INDICATIONS emerged at the weekend that the
Senate ad hoc committee probing the Federal Government privatisation
programmes might summon former President Olusegun Obasanjo to defend the
allegations made against him during the hearing.
Investigations by our correspondents on Sunday showed that the decision to invite Obasanjo was discussed at the meeting of the committee after its sitting on Saturday.
It was learnt that the consensus was that the committee’s report would not be balanced, if Obasanjo was not invited to defend himself against the charges leveled against him by some former officials of Bureau of Public Enterprises.
A member of the committee, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Although we concluded our public sitting on Saturday, we are still considering inviting Obasanjo. Weighty allegations have been levelled against him, it is normal for us to allow him to clear himself.
“Nigerians are watching us. They want to see whether we will invite Obasanjo or not because he has been mentioned in many petitions. They want to know whether we will treat him as a sacred cow or not.”
Efforts to reach the former President on the allegations and his likely invitation by the Senate committee were not successful.
His media consultant, Mr. Adeoba Ojekunle, when contacted, promised to get in touch with our correspondent after contacting Obasanjo to inquire if he would want to react.
“I will get in touch with him (Obasanjo) and find out whether he would want to react to the allegations or not. I am about boarding a plane that will take me to my destination in about one hour, 20 minutes. I will call you back.” He didn’t call back.
A former Director-General of the BPE, Dr. Julius Bala, had alleged that the former president interfered in the sale of the Delta Steel Company by rejecting the bid won by BUA International, and promoting the bid of the Global Infrastructure Company.
One of the major discoveries of the investigation was that the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, which was constructed with $3.2b, was sold in 2005 to Rusal for a paltry $250m. However, Bala, explained that the Presidency acted on the advice of the National Security Adviser.
The panel was also told that the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel to Global Steel was completely handled and negotiated by the Ministry of Steel Development, under the direction of the former President. A top official, who confirmed the development, then told the committee that it was a violation of the Privatisation Act. Also, Obasanjo’s name came up during the session on the sale of NICON Insurance to Global Fleet.
Another former DG of the BPE, Nasir El-Rufai, also said that government interference was a major problem for the privatisation exercise. He alleged that Obasanjo “practically blocked the sale of Nigeria Airways.” He also mentioned that the former President and former Vice -President Atiku Abubakar, made efforts to influence the privatisation process.
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, at the public hearing, had told the committee that it would be failing in its duty if it did not invite Obasanjo to clarify issues following the allegations levelled against him.
The committee is to ascertain the reasons for the failure of the privatisation programme; establish the state of all privatised and commercialized companies from 1999 till date; and ascertain the level of compliance of buyers with the various Share Purchase Agreements.
A member of the probe panel explained that the former president could not be summoned last week because many petitions were sent to the committee within a short period.
He said it was difficult for the committee to invite Obasanjo when it was still receiving petitions in which the name of the former president was repeatedly mentioned.
The member said, “What happened was that we had one week, and with the
deluge of petitions we could not summon him. But anything could still happen. The panel may create a special forum for him to appear. Although the sitting ended yesterday (Saturday), but there is still opportunity for people to submit their memoranda.”
He assured that the panel would not shield anybody no matter how highly placed.
The member added, “This probe is different from the previous ones. You know the Seventh National Assembly is very credible. Our elections were hailed worldwide and members are people of integrity. We do not want anything that will tarnish our image because we are shielding somebody.
“You will recall that Obasanjo was not invited in the past probes by the National Assembly, including the House of Representatives’ investigation into the $16bn power contract in spite of the fact that his name featured prominently. Such a situation must not arise again.”
The House under Mr. Dimeji Bankole as Speaker, did not invite Obasanjo to testify when it investigated the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Obasanjo had functioned as the minister of petroleum for most part of his eight-year tenure.
Before the probe began, the Presidency assured the Senate that the committee’s report would guide the Federal Government in taking decisions on the privatised companies.
A source in the committee said, “The Senate and the Presidency are in agreement that the country has not achieved its aim of privatising the companies.
