Ade Adesomoju and Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The Federal Government has accused a former Senate President, David Mark, of illegally acquiring his then official residence as his private property.

In September this year, the government, through the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, which is chaired by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, gave the former Senate President a 21-day notice to quit the mansion.

The notice to quit, however, asked Mark to “show cause” why the Federal Government should not “enforce the recovery of the property for public good.”

But Mark had quickly filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash all steps taken by the panel to evict him and recover the house from him.

The case has not been heard.

The PUNCH, on Monday, obtained from court sources, copies of documents, including exhibits, filed by the former Senate President in his suit challenging the recovery process.

The Senate President’s official residence is sited on 1.6 hectares of land at 1 Musa Usman Street, (also known as No. 1 Chuba Okadigbo Street), Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu, Abuja.

According to title documents, the property comprises eight structures, made up of the main house, ADC/chief security detail’s house, guest chalet, security/generator house, boys quarters, security post, driver/servants’ quarters and chapel.

The eight structures are said to be properly spaced and linked with well-paved drive and walkways and further done with lawns.

Mark, the senator, currently representing Benue South in the National Assembly, is accused of illegally acquiring the property with the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan despite that such property was excluded from the monetisation policy of the Federal Government.

Copies of correspondences and other documents, leading to the purchase and eventual handover of the property to Mark in April, 2011, showed that the serving senator purchased the property at a “reserved price” of N673,200,000.

Meanwhile, in his letter, dated October 28, 2010, seeking the then President Jonathan’s approval for the sale of the property, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Bala Mohammed, had indicated that the open market value of the property was N748,000,000.

In addition, the then minister specifically stated that the Federal Executive Council had, in 2004, mandated the Federal Capital Territory Administration to sell all Federal Government’s “non-essential housing units in Abuja under specific rules and guidelines.”

Exempted from this arrangement are the official residences of the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Speaker.

He stated that the exemption was “expressly contained in the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Official Gazette No. 82, Vol. 92 of August 15, 2005.”

In justifying the request for the then President’s approval for the sale, the former minister noted that all the houses in Apo Legislative Quarters, with the exception of the official residences of the four principal officers of the National Assembly, had been sold to the legislators occupying them at the time or the general public, under the Federal Government’s monetisation arrangement.

The former minister however stated that sale of other houses in the Apo Legislative Quarters had “altered the general security provision for the area and extension, the security of the leading principal officers of the National Assembly.”

The letter added, “This lapse in the general security provision of the area led the National Assembly to unofficially rent residential accommodation for its leading principal officers in more secure areas within the city.”

It also stated that due to the security concerns, the four houses of the leading principal officers “will no longer have the status of ‘essential properties’,” hence the FCTA “has made provision in the budget to construct residential accommodation for the leading principal officers of the National Assembly where the general security is befitting the status of the officers.”

The then minister had stated that the Senate President’s residence had an open market value of N748,000,000; the Speaker’s N670,000,000; the Deputy Senate President’s N458,000,000; and the Deputy Speaker’s N348,500,000.

What appeared on the then minister’s letter as Jonathan’s hand-written approval of the request dated November 15, 2010, read, “Para 6 and 8 approved. Also see if this could be gazetted.

“N/B: Ensure that the new residences are ready early next year.”

By a letter, with reference number PRES/83/FCTA/18 and dated November 18, 2010, Jonathan conveyed his approval to the then minister’s request for the sale of the Senate President’s official residence.

The letter, addressed to the FCT minister and titled, ‘Re: Sale of Residential Houses Occupied by Leading Principal Officers of the National Assembly’, was signed by the then President’s Senior Special Assistant (Admin), Matt Aikhionbare.

The letter read in part, “I am directed to forward Reference A to you and to convey to you, Mr. President’s approval of paragraphs 6 and 8 and further directive on page 2 in line with the earlier approval of 27/06/2010.”

But by a letter with reference number SPIP/INV/2017/VOL.1/17 and dated September 5, 2017, the Obono-Obla-led Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property insisted that Mark acquired the “national monument” in clear breach of the monetisation policy of the Federal Government.

The letter, signed by Obono-Obla and titled ‘Investigation activities: Notice to recover public property in your care’, and addressed to Mark, stated in part, “The extant Monetisation Policy of the Federal Government, as enunciated and still being implemented, excludes all Principal Officers of the National Assembly and hence places the responsibility on the Federal Government to provide accommodation for them, same which you allegedly illegally appropriated.”

The letter asked Mark “to take steps within the next 21 days to vacate the said property or show cause why the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should not enforce the recovery of the said property for public good.”

