Superscreen Bomber targets Chris Oyakhilome

SEYI Olayiwola Ahmed, the man who attempted to blow up the Superscreen TV on December 22, 2009, yesterday, on his sick bed at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, said his intention was not to hurt anybody, not even staff of the Superscreen TV, but to draw the attention of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers’ Loveworld Church better known as the Christ Embassy.
The 30 year-old Oyo State-born film producer and father of one, said he manufactured the explosives himself having learnt it on the internet. He claimed that he had been working for the church for some time now adding that the last job he did was not paid for and that his intention was to actually get the attention of the pastor for financial assistance.
Ahmed said: “I am somebody who learnt things by intuition, and so I was always browsing the net and because I have special interest in explosive I learnt how to make them.
I actually made three explosives, it was the smallest one that exploded at Logemo House and got me injured. Like I said, I was in a financial mess after the lady in one of the branches terminated my contract with them. The church did not even pay me for the one we did earlier for them let alone the latest.
So I was frustrated and wanted something to do to feed my family. My mission at the Superscreen was to ask how much they pay for the shooting of soap operas and other things and not to hurt anybody.
But it happened that the man I met said the person who was in a position to give me some of the information  was at the seventh floor. It was when I was going up that the explosive went off..”
Regretting his action, the failed bomber who spoke flawless English Language quoted some scriptures like “touch  not my anointed and do my prophet no harm.”
The incident which prompted yesterday’s confession, began, December 22, 2009, following an explosion on the fourth floor of the a nine-storey building at Onipanu along Ikorodu express road, where the bomb carrier was affected.
The explosives which was neatly wrapped as Christmas gift, was taken to Superscreen Television, on the ninth floor of the building when it exploded mid way, rocking the entire area.
At first, no one could give detailed account of the exact cause of the explosion, as there were varying accounts as to how the explosive got to the building.
But the following day, the Lagos Police Command boss, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, told anxious journalists that the victim of the blast was actually the messenger, adding that two additional explosives detonated by policemen from the Bomb Disposal Unit, were also discovered at the scene of the blast.
Salient issues
Although Akpoyibo was silent on other salient issues concerning the explosion, he, however, promised to do so at the appropriate time, noting that when the suspect’s abode, which he failed to disclose for what he described as security reasons, was searched, more items that aided the command’s investigation were discovered.
Vanguard, however, learnt that the suspect lived at the Fola Agoro area of  Shomolu, where he occupied a room apartment on the ground floor of the two-storey building. He wife also was said to have hurriedly left the house, holding two polythene bags and a sac, with a baby strapped to her back two days before the incident.
After the incident, security measures such as rigorous search of visitors into any of the companies in Logemo house was carried out. Vanguard gathered that the incident prompted the rejection of wrapped Christmas gifts from unknown persons, particularly by Supercreen Television staff.
Meanwhile at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where the 30-year-old Olayinwola Ahmed was initially admitted at the intensive care unit, security was tightened as only designated doctors were allowed to attend to him.
Some police nurses were also detailed to take care of him and also kept an eye on any visitor that requested to see him. Unfortunately there was reportedly none, until last weekend when two visitors who came visiting bolted away before nurses could alert plain clothes policemen.

Peoples Progressive Alliance Blames FG on terror list

The Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA, has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party  led Federal Government for not doing enough to defend Nigeria in the face of the latest action by the US, which branded the country a terrorist nation.
According to  PPA, the failure of the government at the   centre to react strongly against the accusation was giving the world reason to believe that Nigeria is guilty as charged and that there is no governance in the country.
The US took the action following the arrest of Farouk Abdulmutallab in Detroit on December 25 last year, for attempting to blow up a Northwest Airlines aircraft.
The National Chairman of the party, Mr. Larry Esin, said in a statement yesterday that the US action will have far reaching consequences for the country both economically and politically.
He said, “it is sad that the PDP led government has not spoken up in defence of the country they claim to love more than anyone else, after the latest action of the US government, which has included Nigeria  on the list of terrorist nations.
“The government that claims to have been ‘elected’ by the people is sitting back and watching the stripping of Nigeria before the entire world. The branding of Nigeria as a terrorist nation has far reaching consequences for all of us Nigerians. It will dampen economic growth and the much touted vision 20/20 and the PDP’s so called seven point agenda, as Foreign Direct Investment will shrink astronomically.
“Much  needed technology transfer and capacity building will also shrink as visas for students and other vocational training will be reduced,” the party added.