“The only area we may disagree is on the indictment of Obasanjo. As you know, the former President has many sympathisers in the Presidency.
“We do not want a situation where the report will be dumped on the excuse that it is targeted at Obasanjo. That is why we must invite him to defend himself.”
When contacted, a member of the ad hoc committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in an e-mail sent to one of correspondents, said the decision whether to invite Obasanjo or not would be taken when the committee resumed after a two-week break.
“The committee’s public sitting ended yesterday (Saturday) and we have proceeded on a two- week holiday. Any decision on that will have to wait till our resumption,” he said.
The Clerk of the committee, Mr. Tanko..Shalders, said in spite of the calls by some individuals that Obasanjo be invited, the committee was yet to reach that conclusion.
“I know that some have called for his invitation, but the committee is yet to reach that decision,” he added.
But some senators who are not members of the committee said that Obasanjo should be summoned to defend himself.
Senator Adegbenga Kaka (Action Congress of Nigeria, Ogun East), in an interview with one of our correspondents, said that Obasanjo should be invited by the committee to defend himself.
“It (his invitation) will serve a dual purpose. One, it will assist in promoting accountability in the nation; and two, it will also assist Obasanjo in clearing his name. To put aside whatever insinuations anybody may have, it is necessary for him to put the records straight.”
Also, Senator George Sekibo, (PDP, Rivers) said, “Whether or not he should be invited is relative. If he is being mentioned that he influenced the breach of the privatisation procedures, then he should be invited.”
Senator Femi Lanlehin (ACN, Oyo South) said, “The committee is investigative in nature and is expected to make recommendations and report back to the Senate on its findings. In order to do a thorough job, the committee has the power to summon anybody if there is need for clarification.
“If there are lots of questions to be answered and clarifications needed like in the case of Obasanjo now, I think it is even good for him of he is given the opportunity to appear and reply to the allegations.”
The committee is also expected to identify the total proceeds from the privatisation exercise and determine how they were managed. A total of N249.5bn was said to have been realised from the exercise since inception, while N146.1bn was paid to Federation Account.
By Niyi Odebode, Josiah Oluwole and Olalekan Adetayo Courtesy Of: Punch
Investigations by our correspondents on Sunday showed that the decision to invite Obasanjo was discussed at the meeting of the committee after its sitting on Saturday.
It was learnt that the consensus was that the committee’s report would not be balanced, if Obasanjo was not invited to defend himself against the charges leveled against him by some former officials of Bureau of Public Enterprises.
A member of the committee, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Although we concluded our public sitting on Saturday, we are still considering inviting Obasanjo. Weighty allegations have been levelled against him, it is normal for us to allow him to clear himself.
“Nigerians are watching us. They want to see whether we will invite Obasanjo or not because he has been mentioned in many petitions. They want to know whether we will treat him as a sacred cow or not.”
Efforts to reach the former President on the allegations and his likely invitation by the Senate committee were not successful.
His media consultant, Mr. Adeoba Ojekunle, when contacted, promised to get in touch with our correspondent after contacting Obasanjo to inquire if he would want to react.
“I will get in touch with him (Obasanjo) and find out whether he would want to react to the allegations or not. I am about boarding a plane that will take me to my destination in about one hour, 20 minutes. I will call you back.” He didn’t call back.
A former Director-General of the BPE, Dr. Julius Bala, had alleged that the former president interfered in the sale of the Delta Steel Company by rejecting the bid won by BUA International, and promoting the bid of the Global Infrastructure Company.
One of the major discoveries of the investigation was that the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, which was constructed with $3.2b, was sold in 2005 to Rusal for a paltry $250m. However, Bala, explained that the Presidency acted on the advice of the National Security Adviser.
The panel was also told that the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel to Global Steel was completely handled and negotiated by the Ministry of Steel Development, under the direction of the former President. A top official, who confirmed the development, then told the committee that it was a violation of the Privatisation Act. Also, Obasanjo’s name came up during the session on the sale of NICON Insurance to Global Fleet.
