Director of Strategic Communications of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 campaign organisation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), says Nigeria is the best-performing economy in Africa.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made this comment on Monday while speaking on Sunrise Daily, a talk show on Channels Television.
Making comments on the state of the economy, Keyamo said: “I need to remind Nigerians about the GDP growth. Of the 11 countries that went into recession around the world, Nigeria has exceeded all of them in terms of GDP growth”.
“None of them has crossed 1.4 to 1.5 percent, Nigeria is doing close to two percent GDP growth right now. Let us get that one clear,” he said.
“Forbes Africa has rated Nigeria as the best-performing economy in Africa. The results came out two-three weeks ago, we are the best-performing economy in Africa,” he added.
Tag: Keyamo
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Nigeria best performing economy in Africa – Keyamo
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Buhari touched lives of Nigerians better than any president since 1960 – Keyamo
Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Thursday, declared that no President, since 1960, has touched the lives of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians than President Muhammadu Buhari.
Keyamo, the Director Media, Buhari Campaign Organisation made this known in Ilorin at the inauguration of Buhari/Osinbajo Project 2019.
Keyamo who delivered a lecture at the occasion said that no government in the country has recovered stolen money that belonged to Nigerians as president Buhari.
He said the previous administrations established the worst system of government, based on sharing formula of the nation’s treasury.
“They operated a system that ignored physical infrastructure in the country, that ignored the plight of the poor, the weak and the vulnerable in Nigeria.
“If you compare what accrued to the country in 16 years and what were done with the money earned in three years and infrastructure built by Buhari, you will see the difference.
“In 16 years, all they did in the South East was Onisha-Owerri road, whereas in three years, President Buhari is doing four major road construction in the region,” Keyamo said.
He noted that what Buhari has done was to take the bullet from the rich to protect the poor.
“You have a president who has fought for you, why can’t you fight for him.
“This is the time he needs you more to fight for him. It is reciprocal and that is why we must remind ourselves today why we must stand firmly behind him in 2019.
“I can tell that there is no government in the history of this country since 1960 that has addressed the plights the poor, the vulnerable in the last three years than this government,” he said.
He listed the administration’s intervention programmes for the poor and vulnerable which included the N5, 000 monthly stipends, feeding of over eight million school pupils and soft loans of between N250, 000 and N350, 000 to small business owners.
“These social intervention programmes show that Buhari’s government is touching the lives of the poor than the rich,” he said.
According to him, before Buhari came on board, over 24 state governments were unable to pay salaries of their workers.
He said the administration, with prudent management of resources, approved bailout funds to the states to clear the arrears and address their critical challenges.
“We should not go back to that era of nonpayment of salary and suffering of the masses,” Keyamo added.
He also called on the people of Kwara that the time has come to free themselves from slavery, from oppression and subjugation.
“You must fight for your liberation before you can be liberated, we must come together to salvage the state form the oppressor.
“No man is god, no to hegemony in Kwara, you must stand firm, this is the time Kwara people are living Egypt for the promised land,” he said.
The inauguration was attended by chieftains of APC in Kwara including Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, Sen. Simeon Ajibola and Comrade Musbau Esinrogunjo.
Others are Prof. Oba Abdulrahim and APC caretaker committee chairman, Hon Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa.
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2019: Stop straying into politics – Keyamo warns religious leaders
Festus Keyamo, Director of Strategic Communications for President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization has criticised some leaders of religious and tribal groups for straying far into politics.
Keyamo, speaking against some inflammatory statements being made by some clerics, urged the religious leaders to stick to their original role of bridge-builders in the society rather than seeking political power.
The renowned lawyer made the statement in a tweet posted on his official handle condemning some divisive speeches by religious leaders as the country inches to the election in 2019.
This is coming at a time when the founder and presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, aka Winners’ Chapel, David Oyedepo and the Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka criticised Buhari’s administration, prophesying impending doom in the country over killings.
