Date Published: 07/30/09
LEDUM MITEE; THE WORST NIGHTMARE OF OGONI PEOPLE
By David Needam
Ledum Mittee, a lawyer by profession, was hired by Ken Saro Wiwa in the 90s against the counsel of many of the Ogoni elites which knew him. Mitee first reflected in the public eyes when he was an associate barrister, in the chamber of Barrister Wifa, where Mitee successfully represented Umana Umana, the 1990s (bank) fraud star. Ken Saro Wiwa then, saw Ledum a dazzling means to help actualise his quest for the freedom of Ogoni people. Little did Ken knew, Mitee shall not only be his Judas, but thwart his dream for Ogonis. To put his plan in line, Ken ensured, Mitee was voted in as his deputy for a two year term, according to mosop’s constitution. Ken in the company of Mitte embarked on international tour, where Ken introduced Mitee to all his international contact in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Russia. This was done to groom Mitee for a take over from Ken Saro Wiwa just in case anything happen. The mistake Ken later realized, but too late, because he end was already here.. In his cell, ken knew Mitee was bright but has no etiquette, principle, valor and grit to pursue a human right course. He was rather an unprecedented habitual and unscrupulous lawyer that would explore and exploit opportunities for money. Very ambitious, and ready to do anything undignified to actualise his ambition. While Ken saw mosop as a way out of politics, mitee saw mosop as a means to government and politics. In ken’s frustration, he smuggled few notes that may have help him stop mitte, but those notes ended in dust bin. Not able to reverse his own choice, Ken died a sad man. Chitchat had it that, Mitee reached an agreement with Shell and the government to frustrate mossop ideas and focus, possibly, bring Shell back to Ogoni in exchange for his life. Ken, including 8 others was found guilty by the special court, but Ledum Mitee, second in command to Ken Saro Wiwa, was acquitted. On the long run, Mitee was not able to bring Shell to Ogoni, but was able to fliped ‘movement for the survival of Ogoni people’ to ‘ movement for the survival of Mitee, family, friends and associate. A total reversal of ken’s dream.
After the execution of Ken Saro wiwa and eight other Ogonis, and the flee of other mosop executives abroad, Mitee got Mosop completely under his control. He later found out that he wouldn’t be able to bring Shell to Ogoni. With all the heat and pressure from Abacha, he went on self-exile to the UK in 1996, and returned 1998 to participate in the Obasanjo political process in disguise. Within the period of his sojourn in Europe, he used his position to appeal to all ken’s contact for hundred of thousand of pounds from NGOs, intended for Ogoni, but ended up in his pocket. With this money, he was able to build a cartel to counter all opposition. Under Peter Odili, he recommended his cousin, Kenneth Kobani for the commissioner of finance for eight straight years. Reliable sources say, Kenneth was given Mitee four million naira every month for eight years. In other to maintain his propensity to embarrass the government, for contracts and recommendation, he amended Mosop constitution from two term two years each to two term three year each. He systematically took out all relevant mosop official that may pose opposition to him, and recruited educationally challenge Ogonis that will worship his legal skill and stay subordinate as mosop steering committee. Effort from Noble Nwibani and owens wiwa to clutch back mosop was futile. With this amendment, he was meticulously voted in to serve two term six years in office. He also ensured that his cousin, Barialap Kpalap, from the same village with him become the spokesman and legal adviser to mosop. From 1996 to 2006, he sat on mosop, and technically uses it as an unregistered political antagonism party. When ever the government seems to ignore him, he goes to the newspaper to chant as the leader of Ogoni people. Normally, the government does not like to be embarrassed. One of his associates, who pleaded unnamed, said mittee plan to transits from mosop to a juicy political appointment. Mittee never have mosop agenda, except to observe Ogoni day and November 10 th, an occasion he make sure he invites governors for political reasons. To keep pace with other politician, he recruit thugs and militants that will strike any body that question his authority. He keeps close relations with Ijaws militants, playing negotiator for the kidnapers. His charges are always embedded in the final ransom. His search for a federal