failure to file annual returns ``was with the connivance of Ibrahim and Kahssaye; and you hereby committed an offence punishable under Section 55(4) and (5) of the same Act.''
According to the FIRS, some officials of Air Nigeria, sometime in January ``made counterfeit of tax certificate, purportedly issued by the FIRS in favour of Air Nigeria Development Company Ltd.
The whistleblower petition against Air Nigeria and Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim that triggered the investigations and tax fraud charges:
TAX EVASION IN NIGERIA, GHANA, SAO TOME, UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATE OF AMERICA BY BAR JIMOH IBRAHIM
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE WRITER.
I was appointed Executive Director Finance-International operations in Air Nigeria on 1st Aug, 2011. Promoted Finance Director of Air Nigeria on 17th Oct, 2011 and the jobs of Executive Director Treasury and Executive Director Finance were submerged into my job, thereby making me the sole Finance Director in Air Nigeria. On the 1st of Dec, 2011, I was appointed Non-Executive Director, Nigeria Re-insurance Corporation. On 18th of Dec, 2012 in Sao Tome annual Conference, I was appointed and it was announced the Coordinating Finance Director of the following companies Air Nigeria Development Ltd, Global fleet oil & Gas Ltd, Nicon Insurance Plc, Nigeria Re-insurance Plc, Nicon Properties Ltd, Nicon Luxury Hotel Ltd, Abuja Nicon hotels Ltd, Okitipupa  Nicon hotels Ltd VGC  Nicon hotels Ltd, PHC  Newswatch communications Ltd, Newswatch Daily Ltd and National Mirror Ltd.  In this position, I liaise with the relevant authority on tax matters as it affects the entire group.
WHY THIS PETITION
I was a victim of Bar Jimoh Ibrahim tax fraud. In the last twenty years, I have always paid my taxes as and when due. IT WAS A GREAT PAIN TO ME THAT TAXES DEDUCTED FROM MY SALARIES IN AIR NIGERIA, WERE NOT REMITTED IN 2011 AND I COULD NOT GET MY TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE.   All efforts that I made to convince Jimoh Ibrahim to approve the payment of taxes due to Federal and State Government were turndown.
EMPLOYEE  TAX  FRAUD
In all the companies owned by jimoh Ibrahim, taxes are not remitted to the relevant tax authorities but were deducted from staff salaries. This could be confirmed from the staff, because in the two strikes by  Air Nigeria Engineer and Pilots, the issue of tax deductions not being remitted was one of the reason for the strike.( please, find attached a scan copy of their letter.) The implication is that in all these companies owned by Jimoh Ibrahim, no staff can assess his Certificate of Occupancy for land or assess others benefits from government because we do not have tax clearance certificate. This issue can be confirmed now from the staff and the tax board because no tax clearance certificate has been issued to any staff. Air Nigeria has problems with Pay- As- You- Earn tax with Imo State Board of Internal Revenue, Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue, River State Board of Internal Revenue, Sokoto state Board of Internal Revenue to mention but a few in Nigeria. This information can be verified. Outside Nigeria, we are owing heavy amount in taxes, namely cotonou 500million CFA, Ghana $1.2M, Cameroon $810,000, Brazilleville $400,000.
Jimoh Ibrahim tax evasion strategy is: "LET US USE GOVERNMENT MONEY TO DO BUSINESS AND MAKE LITTLE PAYMENT ON ACCOUNT FROM TIME TO TIME , SO AS TO MAKE RECONCILIATION IMPOSSIBLE."
From the above assertion, it is clear that part of Jimoh Ibrahim working capital is tax deducted from employee, pension fund deducted from employee, co-operative society fund deducted from employees’ salary. These funds have no cost element to his business empire. Air Nigeria staff can confirm, if these deductions has been remitted. When I visited IBTC Pension for my balance, I was shocked that out of the eight months that I worked in Air Nigeria, only 3 months have been remitted.
I therefore would like to use this opportunity to make a National call to all employee of Jimoh Ibrahim to insist that your tax clearance certificate be given to you, the pension fund and co-operative society deduction paid to the relevant authority. I also appeal to Nigeria Labour Congress to help all staff; because, Jimoh Ibrahim grip on them is too much. To all relevant tax authorities, I appeal for you immediate action to collect your money by exercising your powers. This call includes all the expatriate working in Air Nigeria Development Ltd, as tax papers forged on your behalf to renew your immigration status represents criminal offence on the part of the expatriate staff based on the tax laws of Nigeria. I attached the internal memo which was forward to a vendor to forge expatriate tax papers. In Nigeria, you cannot renew your expatriate immigration papers without your tax clearance certificate.