The tweet read: “Instead of sticking to their original role of bridge-builders in society, some leaders of religious & tribal groups have strayed far into politics that they now see themselves as power brokers.
“Let’s remind them of their original role by shunning their hateful political messages.”
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Corruption: NASS arm-twisted us to pay N17bn before passing 2015 budget – Okonjo-Iweala
Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has revealed that the president Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had to pay a whooping N17 billion to get the 2015 budget passed by the 7th National Assembly.
Okonjo-Iweala who made the revelations in her book, entitled “Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines,” stressed that the N17 billion became the price to pay to have the 2015 budget passed.
Her words: “By the we presented the budget on December 16, 2014,oil prices had fallen further to $58 per barrel. We were prepared and knew we had to trigger the additional expenditure and revenue measures in 2015 to make the budget work. This would be tough given that we had an election year. Indeed, legislators initially refused to accept any cuts to their regular N150 billion budget, despite dwindling revenues. But eventually they agreed to a 13 percent cut against backdrop of ministers accepting a voluntary 50 percent cut to their basic salaries.
“In a tough session with the national Assembly’s ad hoc committee on the budget (made up of chairs of the Finance Committee and Appropriation Committee of both chambers and other leaders of National Assembly), an additional N20 billion was reintroduced as election as election expenses for National Assembly members. We insisted the amount be dropped because it nullified the 13% cut made to their statutory budget, but managed to reduce the N20bn figure by N3 billion to N17 billion. This became the price to pay to have the 2015 budget passed.”
Meanwhile, the Director, Strategic Communications of President Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign (2019), Festus Keyamo has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party leadership, describing the previous administration as lacking the nerve to fight corruption.
Keyamo who cited the former economy minister’s book in a his post on his official Twitter account said, “Okonjo-Iweala’s account shows how the previous govt caved in to corruption. It had no nerve to fight it. These are the same people now seeking alliances here & there to return in 2019 & continue these old ways of doing things.”
Compatriots, this? account below by no other than Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shows how the previous govt caved in to corruption. It had no nerve to fight it. These are the same people now seeking alliances here & there to return in 2019 & continue these old ways of doing things. pic.twitter.com/IyrUUdfMSS
— Festus Keyamo, SAN (@fkeyamo) May 25, 2018
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2019 election will be easiest for Buhari – Festus Keyamo
Festus Keyamo (SAN) has said President Buhari will win the 2019 general election easily.
Keyamo who is now the Director, Strategic Communication of the president’s campaign organization said the 2019 election will be easier for the President to win than even when he was elected in 2015. The lawyer said this while speaking with Channels Television on Sunday:
“The 2019 election will be the easiest election for president Buhari despite what the nay sayers are saying, it will be the easier the president than 2015 and all the indices are there, because since that time the president had won over the heart of other sections of the country at that time that may not have voted for him, between then and now he has won their heart” he said.
He pointed out that this was because the President already has many achievements he can boast of. Look at the second Niger bridge it is 40% complete and has been expanded from a 2km to a 7km bridge, look at the railway tracks they have increased them from single gage to standard gauge railway tracks the one between Lagos and Ibadan and Kano and Abuja is 80% complete.
Nigerians will see that despite all the negative talks here and there, that it will be the easiest election for the president more than that of 2015,” said the lawyer.
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Avoid distractions, group advises Keyamo
A Civil Society Organisation, Conscience Nigeria, has advised lawyer/human rights activist, Festus Keyamo, not to be distracted in his appointment as the Director, Strategic Communications for President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential campaign.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, gave the advice in a statement he issued on Sunday in Abuja.
The CSO said it was not surprised about Keyamo’s new responsibility at the challenging period of the nation’s history.
“Courageous men and women are needed at this time to set a new agenda for our country and help drive the developmental agenda of the present government.
“However, we are convinced that you will bring on board your experience and history of struggle to bear in this new assignment due to your unblemished track records of fighting for a just society,” it said.
