A pro-democracy group, Concerned Nigerians, as issued a statement alleging that energy firm, Sahara Group has perfected a plot to intimate the activists who plan to stage an anti-corruption rally against the firm.
In a statement issued on Sunday, May 14, 2017, the group said that a staff of Concerned Nigerians, Theophilus Agada was arrested and detained by operatives of the secret police when he went to the office of Sahara Group to deliver a letter on May 4, 2017.
The group has previously accused the oil company of corrupt practises involving the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari among other anti-Nigeria activities.
Below is the full statement signed by Emmanuel Ikumeh on behalf of Concerned Nigerians.
Sahara Group planning to use Police, DSS to intimidate us & cover-up corruption allegations
We wish to raise an alarm and public awareness relating to the threats of incarceration, persecution and even death that our conveners and members of staff have received over our recent expose of monumental corruption going on in transactions for the sale of crude oil going on at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) involving Sahara Group and other oil companies.
2. Since we began reporting the findings of our investigations into transactions for the lifting and sale of crude oil in Nigeria between January 1st, 2012 and April 30th, 2017 we have received an innumerable amount of threats from many quarters, including several well known public figures.
3. We have in particular received two specific threats that indicate an intention to use the apparatus of state to harass and intimidate us. First was the arrest and detention of a member of our staff, Theophilus Abu Agada, by the State Security Services (SSS) in Abuja on Thursday May 4th, 2017 when he went to deliver a letter at the Sahara Group head office in Maitama, Abuja. He was kept at a waiting room and staff of Sahara Energy called SSS operatives who came swiftly to arrest him. He was later taken to the FCT command of the SSS. While he was released after questioning same day, it is important to point out that the SSS focused on discovering the location of the house of one of our conveners- Deji Adeyanju.
Secondly, further to a complaint filed at the Abuja Command of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) we have been invited to a meeting with the police on 15/05/2017. The police specifically requested that we bring all copies of any evidence we have regarding our findings in an attempt to prevent us from asking questions and demanding accountability in the oil sector. One of the allegations against Sahara Group is that they have a seat in cabinet and as such, we are not surprised by the use of state powers to intimidate us.
4. In addition to these, our convener has received death threats and other threats of grievous bodily harm.
5. We consider it important to raise this alarm and awareness regarding the efforts being made to cover up monumental corruption within NNPC.
6. God bless Nigeria
Signed:
Emmanuel Ikumeh
FOR: Concerned Nigerians, a pro-democracy group dedicated to accountability, good governance, rule of law and fight against corruption in Nigeria.