CORPORATE TAX - FRAUD
The following companies namely ;Air Nigeria Development Ltd, Global fleet oil & Gas Ltd, Nicon Insurance Plc, Nigeria  RE-insurance Corporation, Nicon Properties Ltd, Nicon Luxury Hotel Ltd, Abuja Nicon hotels Ltd, Okitipupa  Nicon hotels Ltd VGC,   Nicon hotels Ltd, PHC  News watch communications Ltd, Newswatch Daily Ltd and National Mirror Ltd, do not have current tax clearance certificate. To get, the new names of these companies just add ENERGY. All these companies do not pay corporate taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Services in Nigeria. Even withholding tax deducted from sales on behalf of Federal Government, are not remitted. Air Nigeria is owing to date, N1.8Billion to Federal Inland Revenue Service being accumulated withholding tax collected on behalf of Federal Government. The system is the same. Make little payment on account and make reconciliation impossible with the staff of tax authority. The last signed audited account of Air Nigeria was 2009 and the same applies to Nigeria Re-insurance Corporation.
This explains why Nigerian Re-insurance Corporation cannot file her statutory returns and cannot do re-insurance business in Nigeria to date. If Jimoh Ibrahim wants to deny these issues, let him published in two national newspapers the tax clearance papers of these companies within 24hours of this publication. I make a call to the relevant tax authority to do their statutory jobs on Jimoh Ibrahim energy group of companies.
TAX EVASION BY BAR JIMOH IBRAHIM ON HIS PERSONAL INCOME.
Every week Jimoh Ibrahim withdraws millions of naira from Air Nigeria sales proceed which is transferred into Nicon Investment Ltd, these monies are used to buy dollars from the black market in Lagos. These withdrawals are treated as income by Jimoh Ibrahim in his records.
Again when Federal Government pays pension money to Nicon Insurance Plc, a large chunk of the money (over 95%) is used to buy dollars from black market. This is also treated as income by Jimoh Ibrahim as these withdrawals do not come back to Nicon Insurance Plc/Air Nigeria.
The money is parked in his travelling bags by his PA ( Mr. Ayeni ) and on getting to the Airport, Miss Jill  Owatemi, who does not know the content of the bag, ensures that the bags are not security screened having worked in various airport station as a station manager. The dollar bag is loaded into Jimoh Ibrahim private jet, which flies to Ghana, dubai or sao tome. These dollars are paid into Jimoh Ibrahim personal bank account in Energy Bank of Ghana or Energy Bank of Sao Tome.
From these banks, the dollar is transferred to USA and United Kingdom. The prefer bank in London is union Bank and in USA is UBA. On all these money laundering whose original sources are illegal but has been made legal through breaking the source, no tax is paid.
I would ask that Jimoh Ibrahim should publish his tax clearance certificate to the relevant tax authority to investigate and prove tax evasion. When, he goes to United Kingdom, he is not taxed because; he claims that his residence is in Nigeria. When he is in USA, he claims that he pays tax in Nigeria, while he is involved in an intensive and extensive tax evasion in Nigeria.
He does business in United Kingdom and USA with these withdrawals from Air Nigeria Sales proceeds and Nicon Insurance Plc, pension money paid by the Accountant General of Nigeria, in his sole capacity. This money goes into UK AND USA as personal investment. However, this money represents fraudulent withdrawal from corporate institution owned by many people including Federal Government.
It should be noted that Federal Government still owns 30% of Nicon Insurance Plc. In all these companies owed partly by Federal Government and Jimoh Ibrahim, no board meeting has been held to rectify all these withdrawals and no board resolutions were approved on all these massive withdrawals. I make this call to our National assembly in our national interest, let the Accountant General published the amount of money paid to Nicon Insurance Plc, in the last seven years and let the bank statement be made public for reconciliation.

