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Looters’ List: Secondus Demands Retraction, N1.5bn, Fayose, Metuh Fume

Published

8 years ago

April 1, 2018

Eric

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has given the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, 48 hours to withdraw his statement against him or face litigation.

According to the spokesperson for the PDP chairman, Mr. Ike Abonyi, who said this in a statement on Saturday, Secondus made the demand in a letter to the minister by his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN).

The minister had alleged that the party chairman collected N200m from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2015.

But in the letter with reference number EESE&C/1/31/03/18 dated March 31, 2018 and addressed to the minister, the party chairman also demanded a retraction, apology and payment of N1.5bn as damages.

The lawyer alleged that the said publication “has damaged the image of Secondus as he has been humiliated, castigated and vilified by many as a result of the falsehood published by the minister.”

The letter noted that if Mohammed failed to meet the demands within 48 hours, “we shall within 72 hours from today, proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction to ventilate our client’s right under the law and shall further seek the protection of the court against you.”

Also, on Saturday, the PDP alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had no moral rectitude to fight corruption in the country, describing him as a direct beneficiary of what it called “corruption freebies” deployed by his party leaders to fund his 2015 presidential campaign.

The party noted that the President, who declared that he had no resources to run a presidential campaign in 2015, ought to have known, particularly as a leader, that the billions of naira deployed in his campaigns were proceeds of alleged corrupt activities of known All Progressives Congress governors and leaders.

The party therefore challenged Buhari to make open the sources of funds available to his campaign in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 races, as well as the names of the donors.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said Buhari and his party leaders had “huge confessions” to make on how they allegedly raked in stolen state resources to prosecute the 2015 elections.

He said, “If the Federal Government and the APC are serious about fighting corruption and not just out to persecute PDP members, they should have begun with the probe into the source of the billions of naira used for President Buhari’s 2015 presidential campaigns, particularly in the face of allegations that the fund was looted from treasuries of various APC states.

“Can President Buhari, in all honesty, claim ignorance of reports in the open media that a South-South governor (allegedly) looted several billions from his state accounts and diverted the sums into Buhari’s 2015 campaigns?

“We challenge President Buhari to tell Nigerians what he has done regarding the leaked memo showing N9tn ($25bn dollars) corrupt oil contracts at the NNPC as well as the alleged stealing of N1.1tn worth of crude oil, all in a sector under his direct purview as Minister of Petroleum.

“The Presidency should tell Nigerians what has been done to recover the stolen N18bn Internally Displaced Persons intervention fund and the N10bn National Health Insurance Scheme fund alleged to have been stolen from the Treasury Single Account by APC officials and Presidency cabal.”

Also, the Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Ayodele Fayose, in a related development, faulted the “looters’ list” released by the Federal Government which included the name of Secondus.

Fayose, who is the Ekiti State governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, wondered why the list did not include the names of those who had been earlier indicted by the Federal Government.

The statement said, “Surprisingly, while the name of the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus (with N200m) appeared on Lai Mohammed’s clownish “looters’s list”, that of Diezani Alison-Madueke, who they claimed to have traced N47.2bn and $487.5m to, was missing.

“Is it that the Federal Government lied against Diezani ab initio, or she has also been baptised into the All Progressives Congress comity of saint looters?”

In its own reaction, the Rivers State Government has said it will not publish the list of those indicted by a panel of inquiry it set up to probe the sale of assets belonging to the state because a White Paper on the matter was already in the public domain.

The Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah, told one of our correspondents that the immediate past governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had gone to court to challenge the constitution of the judicial panel of inquiry.

He said, “If the White Paper has done the job and it is in the public domain, what is new again about the list?”

A former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, also alleged that there was a secret plan by the Federal Government to convict him for corruption.

Metuh, who is on trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged corruption, was named by Mohammed to be among six members of the PDP who allegedly looted the treasury in 2015.

Metuh, in a statement titled ‘My reply to the media trial’ on Saturday, said, “By this publication, the Federal Government has breached our constitution by seeking to burden me with two criminal trials on the same charge, one before Justice Okon Abang and the other before the media.”

