With controversies still trailing the planned recall of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami, clandestine involvement of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Uwais and former Lagos State Governor and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Bola Tinubu has been revealed. A Lagos based group, Allied Progressive Movement (APM) revealed in a letter to the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Azazi the secret meetings held with Justice Uwais between April 2009 and February 2011 on the use of the judiciary to secure electoral victories for the ACN. Copy of the letter, dated December 26, 2011 and signed by APM Coordinator, Kola Ajayi and Secretary General Mutiu Shadimu was obtained by our reporter. It was titled; “Tinubu/ Uwais Alliance Corrupting the Judiciary.” The letter read; “We wish to bring to your attention sir the unhealthy relationship between Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and Mr. Justice Muhammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Over a period of two years the two have consistently engaged in activities that are detrimental to the integrity of the judiciary and debilitating to the cause of all those who seek justice from a honest, transparent, honourable and uncorrupted judiciary that deals equity with clean hands. The attached document titled “Tinubu as a Virus in the Judiciary The Uwais Connection” provides detail information on this alliance between the duo. “The attachment also highlights in particular the corrupting influence of Justice Uwais on Justice Salami at the instance of Senator Bola Tinubu and Justice Uwais unrelenting effort to redeem Justice Salami. Justice Uwais obviously saw an opportunity when he was appointed to head the NJC’s Judicial Reform panel. He appears to be making desperate effort to coerce the new Chief Justice Musdapher to recall Justice Salami from suspension and cleansed of perjury. The timing and his tenacity clearly raise suspicion of a possible link to the approaching determination of the ongoing Presidential election appeal. “In the interest of the Judiciary in particular and the nation in general, We hereby urge you sir to use your good offices to order a thorough investigation into the information provided in the attached and the people mentioned in it. We are convinced your investigation will no doubt confirm the roles being played by Senator Tinubu and his allies like Justice Uwais to destroy the nation’s judiciary just to promote personal, political and economic interests. We also appeal to you sir to use your good offices to do the needful so that sanity and impeccability, honour and integrity can be restored to the judiciary.” THE ATTACHED REPORT Tinubu as a Virus in the Judiciary: The Uwais Connection For some time, there has been serious national concern on the level of corruption in the Judiciary. It has become imperative that efforts be made to locate the epicenter of this corrupting influence in the hope that the authorities can do something about it to help restore sanity. 2.Two people, who have worked closely with each other to corrupt the judiciary are Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and Justice Muhammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Some of their known activities are detailed below which shows that at least since 2009, Justice Uwais consistently worked with and at the behest of Tinubu to pervert justice at the highest level. Senator Tinubu and Justice Uwais relationship actually dates back to the linguistically inchoate decision of the Uwais Supreme Court on the inchoate nature of Local Government creation in Lagos by Tinubu’s administration. 3. At a meeting in Lagos on April 5, 2009 attended by Tinubu’s men known as “Team Lagos”, Tinubu boasted that his main man to do the hatchet work for him in the Judiciary was Uwais. Those present at that meeting included Rauf Aregbesola (now Governor), Chief Ajomale, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (a musician popularly known as KWAM1), Chief Badmus (aka Kosija, Vice Chairman, OPC, Fasheun faction; he is now late), Rafiu Olohunwa, etc. 4. On Wednesday, May 20, 2009, Tinubu conveyed a meeting at Aregbesola’s house on Oduduwa Road, Ikeja. At the meeting were Dele Alake, Ayo Casmir, Rauf Aregbesola, leadership of the NBA, a Representative of the NLC, Asari Dokubo group, Human Rights Groups’ representatives. Several issues were discussed. A major resolution was that the Human Rights Group, the NBA, the Press and NLC should begin to drum up support for the implementation of Uwais Report on Electoral Reform. Tinubu’s heavy financial support and vocal support by proxy were the strings with which he eventually tied Uwais to his apron. 