PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ALLEGED FORFEITURE OF 14 PROPERTIES BY SENATOR BALA A. MOHAMMED, FORMER MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

In the past one year, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has been subjected to the most vicious campaign of calumny characterized by deliberate falsehood, misrepresentations and media harassments, ostensibly on account of allegations against him; allegations that are neither true nor have been confirmed by any court of competent jurisdiction. We have had cause in the past to set the records straight, in the misplaced hope that the anti-corruption agencies will abide by the established rules of engagement in matters that border on the integrity of people who, by the extant provision of our penal code, are adjudged innocent until proven guilty.  

Unfortunately, time and again, we have found out how wrong we were. No other case illustrates this situation than recent news reports to the effect that the Federal High Court in Abuja, last Wednesday, ordered the forfeiture of 14 properties allegedly traced to the former minister and his son, Shamsudeen, on the ground that he had denied ownership of the properties. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

The court was also reported to have directed the publication of a notice in a newspaper and the website of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “inviting all persons/bodies who may have interest in the said properties to show cause why the said properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government”.

The so-called temporary forfeiture order amounts to unduly sensationalizing a matter that is yet to run its full judicial course. To start with, how many times will the former minister forfeit exactly the same properties? It is a well known fact that between his arraignment which was widely reported and today, the matter is yet to run its full course. Therefore, the issue of forfeiture cannot arise in a matter that is being diligently prosecuted and rigorously contested or defended. It is curious that, in a sensational case of this nature, the media found it professionally excusable to skip the full process involving evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses and final addresses and went ahead to dramatize the purported forfeiture order as if anybody had been found guilty of a crime.

We do not want to be misunderstood. Our position on this matter has been stated without any equivocation; that Senator Bala Mohammed supports the current anti-graft campaign which is a carry-over of the effort of previous administrations. It should never be forgotten that the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies were created even before the advent of this administration for the same purpose of ridding the country of the scourge of corruption. The style may have changed, perhaps even the emphasis or scope, but the goal remains the same; to keep public officers on their toes and to get those in positions of public trust to comply with extant governance rules.

However, this should never be applied as a licence for scurrilous charges against people or for media conviction of the accused. In the present case, some of the houses in contention do not belong to Senator Bala Mohammed. Yet, it is misleading to suggest that their owners do not exist. In at least one instance, the property has been returned to the rightful owner while others have initiated steps to recover their properties that were wrongly seized by the EFCC. It is in this context that we consider it a gross abuse of professional privilege on the part of the media to deny the public of these facts for the simple reason that it has been hoodwinked into joining desperadoes labouring to salvage a faltering campaign of calumny.

Besides, it is also important to challenge and debunk the unsustainable impression being created that Senator Bala Mohammed does not have the right to acquire and/or own property anywhere in Nigeria. To make heavy weather of his ownership of some houses is mischievous and completely untenable. It will be interesting to see the day public office holders cease to own property whether in Nigeria, Dubai, Europe or the United States of America. At least, from available evidence, that does not appear to be the case so far. That being so, the persecutors of the former FCT minister should explain the desperate effort to “nail” him at all cost.

Unfortunately, Bala Mohammed’s adversaries have taken their desperation to the point of subjecting his son, Shamsudeen, to undeserved searchlight as if he is the only person whose father was a minister. For the avoidance of doubt, Shamsudeen, a 31-year-old Nigerian businessman, is an aeronautical engineer, a husband and a father who, like any other Nigerian, has the right to engage in legitimate business of his choice. He has not held any public office whether in the FCT or any other place; he never benefitted from any contract in the FCT and never tried to influence the business of the FCT under the tenure of Senator Bala Mohammed. His only crime is that he is the son of Bala Mohammed.   

What even makes the demonization of the minister particularly untenable is that, so far, there is no record of any loss of funds at the FCT under his tenure. He has not been indicted for stealing any money; and there is also no record that the FCT is looking for any missing funds. The spurious claim that he siphoned N1.7 trillion under the land swap program has long been abandoned; the idiotic claim that he was collecting N2 billion per plot of land allocated has blown in the face of the purveyors; what is left is to rehash stages in a court process that is yet to run its course simply to embarrass the former minister and his family. This one will fail just as the rumour that he had refunded some money to the Federal Government is as fallacious as it is condemnable.