It added, “You are further being notified pursuant to the Recovery Property (Special Provisions) Act, 1983, to complete and return within 30 days the attached Form B (Declaration of Assets Form) to the office of the undersigned.”

But Mark, through his lawyer, Ken Ikonne, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1037/2017 before the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting that he legally acquired the property through a “walk-in bid” at the behest of the FCTA.

He also contended that the recovery process initiated by the Federal Government was unconstitutional.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Obono-Obla are joined as respondents to the suit.

Among his prayers, Mark sought “a declaration that the unilateral declaration by the defendants that the plaintiff’s acquisition” of the property “is illegal and the order compelling the plaintiff to vacate the aforesaid property” without affording him “a hearing,” amounted to a denial of his “fundamental rights to fair hearing and property, and are therefore unconstitutional and void.”

He also sought a declaration that “the service by the defendants on the plaintiff of the Notice to Declare His Assets (Form A) and the Assets Declaration Form B is unconstitutional and thus void.”

He sought “an order quashing” the defendants’ declaration of his acquisition of the aforesaid property as illegal, and another order “quashing the order of the defendants” compelling him to vacate the aforesaid property.”

He also applied for an order of the court “quashing the Notice to Declare Assets Form A and the Assets Declaration Form B” served on him and “a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, jointly and severally” or through any agent “from evicting the plaintiff from the said property, or recovering same from him.”

Mark said he was occupying the said property in 2010 when the FCTA, “citing security concerns”, decided to construct new official residences for the leadership of the National Assembly, including the President of the Senate, in a more secure and conducive environment.”

According to the former Senate President, the FCTA had insisted that the reserve price of N673,200,000.00 reflected the open market value of the property.

He added that the valuers of the FCT that inspected and carried out a valuation of the property had put the “replacement cost” of the property at N492,700,000.

He said he duly accepted the offer on April 21, 2011 and paid the “agreed purchase price to the Ad hoc Committee on Sale of FGN Houses” on April 27, 2011.

He said the house now served as his family home in Abuja.

But he said surprisingly he was on October 9, 2017 served a letter of investigation activities dated September 5, 2017, by the Okono-Obla-led panel.

He stated in his suit that, “the defendants (AGF and Obono-Obla) unilaterally, and without affording me any hearing at all, and without any order of any court, declared my acquisition of the said property illegal, and ordered me to vacate the said property failing which the defendants would enforce the recovery of the property against me.”

EFCC grills Benue senator for seven hours, seizes passport

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, interrogated the immediate past Senate President, David Mark, for seven hours, The PUNCH has learnt.

Impeccable sources within the EFCC told one of our correspondents that Mark’s passport was also seized before he was allowed to go on an administrative bail.

The PUNCH learnt that Mark, who served as Senate President from 2007 to 2015, arrived at the Abuja office of the EFCC around 12noon and was released at 7pm.

The source added, “The former Senate President arrived around 12pm and spent seven hours responding to several questions from detectives.

“He was released at 7pm on the condition that he must submit his passport to the commission which he did.

“Senator Mark is expected to return soon to answer more questions”

The former Senate President is expected to account for over N5.4bn slush cash and campaign funds allegedly traced to him.

He was alleged to have received over N500m from the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.

The money is alleged to have been part of the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement.

The Senator, who has been representing Benue-South Senatorial District since 1999, is also accused of sharing N2.9bn to his colleagues while presiding over the upper legislative chamber.

The former Senate President has, however, denied all the allegations levelled against him.

In a statement on Sunday, Mark said, “To set the records straight, Senator Mark was invited by the EFCC via a letter addressed to the National Assembly to answer questions on the 2015 presidential election campaign funds as it concerned Benue State.

“As a law-abiding citizen, Senator Mark honoured the invitation.

“Curiously, they also alleged that the PDP paid over N2bn into the National Assembly’s account which he, as then President of the Senate, allegedly shared among the 109 senators, including PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Nigerian Peoples Party (members) in 2010.

“Again, to the best of his knowledge, Senator Mark is not aware of such transactions. This simply did not make sense to any right thinking member of society.

“Senator Mark wondered why anybody would think that PDP will pay money into National Assembly account. He, however, clarified all the issues raised before returning home.”

http://punchng.com/david-mark-illegally-acquired-senate-presidents-official-residence-fg/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

ill-gotten wealth everywhere in Nigeria.
which kind wahala be this?

Lol next is Aso rock and National Assembly building.Useless people they want to own everything

Chairman Senate Committee on Observation

Copies of correspondences and other documents, leading to the purchase and eventual handover of the property to Mark in April, 2011, showed that the serving senator purchased the property at a “reserved price” of N673,200,000.