While congratulating Keyamo on his new appointment, the organisation condemned attempts by some interests and individuals trying to discourage or distract him from accepting the new assignment.
It noted that the job of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria was premised on national interest and not on any personal gain.
It also deplored the action of some individuals especially the recent verbal attack on Keyamo at the premises of the Anambra State Federal High Court, Awka, on Friday, accusing him of “selling out” by accepting to serve Buhari’s re-election bid.
“This is unacceptable to us because he is free to support any aspirant of his choice.
“We are more than convinced that the political environment would be interesting in the coming months as Keyamo engage the people on this task of selling the candidature of Mr President which we are convinced has all it takes to get the job done.”
Keyamo, the Lagos based Lawyer, via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday disclosed his appointment as the official spokesperson for Buhari’s re-election campaign team.
The letter informing him of the appointment was signed by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Director-General, President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation. -
2019: Why I accepted to be spokesperson of Buhari’s campaign – Keyamo
Activist lawyer, Festus Keyamo, SAN on Wednesday explained why he accepted to serve as the Director, Strategic Communications of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 Campaign Organisation.
Recall that Keyamo was on Tuesday appointed the spokesperson of Buhari’s re-election campaign.
In a statement he personally signed and released to newsmen on Wednesday, the lawyer stated that he agreed to support Buhari’s re-election because the president has “clearly chosen this path in protecting the masses of our country”.
The statement reads in full:
“Just yesterday, my appointment as the Director, Strategic Communications of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation was made public. In that capacity, I would be the Official Spokesperson of the President’s campaigns for the 2019 Presidential Election.
“Let me put it on record that I was indeed consulted before the announcement. Upon the offer, I wholeheartedly and proudly accepted the challenge to do this for the good of my country and for posterity. For in President Buhari I have found an approximation of the lofty values I cherish and have fought for all my life.
“I know millions of Nigerians have never seen me in the mould of partisan politics. This is because for the past two and half decades, I have been under intense public scrutiny while engaging successive governments (military and civilian) in the most critical way possible. The public has also watched me grow steadily all the way from that young, restless lawyer to the exalted position of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“In the process of my restless and relentless engagements of the authorities, I have been hounded, arrested, detained, paraded like a criminal, charged and discharged from courts severally, but remain unbowed. Hence, some of us have been branded as “radicals” and seen as completely apolitical.
“However, the ultimate aim of every struggle is not really to enthrone a perfect, flawless system. Only the starry-eyed, younger ones think such is possible. That is Utopia. Rather, the ultimate aim of the struggle is to enthrone a government (yes, even with the normal human flaws) that is focused, determined and fiercely opposed to the unscrupulous wheeler-dealers in the society, committed to protecting the interests of the down-trodden, the weak and vulnerable.
“One of the obvious ways to do this is to ensure that what belongs to all is not cornered by a few; and if they do so, to ensure that they are made to account and brought to justice. I can boldly say that no Government in the history of Nigeria has recovered so much looted funds as that of President Muhammadu Buhari. The fact that this Government has clearly chosen this path in protecting the masses of our country (as unpleasant as it has been to some) is one of the many reasons why I am so proud and bold about my support for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“In doing this, I take a cue from my revered late boss, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN who mentored me. Throughout his career, he also consistently and fiercely engaged every government in Nigeria and suffered as a result. Guess what? THE ONLY GOVERNMENT HE FULLY SUPPORTED THROUGHOUT HIS LIFETIME was that led by General Muhammdu Buhari in 1984 – 1985; and that was to the chagrin of some of his professional colleagues and fellow “radicals”.
“However, he saw what they did not see at that time, because when that government was overthrown by General Babangida, what followed was the worst era in our history in terms of institutionalizing corruption and political chicanery in Nigeria. In the 2007 Presidential election, my late boss again endorsed General Buhari in the following words: “When we talk of anti-corruption war, there is no way you will exclude General Buhari. I don’t want to hear what a political party is going to do, whether ANPP or PDP or NDP or which other political organization. Tell me who is leading the party, tell me who is leading the government, that’s my concern. It’s a matter of leadership. This is a serious election, very serious one”.