5. On or about July 10, 2009, Tinubu, in a meeting with his aides was very upset with the Appeal Court’s decision ordering a re-run in the Ekiti North Senatorial District. He mentioned one Justice Fagbohungbe (Rtd), one Justice Adeniji (Rtd) and Justice Uwais as critical contacts. He called Justice Uwais at the meeting to question the rational behind the sudden change of theirearlier decision (outright victory for AC candidate) on the judgement. 6. On Wednesday July 15, 2009, Tinubu met with selected members of his inner circle. The meeting focused on the judiciary and the police. On judiciary, Tinubu said, PDP leadership from Southwest recently made deft moves to whittle down his influence on the judiciary. According to him, he claimed at the meeting, that apart from helping some notable members of the judiciary (rtd/serving) to parcel/s of land in areas of their choice in Lagos, he also assisted in building them. He said some members of the judiciary love him for supporting one of their own (Uwais and his Report). He posited that for these and other reasons, PDPis finding it difficult to infiltrate their rank and file. Tinubu asked the meeting rhetorically: “how many of them in their various states (PDP Governors) have total grip on their state judiciary?” Tinubu boasted that he can call the shot in any state particularly in the Southwest. 7. At a meeting on Bourdillon Road on July 19, 2009 , in response to a question on Ekiti Tribunal, Tinubu told the meeting he was on top of the situation. He said his moral and financial support for full implementation of Uwais Electoral Reform Bill had even won him more support from the Bench. He (Tinubu) said he gave them people who are about collecting 20 million signatures and promised to ignite a mass rally for the full implementation of the report. 8. At a meeting in Lagos on or about July 25, 2009 which had in attendance LagosCJ, Lagos A-G, NBA President, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ebun Sofunde, Awodein, Dr Onipede, Nurudeen Ogbara, Justice Inumidun Akande and a Rtd Female CJ, Tinubu thanked them for their impressive performance. He particularly commended them for the astonishing feats recently recorded in Ekiti. Tinubu openly confirmed at the meeting that one Sotonye had been adequately compensated for favouring AC. Tinubu also mentioned that Justice Adebara is not doing badly. That at the Ekiti Tribunal, AC has recorded some favourable rulings, that Tinubu particularly favouredthe one that gave AC reprieve to tender documents at will. He asked for their support on Lagos Local Government Councils. He personally appealed to Akeredolu to make a statement on the issue and also co-opt other principal officers of NBAinto the struggle. Tinubu also said others that included a Retired CJ of the Federation (Uwais) were working round the clock to ensure AC victory. He enjoined those present to support his mission. 9. On Saturday August 1, 2009, Tinubu held a meeting at a Magodo hideout with Team Lagos where he instructed them to provide 100 “boys” for the Ekiti North Senatorial re-run fixed for August 15th. He pledged N50 million as fund for the project. 10. On Sunday August 2, 2009 he held a second meeting at Bourdillon with the following in attendance: Kehinde Ogundele, Leye Bamidale, Oladipo Akinyemi, Funminiyi Afuye, Yomi Adeoti, Dele Olatuyi, Olaiya Polati, Foluso James and his inner caucus. Tinubu expressed disgust over one AC lawmaker who connived with PDP lawmakers in an attempt to remove the Speaker, Odeyemi. He said he had committed so much on ‘Ekiti Project’ and was not ready to lose the State. As for the judiciary, Tinubu boasted that he was on top of the situation. He assured he was currently enjoying the support of other opposition parties in Ekiti. 11. In the night of Friday August 2, 2009, Tinubu met some members of the AC legal team handling the Governorship re-run case. Others at the meeting included NBA’s Akeredolu, Justice Inumidun, some erstwhile Lagos CJs and some of his trusted aides which included Opeyemi Bamidele, Fouad Oki, Alake, etc. Tinubu affirmed at the meeting that through Justice Uwais and other notable Justices (Rtd and Serving) he has infiltrated the Tribunal members’ camp. Tinubu was on phone with a female member of the Tribunal for over an hour. 12. During the weekend of October 16 18, 2009, two meetings were held. One was on saving the Ekiti Speaker and Deputy from impeachment. The other was to consider the report on Constitution and Electoral Reform for review and necessary input. This issue prompted their immediate visit to Ghana. The sole aim was to conceal the identity of the personalities involved not only in weakening the centre and strengthening the other tiers of government particularly the states but also exploring a possible avenue of having a bloodless revolution if they are unable to push through their agenda which they regarded as a catalyst to solving Nigeria’s problem. While in Ghana they visited the man in-charge of Ghana’s election from whom they borrowed some ideas. 