12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013
Okah’s conviction a ruse, says ex-militant leader BY EMMA AMAIZE
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ARRI—MORE reactions poured in, yesterday, to Monday’s conviction of leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Mr. Henry Okah, of terrorism by a South African court, with an exmilitant leader and a Niger Delta activist, saying it was a “set up” by the Nigerian Government. They also contended that Okah’s conviction was a big blow to the Niger Delta struggle, as it was calculated to stop further struggles by the people for resource control. Spokesperson for the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, “Captain” Mark Anthony, told Vanguard, that “There wasn't enough evidence to convict Henry Okah. The South African court is working on a written script of the Nigerian Government. “He (Okah) said he was not the leader of MEND. He is a victim of circumstances. What happened to Henry Okah is a lesson to all of us."
Madam Okolieapiti passes on
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RS Cecilia Okolieapiti, a community women leader in Ibusa, Delta State, is dead, aged 90. Burial arrangements as announced by one of her children, Chief Augustine Onochie, will start with a service of songs will hold tomorrow at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Ogboli, Ibusa, while social wake-keep will take place at her Ezukwu residence. Funeral mass will hold the next day at the same church. She is survived by many children, grand and great grand children.
Late Madam Okolieapiti
Kidnap suspect killed in Delta, victim rescued BY FESTUS AHON
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GHELLI—APPRE HENSION, yesterday, enveloped Agharho community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, as a suspected kidnapper was shot dead by men of the state Police Command while rescuing a kidnap victim. Vanguard gathered that the kidnap victim, Mr. Omamuyovwi Oseri, owner of a popular hotel in the area, was whisked away in a Toyota Camry car by one of the suspected kidnappers, while one other escaped with bullet wounds. It was learnt that the suspected kidnappers, numbering three, forced their way into the hotel premises and ordered the staff and visitors to lie on the floor as the hotelier was bundled into the waiting car. Briefing newsmen on the incident, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Agbarho Police division, Mr. Paul Audu, said the police swung into action after a distress call was received from the management of the hotel and accosted the other two kidnappers, who were already escaping in a Jeep they had snatched from the
bishop of one of the churches in the area. Audu added that on sighting his men, the suspected kidnappers opened fire and in the ensuing gun duel, one of the kidnappers was killed while the other escaped with bullet wounds. He explained that the Toyota
Camry car conveying the victim had sped off into a nearby bush moments before the police arrived the hotel, adding that a ransom fee was demanded. He said a search team comprising the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Agbarho vigilante group and
COMMISSIONING: Senate President, Senator David Mark (middle), flanked by Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah (right); Water Resources Minister, Mrs. Sarah Ochepke; Chairman, House Committee on Orientation, Mr. Buba Jubril and on his immediate left, Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro; Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri and Minister for State, Trade and Investment, Mr. Samuel Ortom during the commissioning of 22 NOA’s operational trucks in Abuja.
Nigeria to keep troops in Mali until resolution of crisis BY UDUMA KALU
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ENEVA—NIGERIAN troops will remain in Mali till the crisis is over, President Goodluck Jonathan has said. President Jonathan, who spoke to reporters in Geneva, yesterday, said the country’s troops would stay back in the crisis-ridden country until elections there are over. Meanwhile, Nigeria has boosted security on its borders in anticipation of increased attacks by Boko Haram militants after it sent
troops to help expel Islamists from northern Mali, a military spokesman said. “If they are part of al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, if they are in support of the northern Mali crisis, there is every possibility that they will heighten their attacks,” Colonel Mohammed Yerima, Director of Information at Nigeria’s Defence Ministry, said yesterday in Abuja. “On our own side, we’re strategizing on how to counter them,” he added. Nigeria plans to deploy up to 1,200 troops as part of a West African intervention force to support French and Malian troops
battling Islamist militants in the Sahara desert. Allied French and West African forces are seeking to drive the rebels out of northern Mali, which the rebels seized from government forces after a coup last year left a power vacuum. “We cannot pull out until we have solved the problem. I cannot tell you when we will solve the problem, but Nigeria is totally committed and we remain committed until the crisis is resolved,” Jonathan told Reuters in an interview in Geneva.
Why North is opposed to PIB —Clark BY EMMA AMAIZE
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ARRI—SOUTHSOUTH leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has said the major reason why the North was opposed to the Petroleum Industry Bill , PIB, was because of the allocation of 10 per cent equity to host communities. He said the uncompromising stand was not surprising as the various interest groups in the North do not want such benefit to go to the oil communities. He, however, called
his men went into action and later rescued the victim. He added that the vehicle plate number of the Toyota Camry car used by the kidnappers was different from the number engraved on the body and wind screen of the car.
on host communities to continue to mount pressure on the appropriate quarters until the bill was passed. Clark, who was represented by Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, former Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters to former President Umaru Yar’Adua, stated this at the inauguration of the newlyelected executive of Izon-Ebe Oil Producing Communities Forum in Warri, Delta State. He blamed the leaders of the country for the woes bedevilling the nation, saying that they were insensitive to the plight of the pop-
ulace, as they want to own everything and leave the people with nothing. New President of the Forum, Mr. Moses Edougha, called on Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and oil multinationals to implement the local content policy of the Federal Government. He also appealed to oil firms to wake up to their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to host communities by implementing the local content rules in their employments and award of contracts.
Edo LG polls: No imposition of candidates, ACN insists BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
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ENIN—AHEAD the April 20, 2013 local government elections in Edo State, the leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state has described as untrue, allegations in some quarters that leaders of the party had anointed candidates in the 18 councils, making the February 9, primaries look deceitful. Vanguard gathered that some of the chairmanship aspirants were confused on whether to proceed with their campaigns or not after they learnt that the powerful leaders in the party may have anointed their preferred candidates for the chairmanship and councillorship positions. But the party, through the state Secretary, Chief Osaro Idah, described the allegations as untrue, reiterating the party’s resolve to conduct free and fair primaries on February 9. Chief Idah spoke, yesterday, shortly after an aspirant from Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Mr. Akin Agbaje, purchased his form of intention.