Leadership (Abuja)
Chibuzo Ukaibe
31 October 2009
analysis
Abuja — It is a classical case of degradation, one that is akin to the popular saying that someone has fallen from grace to grass.
Chief Bode George, a prominent Nigerian, one of the feared "garrison commanders" of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when that party walked the un-democratic path as a garrison party, the only one in the world, second only to perhaps the Communist parties in China and the then Soviet Union in the days when communist dictatorship held sway, is now in jail.
Aside his garrison position, Bode George was a prominent member of former President Obasanjo's inner circle. This retired naval officer, who held the enviable position of a commodore, is used to giving orders and being obeyed.
Under his kinsman, Olusegun Obasanjo, he was very well placed to do that. He was even a deputy vice chairman (South) of the party, in which position he ensured that the South West was properly brought into the PDP fold at the national level with the wholesale routing of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors, who held sway in the South West between 1998 and 2003.
Today, however, Chief Bode George, who once in a joyous and boisterous mood, referred to himself, as a Lagos boy, has, fallen from his Olympian Heights. Most probably from being a glamorous, wealthy and lucky Lagos boy, this former military governor of Ondo State, all things being equal, would likely serve a two and half year sentence in a prison in Lagos, or wherever else that might please the prison authorities.
The question at this juncture is how did Bode George get into such a mess? What is or are the factors that culminated in his present degradation?
Journey to Infamy
The journey to infamy of this favoured PDP stalwart began in 2001 following his appointment as chairman of the Board of the lucrative Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
The Nigeria Ports Authority is a rich parastatal, a major revenue earner for the federal government. The parastatal is so solvent that anyhow, a Chief executive, or a chairman of Board can do good business. Usually, those given jobs at the NPA are the favoured of the party and those in power who are expected to deliver or give back to the party when the time comes. These categories of party men are influential and close to the corridors of power.
Thus, in a way, they are people who are a law unto themselves, fearing no man except the president, who normally makes the appointment. Such a person or persons, usually knows how to use power to exploit situations and Chief Bode George fitted the bill very well.
The former deputy chairman (South) of the ruling party was jailed alongside his friends and collaborators, who in their own right are favoured and over-indulged personages. They are former NPA managing director, Aminu Dabo, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Alhaji Abdullahi Aminu Tafida, Alhaji Zamna Maidaribe and Alhaji Sule Aliyu.
Their offences were those of abuse of office which attracted a seven-count charge, and willful disobedience to lawful authority. The trial judge, Justice Oyewole, found the accused persons culpable of contract splitting, abuse of office and disobedience of lawful authority. They were however acquitted of the offence to contract inflation.
According to the charges, Chief Bode George and the former Board members were first arraigned on August 9, 2008 before the Lagos State High court on a 163-count charge by the EFCC. Later, the anti-graft agency filed fresh charges against them on the 24th of October, 2008.
The offence of the Board members is that on June 6, 2003, they conspired to inflate the contract price for the rehabilitation of the accidented Kalmar Container Handler, from 215,555.52 euros to 269,965.71 euros. They were also alleged to have inflated the cost of contracts awarded to Dateks Limited for the replacement and installation of six 11KZA high tension panels with accessories at substation 'C' Tin Can Island Port, Lagos from 310,500.40 euros to 345,925.00 euros. There were other allegations of impropriety that bordered on how contracts were awarded and shared by the NPA Board under Chief George.
It would be recalled that were it not for lack of respect for the rule of law and due process by the former civilian government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, perhaps Chief George and his associates would have been convicted long ago and would have finished their terms by now. However, the former president saved the group when he brushed aside the EFCC report that indicted these people.
Judgement Hailed
It is therefore no surprise that the former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu, feeling vindicated, was the first to hail the judgement. According to Ribadu, the conviction marked a great reference point in the investigation, prosecution and trial of corruption cases in Nigeria. He went on: "I salute the courage and intellect of the judge, who has demonstrated over time that he is an exemplary reference in the fight against corruption, and for a true definition of the rule of law in the country.' In this connection, said Ribadu, "We must all salute the long and sustained investigation leading to the indictment of Bode George in 2005."
Other reactions came from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which, while applauding the judgement as a victory for the nation and its judiciary, lamented that the sentence was too small for an offence of such magnitude.
According to Emma Eneukwu, the party's national publicity secretary, "Our argument is that two years is too small for an offence of such magnitude."
He further added that the ruling is liberation from the strangulation by the authoritarian government led by the PDP. "The recent performance of the judiciary has been impressive and by this, our democracy would be adequately defended. "He added that the judgement delivered by the an Ikeja High Court, which jailed Olabode George and five others, most of whom are PDP chieftains, over charges involving several billions, was testimony to the fact that no-one is above the law.
He stressed that the verdict will spark off the much needed exposure of atrocities committed by other 'big fishes' yet to be tried. "At least the judiciary has rekindled the hope of the common man and this goes to prove that some top government officials are corrupt in their minds, as they misuse public offices which they occupy and they are bent on swindling our economy and subjecting millions of people to abject poverty and torture," he said.
Corroborating the ANPP spokesman, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) stated that the jailing of Bode George is the most unexpected development in Nigeria, given that the nation had recently portrayed itself as being uninterested in fighting corruption.