Jimoh Ibrahim, is an international thief stealing Federal Government money through massive withdrawals. Shareholders should be paid dividend but in all these companies, no financial statement has been prepared, so you cannot talk of profit or loss and payment of dividend. No dividend has been paid over the years on these companies and that probably explained why two former finance ministers have called Jimoh Ibrahim, national thief.
Jimoh Ibrahim does not pay tax in these countries but his bank account showed heavy movement of money laundering. If jimoh Ibrahim, does not do any business in USA and United Kingdom, why does he use these countries to receive money from Ghana, dubai and Sao Tome. I know like James Ibori that Jimoh Ibrahim is above the law in Nigeria but I hereby appeal to UK/USA tax authority to investigate Jimoh Tax records. He is using fraudulent system to break audit trail of large movement of money, described as income in his local records in Nigeria.
I appeal to the Federal Government for intervention. I am being persecuted, blackmailed and my character is being assassinated every day because of speaking the truth. Every day Jimoh Ibrahim as the publisher of national mirror newspaper advertises my picture with disclaimer notice and rubbish are written against my person. My life is also under threat as several strange faces now parades within the vicinity of my residence.
I appeal for international support to stop this fraudulent baron and his cohort from exterminating me.  We disagree on specific issues which I have made very clear to Jimoh Ibrahim. I repeat it to the world at large, I John Nnorom do not need blood money from his flying coffin-Air Nigeria  and cannot be involved in any fraudulent activities including money laundering.  I detailed below the police frame charges against me.
To my Fellow Nigerians, I say a big thank you all for your support in fighting this battle. I am highly encouraged by your various e-mails from saharareporters online publication and your great comments when Aljazeera Television Station aired Air Nigeria as the Flying Coffin
JOHN I NNOROM
JIMOH IBRAHIM POLICE BLACKMAIL STORY IN NATIONAL MIRROR
Following your comment on the internet on my petition stating how jimoh Ibrahim turned air Nigeria to flying coffin, I wish to inform all how the police blackmail started. I ATTACHED MY LETTER OF RESIGNATION AND THE ACCEPTANCE BY KINFE KIHASSAYE, THE CEO OF AIR NIGERIA. In his response to my letter of resignation, he stated three points to note.
1.    Why did you copy your letter of resignation to so many people, including the leasing company?
2.    Help us to recover the sum of $100,000 due from a company that you introduce to us.
3.    Please, make your disengagement honourable.
To make my disengagement honourable, I approached the company, cotrac global enterprise and the issue was resolved. I then ask if I could collect the money and keep as part of my exit entitlement and they said capital NO. I sought for legal opinion and my team of lawyers said, do not touch otherwise they can establish a case of criminal conversion against you. At this point, I withdrew from the resolution of cotrac global enterprise issue with Air Nigeria. It should be noted that this company has done so many business with Air Nigeria and therefore a well known vendor with Air Nigeria.  On 21st of April, 2012, I was in my house, when my son showed the newspaper, National Mirror, published by Jimoh Ibraham, where my picture appeared stating that police arrested me and the sum of $75,000 was recovered from me. We were all shocked but I know jimoh Ibrahim is a man of poor character and immediately asked my lawyer to file a suit. On 27th of April a suit was filed, suit number FHC/CS/441/2012, which was later assigned to Justics Liman, seeking for the exercise of my fundamental human right and claiming for damages. This suit was served to Nigeria police, the  CP in charge of Special Fraud Unit, called Tunde Ogunsakin, a childhood friend of Jimoh Ibrahim, who is extremely emotional about any issue concerning jimoh Ibrahim.  Jimoh Ibrahim avoided the service of the court summons from the bailiff, so the case could not go forward because all parties must be served. In the suit, I sworn an affidavit that SFU did not arrest me, did not recover any money from me and did not invite me, that I read this issue in jimoh Ibrahim newspaper called National Mirror. On 3rd may, 20102, another publication was done in his National Mirror Newspaper, stating alleged fraud: police declare Ex-Air Nigeria Finance Director wanted.
The question that any intelligent person can ask, is that, the first publication of National Mirror dated 21st April 2012, stated that I was arrested and money was recovered from me. The second publication of National Mirror dated 3rd May, 2012, stated that police declare me wanted.  How can police declare me wanted after recovering money from me on 21st April 2012 and come forward to declare me wanted on 3rd may, 2012, 12days after   I was arrested. This is jimoh Ibrahim blackmail.

