Judge rejects e-mail ban in Michael Jackson death lawsuit

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The judge presiding over the Michael Jackson family's wrongful death lawsuit against AEG rejected the concert promoter's arguments that family members were the source of leaked e-mails in the case.

AEG lawyers accused Michael Jackson's three children, his mother and their lawyers of giving the e-mails to a newspaper reporter in violation of the judge's order that they remain under seal.

"It is clear that only one entity could have done it," AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam said in a hearing last month.

Jackson family lawyers became furious in court, pointing out that AEG was accusing 10-year-old Blanket Jackson, the youngest of the children.

"What's the idea, that Blanket Jackson got some documents and copied them and somehow walked them from Calabasas to Harriet Ryan?" attorney Kevin Boyle said, pointing to Putnam.

Kids forgotten in Jackson family feud?

Paris Jackson: MJ wanted normal life

Jackson lawyers denied anyone associated with their legal team or their clients leaked the e-mails, and suggested that AEG lawyers may have done it themselves as a set up.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos issued her ruling on the question this week.

The communications, published two months ago in the Los Angeles Times, revealed the promoter had doubts about Jackson's health and his ability to be ready for his "This Is It" concerts several months before his death.

AEG wanted the judge to punish Katherine Jackson and the children -- Prince, Paris and Blanket -- by not allowing their lawyers to use the e-mails to convince a jury in a trial set for next April that the company contributed to the pop star's death.

Jackson died of an overdose of a surgical anesthesia in combination with sedatives on June 25, 2009, according to the Los Angeles County coroner. Dr. Conrad Murray, who was hired to be Jackson's personal physician as he prepared for the shows, was found guilty last year of involuntary manslaughter in his patient's death.

The Jackson suit contends that AEG contributed to the pop star's death by pressuring him to prepare even though the promoters knew he was in a weak condition and by its hiring and supervision of Murray.

"MJ is locked in his room drunk and despondent," AEG executive Randy Phillips wrote in a March 5, 2009, e-mail, the day Jackson announced the tour plans. "I (am) trying to sober him up."

Reporter Harriet Ryan has refused to disclose her sources, although Howard Mann -- who was once Katherine Jackson's partner in a book venture -- has acknowledged that he gave the reporter a box of documents for her story.

Days after the e-mails were published, AEG dropped its claim against a Lloyds of London underwriter for payout of a $17.5 million insurance policy on Michael Jackson.

The insurer contended AEG hid Jackson's health problems and failed to respond to repeated requests for his medical history when applying for insurance for the 50 shows scheduled for London's O2 Arena.

The Michael Jackson estate, which controls Michael Jackson Company LLC, is still pursuing the insurance payout.

Perry Sanders, who is Katherine Jackson's personal attorney, told the judge that the Jacksons had no motive to leak the e-mails.

"Like we would go and blow up our own case against Lloyds of London?" Sanders said. "Our client and all the plaintiffs in this case are actually the ones who would receive the money."

Sanders also noted that AEG had failed to disclose the e-mails to the Lloyds of London lawyers despite a legal requirement to do so.

While publication of the e-mails might have made AEG look bad, they were "extremely negative against Michael Jackson," painting him "as a basket case," Jackson lawyer Deborah Chang said.

"It's much more negative about Michael Jackson than it is about AEG, by far," Chang said.

The leaked e-mails include one written by Randy Phillips weeks after Jackson's death in which the president of AEG Live -- the concert-promotion branch of AEG -- called it "a terrible tragedy," but added "life must go on."

"AEG will make a fortune from merch sales, ticket retention, the touring exhibition and the film/dvd," Phillips wrote. AEG Live was allowed to sell Jackson tour merchandise and share in the profits from the documentary "This Is It," produced from rehearsal video.

The March 2009 e-mail from Phillips saying Jackson was "locked in his room drunk and despondent" indicate AEG Live's president saw Jackson's problems first-hand the day the pop star was to appear at the O2 Arena to publicly announce the shows.

"I screamed at him so loud the walls are shaking," Phillips wrote. "He is an emotionally paralyzed mess riddled with self-loathing and doubt now that it is show time."

The promoter blamed London traffic when Jackson was 90 minutes late for the announcement that day.