Senator Bala Mohammed avows solemnly that he never stole any money while he was minister and therefore has not returned or refunded any monies to the Federal Government. He challenges anybody with evidence of such a refund to come forward with it or let his adversaries shut their mouths henceforth.

It is a fact that no other minister that served in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan has been so exposed to the searchlight of anti-graft agencies as Senator Bala Mohammed. The former minister has been vilified in the media without success; he has been detained and severally interrogated by the EFCC to no end; he has faced three public hearings at the National Assembly, a body he served with distinction and even spearheaded the motion to stave off a looming political disaster in 2010, culminating in the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as President. Throughout the entire legislative enquiry, some say inquisition, by the grace of God, he emerged unscathed; in some cases, the hunters have become the hunted and those who pretended to hold the moral high ground over others collapsed at the slighted test of probity. For those who are interested in details, the Supreme Court records are there to show. (Hon Herman Hembe will know better)

The former minister of the FCT is not under any illusion that his detractors are going to desist from promoting false news against him. We have three reasons to believe this:

First, his traducers are disappointed that his legacy remains intimidating and threatened that his profile has not been diminished by the malevolent campaign against him; if anything, his popularity continues to soar especially in his home state of Bauchi, a state that he considers to be in dire need of urgent redemption;

Second, some elements in the nation’s anti-graft architecture see Bala Mohammed as a vulnerable target to use in  hoodwinking the public and the Presidency away from scandalous failings such as have recently been exposed;

Third, by orchestrating a media trial of disproportionate proportions, Bala Mohammed’s traducers believe that they can intimidate and force the judiciary into a premeditated outcome, a scenario that he considers far-fetched given the fiery reputation for independence that the Nigerian judiciary has acquired.

One thing remains clear: No amount of persecution, blackmail or witch-hunt can erase the indelible landmarks that Bala Mohammed left in the areas of infrastructure, community relations, equitable distribution of resources and peace and stability. In spite of orchestrated efforts to deny the obvious, the road networks constructed by the Bala Mohammed FCT Administration are there for everybody to see. No one will deny that the Umaru Musa Yar’Ardua Expressway, the Kubwa Expressway and the Goodluck Jonathan Expressway are legacy achievements of the Jonathan Administration under the stewardship of Senator Bala Mohammed. During the same period the administration completed the Lower Usuma Water treatment Plant, reputed to be the biggest in Africa with a capacity to treat 720 million liters of water a day and guarantee regular water supply for the next fifty years, no matter the rate of expansion of the FCT. Not to be left out are the World Trade Centre, the Centenary City and the innovative land swap model of development, bold initiatives that attracted investment inflows of over 28 billion dollars and won the endorsement of Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneurs and land developers, the international community and the World Bank. Furthermore, under Bala Mohammed, the FCT Revenue Board, an agency that will transform the revenue generating capacity of the FCT and guarantee a projected revenue of N300 billion per annum was established.  Innovative approaches in the areas of property tax, outdoor advertising and other innovative revenue generating strategies will confer on the FCT the financial autonomy required to exit the monthly Federation Account and even give operating surplus to the Federal Government. These are indelible achievements that cannot be swept under the carpet.

To be sure, the Bala Mohammed FCT Administration was proactive in processing and signing over one million certificates of occupancy as well as allocating over 500, 000 plots of land to Nigerians across every social strata, location, gender or philosophical persuasion, the guiding philosophy being that ownership of land in the federal capital territory should be a right of every adult Nigerian. Unfortunately, it is this statutory power that has been turned into an object of inquisition and trial in the media, in spite of the fact that the matter is before the court and that the media, as a matter of legitimate fact, was not left out in the equitable distribution of this national patrimony. That notwithstanding, he has no regrets for conducting himself in the tradition of a statesman, for giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project, a reputation that has won him friendship and respect in the various geo-political zones of the country where everybody identified with his tenure.      

