IFMSL vs AICL: Lagos Group Warns Wike for fighting APC loyalist over his selfish interest to own ICC

By Tom Garba

Sahara Weekly Reports That A group under concerned citizens of Nigeria umbrella nation wide said the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesome Wike is punitive and capable to divide Nigeria along regional and ethnics lines.

The group during a world press conference with Dr Joseph Jabani to have addressed journalists at Carlton gate hotel FESTAC, Lagos cried for justice on behalf of Integrated Facilities Management Services Ltd ( IFMSL) Under the Good management of Its Managing Director Senator Abubakar Ahmed MoAllayidi whose contract with Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL) was illegally revoked.

Jabani said the implications of revoking the contract with IFML are dire, both domestically and internationally.

According to him domestically, it sends a message of instability and unpredictability to investors, shaking their confidence in the Nigerian government’s commitment to honoring contracts and fostering a conducive business environment.

And the International implications according to Jabani it tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable partner for investment and collaboration.

“Overseas investors, who have been eyeing opportunities in Nigeria, may now reconsider their plans in light of this abrupt decision, leading to potential loss of investment and stunted economic growth.” He said

Called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate president, Speaker Federal House of Representatives, Traditional Leaders, Council of Oba’s chiefs southern Region and the good people of Nigeria, about the unfriendly and aggressive tactics employed by Barrister Nyesom Wike in superintending over the FCT.

“His pattern of finding faults and instigating conflicts with thriving businesses based on personal interests and differences is not only alarming but detrimental to the economic growth and stability of the FCT.

” We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leaders of thought and good Nigerians to intervene in this matter and uphold the integrity of the contract with Integrated Facilities management services (IFML) Continuing the partnership with IFML is not just a matter of business but a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to honoring agreements and fostering a conducive environment for both local and international investors.

“We call upon the government to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in governance and to ensure that individuals like Minister Wike, who prioritize personal interests over the welfare of the nation, are held accountable for their actions.

“It is imperative that we protect the interests of businesses and investors in the FCT and create an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and prosperity for all. Minister Wike’s actions have no place in a government that seeks to promote progress and development, and it is time for the federal government to take decisive action to remedy this situation.” Jabani Stated

The text signed by Jabani continued to read that:

“Wike’s penchant for taking illegal and extra-judicial actions against businesses and individuals not only undermines the rule of law but also works directly against the interests of the federal government. His actions create an atmosphere of uncertainty and hostility that is detrimental to investment and development in the FCT.

“Nyesom Wike, in his usual combative style had announced in the media the purported cancellations of the facility management of the International Conference Center, for no justifications nor adherence to due process. Much as there was no justifications and fair-hearing, this purported action by Mr Wike is at best illegal, punitive, totally strange and at variance with any known protocols and procedures of handling such matters.

“For some years now, Integrated Facilities management services Limited (IFMSL) has diligently and effectively managed the International Conference Center, ensuring its smooth operation and upkeep. Under their stewardship, the center has flourished, becoming a beacon of excellence in hosting international conferences, events, and gatherings.

“The work of Integrated Facilities management services Ltd (IFMSL) has not only been exemplary but also crucial for the growth and development of Nigeria. Their dedication to maintaining the International Conference Center at the highest standards has attracted local and overseas investors, boosting economic activity and fostering international relations.

“The federal government must take swift and decisive make Barrister Wike to respect law and order, as well as contractual agreements and processes in the FCT ministry. Allowing him to continue unchecked will only lead to further erosion of investor confidence and cripple the potential for economic growth and prosperity in the federal capital territory.

“In conclusion, we further urge Mr. President to consider the long-term implications of this decision and act in the best interest of Nigeria’s economic prosperity and international standing.

Thank you so much for coming.”

YAHAYA BELLO: EFCC’S ACTIONS BEST DESCRIBED AS ‘TRIAL BY MISCHIEF’ – EWA OKPO, CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER

A Constitutional Lawyer, Ewa Okpo, has described the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing face-off with the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as “trial by mischief”.

In an interview on Arise TV’s morning show on Saturday, the legal practitioner specifically stated that it was wrong, in the first instance, for the EFCC to attempt to arrest the former Governor when it was aware of a subsisting restraining order, which had not been vacated as of the time of its action.

He said the whole “drama” was centred around an abuse of court process.

“I think that it is a rather unfortunate narrative for Nigeria, and to summarize the whole of this drama in legal terms would be to just say, look, this is an abuse of the court process.

“Why do I say abuse of court process? To successfully prosecute anybody in Nigeria, in this case, the EFCC is prosecuting Yahaya Bello; there are six categories of laws that you must follow.

“The ground law being the Constitution, administration of Criminal Justice Act, the law that empowers the prosecutor, in this case, EFCC Act; the law that defines the offence and the punishment, in this case, Money Laundering Act; and then the law of the courts with jurisdiction.

”In this case, that would be the Federal High Court Act, Practice Directive and the rest of it that guide proceedings at the Federal High Court, and, of course, the Evidence Act and other ancillary legislations.