Nigeria in terror list is a harrasment by Prof Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday said that the listing of Nigeria as a ‘security risk state’ by the United States amounted to an harassment of Nigerians.
The US had on Sunday listed Nigeria among 10 countries classified as ‘security risk states.’
It said that passengers travelling to the US from the 10 countries and four others classified as ‘sponsors of terror’ would face tougher security screening.
The US decision came after an attempted terrorist attack by a 23-year-old Nigerian, Mr. Umar AbdulMutallab, on a Delta Airlines plane at Detroit International Airport, Detroit, Michigan on Christmas Day.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Soyinka also condemned in strong terms, President Umaru Yar’Adua’s failure to hand over to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan before embarking on his current medical trip to Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the decision of the US to include Nigeria on the list of countries whose citizens would undergo extra security screening at US airports is punishment to innocent Nigerians.
He said the extra security screening at the airports could make a lot of Nigerians having engagements in other countries, especially in the US, to cancel their trips, adding that he was already thinking along that direction.
While acknowledging that the Nigerian government may have its pitfalls, Soyinka said the decision of the US would affect the citizens more and not the government.
He said, “What the US did is a punishment to Nigerians, not the government. They are harassing the people by that decision. Agreed, we have our internal problems as a country, but they would have looked at other ways of dealing with the problem.
“Apart from harassment, many people may decide to cancel their trips. I am already revisiting my dairy to put off some trips. Travelling on its own is a burden; the situation at the moment has further been worsened by this restriction.
“Already, you can no longer check in on some airlines on the Internet. The moment the word Nigeria appears, you cannot go further, even though every other thing was done. These are consequences for us and this is what I want the US government to understand. They are harassing the people, not the government.”
While condemning in totality the terrorist attempt by AbdulMutallab, Soyinka said when faced with that kind of situation, leaders of both countries ought to have opened communications link.
He regretted that lack of communication between the leadership of both countries arose because of the vacuum created by Yar’Adua’s failure to constitutionally hand over power to Jonathan.
The playwright said, “When a situation like this arises, you have all the agencies discussing. But looking at a nation which has no head at the moment, this is what you get.
“We already have a sinking reputation, they see us as unpredictable. To worsen the matter, there is no head with whom President Barrack Obama could talk. This is what really the bottom of the issue is.”
Asked if it was possible for the US to rescind its decision on Nigeria, Soyinka said it was, but condemned the National Assembly for issuing a seven-day ultimatum to the US government.
He said such a decision was absurd, expressing hope that the National Assembly would see the absurdity in its action when it resumes sitting next week.
He said, “It is possible for the US to reverse the decision, but the National Assembly’s absurdity by the seven-day ultimatum is not it. I am convinced that they will see the absurdity of their action when they resume.”
On the medical trip by Yar’Adua without handing over power to Jonathan, Soyinka said the decision of the President was an insult on the 140 million Nigerians,
He argued that it was bad for a President to travel out of the country for one week without handing over to his deputy, let alone for about being absent for more than 40 days.
The respected playwright and social analyst also explained that the complexities arising from the alleged signing of the 2009 supplementary Appropriation bill by Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia called for investigation.
But he expressed doubts over the ability of those in positions of authority to commence such an investigation.
Soyinka said, “There were complexities about Yar’Adua’s signature. There should be a commission of enquiry, but who will start it? Is it the Inspector-General of Police or members of the Federal Executive Council, among who are those who are too happy about the present situation?
“Each of them is doing what they want at the moment. Or, is it the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, who said Yar’Adua could rule from anywhere? What sort of a nation do we find ourselves?
“It is an insult on the intelligence of 140 million Nigerians that this situation continued for even more than one week, not to talk about over 40 days.”
On the way out of the present imbroglio, Soyinka called on Nigerians to demand the fulfillment of what is stated in the constitution.
He said, “Nigerians should go to the streets and demand for the fulfillment of the constitution; they should go to the National Assembly to make this demand.”
Asked if the current stalemate could lead to a disintegration of the country or military incursion into the political scene, Soyinka said the military should not be allowed or encouraged to solve the problem.
He, however, said that the country had started breaking apart since the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Soyinka said, “Unfortunately, this country began to break apart during the tenure of Obasanjo. When we look at the actions of Obasanjo, you will begin to know that he had programmed the country for disintegration.
“Obasanjo’s deliberate inactions for allowing the Sharia law run in a circular form was one instance. We had two different systems of government. That was one instance.”

