Posted by Olayinka Oyebode and Sesan Olufowobi on
Bayelsa State Acting Governor, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, on Friday described the impeachment of Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as an act of God.
Bayelsa State Acting Governor, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, on Friday described the impeachment of Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as an act of God.
Speaking hours after the governor was impeached and arrested, Jonathan stated that he was still watching the unfolding events. He, however, also had some kind words for his fallen former boss.
Jonathan, whose views were put across to our correspondent on telephone by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Welson Konrad, said, 'It is the Lord's doing, we thank God for everything. I also thank the good people of Bayelsa State for being steadfast. I thank Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, we shall continue to govern the state from where he stopped."
Konrad was unwilling to disclose Jonathan's location to our correspondent. None of Jonathan's aides was willing to disclose his exact location as at 2 pm. They, however, confirmed that he was still outside the state, a development which they said had inadvertently pushed his swearing -in ceremony till next week.
'You know it cannot be done tomorrow, being Saturday, so we are looking at next week. When exactly, I cannot say," said one of the aides, who stated that the governor-designate would soon make a public speech.
The Nigerian branch of the International Criminal Police (Interpol) meanwhile said it was awaiting directives from the organisation's headquarters in Lyon, France before deciding on how to carry out the warrant issued for the governor's arrest by a London court on Thursday.
The Commissioner of Police, Interpol, Mr. Yemi Onasile, told our correspondent on telephone that once Interpol received the court order, it would move to get him extradited to London.
'But, I know that some other security agencies like EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) are also interested in him," he said, adding that Interpol would work with the law enforcement agencies in the country on the governor's case.
EFCC's Chairman, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, said the governor's extradition to the UK would be considered in due course.
Briefing newsmen at State House, Abuja, shortly after conferring with President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ribadu said, 'It is too early to make a categorical statement on that. It is not more than two or three hours ago that he was impeached. We have to look at it. We have to get a warrant of arrest and we have to get a request from them. There are a lot of processes that have to be followed. We believe that things must be done properly and correctly. We intend to follow due process and what the law allows and permits. That is exactly what we are going to do."
Ribadu also explained that Alamieyeseigha was moved to Abuja for his safety and the interest of law and order in Bayelsa State, adding that the commission is considering his prosecution in Nigeria.
Also speaking, EFCC's Head of Media, Mr. Osita Nwajah, told Saturday Punch that the agency would proceed with its case against him.
'The man has several cases against him. Everyone wants him. We have a pending case against him. The Brits want him. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission wants him," Nwajah told AFP.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Friday described the governor's impeachment and arrest as a 'welcome development" for the nation's democracy.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr., told our correspondent on telephone that the development had shown that Nigerians were in support of the Federal Government's anti-corruption crusade.
He said, 'We believe that it is democracy at work. The people of Bayelsa have spoken. It shows that we are not a people who don't value hardwork. The people of Bayelsa have taken their destiny in their hands." On what would happen to the former governor, Nweke said the law would take its course.
Saturday PUNCH, December 10, 2005