”Now what is expected of the EFCC in this instance, where you follow all of these laws put together? They ought to have at first invited the suspect (officially), in the person of Mr Yahaya Bello; when he refuses to honour the invite; EFCC does not even need to get a warrant from the court; it is an administrative power to issue a warrant,” he said.

According to him, in line with all the steps he enumerated, the EFCC failed to follow proper legal procedures in the matter.

”Sadly, you know, they rather attempted to arrest the man when they could not arrest him. Being smart, I must give it to Yahaya Bello; he got his lawyers, and they ran to the court and got an order restraining the EFCC.

”Now you must understand because I think that what the EFCC is trying to do now is what can be described as trial by mischief,” he stated.

Okpo added that court orders restraining law enforcement agencies from harassing or arresting individuals should be respected and emphasized that such orders do not restrain the courts themselves.

He condemned the EFCC’s disregard for the court orders and stressed the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies.

Okpo also commended the court’s intervention, stressing that it served as a crucial check on the actions of law enforcement agencies and promotes adherence to the rule of law.

“Now, the EFCC is the watchdog. We need the EFCC to function in Nigeria. But in the course of them being the watchdog, who watches them? And so when there is an order, EFCC, you cannot correct wrong by doing wrong.

“Since there was an order restraining the EFCC, they had no business attempting to arrest Mr. Yahaya Bello,” he said.

No Amount Of Blackmail Will Make HE Yahaya Bello ‘Come Through Backdoor’- Media Office

On Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, in a conduct which we view as unbecoming of a Legal Practitioner, organised a press conference where he alleged (amongst other outrightly defamatory statements) that His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, withdrew cash from the Kogi State Government Account, sent same to Bureau De Change Operators and then used same to pay the school fees of his children in advance.

According to Olukoyede, the payment was made just about the time the former Governor was to leave office.

Since the said press conference, receipts of payments of the said fees bearing the names of His Excellency’s Children and those of other family members, who separately paid their fees, have been flying all over the internet.

While we reserve our rights to seek redress against the said defamatory statements, permit us to briefly state the following for the purpose of setting the records straight:

1. His Excellency, Yahaya Bello’s children have attended the American International School, Abuja well before he became Governor and he has paid fees for his children as and when due and without fail.

2. His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not pay the sum of USD720,000 as alleged by the EFCC Chairman or USD840,000 as is being bandied about on the internet.

3. The payment of the fees was not effected at about the time his Excellency was to leave office as claimed by Mr. Olukoyede but same commenced in 2021.

3. Alhaji Yahaya Bello DID NOT pay the fees of his Children with monies from the Coffers of the Kogi State Government.

4. When the EFCC approached the American International School Abuja (AISA) to illegally recover funds legitimately paid by Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other family members, a member of the family challenged the EFCC’s unlawful acts to recover funds legitimately paid. The FCT High Court, in Suit No. FCT/HC/2574/2023 between: Mr. Ali Bello v. The Incorporated Trustees of American International School, Abuja, held that AISA could not lawfully and unilaterally refund to a third party, including the EFCC, fees paid by the parties to the suit.

The Court subsequently mandated AISA to continue to provide the services it had been paid with respect to the fees.

From the foregoing, it is clear that no money belonging to Alhaji Yahaya Bello or his family members with regard to school fees has been recovered by the EFCC.

5. Now, let it be known that, contrary to misleading narratives by the EFCC, all the documents published online i.e. receipts and letters, that the EFCC has released online, in furtherance of its unrelenting persecution of the former Governor, are documents filed by lawyers in the suit instituted on behalf of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others who paid fees for their wards under the Advance Fee Payment Agreement with AISA.
Those documents, having been filed by his lawyers, are thus public documents, which shows that his Excellency, Yahaya Bello, has nothing to hide with regard to the payment of advance fees for his children. This unending harassment and persecution, even while in office, were among key reasons he sought to enforce his fundamental human rights.

6. We state that the payment of these fees and the legitimacy thereof is the subject matter of Charge No. FHC/CR/573/2022, filed by the EFCC since 15th December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Charge is pending and the Court has yet to make any finding or convicted anyone in respect of the said sum.

7. It is imperative to remind Mr. Olukoyede, who is a Lawyer, that once parties have submitted a dispute to the Court, they are to shun all actions and statements that may prejudice the hearing of the matter or the mind of the Court.

8. Since the matter is sub judice, we say no more, we await the EFCC’s proof of the allegations in Court, which is the only venue where the proof of these allegations matter.

9. We thank Nigerians who have recognised the obvious desperation of the EFCC boss to convict the former Governor by all means in the Court of public opinion rather than in the law court, as personal vendetta, with the connivance of like minds, and not a fight against corruption.

10.We implore others who might have been misled by their shenanigans not to be fooled by mischievous narratives but to
follow the case through until justice is served.

11. Finally, our Principal, Yahaya Bello, doesn’t visit law enforcement agencies “through the backdoor”. He has insisted on following due process in line with the rule of law. No amount of blackmail will intimidate him.

Thank you.

Signed
Ohiare Michael
MEDIA OFFICE,
HE YAHAYA BELLO