Icheoku asks, who are these Nigerian government officials that were bribed to the tune of about $600million dollars ($579 million dollars) being ten (10%) percent of the $6 billion LNG contract awarded to the United States of America company, KBR, a subsidiary of Halliburton LLC? This is imperative because the company KBR has already admitted its complicity in the bribery-scandal when it pleaded guilty in a Houston-Texas courtroom on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 to bribing Nigerian officials to obtain contracts valued at more than $6 billion.
Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by authorizing and paying bribes from 1995 to 2004 for contracts to build liquefied natural gas facilities on Bonny Island, Nigeria. Icheoku says, now that the Nigerian culprits implicated in this bribery-scandal admission of guilt by KBR, (as inferred from the henchmen in power in Nigeria during the period under advisement), has been identified to include Army General Sani Abacha (1993 to 1998), Army General Abdulsalam Abubarkar (1998 to 1999) and Army General Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 to 2007). 
It is also instructive to note that the three men involved in the KBR bribery-scandal were all military generals who hijacked Nigerian government at one point or another; and were in office during the time of the 
proven bribery. Although it was during Olusegun Obasanjo second coming to office as a retired general, then president that he supervised the massive bribery while the other two, were as uniform-wearing despots/maximum rulers. Since the bribery was demanded and received from 1995 up until 2004, it means that Olusegun Obasanjo presided over most of the bribery and for a total period of five years! Mathematically, if you divide the $600million dollars bribe by the 9 years duration it took to pay it, it averages about $66 million dollars per 
year. The implication therefore is that Olusegun Obasanjo's five (5) years supervision of the bribery-scandal netted his government officials $330 million dollars in bribery proceeds. Nigeria, you now know who the number-one-thief-in-chief is - Olusegun Obasanjo? Where is the Farida Waziri led EFCC on this matter or will your fear of the untouchables in Nigeria continue to tarnish the sullen image of the country? Did Icheoku hear that the Information and Communication Minister Dora Akunyili is trying to re-brand Nigeria? If so, get Olusegun Obasanjo arrested immediately to account for this high crimes of demanding and receiving bribery from a foreign company doing business in Nigeria under his legendary pay to play presidency of Nigeria! As for Abdulsalam Abubarkar, his was tenuous at best since he was in power for less than one year? The successful prosecution of KBR in Houston United States, and its agreement to pay a penalty of more than $400 million, demonstrates that no one is above the law over there. Icheoku expects the Nigerian authorities to do the same with respect to those implicated Nigerian officials, as a positive step in their re-branding of Nigeria effort. Such will deter this kind of serious criminal misconduct and tell the world that Nigeria is now serious about revamping its image. Such action will be more far-reaching that all the pretences of re-branding as total gutting of the Nigeria society is what is needed and not mere lip-service of a make-over! It is equally important to note that all the senior managers and personnel involved in the bribery scandal has since been fired from KBR; so Nigeria what are you waiting for to effectively clean your own stinky Augean stable? Also KBR and her parent company Halliburton was forced to pay back in addition the $177 million in profits it made from the scandal-tainted contracts. Further KBR's former CEO, Albert "Jack" Stanley who pleaded guilty in September to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for his participation in the bribery scandal will be sentenced and sent to prison on May 6, 2009. Icheoku says this is a test-case for the EFCC to show cause why it is still relevant in fighting corruption in Nigeria. The evidence is there, it is overwhelming and the officials in charge in Nigeria during the period of a proven-bribery scandal have been identified by the period of the bribery demand and payment. Fortunately two of the implicated heads of government Abudulsalam Abubarkar and Olusegun Obasanjo are still very much around; so move you must, against them or forever be consigned to the garbage-bin of an un-serious but "pro-corruption" agency! As for Dora Akunyili, Icheoku is awaiting your government response on this development or will it be another cover-up, ostrich-style?
Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by authorizing and paying bribes from 1995 to 2004 for contracts to build liquefied natural gas facilities on Bonny Island, Nigeria. Icheoku says, now that the Nigerian culprits implicated in this bribery-scandal admission of guilt by KBR, (as inferred from the henchmen in power in Nigeria during the period under advisement), has been identified to include Army General Sani Abacha (1993 to 1998), Army General Abdulsalam Abubarkar (1998 to 1999) and Army General Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 to 2007). 
