Hamza Yaro: The Adamawa impeachment saga – Lamorde’s complicity
The impeachment of the then Governor Nyako of Adamawa
State in July, 2014 came with mixed reactions. While few
believed it was long overdue and justified others protested and
were adamant that it was a clear indication of influence from
external forces in the seat of power.
Whichever argument holds more water, one factor remains
definite. The major actors were on a mission either for
themselves or for their principals but clearly not for the people of
Adamawa state.Political instability is the norm in this state and
the thirst to settle political scores takes the front burner among
politicians with Nyako being the main target since he ventured
into mainstream politics. The elites have always had selfish
reasons to castigate and undermine him among his people.
Anyone who is prepared to be a ready tool to achieve these
elites’ aim is adopted and drafted into their selfish motives. This
trend is common among politicians and their kingmakers and is
seen as anything being fair in war.
But when public servants, especially those saddled with the
responsibility of arresting and prosecuting erring and corrupt
politicians who have stolen our commonwealth get involved in
this madness, then it becomes a cause for worry.
The sudden resurrection of the EFCC which have been virtually
non-existent since the present chairman took over its leadership
has continued to raise eyebrows on the real motives behind
such summersault. An agency which could not secure a single
conviction against any politician or public servant in the last five
years due to poor and negligent prosecution is now jumping
from pillar to post trying to do what it deliberately refused to do
owing to its insincerity of purpose.
What is most baffling is the retention of Ibrahim Lamorde, one
of the few remnants of the last administration by President
Buhari. Why would the present government still keep a man who
isn’t justified to remain there due to his inability to vigorously
and sincerely fight corruption? Why would Buhari allow agency
under the leadership of a man who is still using the charges and
allegations trumped up during a government that was known for
political witch-hunt and vendetta?
Buhari’s anti-corruption stance was his main selling point during
his campaign and Nigerians expected that the first point of call
will be the EFCC but I guess they would have to put up with this
charade for a bit longer. So many media outfits have at various
times in the past reported some wrongdoings of the present
chairman of the EFCC, especially his involvement in the
impeachment of former Governor Nyako of Adamawa.
Ibrahim Lamorde played a prominent role and served as a link
between the Presidency and the Adamawa state House of
assembly. Monies meant to settle the legislators usually went
through him.Such financial settlement for impeachment of
Nyako was done from the Presidency and coordinated by
Hassan Tukur,the Principal Private Secretary(PPS)to President
Jonathan.Such funds were disbursed directly to the legislators
by Lamorde himself on two occasions while the third
disbursement was done by the PPS himself.
The speed at which Lamorde sprang into action in the case
against Nyako almost immediately he was impeached leaves
people wondering if he (Lamorde) wasn’t involved in the whole
dubious process.Most of these legislators are ready to testify
against all those who were involved in the impeachment saga
including Lamorde. They claimed they were shortchanged and
betrayed.The impeachment notice was signed in Lamorde’s
office with cash inducement and patronage and a threat of
arrest should a member refuse to sign the notice.
A former member of the Adamawa House of Assembly and
Chairman Committee on Information, Adamu Kamale in the
Punch newspaper in November 2014 gave further insight on
how they were used and dis carded by those they worked for to
get rid of Nyako. He stated “We were promised automatic
tickets for any elective position of our choice in return for the
ouster of Nyako, which the presidency was so desperate to
achieve as of then”. This promise unfortunately wasn’t kept as
none of the members who were part of this plot secured their
party’s ticket for any elective position.The late Regional
Manager(Northeast)of Zenith Bank was also subjected to such
treatment of blackmail based on reliable information from
sources close to him.
Another pointer to Lamorde’s romance with the legislators and
closeness to the former Speaker of the Adamawa House of
Assembly and later the Acting Governor of Adamawa state after
the ouster of Nyako, Ahmadu Fintiri is the deliberate refusal of
the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him despite allegations of
misappropriation of state funds when he was acting governor.
There are reports going round that he and the EFCC boss share
business interest with their joint ownership of a Tea plantation
,factory building, plant and equipment for tea production and
processing located at the Mai samari(Mambila)in Taraba state
which were bought from SM Nguroje through the Bank of
Industry is one of such investments. This was acquired by
Mayim Construction and Properties limited, a company which
Fintiri and Lamorde have interest cost ₦650million. That itself is
a crime as federal laws prohibit government officials from
setting up business.
