It would appear that Nigerians have come to expect their public officials to engage in corruption, profligacy and all kinds of public immorality. Elendureports.com has reported many stories of corruption involving Nigerian officials and members of their families. While we have been applauded for bringing these acts of corruption to light, some of our readers are tiring from these stories.
Enyi Onyekwere, a Nigerian US based civil engineer, a few days ago told Elendureports.com, “Everybody knows they do it. We all know they are corrupt, so it’s no big deal. All people are looking for is somebody to tell the story and there’s where you come in.” This attitude, though in the minority, has been described as part of the reason Nigerian public officials commit criminal acts with impunity.
Elendureports.com has uncovered evidence of another Nigerian Governor involved in criminal activity. The Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, purchased a house on June 1, 2004 in London. This property was purchased one year after Mr. Bafarawa was sworn-in for his second term as the Governor of Sokoto State.
Purchased for two hundred and ninety-five thousand (£295,000.00) pounds, the property with title number NGL836183 is located at 9 Radnor Place, London W2 2TF. The entire sum of nearly three hundred thousand pounds was paid for in cash. One month after the purchase of his London home, specifically on the July 7, 2004, Bafarawa granted an interview to the Hausa service of Voice of America. During the interview, Bafarawa chided President Obasanjo for accusing State governors of corruption and misappropriation of public funds. In response to a question on the subject, Bafarwa said, “Let him start with himself.”
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa is one of the major sponsors of the last Independence Day celebrations in New York. One of the organizers Elendureports.com spoke with said she could neither confirm nor deny his involvement in the Independence Celebrations as she didn’t have all the facts before her.
An associate of Bafarawa, speculated as his self-appointed successor was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. According to the NEWS, a popular Nigerian magazine, Umarun Kwabo, Chairman, Sokoto Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, was arrested by the EFCC based on a petition by a top member of the rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ibrahim Magaji.
According to the petition by Magaji, Bafarawa and Kwabo conspired to loot Sokoto State through inflation of contracts and channeling all major contracts to companies belonging to Magaji and Bafarawa. Magaji who was arrested in August, and later released, was also accused of colluding with the Sokoto State Governor in money laundering schemes. The Sokoto State Governor is also having problems with his Deputy, Aliyu Wamakko.
The political elite in Sokoto State regard the Governor as a barely literate man who ascended the ‘governorship throne’ through unfair means. This group includes the Deputy Governor who has been in a running battle with Bafarawa. Their fight may not be unconnected with the 2007 presidential and governorship elections. There are speculations that Bafarawa is a staunch supporter of the self-acclaimed evil genius, Ibrahim Babangida, while Wamakko is in Vice President Atiku’s camp.
The Deputy Governor is also peeved that his boss has not been enthusiastic about his ambition of becoming governor of Sokoto State come 2007. Hence, there are speculations he may have given the EFCC the ammunition they needed to go after the Governor’s chosen successor. This high stakes gamesmanship continues to change as the days go by. However, the questions on the minds of many Nigerians are: Why are our so-called leaders buying up other countries? Is it possible they don’t believe Nigeria will be there after they leave office?
Sokoto Governor Has His Share of London
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13 comments
i totally disagree with you. Did you take a deep thought about the economic advantage of such direct business investment? he also emphasize on employement of chinese indigenes;isn’t that beneficial enough even if it’s true that such funds were actually out of embezzlement. how could someone bought a house cash down with a legitimate money and he doesn’t live there? why not diversify his investment portfolio and take advantage of the mortage options. By the way, the work of journalist are open to criticism or wont you sue someone for defarmation of character if you are falsely accused? Lastly. please there is no need for the abusive word, everyone ones’ opinion is resourceful and we all deserve respect .THANKS. HOPE YOU WONT CURSE ME.lol
No i do not have anything to say i just want to say hello!!!
Unknown user – Eleke Ebu or whatever his/her name is said "These guys have come again with their speculative pseudo-journalism." The so-called speculative article has been validated. See the comments by the governor himself. Now admit you were wrong and get your head out of the sand. It is okay to be wrong. It is even more dignifying to admit it.
u ppl are doing a great job at least even if we are unable to do anytin at this time all this corrupt leaders are being confronted with there deedsthough their conscience may b deadthey know that there is no resting place for the wicked
Ighodaro said he didnt think Sowore etc needed to defend themselves before some sicko and idiots whose only claim to fame and intelligence is a bunch of letters on a computer keyboard somewhere in a damp basement anywhere.
Ighodaro wanted us to know that those other writers he disagreed with were living in a damp basement……poor him. He must be a wizard or a Harry Porter with a magic eye or better still a sicko himself!
You guys of little minds should always first see a shrink before analysing others! Eleke ebu!
It is precise and very articulate; straight to the point without mincing words
I am fully supportive of the Naijaman commentary. I mean these two guys-Sowore and Elendu don't deserve any insult from some sicko who just hang on the internet to insult anyone that moves. They have done concrete stories that even the Nigerian presidential propaganda machine could not debunk -See the Olu Obasanjo story as an example. I don't think they need to defend themselves before some idiots whose only claim to fame and intelligence is a bunch of letters on a computer keyboard somewhere in a damp basement anywhere. These two guys are doing for Nigeria what EFCC ICPC and the Nigeria Police could not archieve with all their resources and power. Power to these patriots!
Hey Naija man here is a response to your comment:….You wrote that you didnt see what was excellent in comment number 2…..guess what it's because you are BLIND!
Both the first and the second comments are excellent responses but all guys like you know best is to be abusive as you have nothing concrete to write.
You also stated that (to come in here and criticize the efforts of others under an annonymous blanket is idiotic cheap sad and imbecile). And what about you! Did your parents name you Naija Man! You are olofo (empty man)…..self-contradictory and very confused!
I don't see what is excellent about comment 2. I believe it is flawed and borderline stupid to expect any proof of corruption on the part of psycotic corrupt Nigerian officials. I commend the efforts of the writers and their investigative journalism. It takes personal efforts and time to care about a nation. To come in here and criticize the efforts of others under an annonymous blanket is idiotic cheap sad and imbecile.
Excellent writen from comment 2
These guys have come again with their speculative pseudo-journalism. It's no big deal that some politicians are buying properties in foreign lands. Mere emotions and sentiments will not do. Elendu and Sowore will win many hearts if they can furnish us with evidence that those properties were corruptly acquired.
And when are they going to start writing about some positive Nigerians and stuffs in our country……or are they saying everything and everybody (including themselves) are bad in our nation
Nothing wrong in buying up other countries if it is done as foreign direct investments. But the whole concept of buying private residential homes by public officials who do not live in these foreign countries makes one wonder about their psychological state of mind.
China and other Asian countries are buying businesses in Europe and the US. These businesses are managed by their citizens. This trans-national business concept is helping those Asian countries compete globally.
The concept of most US oil companies and those involved in commodity trade is to buy those foreign countries through their business operations.