"He's as healthy as he can be -- no health problems whatsoever," Phillips told CNN two months later to refute reports Jackson's health was threatening the concerts.

The Los Angeles Times story, however, said the e-mails indicated major doubts about Jackson's ability to perform.

"We cannot be forced into stopping this, which MJ will try to do because he is lazy and constantly changes his mind to fit his immediate wants," AEG Live executive Paul Gongaware e-mailed to Phillips.

Jackson's missed rehearsals in June triggered concerns in e-mails that he was slow in learning his dance routines and would have to lip-sync on stage, the newspaper reported.

"MJ is not in shape enough yet to sing this stuff live and dance at the same time," one e-mail from the show's music director read, the paper reported.

A production manager wrote: "He was a basket case. Doubt is pervasive."

A loud warning from show director Kenny Ortega, who worked closely with Jackson on previous tours, came in mid-June, just over a week before the star's death. Ortega wrote to Phillips that Jackson had "strong signs of paranoia, anxiety and obsessive-like behavior" and suggested they bring a "top psychiatrist in to evaluate him ASAP."

"It is like there are two people there. One (deep inside) trying to hold on to what he was and still can be and not wanting us to quit him, the other in this weakened and troubled state," Ortega wrote. "I believe we need professional guidance in this matter."

Ortega testified at Murray's trial about his concerns about Jackson's frail condition and missed rehearsals. Those concerns resulted in a meeting six days before Jackson's death in which Murray assured the promoters he would have Jackson ready for rehearsals that next week.

An e-mail from Phillips after that meeting said he had confidence in Murray, "who I am gaining immense respect for as I get to deal with him more."

"This doctor is extremely successful (we check everyone out) and does not need this gig, so he (is) totally unbiased and ethical," Phillips' e-mail said.

......ALAN DUKE/CNN

Los Angeles City Council approves ID & debit cards for undocumented immigrants

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to create a library card that also acts as an identification and a pre-paid debit card designed to help undocumented immigrants.

The ID card would include a resident’s photograph, full name, address, date of birth and details on height, weight, and hair and eye color. The card would not be a driver’s license and could not be used as an ID to board a plane. It will also be a pre-paid debit card that allows residents to build credit.

Whether law enforcement agencies will accept the ID remains unknown. Distribution is expected to begin early next year.

The council voted 12 to 1 on Wednesday to select a vendor to develop and administer the identity card program.

The new ID is intended to help about 200,000 Los Angeles households that do not have access to banking services. Those families are vulnerable to theft and financial emergencies, according to the Mayor’s Office. A financial institution will back the proposed ID card, and the funds will be FDIC insured.

Councilman Richard Alarcon said the cards are necessary because the federal government has failed to make significant reforms in immigration policy and it's undeniable that businesses and individuals are hiring illegal immigrants.

The lone "no" vote on Wednesday was cast by Republican Councilman Mitch Englander, who said the city is in too tough of a financial bind to take on a new program.

Other cities in California provide identification cards, but only Richmond and Oakland also include a pre-paid debit feature.

......89.3 KPCC/Associated Press

UN Urges Nigeria, Others to Help Curb Online Extremism

A United Nations (UN) independent expert has called on member states, including Nigeria, to implement measures to combat online extremism without curbing freedom of speech, due to the surge in websites that promote hate speech and racism.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Racism, Mutuma Ruteere, made the call while speaking to the General Assembly in New York, during the presentation of two reports, one on racism on the Internet and the other on extremist political parties, movements and groups.

"The increase of extremist hate websites, the use of the Internet and social media by extremist groups and individuals to propagate hate speech and incite racial violence, and the increased number of incidents of racist violence and crimes prompted by racist content on the Internet remain to be addressed, despite the adoption of positive measures," he said.

In relation to his report on racism on the Internet, Ruteere called for greater cooperation on this issue among governments, international bodies, the private sector, civil society and local communities, and stressed that a cohesive approach developed through dialogue was needed.

In particular, he noted that States should adopt legislative measures that examine the link between manifestations of online racism and hate crimes committed. "Additional measures such as self- and co-regulatory initiatives developed by service providers and other relevant actors may also be useful in making efforts more effective," he said.