13. Those at the Ghana meeting comprised Opeyemi Bamidele, LASTMA and KAI Bosses, Justice Uwais, Fouad Oki, Baba Eto, Yinka Odumakin, one Judge Abutu, Adeyinka and Alabi both rtd Justices, Afikuyomi, Wale Osun, H. O. Davies, Dele Alake, Dele Momodu, Representative of Adenuga, Chief Badmus a.k.a Kosija, Musiliu Akinsanya (aka M.C.), Olohunwa and others. 14. On or about November 2, 2009, Tinubu’s group was in the United Kingdom to mobilize support for the implementation of the Uwais report and at the same time deliberate on pending cases in various Tribunals and Appeal Courts. On implementation of Uwais report, the UK trip was a follow up to their visit to Ghana and US Consular General. Tinubu’s representative at the gathering boasted that the pressure on Yar’Adua by the Labour, Human Right Groups, NBA, NGO’s, Socio- Cultural organisations such as Afenifere Renewal Group, Egbe Igbimo Yoruba, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Arewa Opinion Elders Forum and others that Tinubu has been funding heavily had succeeded in mounting enormous pressure on Yar’Adua. He (Tinubu) pledged further financial support to any individual or group of people who are ready to join the struggle. 15. They also concluded at the London meeting that should Yar’Adua succeed in killing the Uwais report, they would make the country ungovernable. They expressed strong believe that President Yar’Adua was lily-livered and can easily be pummeled to submission. Tinubu at the meeting claimed he had been able to subdue Yar’Adua on Lagos LGAs and LGDAs through the same process. Aside this they (Tinubu group) were seriously sensitizing and mobilizing people for a massprotest rally. And on the day of the rally here, other rallies would be going on simultaneously abroad. 16. To make their job easier, both Tinubu and Atiku agreed at a meeting held in Abuja, Lagos State house, where they jointly resolved to use their connections within the judiciary to influence cases at both the Tribunal and Appeal Courts. Based on this agreement, they scheduled an emergency meeting with their ‘judiciary contacts’ which comprised the following: Uwais, Abutu, Alabi rtd, Lagos C.J, Oyewole, Akande, Falana, Akeredolu, Abdullahi, Prof Oyewo, and three others from the North who were asked to compel the people in charge of various cases to play ball. They specifically mentioned Ogun, Ekiti and Osun. There was assurance from them. 17. On or about November 17, 2009, Tinubu at his meeting with his Team resolved to provide financial support for mobilization towards mass protests. Otunba Kazeem Badmus (aka Kosija now late) was in the North to sensitize Yoruba residents there while Alhaji Shetima (Arewa Youth Forum Leader) was commissioned to handle Northerners. The plan was to force Yar’Adua’s government to adopt the Uwais Report. They planned to capitalize on government planned fuel deregulation. Segun Adeniyi boosted their cause with a statement he issued titled “Who is afraid of Uwais Report?” 18. Meanwhile, Tinubu was to sponsor the hosting of Justice I. A. Salami, President, Court of Appeal at Eko Hotel by the leadership of NBAand Justice Akande, Lagos C.J. 19. Towards December 9, 2009, several meetings were held at various locations particularly at Bourdillon Road, Oduduwa Ikeja official residence of Aregbesola, a Prophet’s house at Shangisha and at three other secret locations owned by Tinubu (Magodo and another one at Ikoyi), and at Justice Uwais house in Lekki Phase I. 20. On Ekiti Re-run: At the dinner organized for the new Court of Appeal President, Salami. Uwais, Akeredolu and Inumidun categorically made an appeal to the Justice, the new Court of Appeal President to support their course in Ekiti. They also requested to have an input in the composition of the Judges that would sit at the appeal that will succeed the present Tribunal. The man obliged their request. 21. Meanwhile, Tinubu decided not to say anything openly that’ll hurt the presidency any more. But secretly sponsor attacks on the President through his aides, NBA, the 54/55 group and others who were calling for the ailing President’s resignation. The purpose was to put enormous pressure on the North. 22. Between May 9 and May 13 2010, Tinubu’s team comprising top legal experts who were mandated to meet with Justice Adebara, one of the Ekiti Tribunal members, met. The team’s assignment was to establish from Justice Adebara what went wrong atthe Tribunal. 