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Director General of Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former national security adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and seven ex- ministers have been reportedly barred from travelling out of the country under Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued on Saturday, October 13, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Most of the affected persons are currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices in different courts.
The Nation reports that the list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies.
Also in the list is a dead public office holder, Innocent Umezulike, who was a former Enugu State CJ who was buried last month, is 1 of 50 banned by Buhari from traveling. Justice Professor I.A Umezulike was the Chief Judge of Enugu State for over 13 years, remarkably the longest serving Chief Judge in South Eastern Nigeria and the second longest serving Chief Judge in Nigeria.
Justice Professor Umezulike was an acclaimed legal luminary on Conveyancing, Adverse Possession, Land and Property Law haven single-handedly authored and published over 23 books in these fields. Justice Professor Umezulike passed away at a private hospital in London, United Kingdom surrounded by his beloved children. The family requests for privacy and respect at this very difficult time.
The restriction followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6).
The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.
On the watch list, according to The Nation, are: ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).
The ex-ministers allegedly on the list are are Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide; Bala Mohammed; Abba Moro; Femi Fani-Kayode; and Ahmadu Fintiri.
Others reportedly include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; ex- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin; a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero; and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chairman Emeritus of AIT/ Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Waripamowei Dudafa (a former Special Assistant (Domestic) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan); a former Chief Judge of Enugu state, Justice Innocent Umezulike; a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.
Also on the list are a former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh; Chief Jide Omokore; Ricky Tarfa; and Dele Belgore (SAN).
The document reportedly indicated that many of those affected had earlier been placed on similar legal restrictions by the courts and security agencies including restriction of movement, seizure of passport, temporary forfeiture of assets, freezing of accounts and others.
Explaining the government’s action in a statement on Saturday, October 13, senior special assistant to the president (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu said: “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the minister of justice to implement the Order in full force.
“To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.”
A top government official, who reportedly spoke to the newspaper in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm on E06.
The source said: “The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets.
“Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order.
“Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”