Since then, there has been several publications on disclaimer. I also attached other newspapers publications.
In addition to the above, on 16th May, 2012 the same newspaper published SFU arrest, detain Ex-Air Nigeria Finance Director, recovers $100,000. Nigerians should judge jimoh Ibrahim. I reported to SFU, on 14th May, with my lawyers and the suit filed in the court and on Thursday morning, being 16th May, I was rushed to court. What kind of investigation, did police do within 2 days. I was accused of being the alter ego of cotrac global enterprise, the same company that the CEO Kinfe Khassaye, while acknowledging my letter of resignation asked me to help Air Nigeria recover. I do not feel bad but I understand this as part of the persecution for revealing the truth. My article was   sent to some media houses in Lagos immediately I resigned but Jimoh Ibrahim controls over 70% of the media within the Lagos area. It was only the daily independence of may 7th, 2012 that published in page 17, Ex-Air Nigeria staff denies sack, demands N25M. This matter became public through the truth fight spirit of saharareporters.com For the souls that we are fighting to save, We are indebted to Saharareporters.com
The whole story of my sack, dismissal, disclaimer and police arrest is a well-planned blackmail by jimoh Ibrahim. He is using Tunde Ogunsaken to disgrace the Nigeria Police because, when we reported the issue of my being charged to court to IG office, the question that was asked is, how did a senior police officer, concluded an investigation of such nature within a day and half.
Again this transaction was duly approved by Air Nigeria authorized signatory which as at that time includes Kinfe Kahassye, (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER), john nnorom, (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FINANCE) fola osibe, (ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER TREASURY) ernest Onwubu( MANAGER-TREASURY) and Folake Taiwese, (THE HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDITOR). All these people were not invited to the Police station. In Air Nigeria, no transaction can be executed without jimoh Ibrahim approval. Although, he is designated Chairman but he does the work of Executive Chairman. Jimoh Ibrahim reports everyday whenever, he is in Lagos in our office for meeting and gives specific directive on how each transaction shall be executed. Jimoh Ibrahim approved this transaction, so where is the fraud. The enterprise was paid naira at below black market @ N159.5 per dollar, when market rate was N161, to source for $500,00 dollars. The enterprise delivered $200,000 first week, another $200,000 in the second week and there was little disagreement on the changes in the market rate for the last delivery of $100,000. It was at this point that, Kinfe asked me to intervene and the enterprise delivered the balance of $100,000 through SFU, to Air Nigeria as was agreed despite little delay. Where is the fraud? I will upload these newspaper publications for Nigerians to study the modus operandi of jimoh Ibarhim blackmail story. LET FELLOW NIGERIAN JUDGE JIMOH IBRAHIM POOR CHARACTER AND HOW HE IS USING NATIONAL MIRROR TO BLACKMAIL PROFESSIONALS.
Thank you all for your support in fighting this battle which is aimed at saving souls. Together we shall win this battle and men like Jimoh Ibrahim will be given the right seat in this nation. He is seating on the wrong seat now and eating blood money, we will not allow him waste more souls in Nigeria.