That is the arrangee-arrangee govt the last president was running; Dashing away properties at a reserved price.

According to title documents, the property comprises eight structures, made up of the main house, ADC/chief security detail’s house, guest chalet, security/generator house, boys quarters, security post, driver/servants’ quarters and chapel.

That property could have been easily converted to another use if the initial complaints of security concerns was an issue. It could have been an Annex of UniAbuja Teaching Hospital, or a College of technology, or NDDC skill acquisition centre. But no, it had to be sold to individuals; same individuals that has been sabotaging the future of this country for their own personal gain.

The former Senate President is expected to account for over N5.4bn slush cash and campaign funds allegedly traced to him.

Of course almost nothing will come out of this! Election is approaching, a lot of compromise will be reached and the case will die a natural death. But its good to now that David Mark, who PDP was positioning to be the next president after GEJ, would have continued the impunity mantra of the PDP and sell-off this country to the lowest bidder; which of course would have been himself.

the only man in benue south,while the rest of the men re women,20yrs as senator no meaningful project to his pple ,even as a senate president he could not attract federal projects,otukpo is an eyesoar,the road frm otukpo -otukpa junct is a no go area.

OP,
you seriously want me to read this novel when my state government has refused to pay my salary?

..
N673 million in 2011? ..When the exchange rate was about 150naira to a dollar? ..even with allowances of the Senate President (..or a military officer)?
Mehn! Corruption everywhere!
PS.. the only significant difference he has shown is, as the saying goes, there's "honour even amongst thieves"!!

Him no get moni to build house ni....?

They want to acquire everything to themselves, forgetting dat, the day they will die nothing will follow them to their grave...Greedy set of people. Securing wealth for their 6th generations, that most of them won't even leave to see... And the masses are suffering

They should take the house without compensation to teach people not to abuse power beside that's the only way we can get some of our money back from the looter.

Nonsense...i said lagos-ibadan media will carry this matter on their head.

Useless media

Jus imagine... So which residence has Saraki been using all dis while?

I'm really fed up with all shenanigans going on this country. Those elected to check mate the excessive power driven decisions of our so called Oga at the top are also wallowing in the ocean of selfishness and greediness. No hope in this country walai. The question now is where do we turn to?

dats how his pple always shout"tiv pple marginalizing us" senate president for 8yrs david mark did absolutely nothing for his pple,bunch of criminals,d worst is dat his pple re already endorsing him for 2019,ur in worse slavery than d one in libya

Jlow2:
dats how his pple always shout"tiv pple marginalizing us" senate president for 8yrs david mark did absolutely nothing for his pple,bunch of criminals,d worst is dat his pple re already endorsing him for 2019,ur in worse slavery than d one in libya

What has your Akume done for you people? See as you carry Idoma people matter for head like gala. Mtchewwww

IAmSkinny:

What has your Akume done for you people? See as you carry Idoma people matter for head like gala. Mtchewwww

and who told u am tiv

It shall never be with this man below!

Jlow2:
and who told u am tiv

Good, then ask around, get to know more about the political nature of Benue state. The Idomas would rather have a corrupt DMark than a Tiv puppet shoved down their throat.
Mr. Daniel Onjeh the Tiv puppet comes to mind.

David Mark is wearing red cap in this picture!

Is that a quiet signal to the people from a particular region (famous for supporting criminal looters) to give him support?

Time will tell!!!!

IAmSkinny:

Good, then ask around, get to know more about the political nature of Benue state. The Idomas would rather have a corrupt DMark than a Tiv puppet shoved down their throat.
Mr. Daniel Onjeh the Tiv puppet comes to mind.

because akume is the leader of apc in benue,does dat make onjeh a tiv puppet? and in other words ur sayin its beta u have corrupt david mark, dan a puppet whom can salvage his pple from clutches of corruption,now i dnt doubt d man whom told me dat david mark will be senator of life

Jlow2:
because akume is the leader of apc in benue,does dat make onjeh a tiv puppet? and in other words ur sayin its beta u have corrupt david mark, dan a puppet whom can salvage his pple from clutches of corruption,now i dnt doubt d man whom told me dat david mark will be senator of life

A puppet can't do anything except what its master directs. A puppet has no mind neither does it have a brain of its own.
Onjeh will be the proverbial case of "from pan to fire".
The Idomas will vote for a candidate that is not a Tiv's man "boy-boy"
Until then, DMark stays!

MaziOmenuko:
That is the arrangee-arrangee govt the last president was running; Dashing away properties at a reserved price.