“Some of those same forces and interests that saw the back of General Buhari in 1985 are still very much around with us. You can hear their voices getting louder of late, preaching hate and toiling hard to incite the people against the President. They want us to go back to our old ways, disguised as if they genuinely care for the masses of this country.
“When you look at the profile and ignoble antecedents of these characters – the emergency heroes, some of us have no option but to undertake this role we have been called upon to assume just to ensure that they do not succeed in their selfish enterprise.
“For all I have said above, my convictions about this job are deep and well thought-out. Given my background, it is clear that I cannot be a sycophantic rabble-rouser, looking for some personal gains. Having reached the top echelon of my career, some of us can conveniently stay away from all these, and continue to earn a good living from our thriving law practice. However, the call of duty beckons because we are at a critical crossroads in our history where one wrong turn may take us back to the sorry state from which we are emerging. We are here to convince and appeal to the masses not to allow us take that wrong turn.
“Now, it is important I elaborate a bit on this “sorry state” from which we are coming. Some people always attempt to befuddle the issues by continually reminding us of certain statistics that existed before 2015 and after 2015. However, our situation before 2015 is comparable to that of a car on a high speed, seemingly doing well on the road, but with the temperature gauge already rising. That car is in trouble. But to the uninformed, the car would be seen as doing well. However, the callous driver, fully aware of the rising temperature in the engine, continues to speed on. After some time, it is inevitable that the engine of the car would overheat and crash. In that state, the callous driver hands over the car to the new driver. The new driver, seeing the condition of the vehicle, decides to fix the radiator first which is responsible for the overheating in order to protect the engine, before setting out on the road again. Yet, the callous driver mischievously calls everyone to come and see how the new driver has parked the car to fix the engine before setting out once again. The callous driver tells everyone that the new driver is clueless; that that is why the car was parked briefly.
“The above anecdote is a graphic reflection of the situation we find ourselves. With the crash in oil prices just before 2015, the previous government resorted to borrowing to pay salaries and recklessly drew down on our foreign reserves, just to give the impression that all was well. So much unearned money was also circulating in the country amongst a few, giving the false impression that we were in a buoyant economy. However, the economy was headed for a crash. All the indices show that the slip into recession started shortly before this government took over, like the car which engine was already over-heating.
“The attempt by a few to deceive the people that all was well with us before this government took over, is one of the reasons some of us have decided to come out of our shells to put a hole in that false narrative. It is simply a big lie. I am persuaded that the Buhari Government took the right measures to halt a bigger disaster awaiting our economy had it been otherwise. Those who are persuaded otherwise are within their legitimate right to do so. We are all patriots, trying to find the right answers to our problems as a nation. However, if you are persuaded otherwise, kindly state in details what exactly should have been done to run the economy better, given the crash in oil prices and production that dropped to around 700,000 barrels per day. Surely, discerning Nigerians would no longer buy the fable of “Buhari destroyed our economy”.
“If I voted Buhari in 2015 and I am to vote for him again in 2019, then why can’t I campaign vigorously for him? I see no reason. It is a fallacy to say you are neutral in politics, yet you step forward to cast your vote at elections. If you are persuaded enough to vote for a candidate of your choice, then you must also be persuaded enough to campaign for that candidate, because your vote would be lost if you do not convince others to also adopt your position.
“That is why I have made my choice for 2019 and I will publicly stand by it. That choice is President Muhammadu Buhari. For those who are persuaded otherwise, I challenge them to also name their choices because you cannot criticise my choice of a candidate without naming your own choice. After all, the President would not be running against ghosts or against a vacuum. Therefore, this is not a time to hide behind a blanket criticism of any candidate. Each candidate should be assessed in comparative terms with other candidates.
