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Averting The Debacle AT NIA

Published

8 years ago

January 17, 2018

By Muhammad Ado Fili
The intelligence cycle and indeed many Nigerians were apprehensive that the efficiency and efficacy of the National Intelligence Agency NIA may be drastically eroded with the unceremonious sack of its erstwhile Director General, Ambassador Ayo Oke. Described as one of the finest brains in the cycle, Oke was sacrificed for failing to convince President Muhammadu Buhari, the appropriateness of stashing $43.3 million in a private residence. But relief came the way of officers and other workers of the agency when, Ambassador Mohammed Usman, an equally fine brain like Ayo Oke was appointed, albeit in acting capacity.
Established in 1986, in response to growing need for international intelligence gathering and security connectivity, the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, has not been known for controversies until the Osborne towers cash find. Expectations were very high at the agency that the Acting Director General, Ambassador Mohammed Dauda was going to be confirmed, given the fact that, not only is he the most senior officer in ranking at the agency, but that he discharged his functions so well, that Ayo Oke’s absence was almost not felt.
It was rather a rude shock for many Nigerians, as it was to the officers and men of the NIA that, President Muhammadu Buhari declined confirming the Acting DG, ostensibly on the prompting of some powerful individuals around him, who have their eyes on some undisclosed money belonging to the agency. The suspicion in some quarters was that the new DG who served as the secretary of the panel that investigated and recommended the sack of Ayo Oke, may have struck a deal with the so called cabal to serve as their mole.
Many Nigerians have faulted the president: some on moral grounds and others on credibility and competence grounds, which the new appointee allegedly lacks. With the appointment of Abubakar Rufai Ahmed, his kinsman from Katsina state as a replacement to the Acting Dg, Mohammed Dauda, who is the darling of staffers of the agency, the President may have shot himself in the foot, against the backdrop of criticisms that he practices nepotism in governance by appointing people from his native area into positions at the expense of the federal character principles.
If reports in the media are true to the effect that the new DG has a record of failures, besides possible divided loyalty to more than one country, one may be right to surmise that, the NIA may be in trouble with its new helmsman. It is even being alleged that having worked at the OIC for more than fifteen years even as a staff of Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ahmed may be a spy for some foreign nations who have interest in undermining Nigeria’s development.
Findings from some staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, who prefer anonymity reveals that the National Intelligence Agency, NIA is too sensitive to be headed by the newly appointed Director General, Mr Abubakar Rufai Ahmed, which was neither on merit nor was it appropriate as he allegedly left the Public Service under controversial circumstances, having failed to pass promotion exams three times.
There have been allusions to a possible conspiracy by people very close to President Muhammadu Buhari, often referred to as the cabal, who pushed for the new DG’s appointment to advance their personal interests and to give them access to an undeclared $44 million stashed away somewhere, which President Muhammadu Buhari does not seem to know about.
Findings reveal that the N43.3 Billion earlier recovered from Osborne Towers was just a fraction of a larger haul, which the Acting DG, Ambassador Mohammed Dauda may have refused to cooperate with the cabal in sharing and that was why his appointment was not confirmed even as the most senior officer in the service with a track record of service, not yet matched in the NIA.
It is common knowledge amongst officers of the agency that, the Acting DG, who will be retiring from service by September 2018 refused to throw his enviable career on the line by refusing to tamper with the remaining funds, which may have angered the cabal, hence they plotted to foist the new DG, despite his apparent foibles, so as to be able to spin him.
Tempers have continued to rise across the country, especially in the South West where the immediate past substantive Director General, Mr Oke comes from, and from amongst professionals who see Ambassador Dauada as a more competent replacement. Staffs of the agency are not also impressed with President Buhari’s new appointee, as they prefer Dauda’s confirmation.
To them, the DG who served as the secretary of the panel that investigated and recommended the sack of Mr Ayo Oke does not qualify to be appointed on moral grounds, They also argue that contrary to service doctrines, the new DG’s own mother is a Chadian, and his wife is also a Moroccan. In any of the security and intelligence agencies, where an officer’s allegiance and loyalty could be in doubt due to origin or maternal association, such an officer cannot head any of the agencies.
Records indicate that the new DG also spent more than ten years at the Organization of Islamic Conference, OIC, on secondment contrary to rules guiding secondment of an officer to any organization to which Nigeria is a member. The rule provides that an officer can be seconded for only two years, renewable, making a maximum of four years. Mr Rufai Ibrahim, having spent more than ten years at the Organization of Islamic Conference, OIC, is in breach of conventional requirements of the head of the NIA.
Those who wrote the script and gave President Muhammadu Buhari to read were most uncharitable to Nigeria and to the NIA. Except if the President has a longer agenda, or as it seems was deceived into appointing the new DG, Nigerians will continue to ask questions as to why the Acting DG, who has discharged himself so well in the absence of Oke was denied confirmation. The uneasy calm in the NIA as the new DG, Ahmed takes over may be enough signal for the President to save his face and save Nigeria by reversing Ahmed’s appointment quickly.
…Citizen Ado writes from Malali, Kaduna

Featured

El-Rufai Prays for Late Audu Ogbeh, Says He Deserves Al-Jannah Firdaus Despite Being Catholic

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described the late Chief Audu Ogbeh as a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the service of others, praying that God grants him eternal rest in paradise.