23. The committee in their report said Adebara admitted that lots of factors contributed to the outcome of that tribunal ruling. The committee reported that Adebara listed among others, crisis in the AC and Atiku return to PDP. They said, Adebara later commended the resilience of PDP in Ekiti. He affirmed that the majority ruling was full of loop- holes and pointed out some of the faults in the ruling / judgement. Almost all the decisions taken at the meeting with Adebara were ratified. 24. Tinubu vowed to upturn the ruling at the Appeal. To achieve his (Tinubu) objectives, he constituted a committee comprising notable jurists and legal luminaries that included Prof. Osibajo, Femi Falana, Justice Uwais, Akanbi, Alabi and others whose assignment was to study the rulings and advice/render assistance to the legal team handling the matter. 25. He (Tinubu) also boasted at the meeting that, he’ll influence the composition of the Appeal committee members. He submitted he has finalised that with the authority concerned. He (Tinubu) said the Appeal would be headed by someone fromeither Niger Delta or East. Aregbesola was mandated to organise prayer warriors and traditional actions. 26. For funding of the project tagged Ekiti Must Be Surmounted, Tinubu informed the meeting of the recent attempt by Governor Fashola to terminate the contract between Alpha/Beta, his company, and Lagos State government. He commended several efforts made by Ikuforiji, the Speaker and the House for using their legislative power to counter some of the moves. But he (Tinubu) promised to raise the fund for the project. He hinted that if Fashola went further that he’ll boot him out of office. 27. As for EFCC probe, Tinubu assured everybody that his foot soldiers were already working. He disclosed that the Commission’s spokes person was his man. He promised to call a meeting immediately he’s with the names of Appeal Court members. 28. About May 20, 2010, a meeting of Tinubu’s inner caucus was initially scheduled for Akodo, Eleko Beach Area. Governor Fashola decided to wield the big stick and scheduled his own meeting for the same venue, same time. This prompted Tinubu to shift his meeting to Alesh Hotel at Ajah. Tinubu’s meeting was attended by Niyi Akintola (SAN), Justice Akande, Justice Alabi (Rtd), Justice Adeyinka (Rtd) Chairman LASIEC, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), Femi Falana, Prof. Lai Olurode, Yinka Odumakin, Muiz Banire,Toyin Pinhero (SAN), Police AIG Arabamen, LASTMABoss, Aregbesola, Dele Alake, H. O. Davies, Olohunwa, and others. Olohunwa was not allowed into the meeting as he was only invited to ward off area boys. 29. At the meeting, Tinubu revealed that he got Sowore, former UNILAG Student Union President to use their fabricated N3 Billion Tribunal bribe story which facilitation they were pinning on OBJ and Afe Babalola. He coughed out US$250,000 to ensure the story emanated from Saharareporters. 30. In the build up to the April 2011 Presidential election, Tinubu and his Team were confident that irrespective of the way the election went, they would subvert the results at the Supreme Court with the help of Uwais and some other judges. 31. A meeting held on Monday December 27, 2010 at Tinubu’s Bourdillon Road home, in the thick of negotiation on the ACN/ CPC merger, Buhari led the CPC team while Tinubu headed the ACN team. At the meeting there were irreconcilable differences over merger arrangement. Tentatively, the parties involved agreed to use ACN based on the fact that ACN holds sway in the Southwest and are having substantial impact in the South-South. They considered CPC as the party to beat in the North; all these gave them hope of wrestling power from PDP in 2011. 32. On the Presidential Candidate to be used they settled for Buhari. For the Vice, Tinubu showed interest. He told the meeting that his popularity in the S/W and other parts of Nigeria will do the magic. But people who knew him (Tinubu) inside out kicked against such arrangement. Even Buhari objected to it; the S/E people also opposed and they insisted that one of their own, Ngige, must be used. Tinubu, having confided in some people that Ngige by virtue of who he is, might be difficult to control if chosen,finally pushed for Niyi Adebayo while Ngige settled for SGF. Ribadu was to be reinstated and made IG, etc. 33. In early February 2011, as a follow-up to the meeting he (Tinubu) held with the representatives of the Ciroma-led team in Jan. Another meeting came up with full representation of notable NPLF leaders that had in attendance the likes of Ayu, Haruna, factional Arewa Youth Forum leader, Shettima, Anthony Sani and other notables. 