"I believe that a possible way of countering racism on the Internet is through content diversification, in particular by promoting local content," he added, inviting States to adopt policies and strategies to make the Internet widely accessible and affordable to all. "Education about racist content on the Internet and awareness raising measures are also important tools."

However, the Special Rapporteur emphasised that any measures taken to counter online racism should not limit the right to freedom of expression and opinion and should comply with international human rights law.

"Any restrictions, control and censorship of the content disseminated via the Internet should be done on a clearly defined legal basis and in a manner that is necessary, proportionate and compatible with States' international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination," he stated.

Ruteere's report on extremist political parties, movements and groups urges States to adopt the necessary legislation to protect vulnerable groups who are victims of racist and xenophobic attacks. "A comprehensive approach based on a solid legal framework is essential," he told the General Assembly when presenting the report.

He also encouraged States to strengthen awareness-raising activities aimed at fostering tolerance, to sensitise youth on the dangers of ideologies and activities of extremist groups, and to strengthen governments' capacity to address racist crimes through human rights trainings.

"Cooperation with all the relevant actors, including civil society, is crucial to effectively prevent the rise and dissemination of extremist ideologies based on racial superiority," he said, adding that political leaders and parties have the responsibility to condemn and refrain from disseminating messages that scapegoat vulnerable groups and incite racial discrimination.

Independent experts, or special rapporteurs like Ruteere, are appointed, in an honorary capacity, by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme.

.......ABIMBOLA AKOSILE/THIS DAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Another Look At The Boko Haram Philosophy

Terror initiated bomb blasts from the Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad sect in Nigeria otherwise known as the Boko Haram, may decline or escalate for any period of time but the indicators for overall peace may truly be far -fetched.

The sense of engagement beyond unleashing military combatants in the hugely affected and now paralysed North Eastern parts of the country is utterly undefined. Indications in military circles and indeed conventional military wisdom do not suggest that the Nigeria Military has the capacity to utterly and decisively defeat the terror band.

The brand of terror introduced into Nigeria by the insurgents is not an affliction that is proverbially skin deep. It is deeper beyond the skin and requires even much deeper strategic and sophisticated engagement. Sadly, all that has been seen from players at the policy level has been anything but out-of-control techniques. There's been so much opportunism, so much of personal profit and so much shadow acting. The superficial is at the driving seat where professionalism is in dire need.

Nigerians both at public and private career engagements classify the Boko Haram "a meddlesome violent band based in parts of the North' at their own utter peril. Wiser assessment of the sect suggests several scores of thousands with hugely expanding cells across most parts of Nigeria and in significant parts of West Africa.

Every assessment of the sect even at its embryo stage by Islamic scholars, government officials and security intelligence has repeatedly missed the live wire in the complicating issues. Yes, there have been violence and bloodletting served from the sect's terror machinery but the real fuse feeding the violence has been missed till date.

Politicians from the North in a fit of self-serving displays had suggested that the insurgency was the offshoot of growing unemployment. Clearly, there's huge and frightening degree of unemployment in Northern Nigeria. But the real fuse that drives this level of terror is with the sect's doctrinaire and ideologue. What we are dealing with is a growing Islamic ideologue that greatly appeals to young people.

The root cause of the conflict is ideological in nature. The doctrines that the leaders of the Boko Haram founded their sect cannot be separated from the global Jihad movement that exploits the widespread suffering, resentment, and anger in the Muslim world.

In late 2002 when late Muhammad Yusuf and late Muhammad Alli began to take an interest in the global Jihadi movement, they were not driven by issues in their typical settlements instead, they were inspired by a 13th century scholar, Ibn Taymiyya who was a staunch defender of Sunni Islam based on strict adherence to the Qur'an and authentic Sunna(practices) of the Prophet Muhammad.

Ibn Taymiyya believed that these two sources contain all the religious and spiritual guidance necessary for salvation in the hereafter. Thus he rejected the arguments and ideas of both philosophers and Sufis regarding religious knowledge, spiritual experiences and ritual practices, said many accounts.

Late Yusuf carried most of Ibn Taymiyya philosophies during his life time crusade and named the headquarters' of the sect that was later bombed by security agents in Maiduguri 'Ibn Taymiyya Masjid.' Though a few moderate clerics challenged the doctrinal veracity of what late Yusuf preached with vigour and charisma but it did not go deep enough nor was it far reaching.