Whatever the case, let it be known that Bala Mohammed is grateful for the privilege and opportunity to serve the country as minister of the FCT. He is proud of the legacy achievements highlighted above, achievements that his detractors are so desperate to destroy through this media trial. Of even greater importance is the fact that in keeping with his pact with the people, Bala Mohammed is offering himself to serve the people of Bauchi State as governor, come 2019. We are not oblivious that much of the mischievous and capricious publications are intended to portray him in bad light, create unfavourable public image for him, confuse the electorate and derail his ambition. Perhaps more irksome to his detractors is the groundswell of opinion that he should, in fact, throw his hat into the ring to run for President. He appreciates the confidence reposed in him by a cross section of the vibrant and concerned patriotic Nigerians, especially the leadership of the 42 Arewa youth movements under the leadership of Comrade Elliot Afiyo that has consistently championed the campaign. However, while leaving his future in the hands of the Almighty God, the former minister is strongly motivated to join hands with compatriots in the overdue task of giving Bauchi State a leadership that will re-ignite the developmental strides of the Tatari Ali and Ahmed Muazu eras.  

Furthermore, to his detractors and blackmailers, the senator wants it be known that he is used to these battles and will never be intimidated by the on-going smear campaign. If the purpose of the campaign is to force him out of the governorship race in Bauchi State, then his adversaries have failed; if it is the extreme case of frightening him away from the country, such a motive cannot succeed.

Bala Mohammed has never demurred from the understanding that a day of reckoning will come for every public office holder, past, present or future and that a clear conscience fears no accusation. Emboldened by that lofty ideal, he has faced undeserved inquisition, insults and blackmail at legislative hearings, at times under the headship of people whose moral standing has since been impeached by the highest court of the land. For the sake of emphasis, it needs be placed on record that he emerged unscathed to the chagrin and disappointment of his traducers.

We state emphatically that the former minister bears no grudges against the Buhari Administration for embarking on a house cleaning exercise. His concern, if any, is that the EFCC appears to be beaming its searchlight in a discriminatory manner, given that he is the only former minister of the FCT that is being so scrutinized. The former minister is convinced that he has not deviated from the precedents set by his predecessors some of whom are still playing prominent roles under the present political administration. If, therefore, his predecessors have not been indicted for any crime, he does see why the system should continue to subject him to this thinly disguised persecution, blackmail and trial by media.

In spite of his travails, in line with the timeless statement of Muhammadu Buhari in 1983, to the effect that Nigerians have no other country that they could call their own, Senator Mohammed has vowed to remain in Nigeria, to join forces with compatriots, in and out of government, in the task of deepening democracy and creating the environment for the emergence of a truly great economy that every Nigerian would be proud of.

Finally, Senator Bala Mohammed deeply appreciates the steadfastness of his compatriots from Bauchi State, political allies all over the country, volunteers working for his political comeback and, in particular, the leadership of the Arewa Youths groups who have all stood by him during this period of trial and, in some cases, persecution. It is his firm belief that, with the passage of time, equity and justice will reign in the land and all will be free.

Thank you.

Emma Agu

Media consultant to Senator Bala Mohammed 

WHEN YOU SAID THESE WORDS YOU SWORE ALLEGIANCE TO THE BRAND -NIGERIA

If you ever said these words out of your mouth and you go around spreading  negative about Nigeria you are extremely small minded.
I have seen to many jokes spreading on social media about the #Lagosflood and it breaks my heart.

Listen  for Nigeria to change for the good we need to restructure, and that begins with our minds. The way we perceive Nigeria determines our action and  the outcome of this Great Nation. Nigeria is a Brand and we need to treat as one.  If something goes wrong in Dangote's factory you hardly see it on social media because they will do everything possible to make sure anything negative doesn't go out just to protect the brand.

Am sure most of you reposting and making funny videos will not see a hole in your pants take a picture of it and post it on social media with a caption #HoleinmyPants, why ? Because you are protecting your image. Why won't we do the same to our beloved country Nigeria. This is our home, it's our identity,  it is who we are. Why do we put out our dirty Laundry for the world to see and laugh at us.