34. At the meeting, Tinubu was praised for his singular effort in checkmating OBJ who has been the major “character or evil” confronting PDP and threatening Nigerian democracy. They pledged their co-operation with Tinubu. Aregbesola sang praise of Tinubu, calling him “Ẹkun ọkọ baba agbẹ Ọta, Jagaban of our time” (Obasanjo’s conqueror, Jagaban of our time). Those on the side of Tinubu were Justice Uwais, one other Justice, AIG Arabamen, Kai Brigade Captain Maigeri Rtd, National Secretary ACN, Dr. Fayemi, Ribadu and others that included HoD, Olohunwa, who claimed to be representative of the NURTW boss. 35. At the meeting, their discussion centred mainly on the following three issues: a) Sponsorship of crisis in some parts of the North particularly States that supported Jonathan at the Presidential primary. b) Military intervention if all other efforts fail. c) Judicial process The last one they didn’t delve too much on was the issue of consensus candidate which the Northern representatives had claimed to be an impossible task. 36. On chaos sponsorship, Tinubu encouraged them to fund secretly the lingering crisis. Cash and ‘boys/mercenaries’ for such operations would be taken care of by him (Tinubu). He boasted at the meeting that, “this time, I’ll open the treasury to prosecute this forthcoming elections”. He tasked the factional Arewa Youth Forum President, Mallam Yerima Shettima, to try and identify some of the trouble shooters for adequate funding and support in preparation for sponsorship. What they purportedly stand to gain is to discredit GEJ government and make it unpopular in some of the states he won during the PDP Presidential primary. 37. They also weighed the military option. The Northerners were mainly in support of the idea while Tinubu advised that should be a last resort but warned that the leader must be trusted. According to source, there was a sharp disagreement, sentiment and ethnicity issue beclouded their reasoning so the gathering did not reach an agreement. 38. Judiciary: Tinubu at the meeting assured those present that with the backing of “Eledumare” (God) and some prominent jurists both serving and retired, victory was assured. But on the candidate to be adopted by the parties they zeroed down on Buhari, Ribadu. 39. At the meeting, the other Snr. Justice present hinted those at the sitting that efforts should be put in place to protect/defend Salami, the Appeal Court President. There and then, he informed them that attempt would be made to remove him from office and he’ll be replaced by a weakling who will definitely truncate the plan of the house. He appealed to Tinubu to use his enormous wealth to drum support for Salami. 40. The Justice also warned especially Tinubu to be wary of some of his aides pointing out his house was leaking. He went further to say, almost all Tinubu inner caucus meetings leaked to the opposing camp. He cited many examples such as meeting between Tinubu and Salami, how emisaries were being sent to him to thwart some of the moves by Tinubu & co.Facts and figures about what and what exchanged hands for a favour including the one owned by proxy/proxies. 41. In reaction to the Justice’s advice, Tinubu corroborated the Jurist after thanking him for his great observation particularly on the moles around him. He said he had identified some of the serving commissioners and council bosses who were working for the opponents. He also mentioned that one or more former council chairmen were also in the same train with the traitors.Tinubu however said that he had started dealing with them squarely. He said Opeyemi Bamidele was supposed to be at the meeting but for kicking against the ‘establishment’ that made him, he has started paying the price. 42. As for Salami, Tinubu promised to mobilise the Press, Human Right Groups, NGO, Lawyers, Coalition of Political Parties. For propaganda, he boasted that he was in control of that and all would be deployed to defend Salami from being disgraced out of office. He (Tinubu) counseled those who have benefitted from his largesse to tighten up the loose nuts. He said there’s a way they’ll do it and they won’t trace it to anybody. He advised that they see some of his aides for proper counseling. Amongst the aides were, Bolaji Idris Ariyoh, Bisi Yusuf, Tayo Oduntan, H. O. Davies, Dele Alake and others. 43. On the defence of Salami, he said they had met with the needed organisations, chief among whom is Sowore of Saharareporters. He was also planning to establish another online electronic media. Another plan they also agreed on wasto be meeting regularly as at when Tinubu deemed fit at any venue he chose. In support of the course, Tinubu gave N5m each for their transport andagain donated another N200m to jump start the Northern agenda. He promised another N300m, if they do well.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 22:40:01 +0000
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