political appointment got a dim light when he was appointed, member constitution amendment committee under OBJ and chairman, niger delta technical committee under Yaradua. According to one of the aids of Timi Aliabi , past NDDC MD, Mittee, some time in 2006 approached Timi Alaibi and demanded for a billion naira contract, accusing the Ijaws of ignoring the Ogonis. Timi was reported to have told him to go and identify projects in Ogoni and come back. Mitee returned with a company name with which a contract would be awarded. Timi Alaibi objected and told him to go home with his voracity. According to his aid, Timi was very distressed with Mitee’s personal interest over the general development of Ogoni. Mittee later threaten a 10,000 man demonstration against Alaibi which was never carried out. Thereafter his six year term ended in 2006, unable to amend the constitution again, he just sat firm and refuse to conduct any election. When the heat from Ogonis was unbearable to him, he then promised an election June, August and later December, 2008. Again, he proclaimed himself Mosop president. He fought to keep himself life member of the governing council, Bori polytechnic. This way, he will be able to keep his interest flying. He recently influenced the appointment of his elder brother (Fegaloo Mitee) as HOD of the school. Before Obansanjo left office, Obansanjo, in the company of Peter Odili came to Ogoni to see what Ledum Mitee did with all the money given to him. An outraged Obansajo told Ogoni people in Bori, 2007, that Ledum Mitee is a thief, who made away with about one hundred million naira, from both federal and state money given to him for projects in Ogoni. Mitee kept mute and apologies to Ogoni people later in a national newspaper.
It is reliably told that, Ledum Mitee presently have no support in Ogoni. Every crowd that attends his meeting is rented. He bought over a local Port Harcourt newspaper, ‘National Network’ to champion and defend his pursuit. His political fortune kicked in when the Supreme Court took out Omehia and brought in Ameachi. Fallen out of favor with Peter Odilli, just like others, found comfort in Rotimi Ameachi. He negotiated the care-taker committee chairman for his brother, Batam Mitee, and got himself on the economic team of Ameachi. After his brother’s tenure was over in Gokhana LGA, he submitted his name for special adviser, to Ameachi, a position Batom presently occupy. Not enough for him, he lobbied to produce a commissioner which was granted by Ameachi. Produced by Mitee is George Feyii, fomer commissioner for budget and planning, recently swap to commissioner of finance under Rotimi Ameachi. To Mittee, everything seems to be fallen in place, with his political and financial career gradually being secured. Contrary to Mosop constitution that no executive member of Mosop should hold any political appointment, Mitee’s quest is in total disregard of the plight of the Ogonis as a whole. He was accused to have been responsible for the killing in K-Dere, his village over Shell’s equipments maintenance contract. He basically wanted his brother (Batom) to oversee the contract by way of mounting him as the chairman of CDC in K-dere. Unfortunately, it did not work for him and ended up in a fight between his thugs and K-dere’s youth. Few lives were lost on both side and Mittee was outlaw from sleeping in his village. He is presently in serious contention with Magnus Abe (secretary of Rivers state government) for power in Ogoni and the political landscape come 2011. The advent of Goodluck Diigbo, the presumed legitimate president of Mosop gave Mitee the shocker of his life. Goodluck Diigbo was the Nycop president under Ken Saro wiwa. He was on exile since 1995, returned home in 2007, embarked on reform in Mosop Nigeria, and demanded for change. After what was reported as Mosop general election, Goodluck Diigbo was declared Mosop president Nigeria. Mitee not willing to give up his only ticket to be heard by government, now heads a faction of Mosop, while Goodluck Diigbo heads another faction. The Goodluck faction is now calling EFCC to investigate Mitee for the embezzlement of about one billion naira he received by Mittee on behalf of Ogoni people for the period of 13 years.
My disappointment is, why should the government, if they actually mean well for the poor Niger delta communities, continue to patronise people like Ledum Mitee, who only represent himself, family, friends and rented followers? This is the reason why the struggle of the Niger Delta may not end.
David Needam
23 ohamini St
GRA, phase iii
Portharcourt