These clerics included Sheikh Isa Aliyu Pantami who is now abroad and Sheikh Jafar Mahmud Adam of blessed memory, who was assassinated in his Mosque in 2007 in Kano.

Late Yusuf was prevented from preaching in several mosques all over the North and was denied TV/radio appearances in Borno State. But this alienation worked to his advantage as he became the superior voice among an army of unwitting youths unable to defy him.

The religious and traditional monarchies across West Africa and in many parts of the Muslim world for over a 100 years now narrowed on the subject of Jihad of the sword to consolidate their rule. The rise of Sunni-based Jihadi movements that terrorize the status quo, necessitates these monarchs to encourage and moralize constructive Jihad and the Jihad with oneself amongst the talakawas.

And when the administration of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff backed by late President Yar'adua opted for a military solution to an ideological problem, a methodical and more vicious transformation of the sect into an outpost of terrorist affliction began on the Nigerian state.

On the 11th of June 2009, at the Customs roundabout in Maiduguri nearly 20 unarmed members of the sect during a funeral procession were shot with live ammunition for refusing to wear safety helmets, by members of 'Operation Flush,' the official platform for Sheriff's field confrontation with the sect, since his vicious political thugs, the ECOMOG, could not march the more organised followers of late Yusuf at that time.

Members of the sect then saw the need to regroup and redeem what their new leader; Imam Abubakar Shekau called their honour. Life for residents in Borno and Yobe states, in the language of Hobbes, suddenly became nasty, brutish and short.

It is instructive to note here that in the current situation, there is no reason to believe that this government can get to engage in direct negotiations with the sect. This is because there is a missing element that will make it difficult for direct negotiations to occur between the two antagonistic sides.

AHMAD SALKIDA, LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS

- Salkida is an independent journalist based in Abuja

State of Origin Denies Justice [Ifeoma] Jombo-Ofo Lift to Appeal Court

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar stepped down the swearing-in Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, yesterday and explained that there was a petition against her regarding her state of origin.

Ifeoma is by birth from Anambra and married to a man from Abia state.

A list of 12 Justices was initially released by the Supreme Court for the swearing ceremony with the inclusion of Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo's name.

The irony was that Ifeoma, who was called to bar in 1979, got married to Mr Jombo-Ofo and was thereafter appointed a High Court judge on November 4, 1998 as representing Abia state after she had served for many years in her husband's state.

The announcement of her elevation to the appeal court alongside eleven others drew the ire of some indigenes of Abia state.

A source close to the apex court indicated that a petition was forwarded to the CJN alleging that Justice Jombo-Ofo did not disclose the real fact of her state of origin.

The petitioner claimed that originally she is from Anambra state and subsequently transferred her service from her home state to her husband's state of Abia.

Not even a spirited effort by Abia state governor, Theodore Orji, could save the day for Justice Jumbo-Ofo. The governor had written a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria last Saturday confirming the indigeneship of Justice Jumbo-Ofo who had served in the Abia state Judiciary for the last 14 years and also affirmed that her name was indeed sent by the state government as one of the state's candidates for elevation to the appellate court.

Governor Orji urged the CJN to disregard any spurious petition or allegation against her and swear her in.

But an Abuja based legal practitioner who did not want to be mentioned in the print said that Justice Mary Odili was elevated to the Supreme Court on the ticket of her State of birth Imo.

He added that the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Nweala, who is a native of Delta State, was appointed a minister on her husband's state ticket, Abia.

......AHURUKA YUSUF, ABUJA/LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS

Shift Change In Nigeria Military Commands

Vice Admiral Ola sa'ad Ibrahim was appointed Chief of Defense Staff by the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in October 6, 2012.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration must be feeling the uncertainties surrounding the military machines of the 4th Republic which has been troubled from its inception May 29, 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as a civilian to take over the affairs of state, sending the military juntas back to the barracks.

It was only a month ago that the Jonathan-led government reshuffled the shift schedules of the military commands when he by-passed the Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, who in all expectations was to be assigned the powerful military post of defense, but rather appointed Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim as the nation's new Chief of Defense Staff, replacing Air Chief Marshal Oluseyin Petinrin who had been talked into retiring.

