OBJ, IBB, GEJ should be tried–Activist

A rights activist, Prof Mvendaga Jibo yesterday chided the Nigerian media over what he called ‘conspiracy of leaving ex-presidents out of prosecution’.
Jibo, a professor of political science, who spoke at the 20th anniversary of Daily Trust newspapers in Abuja, noted that the media should serve the public interests instead of shielding the alleged corrupt ex-presidents from trial over their involvement in scandalous deals while in power.
To this end, the former Political Editor of defunct New Nigeria, called for the prosecution of the former Presidents; Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and other past Nigerian leaders.
Blueprint recalls that the former Managing Director and Director of Finance of Siemens Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Edward Seidel and Mr.
Klaus Gilbert, respectively in collaboration with some consultants, allegedly bribed top Nigerian officials to the tune of $17.5 million.
In the Siemens’ scandal, a German company, Siemens, a telecommunication company, allegedly bribed some Nigerian officials to the tune of 1.3billion Euros in its bid to acquire NITEL.
Jibo said: “The Nigerian media should serve the public interests.
It is unfortunate that the media is less vibrant during democracy.
Now, the media is guilty of conspiracy of leaving the former presidents out of prosecution.
“What happened to the Halliburton and Siemens bribery scandals? They are not being reported while the scandals remain with us.
The media is guilty of conspiracy, and no former president should be excluded in the trial of any wrong doing while in office.
“In fact, former presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, IBB and other Nigerian past leaders should be tried for their wrong doing while in office.
” Meanwhile, the newspapers as part of activities making its 20th anniversary, conferred excellence awards on some of its former staff , including Blueprint newspapers Editor-in-Chief, Hajia Zainab Suleiman Okino, who was Daily Trust’s pioneer Managing Editor.