That property could have been easily converted to another use if the initial complaints of security concerns was an issue. It could have been an Annex of UniAbuja Teaching Hospital, or a College of technology, or NDDC skill acquisition centre. But no, it had to be sold to individuals; same individuals that has been sabotaging the future of this country for their own personal gain.

Of course almost nothing will come out of this! Election is approaching, a lot of compromise will be reached and the case will die a natural death. But its good to now that David Mark, who PDP was positioning to be the next president after GEJ, would have continued the impunity mantra of the PDP and sell-off this country to the lowest bidder; which of course would have been himself.

That impunity has stopped under the CHAIN-ge administration of barawo bubu and his 40 thieves cabal presidency of the All Poverty Congress, APC, not so

sunnyb0b0:
Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa state, has retrieved 48 of his property which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

According to PUNCH, some of the property are located in Wuse II and Maitama, highbrow areas of Abuja.

Back then, the commission had slammed 50 charges against the ex-governor and arraigned him before three federal high courts in Abuja.

Sylva, who contested the 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa, had accused the anti-graft agency of witch-hunt and political persecution.

The case was subsequently struck out.

A PUNCH correspondent, who visited some of the houses, observed that the inscription ‘EFCC, Keep Off’, on the gates or fences of the property, had been wiped off the buildings while some had been rented out.

The correspondent, who posed as a prospective tenant, was informed that the rent for the property ranged between N2.5m and N6m per annum.

Sixteen units of service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, off IBB Way in the Wuse II area of the federal capital territory (FCT), cost N6m per annum including a N1.5m service charge.

The building provides seven hours of power supply from a generator. One wing had been painted while the other was under reconstruction.

“When the EFCC sealed off this property, it was rotting away. However, it was re-opened a few months ago so we started to refurbish the property. We have repainted the property and we have started renting the apartments out,” a guard at the property was quoted to have said.

At a block of flats, which comprises nine units (six one-bedroom and three two-bedroom flats) located at 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse, Zone 2, PUNCH was told that the rent ranged from N1.5m to N3m.

“Immediately the EFCC inscriptions were erased, all the flats were taken. There is no vacant apartment now,” the security guard said.

At a property located at 8 Mistrata Street, Wuse II, Abuja, it was observed that the property was a hotel, which charged between N25,000 and N45,000 per room.

TheCable’s efforts to reach Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s spokesman, for the reaction of the commission did not yield the desired result as of the time this report was filed.

His telephone line was out of reach, but a text message was sent.

https://www.thecable.ng/efcc-returns-sylvas-48-houses-seized-jonathan

chibuzorAbia:
David Mark is wearing red cap in this picture!
Is that a quiet signal to the people from a particular region (famous for supporting criminal looters) to give him support?
Time will tell!!!!

Have you seen Alhaji LIE Mohammed wearing a red cap also to signify your yeye signal

Revealed: How Buhari Budgeted N39 billion for Propaganda

In a bid to launder his already battered image, President Muhammadu Buhari has allocated a whooping sum of N39 billion in the 2016 budget to the Ministry of Information and Culture, a sum higher than the paltry N29 billion allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture.

This is a direct inverse of the 2015 budget, where Former President Goodluck Jonathan allocated the sum of N23 billion to Ministry of Information and N39 billion to the Agricultural Ministry.

The meager allocation to the Agricultural ministry has left political stakeholders wondering if the present administration aims at diversifying the economy or thriving on propaganda.

Buhari had in August, 2015 stated that Nigerians must stop paying mere lip service to agriculture, as crude oil and gas exports will no longer be sufficient as the country’s major revenue earner.

“It’s time to go back to the land. We must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice. We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many want to go into agricultural ventures,’’ Buhari stated.

However investigations by Post Nigeria revealed that Buhari’s words did not match his action following the lean budgetary provision for Agriculture.

More from: https://www.post-nigeria.com/revealed-how-buhari-budgeted-n39-billion-for-propaganda/


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No picture of the residence?

David the "DUMB" SENATOR

The more you look, the less you see when it comes to Nigeria politics.

olasaad:
Lol next is Aso rock and National Assembly building.Useless people they want to own everything

Why not if not.
Anyone who has mumu citizens will do same or worse while the citizens only lament on nairaland about bad leadership while hailing the same leaders looters but stoning phone thieves.

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David mark is thief........ perpetual one indeed. He has been in that chamber since 2003 what is he doing there. He never contributes anything meaningful again. He is not the only one involved in things like this. In fact all our past politicians have in one way or the other acquired government properties in an illegal way. They should investigate him very well and jail him. The most shameless senator is David mark