Another former DG of the BPE, Nasir El-Rufai, also said that government interference was a major problem for the privatisation exercise. He alleged that Obasanjo “practically blocked the sale of Nigeria Airways.” He also mentioned that the former President and former Vice -President Atiku Abubakar, made efforts to influence the privatisation process.
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, at the public hearing, had told the committee that it would be failing in its duty if it did not invite Obasanjo to clarify issues following the allegations levelled against him.
The committee is to ascertain the reasons for the failure of the privatisation programme; establish the state of all privatised and commercialized companies from 1999 till date; and ascertain the level of compliance of buyers with the various Share Purchase Agreements.
A member of the probe panel explained that the former president could not be summoned last week because many petitions were sent to the committee within a short period.
He said it was difficult for the committee to invite Obasanjo when it was still receiving petitions in which the name of the former president was repeatedly mentioned.
The member said, “What happened was that we had one week, and with the
deluge of petitions we could not summon him. But anything could still happen. The panel may create a special forum for him to appear. Although the sitting ended yesterday (Saturday), but there is still opportunity for people to submit their memoranda.”
He assured that the panel would not shield anybody no matter how highly placed.
The member added, “This probe is different from the previous ones. You know the Seventh National Assembly is very credible. Our elections were hailed worldwide and members are people of integrity. We do not want anything that will tarnish our image because we are shielding somebody.
“You will recall that Obasanjo was not invited in the past probes by the National Assembly, including the House of Representatives’ investigation into the $16bn power contract in spite of the fact that his name featured prominently. Such a situation must not arise again.”
The House under Mr. Dimeji Bankole as Speaker, did not invite Obasanjo to testify when it investigated the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Obasanjo had functioned as the minister of petroleum for most part of his eight-year tenure.
Before the probe began, the Presidency assured the Senate that the committee’s report would guide the Federal Government in taking decisions on the privatised companies.
A source in the committee said, “The Senate and the Presidency are in agreement that the country has not achieved its aim of privatising the companies.
“The only area we may disagree is on the indictment of Obasanjo. As you know, the former President has many sympathisers in the Presidency.
“We do not want a situation where the report will be dumped on the excuse that it is targeted at Obasanjo. That is why we must invite him to defend himself.”
When contacted, a member of the ad hoc committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in an e-mail sent to one of correspondents, said the decision whether to invite Obasanjo or not would be taken when the committee resumed after a two-week break.
“The committee’s public sitting ended yesterday (Saturday) and we have proceeded on a two- week holiday. Any decision on that will have to wait till our resumption,” he said.
The Clerk of the committee, Mr. Tanko..Shalders, said in spite of the calls by some individuals that Obasanjo be invited, the committee was yet to reach that conclusion.
“I know that some have called for his invitation, but the committee is yet to reach that decision,” he added.
But some senators who are not members of the committee said that Obasanjo should be summoned to defend himself.
Senator Adegbenga Kaka (Action Congress of Nigeria, Ogun East), in an interview with one of our correspondents, said that Obasanjo should be invited by the committee to defend himself.
“It (his invitation) will serve a dual purpose. One, it will assist in promoting accountability in the nation; and two, it will also assist Obasanjo in clearing his name. To put aside whatever insinuations anybody may have, it is necessary for him to put the records straight.”
Also, Senator George Sekibo, (PDP, Rivers) said, “Whether or not he should be invited is relative. If he is being mentioned that he influenced the breach of the privatisation procedures, then he should be invited.”
Senator Femi Lanlehin (ACN, Oyo South) said, “The committee is investigative in nature and is expected to make recommendations and report back to the Senate on its findings. In order to do a thorough job, the committee has the power to summon anybody if there is need for clarification.
“If there are lots of questions to be answered and clarifications needed like in the case of Obasanjo now, I think it is even good for him of he is given the opportunity to appear and reply to the allegations.”
The committee is also expected to identify the total proceeds from the privatisation exercise and determine how they were managed. A total of N249.5bn was said to have been realised from the exercise since inception, while N146.1bn was paid to Federation Account.
By Niyi Odebode, Josiah Oluwole and Olalekan Adetayo Courtesy Of: Punch
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