“There has also been much attempt to de-market the President using his age and health as pummeling tools, and as such raising the decibel in the clarion call for a young or younger President. Firstly, on the issues of age and health, it would be ungodly and outrageous for a mere mortal to assume the status of God Almighty to speculate on the longevity or strength of any human being. Even doctors have been proven wrong on so many occasions. It is a matter entirely in the hands of God. Our past Presidents that died in office (Abacha and Yar’Adua) were in their prime. In fact, Abacha did not even show any sign of a failing health before he slumped and died. In Zimbabwe, the main opposition candidate for years, Morgan Tsvangirai used the issue of age and health to campaign against President Mugabe, urging him to go and retire and rest. Yet, just a few weeks ago, Morgan Tsvangirai died at the age of 65 and Mugabe is still alive and kicking at the age of 94. Those are the mysterious ways of God Almighty. No human being should even use that as a campaign gimmick. That person would be courting the wrath of God Almighty.
“In addition, no one can argue that age has anything to do with the required integrity to be the President of a country. I also firmly believe that our value systems in politics and the society have been so damaged pre-2015, that a firm and experienced hand is needed to reset our collective psyche before we can set sail again. The notion that public office is just available to share money which was the norm pre-2015 is gradually being changed. Spending a few more years to sustain that kind of re-orientation will do us a world of good. President Buhari is one of the very last of the upright Mohicans in Nigeria available to help reclaim public integrity before he takes his bow in 2023, if the Nigerian people so wish. We must take advantage of his still being around to deepen the nation’s moral fabric.
“The choices before us have never been so CLEAR in the history of our country. On the one hand are those who are already in the mud and seeking to drag others into the mud. These are the ones who keep saying “We are all corrupt together”, and who keep confessing and apologising like people coming out of a trance. They say they should be forgiven because they have been “honest” enough to confess and apologise. Fellow Nigerians, there is nothing like an honest thief. It is a disgusting oxymoron. A thief is a thief. This is especially so if the thief did not willingly come out to admit he was a thief until his hands were caught right inside the cookie jar.
“The other choice before us is a President who has been accused of everything that is false but even his most ardent critics, and detractors locally and internationally have not accused him of having a penchant for wealth accumulation. I am persuaded to campaign for him by his austere lifestyle, his Spartan taste and frugal nature. I am not looking for a god or an angel to vote for. They are not around here on earth. I am only looking for someone with these minimum personal qualities I have enumerated above. The President’s other human flaws may be there, but I am waiting for the candidates of our opponents to show me their credentials from heaven.
“People can easily point to those with questionable past in the ruling party, the APC. With my antecedents and in my true conscience, I cannot defend them and cannot make excuses for them. However, in joining the President’s party, they are subjecting themselves to the disciplined leadership of the President. Like Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN said above, it is the leadership that matters. Like I always ask: should we all stop going to church because some known sinners also throng to churches every Sunday? The obvious answer is in the negative. On the other hand, the other party whose key leaders were all part of those who pilfered our commonwealth are about to present us with one amongst themselves as a Presidential candidate in 2019. Of course, reasonable Nigerians are waiting to dismiss that before it happens.
“However, for some of my friends, colleagues and associates who are still persuaded by the other way of running our country, and who belong to different political platforms, all I can do is to wish them well, but also state that this is a time for us to agree to disagree. It is all for the good of our country. It will bring out the best in us in canvassing our persuasions. However, I will be putting my heart and soul to this assignment and if anyone is offended by my commitment to the cause, I offer no apology. You can also do likewise to advance your cause. Nigerians would decide at the end of the day.
“My message to all those teeming supporters who did it in 2015 for our President is that you do not abandon a ship with which you set sail midway. Our race is not a 100-meter dash. It is a marathon race to rescue our country. We are almost there. When we turn the corner in 2019, you will see the tape at the finishing line. We must not run out of breaths. We believed in 2015. We must keep that belief alive. The hallmark of true supporters is to stand firm in times of storm and in times of calm. The storm is almost over. The President has battled to take control of the steering wheel of the nation and we are on course.