Now let me tell you how this affects the economy. do you know how companies will withdraw from doing business in Lagos state because of the video spreading all over the internet, how about the fight between Anthony Joshua & Wladimir Klitschko, Lagos is been considered amongst four cities to host the fight, do you think this will pull through after this viral negative sensation about Nigeria and Lagos state on social Media.

We need to wake up and take responsibility for our country, we need to stop blaming the government and politicians and take ownership of this nation, serve and protect it like it's your business. Don't bring out your phone to record damages use your head and hands to fix it before anyone else notice it.

Let's be faithful loyal and honest and serve Nigeria with all our strength, let's defend her unity and uphold her Honour  and glory. May God almighty help us.
#ImloyaltoNigeria
#NigeriaIsMyBusiness
#BeautifulNigeria
#NoPlaceLikeNigeria

MY NAME IS BRIGHT JAJA  AND I'M PROUDLY NIGERIAN -repost if you are proud of Nigeria

BEING A PRESS TEXT BY COMRADE ELLIOT AFIYO, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF NORTHERN YOUTH LEADERS FORUM (NYLF) ON THE 19TH OF JUNE, 2017 AT YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE.

Protocol

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is absolutely necessary to address you today on the current political and religious issues threatening the basic foundation OF OUR dear Country Nigeria after the meeting of the National Executive Council of NYLF which comprises the National Executive Committee of NYLF, the state Chairmen and the Chairmen and secretaries of the forty – two (42) affiliated Northern Organization at Kaduna between the 16^th and 17^th of June, 2017.  

1.                 Quit notice to Igbo by Coalition of Northern Youth

We viewed very seriously the quit notice issued by the coalition of Northern Youth to Igbos to leave the Northern region on or before October 1^st, 2017 and the attendant reactions by various groups, individuals and the Federal Government. We considered this notice as ill advised, ill timed and uncalled for. We strongly believe that these groups of Northern Youth were motivated, encouraged and sponsored by some few individuals who felt cheated by both the Federal Government and some states Government control by the All Progressive Congress (APC). These individuals were used and dumped. No recognition or appreciation was extended to them. They are therefore bent on destabilizing the country.

Another reason that also prompted the Northern Youth to accept this offer is the fact that our Igbo brothers for some years now, have been frustrating, insulting and abusing other Nationalities especially the Northerners calling us Cows and Parasites despite our efforts in accommodating them.

However, we condemn in strongest term the approach of our brothers in issuing an ultimatum to them. No nation or ethnic nationality will survive on its own without the support and help of another. As far as the Northerners need the Igbos, the Igbos need the Yorubas and the Yorubas need the Hausas. No doubt we have our differences; we should use these differences to foster our unity.

We want to state clearly without mincing words that the North will continue to play safe and host the Igbos, no matter the provocations. We are totally against the balkanization of Nigeria. We know the price the North has paid from 1914 to date to keep this country one; we are more determined, committed and willing to continue to pay the price to keep this country one. Not because we are afraid of our brothers, nor are we afraid of the future, but for the Labour of our Hero’s past.

While condemning the action of our brothers, we also want to reiterate that our Igbo brothers should as a matter of urgency, stop molesting, frustrating and insulting the Northerners especially our Elders. Only bastards will stand a loof or fold their hands and watching fellow youths insulting their parents. While advising them to adhere strictly to the constitution and the rule of law in their actions and inactions, we are strongly opposed to the use of violence and hate speeches. We have tolerated these hate speeches during the 2015 Presidential Campaigns, we will no longer tolerate it again.

Furthermore, we want to appeal to Federal Government and the Inspector –General of Police to withdraw forthwith, the directive to arrest the signatories of the Kaduna declaration. To our opinion, this decision will boomerang as it will only precipitate the crisis beyond control. We believe that our brothers in the South have said more than what our brothers said and they were not arrested. There is therefore, no justification for their arrest.

We call on the Federal Government through the Office of the Acting President, to convene a meeting with some genuine Northern Youth Leaders and their counterparts from the South if and only if these crises are to be resolved.

The Federal Government also should release the Reports of the past constitutional conferences and constitute a committee to scrutinize and bring out the best Report from the Reports.     