In what Jonathan administration sources say and from related media reports, there's major shake up in the Nigerian military commands, in all aspects with the appointments of four new Air Officers Commanding (AOCs). The new postings which takes effect are: Air Vice marshal K. Onyemaobi, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Comm and, Makurdi; Air Vice Marshal Ishaku Umar, AOC Training Command, Makurdi; Air Vice Marshal Olufemi Abiodun Idowu, AOC Mobility Command, Yenagoa, and Air Vice Marshal Aminu Adamu, AOC Logistics Command, Lagos. In other appointments, Commodore Chukwuma Mojekwu, Managing Director, Post Housing Scheme, Air Vice Marshal Nicholas Spiff, Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters while Commodore Emeka Ozoemena was moved to the Jos Station Command among series of other strategic appointments.

Seventh Defendant [Tony Nonso Obi] Sentenced To Federal Prison In Multi-Million-Dollar Health Care Fraud Case

HOUSTON—Tony Nnonso Obi, 56, a naturalized United States citizen from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in a massive health care fraud conspiracy that billed the Medicare and Medicaid programs for more than $45 million, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Obi entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of money laundering in August of this year. As part of his plea, Obi admitted to entering into an agreement with the owner of City Nursing, Umawa Imo, to receive 15 percent of the money City Nursing obtained from Medicare for services billed on individuals referred to City Nursing by Obi, or on Obi’s behalf. Imo, who is currently serving more than 27 years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy, paid Obi $1,051,425.28.

At least three of the beneficiaries taken to City Nursing by Obi were individuals living in his assisted living facility. Obi also admitted to paying beneficiaries and recruiters and handling office matters when Imo was out of the office. The City Nursing case has to date seen the conviction of a total of nine individuals, seven of which have now been sentenced to federal prison. The investigation into City Nursing was the result of the joint efforts by special agents of the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s Office-Medicare Fraud Control Unit.

Assistant United States Attorney Julie Redlinger is prosecuting the case.

Reported by: FBI

7TH SPACE INTERACTIVE

$620,000 oil subsidy probe scam: An evolving regime of vicious circle of corruption

•CLO, CACOL demand trial of Farouk, Otedola

•Government officials are sacred cows of corruption– Fasehun

NEW questions are beginning to arise in the polity over the credibility of legislation by members of the National Assembly. This is not unconnected with the perceived inaction of government over the controversial $620,000 (about N96.1 million) monetary deal which exchanged hands between Farouk Lawan, former Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives that investigated the oil subsidy fraud and Femi Otedola, Chairman of African Petroleum (AP) and Zenon Oil, in a $3 million (about N465 million) deal to doctor the House report and exonerate Otedola’s firms from indictment in the subsidy fraud investigation. Our investigation revealed that stakeholders in the Nigerian project have lost confidence in the Federal Government in the fight against corruption. They are of the consensus that state actors are more imbued with obsession for kleptomania than commitment to good governance that would promote socio-economic growth and development which would ameliorate the living standards of Nigerians. Several stakeholders have articulated that the Nigerian State has become an empire of corruption providing breeding ground for venal political actors. The Farouk/Otedola scandal was widely celebrated across the country and in the international community, giving currency to the rising profile of corruption in government. A deal of $3 million (about N465 million) was admitted by both parties to have been struck; Otedola made $500,000 part payment to Farouk Lawan, proceeded further to invite the Clerk of the Committee, Boniface Emenalor, whom he gave $100,000 to ensure he was not indicted in the investigation of about N2.7 trillion purported subsidy fraud looted from the national treasury.