FIGHTING Still on in KADUNA,City is Unsafe.

Gunshots, lynching and destruction of properties are still going on around Kaduna town, irrespective of the Curfew imposed by the state government.
The violence is predominatly around Unguwan Yero, Badarawa, Malali and parts of Unguwan Dosa, where houses, cars and other properties are razed down or destroyed
Soldiers are doing their best to control the situation, as they are applying minimal force on these arsonists.
Casualty figure keeps on increasing hour by hour according to emergency officials.

Residents discover bomb in a Village in Imo State

Confusion and apprehension gripped inhabitants of Obollo, Isiala Mbano local council area of Imo State, following the startling discovery of a huge bomb near the Umudo village hall.
It was gathered that some of the villagers, who initially blamed the incident on the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, quickly scampered into safe communities outside the area.
It was also gathered that the un-exploded bomb was found less than 24 hours to a scheduled concelebrated sung mass billed for the village by the Parish Priest of Saint Theresa Catholic Church, Obollo, Rev. Fr. Charles Ohuabunwa.
Confirming the near ugly development to newsmen, the Village Head, Chief Patrick Osuji and another villager, Mr. Uzoma Okorigwe said the bomb was discovered at about 3pm when an old man was trying to clean up the hall and its surroundings ahead of the Eucharistic celebration.
The duo equally affirmed that information about the shocking discovery was quickly passed on to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuelemai.
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. I. M. Anaforom, who was at the scene of the incident, told newsmen that his men swung into action as soon as he received the report.
“We rushed to the scene, assessed the situation, cordoned off the area and alerted the appropriate authorities. That was how the bomb disposal unit of the State Police Command was called in to detonate the bomb”, Anaforom said.
Answering another question, the DPO said the bomb was a conventional foreign-made explosive and not an improvised explosive device.
He passionately appealed to the citizenry to be more vigilant and promptly report any suspicious object to the police for necessary action.

State of Emergency looms in crisis states

ABUJA— Declaration of State ofEmergency now looms in some states in the North, following unrestrained killing of innocent persons by Islamist militants and the new dimension of reprisal attacks which claimed hundreds of lives.
The Senate, yesterday, said it would support the declaration of  state of emergency in any state where bombings continued unabatted.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who held a closed-door meeting on Monday with Senate President David Mark; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin was said to be considering imposing a state of emergency in Kaduna following the spontaneous reprisal attacks that accompanied the three co-ordinated bomb attacks in Zaria and Kaduna churches.

President Goodluck Jonathan being welcomed by the Brazilian Protocol Officers on his arrival. With them in blue is Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Mr. Vincent Okoedion

The president’s move, yesterday, enjoyed the support of the Senators who resolved after a closed-door meeting that lasted several hours to back the president if such a request is brought before them. The Senators who were worried by the massive killings in the country by  the Islamist militants have also agreed to meet with President Jonathan on how to combat the security crisis even as the House of Representatives on its part passed a resolution yesterday to invite the President and his security chiefs to throw more light on  the security situation in the country.
Meanwhile,KadunaStategovernment yesterday re-imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state when fresh violence broke out as Muslim youths were said to have gone on rampage in a counter-reprisal to attacks by Christians, killing three persons and burning churches.
Also in Damaturu,YobeStategovernment has imposed a 24-hour curfew as battle raged between the military and Islamist militants following the continued violence which began around 5:00pm on Monday.
On the resolution by the Senate, Vanguard gathered that the Senate will select some members among themselves to go with the leadership of the upper chamber on the emergency meeting with the President with a view to forming a synergy with the Federal government in addressing the problem against the backdrop that the violence which has claimed innocent souls has dented the image of the country while economic activities have been crippled.
Senate fingers foreigners in bombings
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday fingered foreign involvement in the escalated state of insecurity, saying that whatNigeriawas going through at the moment was strange and not part ofNigeria’s history.
Addressing Journalists yesterday, Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said: “The Senate also noted that there may be some foreign dimensions to this but the senate acknowledges that we must put our house in order and the senate is in full agreement that all hands must be on deck and that every Nigerian, no matter the level, has a duty to continue to preserve the unity and the structure of Nigeria as it is today.”
Speaking on the closed door meeting, Senator Abaribe said, “the Senate had a very frank discussion about the state of our security. You are all aware of what happened over the weekend and the fact that effort is being made to plunge this country into a religious war. But we know that such will not happen. The senate agreed that it was an effort to pitch Nigerians against one another and the Senate urges Nigerians not to fall for this odious attempt.
Speaking further, Abaribe said, “the senate is very worried about the state of the nation. If not, we would not have spent a whole day today in a closed session; the reason for the closed session is so that we can speak frankly, the reason for the closed session is that when they have camera on them, they will play to the gallery. So, we are so worried that we have to spend three to four hours in a closed door session just to get to what is going on and  it was productive and the measures that came out with these, because they deal with security issues, we have to clear it with the appropriate authorities before it can be released to the public, but you can be rest assured that everything the senate is doing is for the interest of the country.”

