Showing posts with label 419 nigerians in new york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 419 nigerians in new york. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
REP. CHARLES RANGEL, WRANGLED BY THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE!
"Sixty years ago I survived a Chinese attack in North Korea and as a result I haven't had a bad day since. But today I have to reassess that statement." With those words Democrat House of Representative member from New York, representing Harlem for nearly forty years now, Charles Rangel finally came to terms with his fate - a corruption tarnished congressional tenure! Icheoku says it is only a matter of time before the congressman resigns his office or is expelled/fired by his colleagues for being such blemish on the House. What a low note to end a towering political career which spanned four long and meritorious decades. This is another example of the irony of life which no mortal can ever predict, that man majority of the time is his own greatest worst enemy. Oh Charlie, why?Representative Charles Rangel was accused by House investigators of 13 count violations of congressional ethics standards including failure to report rental income from vacation property in the Dominican Republic, hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional income and assets on his his financial disclosure statements. his use of congressional staff and stationery to raise money for a center in City College of New York named after him; accepting favors and benefits from the donors that may have influenced his congressional actions; use of a subsidized New York apartment as a campaign office instead of a residence; and misuse of the congressional free mail privilege. At 80 years old, Icheoku asks, what use is putting old Charlie through the grueling mill of a prosecution and trial; instead let the House force his resignation and then rest the matter. Mr. Rangel served his country both as a young military serviceman and also as a congressman for forty years without blemish until this current episode. Icheoku says it is possible that old age associated 'senility' clouded Charlie's rationality to the extent that he did not fully appreciate the gravity of his indulgences which in turn brought about his current travails? No one died in the process; so instead of crushing old man Charlie with a sledge-hammer, let his past records come to his aid and with a reasonable fine, allow Representative Charles Rangel to just 'disappear' into a well deserved, earned and long over-due retirement where he could live out his golden age in peace. We are not condoning his infractions nor advocating a no-guilty acquittal but that justice be tampered with mercy, his well advanced old age and years of service to his country considered. Icheoku adds that forty years is such a long time for just one person to be occupying a public office; and this should serve as another ground to let old Charlie go. Therefore it is about time that Representative Charles Rangel yielded that Harlem seat to a younger more dynamic person with added stamina and fresh new ideas to move legislations forward. Charlie's longevity in the House of Representatives and its approaching inglorious end helps persuade the argument by some school of thought that it is about time term limits are set for our national assembly just like some states in the union are already doing with the California's example. Finally Icheoku says, whether or not, as the Republicans who have already smelled blood in the water and plans to use Charlie's mishap as a campaign tool against the Democrats in the upcoming November mid-term elections, insists that 'the plea bargaining phase is now over and that the House is now in the trial phase," only one end-result can be achieved - his conviction. So why proceed with the drama of a circuitous trial if Charles Rangel agrees on his plea bargain to fall on his sword by admitting his culpability. This is a meaningful resolution of his ethical violations and one that will admit Rangel a more respectful exit from a scene which he had bestrode for a very long time. But either way and no matter how the matter is finally resolved, what a pitiful way to end a very long and otherwise would have been a stellar political career; it also adds another impetus to the existing cynicism in the polity that Washington politicians are there for themselves only, and that they are all the same irrespective of the partisan strips they may be wearing. But hey, a belated draining of the swamp promised by Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi? FYI: Lawyers for indicted Charles Rangel and the House Ethics Committee finally worked out a plea deal, which the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct have to approve in order to give it any efficacy; provided of course that Republicans do not insist on proceeding full steam with the trial.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
NIGERIAN FRAUDSTERS, NEED RE-BRANDING?
Dora Akunyili, now you have your job cut out for you, as these Nigerian alleged fraudsters could use some of your re-branding potion! They are very good candidates for your re-branding program? They are the reason why Nigeria has no moral value abroad and treated with utmost disdain as a very fraudulent country? Who gives Nigeria a bad name but such fellows as were arrested in New York just recently, for various credit-cards frauds? This people and their likes are part of the reason why Nigeria needs re-branding? Icheoku says, an opportunity has never presented itself better for the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria, than the present arraignment of these Nigerians for various acts of frauds in New York, United States of America. If convicted, EFCC must explore ways to re-try these people in Nigeria for their anti-Nigeria's image activities; and possibly confiscate their assets and properties which they have squirrelled up in Nigeria over the period of their expatriate escapades! Examples are painful but are very instructive! What very "good" ambassadors of Nigeria these folks really are? Probably, they fell under pressure of trying to prove themselves to their people back home in Nigeria, that America is all this and that; that they have made it and now living the American dream? What an unfortunate nation that produces so much criminality that no sane person trusts any of them throughout the globe? As always, Nigeria is once again "demanding" that United States of America government give them details about these 40 Nigerians. Icheoku asks, doesn't the Nigeria government know that freedom of information act is operational in America and that a little diligent search of publicly available records would reveal all there is to know about these suspects? Better still, they can engage an attorney to go to Borough of Queens, New York and demand to see what evidence they may have against these arrested Nigerians? However, Nigeria have made so many broken promises to her citizens in the past and no one really looks forward to seeing anything come out of the present development in New York. The fact of the matter is that Nigerians need to change their ways; and until the world begins to see Nigeria as a safe place where the incidences of fraud and corruption no longer take the center stage, it is going to remain same old same old! Icheoku says, what is required now is a firm commitment by the authorities in Abuja especially EFCC to set example of their anti-corruption effort with this 40 Nigerians, who have rubbished whatever is left of the image of Nigeria. Enough should really be enough, and opportunity now knocks!
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