The balance was anticipated to be paid after the assignment had been performed. Jagaban Adams Jagaban, Chairman, House Committee on Drugs and Financial Crimes, at a point, was dragged into the scandal as the keeper of the $500,000 given to Farouk Lawan. There were manifestations that the deal was almost successful. The Report was formally presented to the House and Otedola was indicted. It was gathered that “he was indicted for using his companies to collect foreign currencies from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to import petrol but diverted the money.” At the vetting stage of the Report before it was forwarded to the President for action, Farouk Lawan made a case for Otedola on the floor of the House that since Otedola deals on diesel and not Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); he should be exonerated from the indicted oil marketers in the alleged oil subsidy fraud. Members of the House unanimously endorsed the request and Otedola’s indictment was deleted from the Report. The deal was as good as having been done but unfortunately, it was said to have been leaked to the Presidency and some prominent Nigerians.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo blew the can of worms open when he declared that there are armed robbers in the National Assembly. The usual media blitz that trails Obasanjo’s public statement degenerated into bizarre revelations, including video displays, about the deal. The intrigues were thrilling. Investigations were said to have been conducted by the Police and the State Security Service (SSS). The House also suspended Farouk Lawan as Chairman, House Committee of Education and Chairman of the Oil Subsidy Probe Committee but he was not suspended from attending legislative sessions. However, Farouk Lawan was noticed to have momentarily stayed away from legislative proceedings in the House while the Police and other institutions of anti-corruption have been widely perceived to be inactive to prosecute actors. In a manner of ridiculing the Nigerian Government, Farouk Lawan had the option of accepting that he took money from Otedola but did not take bribe. The irony is that the lawmaker collected money to compromise a national duty entrusted to him by the Nigerian people, more appallingly, a national duty to identify corrupt oil marketers that purportedly looted the country’s treasury and sabotaged both the oil industry and the growth of the national economy. To some stakeholders, this is treachery against the Nigerian Government yet anti-graft agencies hold on to claims of lack of evidence to prosecute the case.

It would be recalled that the House Ad Hoc Committee investigation was a spillover of the January 2012 mass action against increase in the pumping price of PMS by the Federal Government.

Nigerians have continued to suffer the default of public policy on energy, the associated unmitigated scarcity and unofficial price increase of petrol, yet the celebrated bribery scandal remains un-prosecuted.

Speaking to National Daily, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), expressed the view that corruption is a vicious circle in country. He said that corruption is a normal business of government officials. This, he said, made it difficult for government to genuinely fight corruption. Ezike maintained that if Farouk Lawan is pressed hard or threatened with prosecution, many people will be exposed. “The federal government is not serious in fighting corruption. Those expected to prosecute Farouk and Otedola are also part of the spoilt system. If Farouk opens his mouth, many people will be exposed and they do not want to be disgraced,” Ezike said. The CLO Executive Director emphasized that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cannot fight corruption beyond what those in power permit them to do. He protested why the Minister of Petroleum, Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who approved and administered all the alleged fraudulent subsidy payment have not been arrested and prosecuted.

Moreover, Comrade Debo Adeniran, Executive Director, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), also expressed that Nigerian leaders are not sincere in fighting corruption. He acknowledged that Farouk Lawan has not been suspended from the House and can thus attend sessions but however articulated that “the lawmaker has no right to be moving around freely without prosecution.” They deserve restrictive movement to convince Nigerians that government has not compromised the scandal, he added. Adeniran urged the EFCC and other agencies to speed up arrangements for the trial of Farouk Lawan and Otedola. “It is a national embarrassment to allow them to be walking around freely as if they have not allegedly committed any crime. Though they are presumed innocent until they are found guilty but the system should not assume that they are completely innocent,” Adeniran contended.

Furthermore, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, Leader of the Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), told National Daily that nothing should be expected to come out of the $620,000 oil subsidy monetary transactions. He articulated that impunity of government in Nigeria knows no bound and is not susceptible to restraint by corruption. The OPC leader emphasized that Farouk Lawal is a very sacred cow in the country, adding that he can make and unmake; can do and undo and can get away with any crime. He reaffirmed that the leadership of the country is insincere to the people. “The leaders tell the people that they are fighting corruption yet there are no results. Nigeria is fighting corruption with corruption and the result will always be more corruption. People are insincere to this country. Nobody is sincerely fighting corruption. Even government officials are sacred cows of corruption. That is why Nigeria will forever remain corrupt,” Fasehun declared.

“Where there is no law there is no crime but we have laws against corruption in our statute book; the person to execute the laws is what we lack. Since nobody is prepared to be in charge to fight corruption, corruption will continue to thrive. I congratulate Farouk Lawan,” the OPC leader declared.

Fasehun observed: “federal lawmakers do not think integrity is anything to strive for, whereas integrity is everything. They run after money, they don’t run after integrity. It is better to run after integrity, then money will follow but they care less for integrity and more for money. This is the paradox of Nigeria.”