2.                 2019 PRESIDENCY

We are particularly worried with the scheming and maneuvers going on within the political class as reported by some Newspapers and Magazines especially the interest shown by some Southern Politicians in the 2019 Presidency. We have made our position known on the 6^th of June, 2017 at Abeokuta during our meeting with the South-west Political Leaders. We want to reiterate and clearly warn that the North will not and will never allow the Presidency to move to the South in 2019. In as much as we can tolerate or pay any sacrifice for the unity of this country, we remain committed to the North producing the President in 2019.

The experiences of 2011 and 2015 still remain afresh in our minds. To show our commitment towards this goal, the Northern Youth Leaders Forum had shortlisted and screened candidates for the 2019 Presidency.

Those shortlisted and screened during our NEC meeting in Kano on the 16^th of April 2017 were:

a.     Senator Bukola Saraki

b.     Alh Sule Lamido

c.      Alh Atiku Abubakar

d.     Gov. Nasir El-rufai

e.     Senator Bala Mohammed

f.       Alh Tanimu Turaki (SAN)

g.     Senator Musa Rabiu Kwakwoso

h.     Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo

i.       Senator Sheriff

j.       Gov. Ibrahim Shettina

k.     Gov. Yari

l.       Gov. Aminu Tambwwal

Out of these twelve persons screened by our Political Committee, the following were thereafter shortlisted and endorsed by the NEC during our meeting in Kaduna on the 17^th of May, 2017.

a.              Senator Bala Mohammed

b.              Alh. Atiku Abubakar

c.               Alh. Tanimu Turaki (SAN)

d.              Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo

We sent the endorsed persons to our Patrons and the Leaderships of the forty – two (42) affiliated Organizations who screened and endorsed only two candidates who were considered during our meeting on June, 2017 in Kano.

Out of the two that were endorsed that is Senator Bala Mohammed and Alh, Atku Abubakar, Senator Bala Mohammed was finally endorsed and was also accepted by our Patrons.

We believe and strongly too, that Senator Bala Mohammed is a detribalized Nigerian 

who does not attach sentiments of religion and ethnicity in his dealings with any citizen. He also has general goodwill and acceptability both nationally and internationally. His credibility is unquestionable and his loyalty and interest of the North within the national interest is surely not in doubt.

To this end, all the Leaderships of the affiliated Organizations are hereby directed to organize, hold and submit their Reports to the NEC meeting before or on 30^th August, 2017.

In lieu of this therefore, we want to state clearly without mincing words that we are fully prepared by the grace of God to repeat what we have done in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. No amount of intimations, frustrations and threats will deter us from achieving what we strongly believe is our right and duty.

We want to send a message to all Political Parties that may field Southern Presidential Candidates in 2019, that there actions are as good as committing Political suicide. Our Elders are also advised to stay clear from supporting any Presidential Candidate from the South in 2019 as we cannot afford to gamble with the Presidency as we did in 2011. This is our stand point and no going back.

In conclusion, we want to call upon all the Northern Youths to embrace dialogue and seek peace with everyone even in the mist of provocations. We condemn in strongest term the use of religion and ethnicity by our elders to divide the North. Any elder that uses religion or ethnicity during campaigns at any level, stands rejected even before the elections proper. United we stand and divided we fall.

Thank you and God bless Amen.

COMRADE Elliot Afiyo

National Chairman 

Northern Youth Leaders Adopt Bala Mohammed For 2019 Presidential Polls

Information reaching 247ureports.com from sources in Adamawa State indicate that the Northern Youth Leaders Forum have adopted the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory [FCT], Senator Bala Mohammed for its choice candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

The selection was made public following a conference by the national body held in Adamawa State today at about 12noon. The group had screened ten [10] candidates from the north – comprising of t

As gathered, the youth group disqualified many of the candidates on the grounds of ability to appeal to the generality of the nation, appeal to all peoples and sections of the country, age and lack of controversy.

The youth leaders forum are reported to have the blessings of the former head of states.

A source from within the group pointed to Senator Bala Mohammed as the newest face in the group with the list controversial issues associated to his name and career. The source explained that Bala Mohd appeals to the other regions of the country. “He will sell well as a national candidate”, the added that Atiku Abubakar does not have age on his side.