It is also instructive to note that the three men involved in the KBR bribery-scandal were all military generals who hijacked Nigerian government at one point or another; and were in office during the time of the 
proven bribery. Although it was during Olusegun Obasanjo second coming to office as a retired general, then president that he supervised the massive bribery while the other two, were as uniform-wearing despots/maximum rulers. Since the bribery was demanded and received from 1995 up until 2004, it means that Olusegun Obasanjo presided over most of the bribery and for a total period of five years! Mathematically, if you divide the $600million dollars bribe by the 9 years duration it took to pay it, it averages about $66 million dollars per 
year. The implication therefore is that Olusegun Obasanjo's five (5) years supervision of the bribery-scandal netted his government officials $330 million dollars in bribery proceeds. Nigeria, you now know who the number-one-thief-in-chief is - Olusegun Obasanjo? Where is the Farida Waziri led EFCC on this matter or will your fear of the untouchables in Nigeria continue to tarnish the sullen image of the country? Did Icheoku hear that the Information and Communication Minister Dora Akunyili is trying to re-brand Nigeria? If so, get Olusegun Obasanjo arrested immediately to account for this high crimes of demanding and receiving bribery from a foreign company doing business in Nigeria under his legendary pay to play presidency of Nigeria! As for Abdulsalam Abubarkar, his was tenuous at best since he was in power for less than one year? The successful prosecution of KBR in Houston United States, and its agreement to pay a penalty of more than $400 million, demonstrates that no one is above the law over there. Icheoku expects the Nigerian authorities to do the same with respect to those implicated Nigerian officials, as a positive step in their re-branding of Nigeria effort. Such will deter this kind of serious criminal misconduct and tell the world that Nigeria is now serious about revamping its image. Such action will be more far-reaching that all the pretences of re-branding as total gutting of the Nigeria society is what is needed and not mere lip-service of a make-over! It is equally important to note that all the senior managers and personnel involved in the bribery scandal has since been fired from KBR; so Nigeria what are you waiting for to effectively clean your own stinky Augean stable? Also KBR and her parent company Halliburton was forced to pay back in addition the $177 million in profits it made from the scandal-tainted contracts. Further KBR's former CEO, Albert "Jack" Stanley who pleaded guilty in September to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for his participation in the bribery scandal will be sentenced and sent to prison on May 6, 2009. Icheoku says this is a test-case for the EFCC to show cause why it is still relevant in fighting corruption in Nigeria. The evidence is there, it is overwhelming and the officials in charge in Nigeria during the period of a proven-bribery scandal have been identified by the period of the bribery demand and payment. Fortunately two of the implicated heads of government Abudulsalam Abubarkar and Olusegun Obasanjo are still very much around; so move you must, against them or forever be consigned to the garbage-bin of an un-serious but "pro-corruption" agency! As for Dora Akunyili, Icheoku is awaiting your government response on this development or will it be another cover-up, ostrich-style?
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Christy 'Apena' Essien-Igbokwe , the wife of Jegede Shokoya of the New Masquerade and Nigeria's lady of songs is dead; she was 51years old. Although her family claimed that "brief Illness" killed her like so many Nigerians; Icheoku retorts that it was most likely AKwa Ibom voodoo and remote control that was used to arrest her. It is on record that she had fallen out with the governor of her native Akwa Ibiom State and have been having a relentless war for political turf with the governor? So who knows whether she was sacrificed to Ekpe cult or even Alusi-Okija as an offal; afterall African science is still very much alive and portent. May her soul rest in peace.
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European donors may cut Nigeria anti-graft funding-REUTERS
ReplyDeleteWednesday, 11 February 2009 09:25 By Randy Fabi
ABUJA, Feb 11 (Reuters) - European donors may cut funding for Nigeria's anti-corruption police next year if the government does not show clearer results in its fight against graft, Western diplomats say.