Speaking in a video shared by Symfoni TV, El-Rufai acknowledged that Ogbeh was a Catholic, not a Muslim, but said he would continue to pray that Allah admits him into Al-Jannah Firdaus because “he is deserving of it.”

Holding back tears, the former governor praised Ogbeh as “a good man” who touched many lives and left behind a legacy of service. He also recalled Ogbeh’s achievements as Minister of Agriculture, noting that under his leadership Nigeria ended its heavy reliance on rice imports.

“Before his reforms, Nigeria was spending five million dollars monthly on rice imports, but that figure dropped to zero during his tenure,” El-Rufai said.

He prayed for comfort for Ogbeh’s family and loved ones, adding: “I will keep praying for Audu Ogbeh, a Catholic and not a Muslim, so that Allah would grant him entrance to Al-Jannah Firdaus. What a great man he was.”

Do you want me to make this more emotional and tribute-like (focusing on Ogbeh’s character and legacy), or keep it strictly factual and political?

Featured

Facilitation

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a man whose life continues to illuminate the path of honour, courage, and patriotism: Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd.), on the occasion of his 76th birthday. It is not only a moment of personal reflection but a national milestone, as we honour a soldier, statesman, pro-democracy icon, and moral conscience of our nation.

Colonel Umar stands tall among Nigeria’s most principled voices; his name evoking an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and democratic ideals. In the tumultuous days following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, when many chose silence or self-preservation, he chose the difficult path of truth. He risked his career, comfort, and personal safety by speaking out in defence of Chief MKO Abiola’s stolen mandate, despite being a senior member of the ruling military council. It was a singular act of bravery that not only inspired a generation but redefined the meaning of loyalty to country over convenience.

As a young civil rights activist in those difficult days, I found in Colonel Umar not just a role model, but a moral compass. He demonstrated to us that true leadership is not merely about wielding power, but standing firm in defence of what is right, even at great personal cost. His resignation from the Nigerian Army at a time when he stood poised for further elevation is perhaps one of the most courageous acts in our political history.

As Governor of Kaduna State today, I draw deep inspiration from his sterling example of inclusive leadership. His tenure as military governor of this great state remains a reference point for fairness, balance, and peacebuilding. In a deeply diverse and, at times, fractured society, he governed with wisdom, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in our shared humanity.

Colonel Umar’s transcendence of ethnic and religious divides has never required a denial of his own identity. Rather, he has drawn strength from it: his noble Fulani lineage, his deep Islamic faith, and his enduring belief that justice is the foundation of peace.

I am proud to stand among those who celebrate him, not only for his past heroism, but for his continued voice of conscience in our national life. I also warmly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring him with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), a richly deserved recognition.

Happy 76th birthday, our highly revered Colonel Dangiwa Umar. May your legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

Senator Uba Sani, CON
Governor, Kaduna State

Featured

Natasha; Defamations Charges On Akpabio, Yahaya Bello Suffers Adjournment

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

For the second time in 24 hours, the trial of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello suffered an adjournment.

The trial scheduled to kick-start on Tuesday was put off by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja following objections raised by the suspended senator against the competence of the charges.

Natasha predicated her objections on the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation AGF by filing charges against her at the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on the same subject matter and same complaints.

When the matter was called, David Kaswe, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice informed the court of his readiness to open the case against the defendant.

He claimed to have his first witness, a Superintendent of Police, Abdulhafeez Garba in court to testify against the senator.

He requested for permission of the court to call the witness into the witness box.

The request was however opposed by lead counsel to the defendant Mr Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN on the ground that his client has filed a motion on notice, challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court.

West-Idahosa said that the motion has been served on the Attorney General of the Federation AGF as required by law but that the AGF had not responded.

In the drama that ensued, the federal government lawyer who announced appearance for the AGF Office argued that he ought to have been served personally or be informed on phone on the filing of the motion and requested that Natasha’s claim be rejected.

However, the trial Judge, Justice Chizoba Orji found in the case file that the AGF office was served with the motion but had not responded as required by law.

At this point, the federal government lawyer admitted that the AGF had been out of the country and as such, has not made the motion available to him.

After taking arguments for and against adjournment, Justice Chizoba Orji held that the proper thing was to shift trial to enable AGF respond to the motion in the interest of fair hearing.

The Judge subsequently fixed October 27 for Natasha’s motion to be heard along with the response of the AGF.

About two thousand sympathizers escorted the senator to court thereby giving security agents hectic job to control crowd and ward off security breaches.

Natasha’ was on Thursday, June 19, 2025 docked at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for allegedly defaming the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Adosa Bello.

She was put on trial by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on three-count criminal charges bordering on harmful imputations during a television interview.

When the charges were read, she pleaded not guilty to all of them.

Justice Chizoba admitted her to bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety in the like sum in the charge marked CR/297/25 filed on May 15, 2025.

The judge had held that the surety must be an owner of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

Natasha was, in count one, accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by claiming he plotted, with former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to kill her.

In count two, she was accused of making a similar harmful imputation knowing that it will harm the reputation of ex-governor Yahaya Bello.

In count three, she was accused of making another imputation, which she knew would harm the reputation of Akpabio by associating him with the death of one Miss Imoren Iniobong.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha, granting her access to the the National Assembly six months after her suspension.