“The major crux of the prosecutions argument is that I ought to have known that the money was part of an alleged and yet-to-be proven unlawful activity of Col Sambo Dasuki(retd.), a former NSA to President Jonathan.

“In view of the weakness of the case against me, the APC led Federal Government resorted to all kinds of dirty tactics to dehumanise and intimidate me.

“I have been reliably informed that the Federal Government has ordered a conviction at all cost to ensure that the PDP is tainted before the elections. The government ‘s determination to achieve this objective is clearly highlighted by the refusal to allow me to attend to my deteriorating health notwithstanding several expert medical opinions on the matter.”

Metuh said that, by going to the media to name him a looter and without cross-checking the definition and dictionary meaning of the word, the Federal Government has not only given “ a body language but has issued a direct intimidation and threat to the judiciary to get a compulsory conviction.”

With this, he said there was no way the Federal Government would allow justice to be done in his case.

The Punch

Featured

I Won’t Be Intimidated, Seun Okinbaloye Replies Wike

Published

7 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Eric

Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has said he is not afraid and will not be intimidated following controversy surrounding remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while also thanking Nigerians and organisations for their support.

Okinbaloye made this known during a broadcast on Sunday, where he acknowledged the outpouring of solidarity from civil society groups, viewers, and both local and international organisations.

“I sincerely want to thank civil society organisations, our viewers, for your love and your comments and your solidarity… Your support is deeply appreciated and reinforces our collective commitment to truth and accountability,” he said.

The anchor warned that democracy could be undermined if dissenting voices are silenced, stating that “our democracy is in danger if we allow one way traffic in balloting.”

He stressed that his comments were not directed at any political group but at all Nigerians, adding that “this is not a warning to the opposition or the ruling party, but to all Nigerians who believe in the development of our nation.”

Okinbaloye disclosed that he received reassurances regarding his safety, noting “the ongoing reassurance from the Department of State Services,” and also revealed that “I also received a call from the Honourable Minister who clarified that the intention was not as conveyed.”

Despite the clarification, he cautioned against the use of inflammatory language, saying “violent rhetoric or suggestive threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society,” especially during an election period when “clear and consistent assurances of safety are critical.”

He added that such statements could create risks if misinterpreted, warning that “we must not create an environment where such statements can be exploited by those with harmful intentions.”

The anchor maintained that he would continue to hold public officials accountable, stating, “I will continue to do what I love, asking the necessary questions, holding power to account… If that commitment comes at a cost, so be it.”

The controversy followed remarks by Wike during a media parley in Abuja, where he reacted to Okinbaloye’s comments on a Channels Television programme discussing the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of a one-party state, a position the minister criticised as inappropriate for a journalist.

Although Wike later clarified that he did not intend physical harm, his aide, Lere Olayinka, said the remark was made “in a hyperbolic context… without intent,” explaining that the minister was responding to what he perceived as the anchor’s involvement in political commentary rather than neutral moderation.

Olayinka added, “The Minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye. What he meant was that he was angry seeing Okinbaloye descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, instead of an interviewer.”

However, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the minister’s statement, describing it as “reckless and violent,” and warning that such language could incite attacks on journalists and undermine press freedom.

The organisation said the remark “carries the danger of normalising violence and encouraging the targeting of journalists for just doing their job,” stressing that such comments from public officials are unacceptable.

Featured

Gov Adeleke Commends MicCom Legacy As Family Launches N150m Engineering Endowment at OAU

Published

3 days ago

April 3, 2026

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has commended the legacy of indigenous manufacturing firm MicCom Cables and Wires, describing it as a symbol of Nigerian innovation and industrial resilience.

Speaking at the inauguration of a ₦150 million MicCom Memorial Endowment for Engineering Development at Obafemi Awolowo University, Adeleke said the company’s founders, the late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle and Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, demonstrated that Nigerian engineers can compete globally.