If this news is anything to go by, then it wouldn’t come as a
surprise that Fintiri still walks around freely and enjoying his loot
while those who governed the state before and after him,
Murtala Nyako and Bala Ngilari respectively are now guests of
the EFCC. While Nyako, sensing the bias and underhand attitude
of Lamorde in his (Nyako’s) corruption case insisted he be taken
to court, Ngilari on the other hand has also been invited for
questioning. Why is Fintiri with several allegations of theft and
corruption still not on their list of those to be invited or arrested?
An online media outfit, Premium times reported that the state
government under Governor Ngilari petitioned the EFCC with a
view to investigating and recovering the mismanaged funds
under Fintiri. When Fintiri took over in July 2014 the Adamawa
debt profile stood at ₦8.7billion but by the time he left in October
the debt had risen to ₦13.85billion with nothing to commiserate
this outrageous amount borrowed. There are also reports that
Fintiri mismanaged public funds amounting to about ₦18billion.
Lamorde’s complicity in the impeachment of Nyako is just one
of several accusations against him. There is the news in the
public domain that Lamorde is a proud owner of a private jet
which he leases out to interested users. Even his take home pay
for sixty years isn’t enough to get him such an investment.
One glaring fact on Lamorde’s unusual interest in the case
against Nyako is the representation of the EFCC for the first time
by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)Rotimi Jacobs against
Nyako.Even more celebrated cases didn’t have SANs standing
in for the EFCC.Lamorde has his hands soiled in many corrupt
practices and his continued stay at the helm of affairs of an
agency which is supposed to find and fish out corrupt people for
prosecution is totally unacceptable and undermines the integrity
of the institution and the present government.The administrative
staff of the EFCC aren’t left out of this wrangling against their
boss.A reliable source within the commission confirmed that
Lamorde collects estacode and allowances for trips he never
embarked on.How more corrupt can a supposedly anti-
corruption czar get?
The recent protests by The Civil Society Organizations and
public outcry on the sudden awakening of Lamorde confirms his
inability to keep heading such an institution.Isn’t it curious that
he was not on the delegation of President Buhari to America?A
trip that has insecurity and corruption on top of its agenda for
discussion but the head of the anti-corruption agency wasn’t
there to even present his findings on monies stashed away in
foreign accounts?And just maybe the present administration is
beginning to doubt his sincerity and ability to fight corruption.
Buhari should as a matter of urgency send him packing and also
rid his administration of any remnants of the last administration
which was synonymous with impunity and corruption.
Hamza Yaro, wrote in from Kano.
State in July, 2014 came with mixed reactions. While few
believed it was long overdue and justified others protested and
were adamant that it was a clear indication of influence from
external forces in the seat of power.
Whichever argument holds more water, one factor remains
definite. The major actors were on a mission either for
themselves or for their principals but clearly not for the people of
Adamawa state.Political instability is the norm in this state and
the thirst to settle political scores takes the front burner among
politicians with Nyako being the main target since he ventured
into mainstream politics. The elites have always had selfish
reasons to castigate and undermine him among his people.
Anyone who is prepared to be a ready tool to achieve these
elites’ aim is adopted and drafted into their selfish motives. This
trend is common among politicians and their kingmakers and is
seen as anything being fair in war.
But when public servants, especially those saddled with the
responsibility of arresting and prosecuting erring and corrupt
politicians who have stolen our commonwealth get involved in
this madness, then it becomes a cause for worry.
The sudden resurrection of the EFCC which have been virtually
non-existent since the present chairman took over its leadership
has continued to raise eyebrows on the real motives behind
such summersault. An agency which could not secure a single
conviction against any politician or public servant in the last five
years due to poor and negligent prosecution is now jumping
from pillar to post trying to do what it deliberately refused to do
owing to its insincerity of purpose.
What is most baffling is the retention of Ibrahim Lamorde, one
of the few remnants of the last administration by President
Buhari. Why would the present government still keep a man who
isn’t justified to remain there due to his inability to vigorously
and sincerely fight corruption? Why would Buhari allow agency
under the leadership of a man who is still using the charges and
allegations trumped up during a government that was known for
political witch-hunt and vendetta?
Buhari’s anti-corruption stance was his main selling point during
his campaign and Nigerians expected that the first point of call
will be the EFCC but I guess they would have to put up with this
charade for a bit longer. So many media outfits have at various
times in the past reported some wrongdoings of the present
chairman of the EFCC, especially his involvement in the
impeachment of former Governor Nyako of Adamawa.
Ibrahim Lamorde played a prominent role and served as a link
between the Presidency and the Adamawa state House of
assembly. Monies meant to settle the legislators usually went
through him.Such financial settlement for impeachment of
Nyako was done from the Presidency and coordinated by
Hassan Tukur,the Principal Private Secretary(PPS)to President
Jonathan.Such funds were disbursed directly to the legislators
by Lamorde himself on two occasions while the third
disbursement was done by the PPS himself.