“Do not let the naysayers bully you whether in real life or in cyberspaces. When they run out of arguments, they resort to abuses. If they abuse you, see them as patriots, but misguided ones; if they attack you, see them as patriots, but misguided ones; if they call you unprintable names, see them as passionate patriots, but misguided ones. Do not retaliate. With time, especially when majority of votes wipe out their minority opinions in 2019, they will come round to you and acknowledge your vision. So, hold your own and keep your heads up.
“For us, this race is never a do-or-die affair. We shall present the facts as we see them and let Nigerians decide. We do not have to hire Cambridge Analytica to scare the electorate. They are already sufficiently scared by the humongous corruption that took place under the watch of the last government; the electorate are already sufficiently scared by those who are apologizing just to sneak their way back to power; the electorate are also sufficiently scared by the tons of cash buried in graveyards, farm houses, luxury flats in Ikoyi, in Yachts in the High Seas and those used to buy real estate strewn all over the world.
“Nigerians know from where their problems came. They know it is not President Buhari. They know it came from some of those battling tooth and nail to displace him. Those who are persuaded by us should not remain aloof, please. Kindly join us in this journey.”
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Buhari appoints Festus Keyamo spokesman of his 2019 campaign
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has appointed human rights attorney, Festus Keyamo as the spokesman of 2019 campaign.
The Director-General of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi made this known on Tuesday, April 17.
“I am pleased to convey to you the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization to appoint you as Director, Strategic Communications in respect of the forthcoming campaigns for the 2019 Presidential Elections”, the appointment letter dated April 16, 2018, read in part.
The appointment letter noted Mr Keyamo will serve in that capacity both during the nomination and campaign periods.
“In your capacity, you are to be the Spokesperson for the campaigns during the nomination process and also the subsequent campaigns for the 2019 Presidential Elections”, the letter added.
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FG queries Magu, Keyamo over corruption charges against CCT chairman
The Federal Government has issued a query to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Festus Keyamo over the corruption charges filed against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Yajubu Umar in its name.
In the query dated February 16, 2018 and with Reference No DPP/ADV:368/15 Magu was ordered to make his response to the query available to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
In the query, signed by Mr. Dayo Apata, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Magu is to explain what informed the filing of corruption charges against the tribunal chairman having being cleared of corruption allegation two times by the same Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Titled “FR VS Danladi Umar (CR/109/18) request for Briefing,” the query read in part: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court. “I am directed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to seek clarification from you as to whether the charges were filed on your instruction or directive and if in the affirmative, what is the compelling basis for doing so.
This clarification becomes imperative in view of the following background facts. “The Commission’s investigation report dated 5th March 2015 addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated as follows: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the defence. “The Commission’s position in paragraph 2(a) above was also maintained and sustained by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while appearing before the House of Representatives’ Investigative Committee sometimes in 2015 to the effect that report of investigations showed that the allegations against Hon. Justice Danladi Umar were based on mere suspicions.
“In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation requests for your prompt briefing as to the existence of new facts which are contrary to the position in your attached investigation report, sufficient evidence or other developments upon which the prosecution of Hon. Justice Danladi can be successfully based. “Kindly accord this letter top priority while your prompt response within 48 hours from the receipt of same is required in the circumstances.”
In the same vein, in a separate letter to Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, who was purportedly engaged as a private lawyer by Magu to prosecute the CCT boss was also requested by the AGF to confirm who authorise him to file the corruption charge against Umar. Like Magu the senior Lawyer was given till Tuesday February 20, 2018 to furnish the Office of the AGF in writing detail of who engaged or issued him with authority to file the corruption charges.
The letter to Keyamo with reference No DPP/ADV:369/15 dated February 16, 2018, which was also signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Sectary read in part: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that you have filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.