Federal Govt okays life jail for terrorists, sponsors

Indications emerged, yesterday, that Federal Government might have parted ways with the Senate over its call on the United States of America to delete the name of Nigeria from the terror watch-list within seven days or incur a diplomatic row.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) who gave the hint in Abuja, said the Federal Government was poised to embrace dialogue instead of confrontation. The occasion was a World Press Conference at the Conference Room of the Attorney-General’s chambers.  Meantime, a United States grand jury has indicted Umar Farouk Abdulmuttallab over a plot to blow up a plane on Christmas Day while it was also revealed that Abdulmuttallab was recruited in London by Al Qaeda.

FG makes U-turn

In revealing government’s latest decision to mellow, Chief Aondoakaa, however, said the Federal Government was working closely with the National Assembly to ensure that a bill proposing life jail term for terrorists and their sponsors is passed without further delay. He said the bill was forwarded to the National Assembly in last October.

The attorney general who noted that the country was not just waking up on the global fight against terrorism because of the Muttallab’s issue, said: “it is pertinent to note that there are about 16 United Nations, UN, and African Union, AU, instruments on counter terrorism, all dealing with related issues ranging from money laundering, drug trafficking, crime to nuclear terrorism .

It is noteworthy that Nigeria has been able to sign and ratify nine of these. Nigeria is also considered to be at a good compliance level with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 of  2001, 1455 of 2003, 1526 of 2004 and 1822 of 2008 on issues related to counter terrorism.”

He said he had got the assurances of the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly to get the bill on terrorism passed into law as soon as they resume for the next legislative session, stressing: “We are not saying we are not in support of the seven day ultimatum by the Senate but we are dialoguing with the US. We are presenting our effort.

What we are doing is the issue of global fight. If it happens to a brother, a sister country, it is not something that you should have a quarrel with. It is something you should join hands together to create measures with which you combat it.

Friendly country

“This is so because, everyday, terrorists are getting new advanced methods and all countries in the world must join hands to think together to get new methods to deal with the situation. Our position is to deal with the US as a  friendly country, with mutual relationship, cooperate fully and take emergency measures in Nigeria that will complement measures being taken by them and globally.

We have taken steps to pre-empt any future occurrence of this situation in Nigeria and elsewhere. We have proposed a bill to the National Assembly which stipulates that if you conspire to commit an act of terrorism anywhere in the world, but you did not do it on Nigerian soil but the conspiracy took place in Nigeria or aspects of the conspiracy took place in Nigeria you go in for life. The bill before the National Assembly seeks to criminalize and punish all acts of terrorism, terrorists and their associates including their sponsors.

The bill clearly defines and prohibits all acts of terrorism and its support. It makes violation of provisions of the bill an offence and prescribes penalties for such violation. The bill further makes provision for listing and delisting, freezing of funds and financial assets of terrorist groups and prevention of their entry into or transit in Nigeria.”

He said: “We assure Nigerians that the issue of Nigeria being on the list of country of interest will be resolved. We will be transparent and by this mechanism, we will invite our colleagues from the United States. We are going to be very open and transparent in the investigation of this incident. I have assured my colleague, the Attorney-General of the United States that we will give full cooperation and all requests relating to investigation will be granted. We have nothing to hide.

We have visual information at the Murtala Muhammed airport which we expect our counterpart from the United States should come in and have physical inspection that our security agencies did what they were supposed to do.

