The Presidency on Thursday said it would only intervene in the N3.5bn power project contracts scandal involving Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello if it found out that the Federal Government was defrauded.
A source who made this known to our correspondents said it would be wrong for the Presidency to wade into the matter now since it was still a subject of litigation between an Austrian firm, M. Schneider GMBH & Co and its Nigerian subsidiary, M. Schneider Energy (Nig.) Limited.
The source said, “I do not think that the government will dabble in the matter, especially when it is in court.
“We think it is a business gone awry. We can only intervene if there is a proof that the government was defrauded.”
M. Schneider had in an August 30, 2007 petition to the Presidency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accused Obasanjo-Bello of travelling to Austria to sign contract papers by claiming to be Mrs. Damilola Akinlawon.
It also alleged that the contract was packaged by one Prince Albert Awofisayo, an acquaintance of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Chairman of VAMED Engineering Limited.
M. Schneider added that part of the agreement was for the floating of M. Schneider Energy, which bid for power project contracts when Obasanjo was president.
Akiya, a company in which Obasanjo-Bello and one of her siblings, Busola, are said to have an interest in was given 10 per cent equity in M. Schneider Energy.
Akiya was also to collect 10 per cent commission on any contract secured by M. Schneider Energy.
M. Schneider claimed that Obasanjo-Bello presented herself as Mrs. Akinlawon in order to ‘shield her father from being perceived as having breached relevant laws in the award of power projects.’
The petition was reportedly copied to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Senate Committee on Ethics.
The Presidency source said that the Austrian firm was encouraged to write the petition due to the current wave of reversal of Obasanjo administration‘s policies and review of contracts.
“The owners of the firm have expressed their willingness to come to Nigeria to testify before any probe panel,” he added.
But our correspondents gathered that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, might have asked the EFCC and the ICPC to brief him on the extent of their investigations into the scandal.
It was learnt that the two anti-graft agencies have been investigating the matter.
A source in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity with our correspondents, said, “I can tell you that the AGF has called for briefing from the two agencies.
”The commissions are expected to submit preliminary reports on how far they have gone with investigations since they received the petition.
”The reports will determine how the Presidency would relate with the International Arbitration Panel in France on the issue.
”It is too early for the Federal Government to react to the petition against the daughter of the former President.”
Obasanjo-Bello has, however, claimed to a national newspaper (not THE PUNCH) that the allegation that she concealed her identity in the business was false.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday said it would not act on Obasanjo-Bello’s saga until the facts were presented clearly.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said the Senate would presume Obasanjo-Bello innocent until proved guilty.
Eze said, ”We don‘t just act on things because they are published in a newspaper. We won‘t go into it. Moreover, the person involved has said she was being blackmailed.
“Our presumption is that she is innocent until proven otherwise.”
He, however, said he was not sure if the petition in question was given to the Senate Committee on Ethics as was published in some newspapers.
Reacting to the allegations on Thursday, two prominent lawyers – Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Mr. Bamidele Aturu – said that it was wrong for anyone to enter into contracts using a fictitious name.
Oyetibo said, “Before any contract can be consummated, there must be a legal person that is known to law.
“If any person enters into any contract using a fictitious name that is unknown to law, such contract is a nullity and of no effect.
Aturu said, “Every thing is based on supposition. Suppose it is true, then the contract she entered into is fraudulent and void.
“Full Investigation should be conducted to determine the exact positions of things.”
But the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called for a probe of the senator. It said that her involvement in the alleged scandal was an indication of the former President‘s ”weak moral standards.”
The organisation in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr.Yinka Odumakin, described Obasanjo-Bello‘s alleged involvement in the scandal as ”a reflection of Obasanjo‘s scandalous years.”
It called on the EFCC to immediately apprehend the Senator and carry out a thorough investigation.”
Attempts to speak with the EFCC on Thursday were futile.
However, investigations have revealed on Thursday that the government might investigate the award of N27bn contracts for the rehabilitation of the nation‘s teaching hospitals to VAMED.
Agency Reporters
The Punch
Friday, December 21, 2007