President Goodluck Jonathan, Chairan House Committee on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Chairman Senate Committee on Environment, Sen. Ben. Ayade and Nigerian Defence Attache in Brazil, Brig. Gen. Chris Jemitola.

House invites Jonathan over insecurity in Nigeria
The House of Representatives on its part yesterday passed a resolution to invite President Goodluck Jonathan and his security chiefs to throw more light on  the security situation in the country.
Obviously alarmed by the spate of  bombings inKadunawhere three churches were burnt and the reprisal attacks that followed, the House decided that the President should come alongside his security chiefs to brief lawmakers on measures taken so far to tackle insecurity in the country. The security chiefs include the service chiefs, the Acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and the Director General of State Security Service (SSS) Ita Ekpenyong.
The resolution  was sequel to a motion brought to the floor of the House under matters of urgent national importance by Hon Yakubu Barde representingKadunastate.
An amendment to his motion to propose that the Federal Government should negotiate with the terrorist group Boko Haram was unanimously rejected by members.
Another motion  by Ben Nwankwo representing Orumba North and South,AnambraState,  to invite the President to address a joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly was rejected by members.
Kaduna: Foreigners involved in bombings – Police
Meanwhile, theKadunaStateCommissioner of Police. Alh. Mohammed Abubakar Jinjiri, yesterday, affirmed that citizens ofNigerRepublic,ChadandCameroonwere among those involved inNigeriaterror killings.
The Police boss who made this known inKadunayesterday, also displayed to the Press 15 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS) and their accessories, saying each of the explosives was capable of massive harm to structure and humans.
But, Jinjiri refused to disclose information on the casualty figures from the reprisal killings inKaduna, after three bombs went off in two churches inZariaand another inKadunalast Sunday.
At a Press Conference inKadunaafter a declaration of curfew over the state by Governor Patrick Yakowa, Jinjiri said: “We want to warn all foreigners enteringNigeriato breach the peace and cause disharmony among us to desist from so.
“We have arrested many nationals ofNiger,ChadandCameroonorigins among those engaged in mass killings (bombings) inNigeria. We want to warn that we have enough of this. We will no longer care about the West Africa Charter of Freedom of Movement for its citizens if we arrest anyone from now. Our hospitality must not be taken for granted”, he said.
On the IEDS, he said that the bomb maker was a well known mechanic living inKaduna. He said, that a raid in the compound uncovered shocking arsenal of IEDS, arms and ammunition.
“When we raided the compound, he ran into the ceiling of his house. By the time we pursued him up the ceiling, he had escaped through a hole. This was last Friday. The idea was to start the bombings on Friday. But, we were quick to stop that, if not, last Sunday bombings could have been worse.
“A total of nine suspects were arrested and on interrogations they confessed to killing some innocent persons inKadunametropolis and environs, as well as snatching several cars.