“The young man came in, he was screened and it is on the visual information. He removed his shoes. He first came, he walked to the right, tried to go to the right screening machine, then suddenly changed his mind and came to the left, removed his shoes and entered. It is there. Our security agencies did all that was required under the law to ensure that Nigeria complied with international standard.

We feel that the long existing relationship between us and the United States will be mutually continued. I am very hopeful that with the fact and what we are placing before the United States government, they will rescind the decision. Nigeria is not a terrorist country. Nigeria will not and cannot be on a list of countries of interest because we have a track record of peace keeper.”

Money  Laundering Act

Aondoakaa who said that the Money Laundering Act 2004 would be amended to curtail terror financing, added that another law which, in his view, would check the incidence of terrorism was the Maritime Security Agency Bill which was also pending before the National Assembly.

He described the Bill as one of the President Umaru Yar’Adua’s commitment to meeting Nigeria’s international obligations as it relates to the war against terrorism. He also disclosed that henceforth, any person or group of persons involved in religious violence would be prosecuted, stressing: “The body of Attorneys-General at its meeting held in Jos, Plateau State resolved that religious based violence should no longer be tolerated in the country. Henceforth, commissioners of police have been instructed to ensure that all religious based violence are properly investigated and prosecuted.

To ensure that there are no hitches in the process, it was resolved that the AGF should give appropriate fiats to state Attorneys-General to prosecute federal offences committed within their jurisdiction. It is hoped that this will streamline the process and enable the prosecution of such offences to be conducted speedily.”

Farouk may get life jail

Umar Farouk Abdulmuttallab, 23, was indicted, Wednesday, by a grand jury on six counts arising from a botched Christmas Day plot to blow up an airliner packed with 290 passengers and crew as it approached Detroit, Michigan. The charges included attempted murder and trying to use a weapon of mass destruction aboard a US plane. Attorney General Eric Holder said a “global” hunt was tracking those who helped the alleged bomber.

If convicted of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction, Abdulmuttallab faces life imprisonment. According to US Attorney General, Eric Holder in a statement, “This investigation is fast-paced, global and ongoing, and it has already yielded valuable intelligence that we will follow wherever it leads. Anyone we find responsible for this alleged attack will be brought to justice using every tool – military or judicial – available to our government.”

Al Qaeda ‘recruited Farouk in London’

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab charged with attempted murder over the alleged Christmas Day plot was recruited by al Qaeda in London, according to reports. Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, 23, has been charged with attempted murder and trying to use a weapon of mass destruction after allegedly trying to blow up a plane. Yemen deputy prime minister had acknowledged that Muttallab had been in his country.

But he said Muttallab had been recruited by al Qaeda in London, adding that he had been equipped and trained in Nigeria. On Thursday, Yemen’s deputy prime minister for defence and security affairs, Rashad al-Aleemi, revealed that Abdulmutallab had met with radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaqi

However, senior Home Office officials have denied that Muttallab was recruited by al Qaeda in the UK, saying they think he was recruited and radicalised abroad. “The Nigerian hid in Shabwa area in Wadi Rafadh (east of Sanaa) where he met Awlaqi and Mohammad Omair, who was killed in the air raid on Wadi Rafadh,” the minister said.

Suicide bombing is NOT Nigerian

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that suicide bombing for which the country’s image has been smeared abroad by Farouk Abdulmutallab was completely alien to the Nigerian culture and certainly not one of the nation’s social problems.

Jonathan made the remark in Abuja when he received the winner of the Big Brother Africa show, Mr. Kevin Chuwang Pam, and members of his publicity campaign team who paid him a courtesy visit,saying that the terrorist act would disappear the way it came.

He advocated improved guidance and support for Nigerian youths, particularly those in the creative arts and sports towards excelling in their professional endeavors and boosting national image in the process.
“Yes, we have our social problems but certainly not suicide bombing. This is completely alien to Nigeria. It is a new dimension that will certainly phase out,” he stated.

