Matter Arising: Dr. Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha
by Udeme
Joseph
Dear Editor,
Matters Arising: Dr. Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha Saga
Please permit me to comment on the recent arrest of Dr. Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha, Executive Governor of Bayelsa State of Nigeria and the
reactions of some Nigerians in the matter.
At the advent of the Obasanjo
administration, the President did not mince words on his earnest
desire to confront the monster called corruption in Nigeria. At the
end of that first term not much could be said of his achievements in
fighting corruption. Some commentators suspected that the
administration had no moral strength to fight corruption because the
administration was seen in some quarters as being in itself the
bastion of corruption. So they would not want to rock the boat.
So, here we are at the second
missionary journey of Mr. President and again, emphasizes has been on
eliminating corruption. When Mr. President went public and named names
in what has now come to be known as the Fabian Osuji saga it
expectedly generated mixed reaction. Well-meaning Nigerian and the
international community applauded the action, most especially coming
on the heels of the Super Cop (Tafa Balogun) Revelation. Mr.
President in taking that action did not lay claims to angelic
credentials, rather he was simply telling those corrupt and thieving
public officers 'Ladies and Gentlemen, we know our problems stem from
our thieving culture. We know that we are a corrupt bunch but this
unwholesome and mindless looting of public funds must stop. I think
we have stolen enough". So, when some members of his 'gang' refused
to heed his warning, he had to blow the whistle on them to show his
seriousness. Now, who is most suited to bark this retreat command in a
country known to be irredeemably corrupt than Mr. President himself?
Expectedly, an avalanche of criticism greeted the President's action.
He may be right or wrong in taking that decision depending on the
quality of information available to him. Bottom line is that he did
what he did.
Now enter Dr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
arrested in London on charges of money laundering. It has been
reported that one million pounds sterling - cash was found in
Alamieyeseigha's house in London. This is aside from the other ten to
twenty million pounds managed in a bank on his behalf by a lady. We
have also been told most recently that his son, a student in USA owns
and lives in a $4,000,000.00 house. It saddens me and most descent
Nigerian that once again we, I mean Nigeria and Nigerians has been
disgraced and portrayed as still a corrupt nation whose leaders steal
public funds and stash away in foreign banks. Let us now examine the
issue about Alamieyeseigha. Alamieyeseigha was arrested in London on
suspected money laundering. Some accomplices and hangers-on have
cried foul, some have drummed up ethnic sentiments while others see it
as the handiwork of Diepreye's political enemies. Some have been so
debased as to tinker with the security of British nationals doing
business in Bayelsa and Rivers States. The questions these blind
loyalist (to borrow a word from the Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku
Abubakar) must provide answers to are: Was it the British citizens in
Nigeria responsible for moving the suspected public money to foreign
accounts? Was it his imaginary or real political foes responsible for
managing the resources of Bayelsa and carting them to foreign land? Is
Alamieyeseigha aware of the constitutional requirements in Nigeria on
operating foreign accounts and owning properties abroad by most
especially public servants? What kind of business or businesses is he
doing in Britain that is yielding this much money? Did he declare all
of these to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he went in as Governor as
demanded by law? If he knew he was not in the good books of Mr.
President, as some reports would want us to believe, then he should
have cleaned his nose and not walk into a trap he had foreknowledge.
The law is an ass. This probably
explains why a respected legal luminary like Prof. Itsay has chosen to
ride on it. His argument on immunity is ludicrous and smacks the
sensibilities of honest Nigerian that earnestly yearn for a change in
status quo. Those talking about immunity should ask, immunity against
what? I feel saddened that the respected Prof. was quoted to have
said that the fact that money was found in Alamieyeseigha's house in
London is irrelevant and should not have led to his arrest. What
Prof. Itsay would equally tell us is that if our son Diepreye pulled
out a gun and engaged in a killing orgy in the streets of London, the
Police in London would watch helplessly in the name of immunity. Or a
foreigner with diplomatic passport will come to Nigeria and engage in
criminal activities that we would also watch helplessly in the name of
immunity. It is out rightly silly!
A man I hold in high esteem, Prof
Kimse Koko equally throw decorum to the wind and like an enthusiastic
lame man, throw his shirt to the watching crowd and unpreparedly
jumped into the wrestling arena. Supposedly respectable Ijaw sons &
daughters have cried foul. My word of advice is let the court in
London decide on Alamieyeseigha's innocence or otherwise and of course
visit him with his just sentence.
I feel disappointed that instead of
pressing for early trial, because to me November 15, 2005 is fairly a
long time away considering that he needs to urgently return to Bayelsa
and attend to State matters they are shamelessly putting up arguments
and positions that only see them as accomplices. Following the advice
of Prof Itsay, let Bayelsans put together a team of international
lawyers to defend their beloved Governor. I want to belief that they
will not think Obasanjo or Diepreye's political foes will swim the
many rivers to bribed the London judge to jail or set free Diepreye.
If Alamieyeseigha is found guilty he
should be jailed, not because he is Alamieyeseigha per say, but
because he represents the elite class entrusted with public fund to
ensure good governance and development but who at every such
opportunity have mindlessly stolen these funds and carry them away to
foreign countries thereby impoverishing the common man. This class is
the actual enemy to the development and progress of Nigeria.
Bayelsans are intelligent people.
They should remain law abiding and submit to the leadership of Dr.
Goodluck the Deputy Governor who has unequivocally restate his support
for his estranged boss. They should not whip up undue sentiments by
relating or equating the incorruptible and world class
environmentalist & activist, the late Ken Saro-Wiwa with the arrest of
a man suspected to be a money launderer.
Last line to EFCC: EFCC should set
example of seriousness by concluding investigations and prosecution
and closing those outstanding cases notably that of the former Police
IG. By so doing they will exonerate themselves from accusation of
treating some criminals as sacred cows. We are waiting.
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