The European Union is by far the biggest foreign donor to Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), providing a total of $32 million over the last four years or about 85 percent of the agency's foreign support.
"There have been low-level discussions about cutting some funding to the EFCC if things do not improve dramatically," said one Western diplomat working in Nigeria's capital Abuja.
"We are in a global recession. It shouldn't be a surprise there is a reluctance to throw more money at projects that clearly do not work."
Any drop in EU funding -- the current round expires at the end of the year -- would have a significant impact on anti-graft efforts as foreign money makes up a quarter of the EFCC's annual budget. It would also be seen by foreign investors as a vote of no-confidence in Yar'Adua's anti-graft drive.
President Umaru Yar'Adua came to power nearly two years ago pledging zero tolerance for graft and promising a new departure in a nation ranked one of the most corrupt in the world.
But critics question his commitment. They say powerful ex-state governors under fraud and money-laundering investigations are sabotaging the campaign.
The EFCC has charged 10 former state governors with graft since Yar'Adua took office, but only one has been convicted.
Those critics hope a Supreme Court ruling throwing out challenges to Yar'Adua's 2007 election and a newly reshuffled cabinet in place may give him the will to show more muscle.
"He still has time. This year is a real opportunity for him to show some political will. But the signs are not encouraging," said one expatriate in Abuja, who asked not to be identified.
ENDEMIC
Graft is endemic in Africa's most populous nation, from policemen at checkpoints demanding bribes to senior officials accused of embezzling millions of dollars.
Since taking the helm at the head of the EFCC last June, Farida Waziri has not received the same international respect as her predecessor, Nuhu Ribadu, who was credited with the prosecution of several former top government officials.
Ribadu, who said last year an apparent attempt had been made on his life and that he had received threatening phone calls, estimated that 40 percent of state revenues were plundered or wasted in Africa's top oil producer.
"The fight against corruption is not what it was under Ribadu," said another Western diplomat. "It does not seem to a be a priority anymore."
Some diplomats believe Yar'Adua should replace Waziri, a former high-ranking police officer.
The EFCC defended its record, saying it has made more than 36 convictions in the last seven months and recovered over 15 billion naira ($102 million) in financial fraud cases.
"The slow progress affecting the cases of some former governors is due to their multiple applications to stall the process," said spokesman Femi Babafemi, adding the agency has hired more lawyers to fight the legal wrangling. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Editing by Nick Tattersall and Matthew Jones)
We bribed Nigerian officials -Yar'adua's 'Cousin', MD Yusuf mentioned in Kickback Scheme-www.234NEXT.com
ReplyDeleteWednesday, 11 February 2009 22:54 By Musikilu Mojeed and Gbenga Olorunponmi
An offshoot of Halliburton Co., Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC, Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of bribing some Nigerian officials and politicians to corner the contract for the building of the $6 billion Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas plant on Bonny Island.
Court papers filed in Houston, in the United States, showed that KBR pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for promising and paying $180 million dollars in bribes to officials in Nigeria, in exchange for engineering and construction contracts between 1995 and 2004.
The corrupt payments were made to the Nigerian government officers and political party officials through various international consultants.
The indictment was inspired by criminal information filed by the United States Department of Justice in a federal court. Such filing is often used as part of a plea deal. KBR, a major engineering and construction services company with operations around the world, was severed as a separate public company from Halliburton in 2007.
This plea follows in tow of a guilty plea last September by its former CEO, Albert "Jack" Stanley. Stanley, a direct pick of the former US Vice president, Dick Cheney, to head KBR, also pleaded guilty to a separate count of conspiring to defraud KBR and others, in a deal through which he admitted receiving $10.8 million in kickbacks from a consultant hired by the company at his behest.
While the court has ordered KBR to pay a little over $400 million in fines and will closely supervise the company's activities for the next three years, Stanley's sentencing will come up on 6 May 2009.
U. S. District Judge Keith Ellison presided over the plea deal agreement. KBR General Counsel, Andrew Farley, represented the consortium in court.
