“Nduka Obaigbena returns to Nigeria, lies low”

The publisher of Thisday newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, who is being investigated for receiving N670 million from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has returned to the country, a source who saw and spent time with him told PREMIUM TIMES.

On Wednesday, this newspaper reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had concluded plans to declare Mr. Obaigbena, and some former government officials as well as military officers, wanted, in relation to ongoing fraud investigations.

Mr. Nduka has denied he was involved in any criminal transaction. He explained that the money he received was compensation for Boko Haram attacks on his newspaper offices in Abuja and Kaduna, while another N120 million was on behalf of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and 12 newspapers, compensated for a clampdown by the military.

He explained that in line with international law his newspapers were covered against terrorist attack as the Nigerian government did not declare a state of war in Abuja.

“Nduka has been around for two weeks but he didn’t want to call attention to himself,” our source who asked not to be named, said.

He explained that Mr. Obaigbena presided over a meeting of the Nigerian Press Organisation where media practitioners decided to challenge the Court of Appeal judgment on the Nigerian Press Council Act, which gives government the power to regulate the media at the Supreme Court.

“Two days ago, he was at the Office of the National Security Adviser in response to the invitation by the panel investigating the arms deal.

“In fact, the Thisday Group, led by Kayode Komolafe, a director, had appeared before the EFCC. They were asked for their chairman, they said he was not around and that if they want him they will let him know.

“They’ve answered all the questions and that they are now surprised that the EFCC is trying to criminalize him,” the source said.

Comments

Rivers Governmnet, PDP Disagree Over $280 million Looan

The Rivers State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party in the state are currently at loggerheads over the request by the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, for a $280m loan for water and sanitation projects. While the state PDP said that the latest request for loan by the state government was unnecessary due to the resources accruing to the state through the federal allocation and internally generated revenue, the government said it was not true that the funds were to be used for 2015 elections. The state House of Assembly had on Monday endorsed Amaechi’s request for loan for water supply and sanitation projects. But the state PDP, in a statement, signed by the Special Adviser to its Chairman, Mr. Jerry Needam, said the request for loan was aimed at punishing the governor’s successor in 2015. The party called on members of the House of Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the African Development Bank and the World Bank not to honour the loan re...

Support For GEJ: C C Okirie Commends PDP In Rivers State

A frontline politician in Rivers State Chief Chukwuma Chinwa Oikrie has commended the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers state under the leadership of Bro. Felix Obuah (Go Round) for the support the party has given to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid. Chief Okirie made this known at Omoku Town the headquarters of Ogba/ Egbema / Ndoni local government area over the weekend when the Party opened the Campaign Office of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the LGA. While thanking the state Chairman for his support, Chief Okirie stated that with the support the President has received from the party in the state, there was even no need for him to come and campaign personally. “With the tremendous support the people of the state have accorded the President, I think he should go and rest. It is even immaterial if he comes to campaign personally because the people of the state are behind him. We will give him the traditional 100% votes we have alway...

“Stop Harassing Atiku’s Business Interests”- CC Okirie

A Port Harcourt based businessman and politician Chief Chukwuma C. Okirie has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria not to use or allow any of its agencies, parastatals or departments to be used in intimidating or harassing any business interest (s) of former vice President Alhaji Abubakar Atiku. Chief CC Okirie who is also the National Coordinator of Project AA a socio political group with wide follower-ship across the country said the former vice president of the country has sacrificed so much for democracy in the country and should not be subjected to any form of harassment due to his political ideology or aspiration. Chief Okirie who briefed newsmen during the meet the media chat with newsmen on the activities of his group PROJECT AA said it was high time Nigerians are allowed to speak their minds or aspire for any position of their choice without being witch hunted by authourities. He lamented that some people who believe they have some people in particular...

newsman

Search This Blog