247ureports.com gathered that the recent and repeated invitation of the former FCT Minister from the security agencies under the present administration had to do with the perceived presidential ambition. A source who explained that the increased acceptability of the former Minister within the leadership cadre of the north, had caused the present administration to be unsettled with Bala Mohd.

Stay tuned for the communique.

THE EFCC & FCDA CONSPIRACY UNRANVELLED

Economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC), a reputable government agency that has over the years fought corruption is now involved in some of the worse unspeakable corrupt practises.

The Economic financial crimes commission has since the beginning of the Mohammed Buhari Administration been accused of being a substantial tool to witch hunt the former administration’s executives and intimidate any potential political candidate for the 2019 election. They were also accused of looting recovered looted funds and breaking the laws of the federal Republic of Nigeria.

 A recent development has proven these accusation to be true as the EFCC an anti-corruption institution has been fingered in shoddy activities.

Ibrahim Magu who formally assumed office as the acting chairman of EFCC on November 11^th 2015 and was supposed to be confirmed by the senate was exposed by the Department of State Service DSS of all his illegal, corrupt practises. The most shocking amongst other allegation was the 83million rented and furnished apartment funded by the fedral capital development agency (FCDA).

the  rented  mansion in the elitist Maitama District of the Federal capital territory (FTC) Abuja located at No. 8B, Rudolf Close, off Katsina Ala Crescent, in the highbrow Maitama District, was the abode of a former federal minister who died sometime in May 2014.

An impeccable source said: “The property was rented to the Acting EFCC Chairman for N40,000,000 at N20,000,000 per annum.

“Furthermore, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) curiously awarded a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by Rtd Air Comm. Umar Muhammad, to furnish the residence at the cost N43,000,000, in a Government where the President is known to have frowned at and rebuked his ministers for requesting N20,000,000 each to secure accommodation and furnish them.

“It is shocking that the man spearheading the anti-corruption crusade of the government will be involved in such a venture.

According to the monetization policy it is illegal for Federal Capital Development Authority,

FCDA, to pay for Mr. Magu’s rent as it was against federal government’s monetization policy.

The monetization policy was passed into law vis-a-vas passage of the certain political and judicial office holder acts 2002, it is legally stated that monetization of the salaries and allowances of all categories of Federal public servants that were formally paid in kinds be converted to cash by the salary and wage commission. The fundamental aim of the policy is to prevent and thwart government officials from using the public or tax-payers money for personal gain.

The monetization policy was expressly defiled when the FCDA funded the accommodation of an executive, it is illegal for the FCDA to rent and furnish a house for even ministers let alone heads of government agencies. Even at the FCDA, there was violation of procurement process as Abuja Metropolitan Council officials  grumbled over the pressure mounted on them to perfect the process.

 This is where the conspiracy begins that left the public with so many questions.

Why will the FCDA go against the federal government monetization policy?

What is the connection between the FCDA and EFCC?

Under what arrangement is the FCDA involved in with using tax-payers money to rent and furnish the apartment for the acting EFCC boss?

These questions has the public pondering, did the FCDA pay Magu’s  rent and furniture as a bribe to malign, besmear and persecute the former Minister Sen Bala Mohammed who was unjustly arrested and detain for 45days with no charges or evidence of all accusations.

Connecting the dots between when the former minister was invited and detained by the EFCC and the statement by the lawyer representing the EFCC when asked why the former minister was yet to be granted bail 27 days in detention with no charges, he said “I did inform the court that we would do our best; whatever I said before the court is subject to the decision of my senior, my superiors. I am just a small boy” that left the court asking who this superiors are that wants Sen Mohammed Bala detained after he has met all bail conditions.

With these recent findings and development it is clear that the present minister of FCTA Mohammed Bello connived with the acting EFCC chairman Magu to besmear and persecute Sen Bala Mohammed.

It is now a clarion call for the Buhari Administration to investigate the involvement of the FCT minister Mohammed Bello in this corrupt scandalous conspiracy and necessary actions should be taken.

The way corruption is fought is more important than the fight against corruption. If corruption is fought with wicked, impure, callous and sadistic measures or procedures, we run the risk of creating tin-gods and the fight itself will be in breach of citizen’s fundamental rights as guaranteed by 1999 constitution.