According to the chairman of the group, Comrade Moshood Erubami, the conviction by the Lagos High Court has opened a new chapter of realisation by the judiciary, that corruption is a cankerworm that needs to be checked if Nigeria's dream to develop is to be realised.
The conviction of a big fish like Bode George is a testimony that the EFCC under Mrs. Waziri, is succeeding in its resolve to restore national integrity and ensure that Nigeria has the best performing economy, he said.
Continuing, the TMG official said, "It is akin to a judicial resolve to join efforts and work with Nigeria to start righting the wrongs which had been the bane of our greatness; a good sign that those who have the responsibility to hold fraudsters accountable have woken up from their profound slumber to challenge the oligarch-like financial and economic criminals.
It is a clear warning that the day of reckoning is here and that never again shall the law be misused to tolerate mere legal academics to truncate and upstage the real intent of its practice at the expense of the victims of corruption."
The TMG noted the efforts of the federal government to advance the struggle against graft impunity in Nigeria by unwavering support for the most productive anti-graft agency - the EFCC. We only hope the independence granted to the judiciary will be tapped by the judicial operators in not exercising any restraint during this period of emergency to rupture the foundation of corruption and impunity in the country."
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) appealed to other judges to expedite action on cases relating to graft before them. According to Osita Okechukwu, the publicity secretary of the Coalition of Political Parties, "We hold corruption responsible for those who died because of bad roads, lack of electricity and those who suffered strokes because their companies closed down, or relocated to neighbouring countries resulting in gross unemployment and general decadence in the system in the midst of an unprecedented oil windfall."
Also, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere Renewal Group, toed the line of those who deplored the sentence, saying it was not commensurate with the crime committed. According to Yinka Odumakin, the national publicity Secretary of the group, "When public office is abused, the entire system is assaulted. This must not be treated with kid gloves, if the quality of service in our public life is to be achieved to an appreciable standard of the civilised world."
Kid Gloves
Speaking of kid gloves, many Nigerians have expressed disappointment with the judgement. They are of the view that a 30-month jail term is too light for the kind of crime Chief Bode George and his colleagues committed. "The angst is justified considering lesser offences have been visited with grave punishments. "He stated that a few days ago an official of the Lagos state Management Authority was sentenced to four years imprisonment for collecting a bribe of N10,000.
Publicity secretary, Action Congress (AC), Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said, "Bode George deserves more than two years imprisonment for stealing billions from the common patrimony, to serve as a lesson to other looters. Now, all those clowns who follow George to court in uniform, will go and find something useful to do for a living."
Former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, stated emphatically that George deserved more than two years imprisonment, since he had stolen billions of naira.
"He was found guilty of stealing billions, how can that be justified with the two years jail term? It is a jurisdiction of rascality. Let this be a message to all who stole public funds that they may not get away with it," he said.
National Convener, United Action for Democracy (UAD), Comrade Biodun Aremu hailed the judge for doing a good job, saying that "I hope that this will apply to other thieves. Let Bode George pay the price. He looted the treasury and he should pay for this. We wish him a better tenure in jail.
"This conviction is good, as it has shown that the anti-corruption war now has a victim, unlike in the past. Beyond this, all corrupt people hanging around the corridor, of power should be brought to book," he concluded.
Victory For Rule Of Law
While most respondents have condemned the light sentence, it is nonetheless a victory for the rule of law. As one of the point on the seven point development agenda of President Yar'Adua, adherence to and respect for the for the rule of law and due process is one area where the Bode George case marks a victory for once for Nigeria. Under the administration of former President Obasanjo, a mentor to Bode George, the rule of law was observed more in the breach. It would have been near impossible for the judiciary to do what it did were Obasanjo still in the saddle. It would appear that President Yar'Adua has made a difference. The question is though, for how long?
If the rule of law has emerged a winner, it is not so for the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the case lasted, hundreds of the party members, presumed to be loyalists and supporters of Bode George, were always in the court, ready to disrupt proceedings and abusive to journalists. Discerning Nigerians began to wonder whether these people actually knew what was at stake.
The questions asked by analysts are how can a people whose patrimony has been toyed with, still show solidarity and loyalty to those who do not care for their future? Is it a reflection of the nature of Nigerian politics, or politics in the PDP? Does the party in power encourage corruption?
While members of opposition parties who spoke to Leadership Weekend all unanimously labelled the PDP a corrupt political party that eulogises and rewards the corrupt, a top PDP member who pleaded anonymity opined that the party is neither corrupt nor rewards the corrupt, and that the so-called PDP members who shed tears when Bode George and his fellow travellers were jailed could indeed be his loyalists.
The PDP member said that in view of the high level of poverty and lack of opportunity for many in Nigeria, it is expected that those who have benefitted from Bode George one way or another should identify with him, even in moments of travail. He said further that under Yar'Adua, any PDP member found guilty of corruption in a properly constituted court, would have himself to blame.
For the EFCC, it is a job well done, as stated already by its former chairman, Nuhu Ribadu. At last, the anti-graft agency can claim that at least one 'big' person has been nailed as a result of its effort and determination. The present chairperson, Farida Waziri, has also scored an important victory that will put her critics in check.
All said, Nigerians, as usual, will look forward to more of the Bode George type of case, where the guilty are actually punished, no matter how symbolic.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 Leadership. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
