PDP demands resignation, investigation of NBC boss, minister
Beware of corrupt ‘freedom fighters’ – Group, party leaders warn
By Mumini AbdulKareem
Embattled boss of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, Is-haq Kawu Modibbo, last night came under heavy attack from notable Kwarans and groups over the N2.5billion fraud leveled against him by the Federal Government.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed whose ministry supervises the NBC was also not spared from the vituperations that trailed the action last night.
The FG last week dragged the NBC boss before a Federal High Court, Abuja, sequel to an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Also charged with Modibbo are; Pinnacle Communications Limited; its founder, Lucky Omonuwa; and its Managing Director, Dipo Onifade.
According to court documents obtained by The PUNCH, 12 charges were preferred against the accused persons by Henry Emore and Adenekan Shogunle, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Following the development, the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), demanded for the immediate suspension of the APC chieftain pending the determination of the charges and called on the ICPC to investigate the involvement of the Minister of Information and Culture in the Digital Switch-Over (DSO).
In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the PDP made available to National Pilot on Thursday, the party commended the Federal Government for filing the case against the NBC DG.
The party also called on ICPC to investigate the involvement of Alhaji Lai Mohammed in the Digital Switch-Over, DSO.
“We note that the Ministry of Information and Culture which Lai Mohammed heads is the supervising ministry of NBC and as such, his involvement in the DSO project must be investigated. The presidency must not attempt to shield Lai Mohammed from proper investigation and possible prosecution.
“Kwarans must be conscious of the activities of those who disguise as freedom fighters. It is surprising that the same people who present themselves as saints and liberators are corrupt elements whose only agenda is to annex Kwara to Lagos and subject our commonwealth as a people to their sponsors and godfathers in Lagos”, it added.
Also, a group, Kwara Advancement Initiative (KAI) has also condemned the action of the NBC DG.
In a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Kamaldeen Olanrewaju, the case has further revealed the corrupt tendencies of those who call themselves freedom fighters in Kwara State.
“It is also instructive to note that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is the leader of the “O to ge” group also has his hands in this corruption case’ adding that ‘Kwarans can now see what O to ge is all about.
‘These people have no clear-cut agenda for Kwarans; their only interest is to serve their pockets and that of their sponsors in Abuja and Lagos.
It is unfortunate that these people who have humongous corruption allegation hanging on their necks have been disguising as ‘saints’ and have been the ones championing divisive and hate-driven campaign that has no substance or value to Kwara and its people.
“We know that the presidency has a penchant for shielding its corrupt people from prosecution. We, however call on the ICPC to pursue this case to a logical end. Any attempt by the presidency to mute this case shall be resisted. Modibbo Kawu and Lai Mohammed must explain to Nigerians how and why they mismanaged funds meant for the Digital Switch-Over project of the Federal Government”, it added.
Also speaking on the issue, a former chairman of the Kwara State Scholarship Board, Hon Isiaka Mogaji said Kwara should by weary of those who called themselves freedom fighters.
In a telephone chat with our reporter last night, Mogaji who is also a former member of the Kwara State House of Assembly noted that Kawu Modibbo and his likes cannot move Kwara forward.
“He has never been a sincere person in the first instance and we know him very well as a very close person to Dr Bukola Saraki then. Saraki has really benefitted him as a kinsman and elite who should be treated very well and encouraged but he decided on his own to jettison and pitch tent with outsiders.
“He has been given this position not more than three years and yet he has allegedly mismanaged or stolen a whopping N2.5 billion. That shows their character, their altitude and intension for Kwara. So the law should take its normal cause and every hand should be on deck pending the determination of the case.
“My advice to Kwarans on this is that they should be wary of absentee politicians who usually come home three months to election pasting posters and claiming they are reformers, saints and freedom fighters. They have shown how they will manage Kwara and that they are not trust worthy”.
