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News Why Ojukwu’s body ‘ll remain in London, by Umeh P4 Sport I miss Russia, says Eagles star Odemwingie P24 Business Obasanjo under fire as Senate debates BPE report P11 www.thenationonlineng.net
VOL. 7, NO. 1961 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH
N150.00
•Police promise ‘safe, secure election’ •PDP has failed Nigeria, says Buhari •ACN urges security agents to be fair
KOGI 2011
•COUNTDOWN TO THE DECEMBER 3 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN THE CONFLUENCE STATE
Reps okay N98b for Jonathan
•AND MORE
•PAGES 10,43&44
I am happy this has come to an end. The ‘attempt to rubbish my name based on unsubstantiated charges, as I said, would fail. After my time in political office, I should enjoy my rights of going into personal business
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•’We didn’t take N2b bribe’ From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja
T
HE House of Representatives yesterday did a surprising volte-face to pass the controversial N98.4 billion virement requested by President Goodluck Jonathan,. The House had stood the virement down on October 30 on the premise that it was fraudulent, coming just a few months to the end of the fiscal year. However, the bill hurriedly passed through second reading on the floor of the House after a one hour closed session by the members amid allegations that the lawmakers received N2 billion from the Presidency to pass it. The leadership of the House of Representatives, however, denied the collection of a N2 billion bribe to smoothen the passage of the N98.4billion virement for nine ministries. Speaker AminuTambuwal, announced afContinued on page 4
•Asiwaju Tinubu after the verdict ... yesterday.
PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE
Tribunal: Tinubu has no case to answer Ex-Lagos governor discharged on foreign accounts charges
F •Justice Umar ... yesterday
ORMER Lagos Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s integrity remained intact yesterday, with the Code of Conduct Tribunal freeing him of the threecount charge brought by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was charged with allegedly operating foreign accounts while in office. Tribunal Chairman Justice
From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja
Danladi Umar said the charge constituted an abuse of court process, judging by the manner the prosecution withdrew it and filed an amended charge. This, he said, robbed the tribunal of jurisdiction. The three-man panel also quashed the amended charge for not disclosing any prima facie case against Tinubu.
Justice Umar said the CCB failed to meet the condition precedent laid down in the Act establishing the tribunal. He said the prosecution could not prove that they duly invited Tinubu to either deny or admit in writing the allegations against him. Besides, he pointed out that no affidavit or exhibit was attached to the charge to establish prima facie. The Tribunal arrived at the decision
after upholding Tinubu’s preliminary objection as argued by his team of lawyers, led Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN). Also for Tinubu are former NBA President Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Charles Edosomwan (SAN), Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Dele Belgore (SAN), Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Kabiru Turaki (SAN), Emeka Ngige (SAN), Continued on page 2
•INDUSTRY P13 •SPORT P24 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P43 •N/HEALTH P45