Delivering his address, Governor Adeleke described the occasion as both a moment of remembrance and a celebration of a legacy that continues to shape the future of engineering in Nigeria.

“We are remembering two exceptional lives, while celebrating a legacy that continues to build, teach, and inspire even beyond their passing,” the governor said.

He highlighted the pioneering roles of the late couple in advancing indigenous manufacturing through MicCom Cables and Wires, at a time when Nigeria heavily relied on imported engineering technologies. Their bold commitment to local innovation, Adeleke noted, demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian engineers to compete on the global stage.

The governor emphasized that the Ponnles exemplified a rare partnership built on shared vision and complementary strengths, with Engr. Michael Ponnle providing leadership in enterprise development, while Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Ponnle was known for her technical discipline and operational excellence.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of MicCom Cables & Wires Ltd, Bukola Adubi, stated that the endowment is designed to sustain their parents’ legacy while supporting the development of future generations of engineers.

“The endowment being inaugurated today is more than a ceremonial gesture; it is a purposeful commitment to the future of engineering, innovation, and technological advancement in Nigeria. Established in honour of Late Engr. Michael Ayantunde Ponnle, FNSE, OON, OFR, and Late Engr. (Mrs.) Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, FNSE, the fund seeks to immortalize their remarkable legacy while creating a lasting platform for the development of future engineers,” she said.

Adubi added that the Ponnles were pioneers in Nigeria’s industrial sector, having founded one of the country’s first indigenous cable manufacturing companies at a time when local production capacity was still evolving.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Simeon Bamire, described the MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund as a visionary initiative that will create opportunities for future engineers through scholarships, research support, and upgraded facilities.

“The ₦150 Million MicCom Memorial Endowment Fund represents a strategic investment in engineering education and innovation. This fund will foster academic excellence through cutting-edge research, provide scholarships to deserving students, upgrade facilities, and nurture the next generation of engineers equipped to tackle Nigeria and Africa’s most pressing technological and infrastructural challenges,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony brought together dignitaries from academia, government, industry, and traditional institutions, including Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, celebrating the enduring legacy of the Ponnles and their contribution to Nigeria’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Featured

ADC: Timi Frank Warns INEC, APC Against Setting Nigeria on Fire, Seeks America’s Intervention

Published

4 days ago

April 2, 2026

Eric

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has warned that recent actions involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could destabilise Nigeria’s democratic system if not urgently addressed.

Frank also called on the United States government, including President Donald Trump, to intervene in safeguarding democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank reacted to a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend recognition of the leadership of the ADC, including that of David Mark, as well as a rival claim by Nafiu Bala Gombe, pending the determination of a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

He alleged that the development reflects a growing pattern of interference in opposition parties, warning that such actions could “set Nigeria on fire.”

“INEC and the APC-led government appear to be taking steps that threaten the very foundation of our democracy,” Frank said, adding that recent developments suggest a coordinated attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank drew parallels with the regime of former Head of State, Sani Abacha, alleging that current trends mirror past efforts to suppress democratic institutions.
He also expressed concern over the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming they signal a drift towards authoritarianism.

“Recent developments raise serious concerns about the future of democratic governance in Nigeria,” he said.
The activist further alleged that internal crises within opposition parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—may have been influenced by external forces, warning that the situation is now extending to the ADC.

He also accused the judiciary of being used to frustrate opposition parties through questionable rulings and called on the international community to impose sanctions, including visa restrictions, on electoral and judicial officials found culpable.

“The courts have been used to thwart democratic processes with frivolous decisions,” he alleged.

Frank further claimed that opposition figures were being targeted through arrests and legal actions, warning that the country could face instability if the situation persists.
“Nigeria is heading towards a crisis that may be difficult to contain if urgent steps are not taken,” he said.

He urged Nigerians, civil society organisations, and professional bodies—including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)—to speak out in defence of democracy.

He maintained that Nigerians have historically resisted anti-democratic tendencies and would continue to do so.

“Freedom of association and the right to choose must be protected. Enough is enough,” he said.