“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hereby requests that you kindly furnish this office with the details of the instruction or authorization upon which you instituted the case under reference. Kindly accord this letter top priority while your prompt response on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018 is solicited in this regard.” Although the EFCC in two separate letters to the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had in 2015 and 2016 cleared Umar of any wrong doing in the alleged N10 million bribery allegation made against him by a defendant, Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi standing trial before him on false asset declaration.
Upon receipt of the petition from Owolaabi, the EFCC had investigated the petition and sent its report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) with a Reference No EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56 dated March 5, 2015, personally signed by the then Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde exonerating the CCT boss from the bribery saga.
The EFCC report received by the office of SGF on March 6, 2015 was categorical that “the facts as they are against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the offence.” Other EFCC’s documents show that in 2016 a fresh investigation was conducted into the same N10mn bribery allegation and the same anti-graft agency in its second report absolved Umar of any wrongdoing and that the bribery allegation against him remain a mere suspicion. The EFCC’s second report with reference EFCC/P/HRU/688/V30/99 dated April 20, 2016 and submitted to the SGF and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, read in part: “Kindly recall our correspondence of March 5 2015 with Reference EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56 with above subject caption.
We will like to reiterate the Commission’s position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and state that the allegation levelled against Justice Umar were merely suspicions and consequently insufficient to prosecute the offence.” Finding by PRNigeria revealed that the action of Magu in instituting criminal charges against Umar has caused serious confusion and embarrassment to the Federal Government because the EFCC reports had made clear that the CCT boss had no case to answer. The AGF was said to have been thoroughly embarrassed with the corruption charges because he had already informed the National Assembly that Umar had no corruption case to answer based on the two reports of EFCC to the Federal Government.
The Federal Government was infuriated by the action of Magu in engaging Keyamo as a private counsel to prosecute the CCT boss in purported corruption charge because, the same Keyamo is the counsel to Rasheed Taiwo Owolabi who is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and who made the allegation in the course of his trial on criminal offence.
However, there are indication that the corruption charge against the CCT boss may be dropped by so as not to cause further embarrassment to government in its fight against corruption.
A source said the Federal Government has to be consistent in its fight against corruption and that having cleared Umar on two occasions on the same issue, saw no reason to somersault on the issue, hence the need to withdraw the corruption charges.
The EFCC had on February 2, brought a two-count charge against the CCT Chairman Danladi Yakubu Umar bordering on alleged receipt of N10m bribe from one Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo in the charge signed by Festus Keyamo as a private prosecuting counsel and one Offem Uket an official of EFCC. Umar was accused of receiving N1.8mn through his Personal Assistant, Gambo Abdullahi for a favour to be afterwards shown to the petitioner who was standing trial for a criminal offence before the tribunal. No date has been fixed for arraignment of the CCT boss at the High Court of FCT, Abuja.
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2019: Obasanjo, IBB morally deficient to provide roadmap for Nigeria – Keyamo
Festus Keyamo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has lashed out at former Presidents, Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo for advising President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek reelection in 2019.
In a series of tweets via his verified Twitter handle, the Senior lawyer described both Babangida and Obasanjo as “expired leaders.”
Keyamo said expired leaders who tried all they could to extend their stay in office until they were chased out, should not advise Buhari.
He wrote: “Ironically, these expired leaders, IBB & OBJ, used all the tricks in the books to illegally extend their tenures in office until they were chased away by Nigerians, yet they’re the ones now advising Buhari to give up his LEGAL RIGHT to seek re-election.
It’s hypocrisy at its best. “The message we can take from d letters of OBJ & IBB is the urgent need for government to address problems plaguing Nigeria. But the message we must reject with the messengers is their roadmap on the way forward.
They’re too morally deficient to provide any political compass for this nation again.” Obasanjo had advised Buhari against seeking re-election in the upcoming 2019 election due to the failure of the government.
Similarly, Babangida had last week asked Nigerians to vote Buhari out of office, come 2019. IBB, however, enjoined Nigerians to co-operate with Buhari until his tenure ends.