TSKJ, the consortium under which Halliburton built the LNG plant, had in March 1995 hired a London lawyer, Jefferey Tesler, presumably to pass bribes to Nigerian officials. The lawyer's brief was to do everything possible, including bribing relevant officials, to ensure that TSKJ got the construction contract.
$40 million was reportedly earmarked for passage to late dictator, Gen Sani Abacha, alone through Mr. Tesler's firm Tri-Star, based in Gibralter, Spain. Tesler's firm was to receive $60 million for the assignment.
A French magistrate had also described the lawyer's transfer of $2.5 million into a Swiss bank account held by former petroleum minister, Dan Etete, under a false name.
Mr. Tesler confessed the payment but claimed that the money was for an investment in offshore oil exploration leases in Nigeria and that he was not aware the accounts belonged to Mr. Etete.
An investigative report of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition also indicated that a former Inspector General of Police, M.D. Yusufu, acted inappropriately during the process of awarding the contract to TSKJ.
BCSA, which also bided for the job, had complained to the then Petroleum Minister, Don Etiebet, that Shell Gas B.V, the technical advisor, had colluded with TSKJ on pricing information.
In response to the complaint, Mr. Etiebet rescheduled a meeting of the NLNG board fixed for 24 September, 1994, at which the TSKJ bid was to be approved. But Mr. Yusufu, who was the chairman of the NLNG board at the time, wrote a letter saying he would not reschedule the meeting.
The House Committee report interpreted this to mean that "a decision had been taken even before the board meeting of 24 September 1994." Investigators believe that Tesler induced Yusuf to back TSKJ's bid.
Nigeria, I weep for you! It's so unfortunate that we had to belong to such a corruption-ridden country. If not, why wouldn't people like Obasanjo have their heads chopped off for ruining the country? So, so unfortunate!
ReplyDeleteHalliburton: No plan to prosecute bribe takers yet – FG
ReplyDeleteBy Sebastine Ebhuomhan
Published: Saturday, 14 Feb 2009
There are strong indications in Abuja that the Federal Government will not investigate or probe Nigerian public officials said to have received $180million bribe from Halliburton, as it has not received any official communication from the US government on the matter.
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Photo file
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN)
The $180million bribe saga is in connection with four contracts for engineering, procurement and construction of Bonny Island Liquefied Natural Gas terminal worth over $6bn secured by Kellog Brown.
The US government, early this week arraigned the Americans involved in the case with five count charges, including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The bribes were paid between 1994 and 2004.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Michael Aoandoaaka, Mr. Alfred Akinyemi, said that his boss would not act on the case until the US authorities officially informed the Nigerian government and forwarded all the necessary documents for a proper legal action.
Akinyemi said, “The government has not acted until now because it is yet to receive formal information about those persons or organisations involved. All we have seen and read so far are newspaper reports.”
He said once that was done, the AGF would definitely advise the government on what to do.
He said, “In international relations, there is what we call Mutual Legal Assistance. It is a form of assistance with which they (the US Government) could furnish the AGF with the necessary legal documents showing those involved and the extent of involvement.”
However, diplomatic sources disagreed with the Aoandaaka’s aide, stressing that the Federal Government would have to formally request for such assistance before it could be granted.
When our correspondent contacted the United States Embassy in Abuja, its officials declined comments on the matter.
According to the Information Officer, the US Embassy does not comment on legal matters like that. The officer advised our correspondent to log onto the website of the US Department of Justice for relevant information.
KBR, a former unit of Halliburton, on Wednesday agreed to pay a $402m criminal fine as part of a plea bargain.
The House of Representatives had in 2003 probed the matter, during which it summoned a former Inspector General of Police who was on the board of LNG to assist it with information relating to the $180million scandal. Mr. Chudi Offodile chaired the committee.
The Executive Director of Lawyers League for Human Rights, Mr Jiti Ogunye said it was not in the character of the Yar‘Adua administration to prosecute those involved in criminality against the Nigerian state.
”Since the government has anti-corruption agencies, and based on the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to other international protocols, what a responsible government ought to do is to set the agencies to work with other bodies in other parts of the world to bring such people to justice,” he said.