The OPC leader was of the view that corruption has made people skeptical about the credibility of legislation in the National Assembly and has caused eroding confidence building between leaders and the Nigerian people.

“We have had various incidents to demonstrate that integrity is far away from the leadership of this country. That is why we are confused. We don’t know where to go; don’t know what to do and where not to go. We have had several scandals in this country; we have set up panels to investigate these scandals, Nigerians are still waiting for Government White Paper. Is it that we have found the culprits innocent,” Fasehun declared. He noted that people know those who are undermining the integrity of the country, adding that even if government issues any White Paper, such White Paper will be doctored to shield some interests.

“It is only natural that we must vote at elections, People grudgingly and involuntarily come out to vote. Even then, our voting system has been one of the sources of anxieties in the country. That is why Nigeria has not been able to wash herself clean off corruption. The country is sinking lower on the index of corruption, down the ladder of corruption,” Fasehun summed up.

Meanwhile, the House Committee which investigated the Farouk/Otedola scandal indicated last week that the Report would be presented as soon as the House resumes from recess.

......SUNDAY ODIBASHI/NATIONAL DAILY NEWSPAPER

FG may pay compensation to Boko Haram members...

...
Starts drawing criteria for payment • We didn’t kill Gen. Shuwa – Sect

The Federal Government may have commenced considering the criteria for compensating members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, particularly those who had suffered one form of injustice or the other.

Also there were indications on Sunday that the government might be willing to pay compensation to the sect’s members “who were seen to have been killed unjustly.”

A very dependable source in the Presidency told The PUNCH on Sunday that the Federal Government was not willing to miss the opportunity for dialogue as offered by a man believed to be the sect’s second-in-command, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz.

For this reason, he said, the government was willing to pay compensation, otherwise known as Diyya, to halt attacks by the sect.

He said, “I can confirm to you that it is true that the group is currently dialoguing with the government. The good news is that they are talking and they have promised to cease fire once some of their demands are met.

“For conditions that are not difficult to meet such as the demand for Diyya for their 24 identified members that were killed, the government may meet such demands.

“Government can also give critical thought to those found to be innocent, but are being detained or prosecuted, particularly women and children as demanded by the group since they do not have any objection to the trial of those genuinely involved in crime.”

It was, however, learnt that the government might not reach out to former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to head the team that would dialogue with Boko Haram, as requested by the sect.

The sect had on Thursday expressed its desire to ceasefire and enter into dialogue with the government but demanded that Buhari should lead the discussion that must be held in Saudi Arabia.

But the Congress for Progressive Change had already said that Buhari, who is the national leader of the party, had nothing to do with members of the sect.

Our source said, “He (Buhari) is a former Head of State and he has people who speak for him. It has been widely reported that he would not take the offer, so why will government reach out to him?”

The same source had in August told one of our correspondents that government might accede to the sect’s demand for the payment of compensation or Diyya to Boko Haram members considered “killed unjustly” by security forces.

This formed an August 19, 2012 exclusive report published by SUNDAY PUNCH.

In the report, the sect was said to have identified about 24 of such members whom it claimed were killed unjustly.

One of them was the leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in 2010 in Maiduguri, after he had been reportedly captured alive by soldiers.

Yusuf was then handed over to the police, under whose custody, he died mysteriously.

The PUNCH learnt that the sect had put the compensation to the family of the 24 deceased members at N2m each.

Consequently, for the 24 families, the Diyya to be paid is N48m.

Apart from compensation, the sect is also pressing for the release of those unjustly detained.

Shortly after the sect rolled out its conditions for ceasefire on Thursday, the Presidency described it as a welcome development, “if it was intended to achieve the objectives of peace and security.”

Meanwhile, one of the people named by Boko Haram as mediators, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, said on Sunday that neither the Federal Government nor the sect had reached out to him over the proposed peace talks between the two parties.

The senator, however, refused to answer the question on whether he would be willing to play a mediatory role if invited by any of the parties or not.

The former governor said, “I have not been contacted by anybody, either from the Federal Government side or Boko Haram.

“What you have been hearing on radio or on televisions is false, thank you.”