Expressing belief in the ability of young people to bring about positive change in the society, the vice president said encouragement should be given to youths who are willing to utilize their talents positively as one way of fast-tracking the national rebranding campaign.
He recalled that after the heroic soccer victory of the Nigerian U-23 Dream Team at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, the country earned international recognition as foreigners worldwide were eager to identify with Nigerians.
He equally noted that the South African Deputy President, Mr. Kgalema Mothlante, who visited Nigeria not long ago remarked that some of Nigeria ’s greatest ambassadors were its actors and actresses.

“I believe in the ability of young people as agents of change in a society. If the vision of our youths is positive, then Nigeria has hope for a bright future. Therefore the preparation and encouragement we give to the younger generation matter a lot,” he further stated.

Vice President Jonathan commended Kevin for making Nigeria proud, saying “we are proud of you for promoting Nigeria positively and noted that if Kevin’s innate attributes hadn’t been positive and good, the watching African society would not have voted him as the winner.

Pledging moral support for Kevin in rallying society to identify with his (Kevin) project and endeavours, he acknowledged the modification of the last edition of the Big Brother Africa show in line with African moral values, adding “I was briefed that this last edition improved significantly in terms of morality. As Africans, we have a high regard for morality and cannot drop our true identity.”

Earlier in his remarks, Kevin had thanked the Vice President for receiving him and his team, describing the him as a father and leader who is ever willing to support youths that have showcased their talents to promote Nigeria ’s image internationally.

He said he saw the BBA as a canvass for painting an appealing character that could be used to affect others positively, pointing out that that rebranding should not be left for government alone.
He presented the Vice President with a blueprint of his social campaign which is geared towards combating social vices and restructuring the mentality of young people in a positive direction.

Why I can’t come home –Ribadu

Inspite of the warrant of arrest hanging on his neck, the embattled former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu did not show up at the Code of Conduct Tribunal that has ordered him to appear before it on Thursday citing his inability to renew his traveling documents.

Rather than honour the Tribunal’s invitation, Ribadu has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in a bid to set aside the warrant of arrest issued against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
His counsel, Mr. Femi Falana who brought an ex-parte application before the court presided over by Justice Garuba Umar prayed for an order restraining the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo from executing the warrant.

He further prayed the court to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal pending the determination of the application challenging the powers of the Tribunal to try him.
But Justice Umar, who declined to grant the interim injunction directed the Tribunal to come before him on January 13, 2010 and show cause why it should not be stopped from continuing to try Ribadu.
When proceedings resumed at the Code of Conduct yesterday, Ribadu was visibly absent.
His counsel, Sola Egbeyinka informed the Tribunal that Ribadu was unable to renew his traveling documents adding that as soon as that was done, “he will appear before the Tribunal.”

Not convinced, the prosecution counsel, Anthony Malik said it was a ploy to stay away from the Tribunal as Ribadu recently traveled to Liberia on the invitation of the Liberian Government.
Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Constance Mommoh who adjourned further proceedings to January 28, 2009 said the warrant of arrest issued against Ribadu would not be executed if he voluntarily submits himself to the Tribunal.

Ribadu is facing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over criminal charges bordering on non-declaration of assets as required by the public officers Code of Conduct laws of Nigeria.
At the Federal High Court, Ribadu is contending that the Tribunal was an appendage of the presidency even as he stated that the official cars attached to the judges in the court carry number plates like “PRESIDENCY CCT 1, PRESIDENCY CCT 2 etc,” an indication, according to him, that there might not be fair hearing.
Falana in a motion exparte brought pursuant to Order IV Rule 3 of the fundamental enforcement procedure Rules 2009 as preserved by section 315 of the 1999 constitution inherent jurisdiction of the Honorable Court prayed for the following orders:

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd respondent whether by himself, his agents, his privies, and servants from executing the warrant for the apprehension and production of the applicant before the 1st respondent pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice herein.
“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st respondent from further hearing the case of Attorney General V. Nuhu Ribadu in charge No: FCT/ABJ/01/09 pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice herein.”

The supporting affidavit deposed to by Ogala noted that on “September 10, 2009, Ribadu paid a condolence visit to the family of Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN in Lagos and was at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja to pray for the soul of the deceased .