Adamu U. Sani

Below are the pictures of the house and Receipt for confirmation of payment. 

 

Kogi First Lady celebrates children with special needs through Hayat Foundation initiative

Her Excellency Barr. Mrs Amina Oyiza Yahaya Bello, Wife of The Executive Governor of Kogi State and Co Founder of Hayat Foundation is passionate about the plight of Special Needs persons and the Disabled people. she emphasizes the need for Government to develop an all inclusive policy for these category of persons as they are also uniquely part of the society.

She says the president is committed to seeing that these lives matter by his expression of devotion towards their cause.   Her passion for these persons  was shown expressly during her visit to the Poorest of the Poor Home in Kuje, a home for kids with Cerebral Palsy.

She was concerned at the lack of consistent care and the living conditions of these vulnerable ones. She also was accompanied by her entourage; a group of Doctors, physiotherapists and volunteers for the foundation to the home, they catered to the children and also administered medical assistance and some therapy to the children.

She calls on the members of the society to please be the change they want to see by reaching out and touching these vulnerable ones, this was also stressed on her Television Interview on Gender Agenda  AIT where she talked about her goals and plans for these special ones.

we need each other she stressed as she also says that Love conquers all as she understands their plight by been a mum to her  wonderful son Hayat who also is living Cerebral Palsy. She intends to make sure using the Foundation as both an advocacy and an intervention tool to see to it that these hidden lives are celebrated.

visit www.hayatfoundation.org.ng

WATCH VIDEO https://youtu.be/wchoANpdV1g

More  photos below...

 

BALA'S BAIL APPLICATION - EFCC WITHDRAWS UNDERTAKING GIVEN IN OPEN COURT TO RELEASE HIM DUE TO PRESSURE FROM ABOVE

On Monday 21 November 2016 when the application for bail filed by Chief Chris Uche SAN on behalf of the former FCT Minister Sen Bala Mohammed came up for hearing for the first time, the in-house lawyer representing the EFCC Rimasomte Ezekiel Esq., informed the FCT High Court 4 presided over by Hon. Justice U. Baba Yusuf that there was no need to move the application as he was in close consultation with the Investigation Officers and that the former minister who has been in detention without charge for 27 days as at the time would be released on or before the expiration of Wednesday 23rd November 2016. To buttress the undertaking the EFCC counsel informed the court that he was speaking from the Bar. By established judicial practice a lawyer is taken for his words and commitments whenever they swear by the Bar. In fact it is taken to be stronger than depositions in an affidavit. In the face of the above strong undertaken from the Bar by the EFCC, Chief Uche SAN representing the former Minister was constrained and he conceded adjournment since the essence of the commitment by EFCC meets the objective of the application for bail for his client. Based on the judicial practice that the courts do not act in vain, the Court adjourned the case to Thursday 24 November 2016 on the general understanding that parties would appear to report the release of the former Minister.

However when the case came up on Thursday 24th November 2016 the same counsel to the EFCC served a Counter Affidavit to the bail application opposing the application and deposing to facts it intended to rely upon to justify the continued detention of Sen Bala Mohammed. The EFCC lawyer stated in open court that the reason why he is recanting on the undertaken and commitment to release Sen Mohammed made on Monday is because of pressure from his superiors. “I did inform the court that we would do our best; whatever I said before the court is subject to the decision of my senior, my superior. I am just a small boy”.

Following the pressure from superiors which Ezekiel Esq., referred to in the matter, the EFCC resorted to methods that has grave consequences with potential to erode its integrity to the shock and bewilderment of lawyers in court and the public in the gallery. Chief Uche SAN had attached three letters addressed to, delivered and duly acknowledged by the EFCC relating to the former Minister's health condition to the bail application. The EFCC vehemently denied any knowledge of the health condition of the former Minister in open court in the face of incontrovertible facts put forward by Chief Uche SAN. Secondly without putting forward factual basis to substantiate any link as it claims the EFCC alleged that the former Minister who has been in its custody influence a co-suspect it granted bail to jump bail.