Ibrahim is among the six mediators named by the sect on Thursday that would represent it in the proposed negotiation with the Federal Government

Others are a former Yobe State Governor, Shettima Ali Monguno; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari , Hajia Aisha Wakili and her husband, Alkali Wakili.

The group also gave a condition that the discussion with the government must take place in Saudi Arabia .

Ibrahim, who represents Yobe Central in the Senate, had been outspoken on issues of marginalisation of the North-East, saying that the situation had resulted in the heightened insecurity problem in the region.

Only last week, he denied predicting a situation “bigger than Boko Haram” after newspapers quoted him as justifying the sect’s insurgency as a result of long period of neglect of the North-East.

Meanwhile, Boko Haram on Sunday denied allegations that it was behind the killing of Maj-Gen. Mamman Shuwa and other politicians in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Shuwa was gunned down on Friday in his house at Gwange in Maiduguri along with his guests shortly before the Juma’at prayer, and the Joint Task Force in a statement said the killers were members of the sect.

Forty other people were reportedly killed in a bloodbath in another part of Maiduguri on Thursday night.

......OLUWOLE JOSIAH AND OLALEKAN ADETAYO/PUNCH, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012

Hoodlums Destroy N20m Oil Palm Farm In Enugu

Some unidentified persons have uprooted and set fire on the N20m Belform cocoa and palm oil plantation at Agboefiugo-Umuaram-Ikem area in Isi-Uzo council of Enugu State.

The act, The PUNCH learnt, was carried out on Saturday night. The over 2,000 destroyed palm stands were raised as nursery from Ikom in Cross River State and planted in the plantation early this year.

The farm consultant, Odu Okim, on Sunday, described the incident as economic sabotage, “especially at this period that government is encouraging investment in agriculture.”

He stated that the destruction has set back the investors’ morale and would obviously affect the number of employed farm attendants.

Okim, therefore, called on Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, the Enugu State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to commence full-scale investigation into the incident with hope of bringing the culprits to book.

The traditional ruler of Ikem community, Igwe Francis Okwor, said the land was not in dispute and wondered why the action was meted on his community.

He said, “I am worried because millions of naira have gone down the drain. Even before the discovery of crude oil, palm oil sustained the economy of Eastern Nigeria that it was even exported.

“I have already made a report to the police where I complained that what the people have done is bad. I don’t want my community to shed any blood again and that was why I reported to the government through the police. I’ve already told my people not to fight but to wait for government intervention.”

......Ozioma Ubabukoh/Punch

LIST: Africa's longest-serving leaders

PARIS, France - On Tuesday, November 6, Cameroonian President Paul Biya passes the milestone of 3 decades at the head of his west African state.

A list of Africa's longest-serving leaders:

33 years: Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Equatorial Guinea. Came to power in a coup on August 3, 1979.

33 years: Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Angola. Leader of the party which won independence from Portugal in 1975, Dos Santos has been in power since September 20, 1979.

32 years: Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe. The only remaining African leader to have been continuously in power since his country's independence, Mugabe became prime minister in April 1980 and president in 1987.

26 years: Yoweri Museveni, Uganda. Came to power in January 1986 after winning the war which ousted the brutal regime of Idi Amin Dada, with help from neighbouring Tanzania.

26 years: King Mswati III, Swaziland. Acceded to the throne of the tiny southern African kingdom in April 1986, four years after the death of his father.

25 years: Blaise Compaore, Burkina Faso. Came to power in October 1987, after a coup which ousted his former comrade in arms, Thomas Sankara.

23 years: Omar al-Beshir, Sudan. Has ruled since he seized power in a coup in June 1989.

21 years: Idriss Deby Itno, Chad. Emerged as the leader of the arid north-central African state in December 1990, after the war which ousted the regime of Hissein Habre.

All-time record holders

The longest-serving leaders of post-colonial African countries have been:

Emperor King Haile Selassie, who was ousted from power in Ethiopia in 1974 after 44 years.

Muammar Kadhafi of Libya, who ruled his north-African state for almost 42 years after a coup in 1969. Kadhafi was ousted and then killed in 2011, by a rebel movement backed by western warplanes.

Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled the west African state of Gabon for over 41 years until his death in October 2011. He was then succeeded by his son.

......AFP