The speed at which Lamorde sprang into action in the case
against Nyako almost immediately he was impeached leaves
people wondering if he (Lamorde) wasn’t involved in the whole
dubious process.Most of these legislators are ready to testify
against all those who were involved in the impeachment saga
including Lamorde. They claimed they were shortchanged and
betrayed.The impeachment notice was signed in Lamorde’s
office with cash inducement and patronage and a threat of
arrest should a member refuse to sign the notice.
A former member of the Adamawa House of Assembly and
Chairman Committee on Information, Adamu Kamale in the
Punch newspaper in November 2014 gave further insight on
how they were used and dis carded by those they worked for to
get rid of Nyako. He stated “We were promised automatic
tickets for any elective position of our choice in return for the
ouster of Nyako, which the presidency was so desperate to
achieve as of then”. This promise unfortunately wasn’t kept as
none of the members who were part of this plot secured their
party’s ticket for any elective position.The late Regional
Manager(Northeast)of Zenith Bank was also subjected to such
treatment of blackmail based on reliable information from
sources close to him.
Another pointer to Lamorde’s romance with the legislators and
closeness to the former Speaker of the Adamawa House of
Assembly and later the Acting Governor of Adamawa state after
the ouster of Nyako, Ahmadu Fintiri is the deliberate refusal of
the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him despite allegations of
misappropriation of state funds when he was acting governor.
There are reports going round that he and the EFCC boss share
business interest with their joint ownership of a Tea plantation
,factory building, plant and equipment for tea production and
processing located at the Mai samari(Mambila)in Taraba state
which were bought from SM Nguroje through the Bank of
Industry is one of such investments. This was acquired by
Mayim Construction and Properties limited, a company which
Fintiri and Lamorde have interest cost ₦650million. That itself is
a crime as federal laws prohibit government officials from
setting up business.
If this news is anything to go by, then it wouldn’t come as a
surprise that Fintiri still walks around freely and enjoying his loot
while those who governed the state before and after him,
Murtala Nyako and Bala Ngilari respectively are now guests of
the EFCC. While Nyako, sensing the bias and underhand attitude
of Lamorde in his (Nyako’s) corruption case insisted he be taken
to court, Ngilari on the other hand has also been invited for
questioning. Why is Fintiri with several allegations of theft and
corruption still not on their list of those to be invited or arrested?
An online media outfit, Premium times reported that the state
government under Governor Ngilari petitioned the EFCC with a
view to investigating and recovering the mismanaged funds
under Fintiri. When Fintiri took over in July 2014 the Adamawa
debt profile stood at ₦8.7billion but by the time he left in October
the debt had risen to ₦13.85billion with nothing to commiserate
this outrageous amount borrowed. There are also reports that
Fintiri mismanaged public funds amounting to about ₦18billion.
Lamorde’s complicity in the impeachment of Nyako is just one
of several accusations against him. There is the news in the
public domain that Lamorde is a proud owner of a private jet
which he leases out to interested users. Even his take home pay
for sixty years isn’t enough to get him such an investment.
One glaring fact on Lamorde’s unusual interest in the case
against Nyako is the representation of the EFCC for the first time
by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)Rotimi Jacobs against
Nyako.Even more celebrated cases didn’t have SANs standing
in for the EFCC.Lamorde has his hands soiled in many corrupt
practices and his continued stay at the helm of affairs of an
agency which is supposed to find and fish out corrupt people for
prosecution is totally unacceptable and undermines the integrity
of the institution and the present government.The administrative
staff of the EFCC aren’t left out of this wrangling against their
boss.A reliable source within the commission confirmed that
Lamorde collects estacode and allowances for trips he never
embarked on.How more corrupt can a supposedly anti-
corruption czar get?
The recent protests by The Civil Society Organizations and
public outcry on the sudden awakening of Lamorde confirms his
inability to keep heading such an institution.Isn’t it curious that
he was not on the delegation of President Buhari to America?A
trip that has insecurity and corruption on top of its agenda for
discussion but the head of the anti-corruption agency wasn’t
there to even present his findings on monies stashed away in
foreign accounts?And just maybe the present administration is
beginning to doubt his sincerity and ability to fight corruption.
Buhari should as a matter of urgency send him packing and also
rid his administration of any remnants of the last administration
which was synonymous with impunity and corruption.
Hamza Yaro, wrote in from Kano.
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