President Goodluck Jonathan is battling to explain
all he knows about a $500 million farm which a
non – governmental organisation (NGO) says
belongs to him in alleged violation of the 1999
Constitution.
The Nation reported today that the farm was
incorporated on December 30, 2011 barely seven
months after Jonathan was sworn in as president
for his current tenure which he wants Nigerians to
renew.
The farm is about 94,04 hectares, located along
the highway leading to Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja.
Purpose Driven Initiative (PDI), an NGO that
appears to be the source of TheNation story, said
in adverts in some papers last Friday : “ Let us
talk about corruption. This is how the Nigerian
government conducts business and fights
corruption.
“A sitting President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
incorporated a company, Ebele Integrated Farms
Limited in which he is a major shareholder on
December 30, 2011.
“Ebele Integrated Farms Limited applied for and
was granted 94.04 hectare plot of land, 1689 in
Cadastral Zone EOS Aviation Village, Abuja on
January 13, 2014.
“Under the Fifth Schedule Part 1( Code of Conduct
for Public Officers) of the 1999 Constitution,
Section 1, ‘a public officer shall not put himself in
a position where his personal interest conflicts
with his duties and responsibilities.’
“Do we need any more evidence of how the
Jonathan administration has been fighting or will
fight corruption.”
Investigation revealed that crocodiles are some of
the livestocks being reared at the aquatic farm.
A source said: “The farm house sits on a hill top
overlooking the airport at the nation’s capital with
rest chalets and presidential conference rooms.
“I think the farm may worth about $500m when
completed. It is believed to being managed by
some Israeli experts. As part of the plans, a
helipad may be established on the farm, which
may be solely export-oriented.”
The whistle-blowing group also alleged that the
Minister of FCT, Mallam Bala Mohammed, has
abused his office and violated the 1999
Constitution by incorporating Bird Trust Agro-
Allied Limited on May 31, 2012.
“The company, Bird Trust Agro-Allied Limited then
applied for and was given(by the same FCT that
the major shareholder, Bala Mohammed, heads) a
40.4 hectares, plot 1683 in Cadastral Zone E05 of
Aviation Village in Abuja on April 11, 2014,”the
group said.
Rising in defence of the President and the
minister, a pro- government coalition, New
Generation Coalition, said Obasanjo enjoyed the
same perks while in office.
It said: “Is it corruption? As a sitting President,
Olusegun Obasanjo incorporated a company,
Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited. Obasanjo Farms
Nigeria Limited applied for and was granted a
100.12 hectares of land, Plot No.1 Cadastral Zone
E09 Kuje, Abuja on June 27, 2005.
“The sitting Minister if FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
(now APC chieftain) allocated the land and signed
Certificate of Occupancy no.
17c2w-1b99z-9d15r-cb2au-34u3 certified to
Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited on July 24. 2006.
“Just like Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, Ebele
Farms and Bird Trust Agro Limited are companies
in which the sponsors engage in farming and
other allied agriculture production and processes.
“Under the Fifth Schedule Part 1 Code of Conduct
for Public Officers of the 1999 Constitution,
Section 1 states that ‘a public officer shall not put
himself in a position where his personal interest
conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.’
“Section 2 states that without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing paragraph …, nothing in
this sub-paragraph shall prevent a public officer
from engaging in farming.
“Is it corruption for a public officer to engage in
farming as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution
of 1999 with the view to making Nigeria self-
reliant in food production?”
*Reported by The Nation