Date Published: 01/04/10

Ledum Mitee's turn for accountability By Ben Wuloo Ikari

Dear Mr. Ledum Mitee,

Happy New Year to you and family. I do hope all is well. Meanwhile, I write with the hope that the above addresses would deliver my concerns and questions to you, and in a timely manner. With due respect, news reports have it in the Port Harcourt Telegraph of Dec. 2, 2009, and National Network online that you and others had organized an "accountability" forum at Bori Ogoni. This gave Sen. Lee Maeba of the South-East Senatorial District the opportunity to inform the Ogoni masses on his achievements as their senator and what he is doing and intend to do. This was a good move aimed at providing political leaders and those entrusted with public offices the avenue  to reconnect with their constituency or constituents that they may understand the efforts made in their best interest. It was something worth doing and should have commenced many years ago. Good enough it is not too late to continue from the just past event, which started with Maeba.

Your foresight in this direction is commendable even though some are claiming the occasion was for political reasons. What matters, however, is that Maeba was able to tell the people he represents (though not convincingly) what he has done and would be doing for the common good. This is a feat that should go round, to show you mean well for Ogoni and not allow critics suspicion that something political (2011 elections, etc.) is fishing. By this, I mean, the accountability exercise should have started with you. Since you skipped yourself at this forum the next, which should come sooner than later should be you turn. If I am not mistaken, you are the only Ogoni person who has been in a public office of a nongovernmental setting for 14 years.

Even when elections are not held in Nigeria but the imposition of candidates I can not point to an Ogoni senator, members of the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, or council chairmen among others who have stayed in office for the term you have lasted. One reason could be due to the manner in which you got into office, that is, not with the kind of due process prescribed by the MOSOP Constitution. Another reason could be because the masses were separated from the supposed to be grassroots movement. These may have caused you a free hand as the people could not be sure of the position of the constitution in respect of elections. And because of the copious nature of your rulership the masses are prone to believing whatever they are told without questions.

This, I believe, is not the democracy the MOSOP before you proudly offered Ogoni and Nigeria in general. No military or civilian dictator in Nigeria has undemocratically usurped power like you. Meanwhile, can you say you are a democrat considering your tenure without an open election penultimate the recent one that produced Comrade Goodluck Diigbo as president? On a serious note, and in the spirit of accountability, I have some documents published by MOSOP and titled: "A Partial List of Funding Received by "MOSOP" and dated Oct. 16, 1998. These funds provided by both local and foreign donors were reported to have been received by you on behalf of Ogoni as then leader of MOSOP. Please see the data below in pound sterling:EU/Trocaire, 50, 200.00, and 19, 125, 81, as first installment between 1997 and '98. Secondly, 31, 635.00, 149, 533.00, 1,800; and  24, 704.60 were received between 1996 and '98.

Another 24,000.00, and 25,000 were respectively received in 1998. The Westminister Foundation donated 8, 000 in 1997/98. Note, these were all in pound sterling as the report and document shows. A 25,000.00 Dutch Mark (DM) was donated by the Heinrich Boll Foundation, in 1996. The Civil Liberties Organization of Nigeria (CLO) donated N95, 000 in 1997. Finally, National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in 1996/98 donated the sum of $30,000 twice. The Worldwide Council of Churches (WCC) also gave $13, 000 twice in 1996/97 and $20,000 from JWGIA in 1996. These are monies reportedly given to Ogoni in a time world focus was on her after the killing of Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others in 1995. And, I do not think you have told the Ogoni people about these funds even when asked. Your refusal to disclose these funds was one reason you were suspended by MOSOP International/USA on Oct. 24, 1998; an action you disobeyed to date.

As as a partial funding list, it forms part of the misappropriation allegation levied against you to the EFCC, by Diigbo's new administration for which you were reportedly arrested. This is a good reason for accountability if you understood what fairness means. Rendering account of your stewardship will make Maeba feel much better knowing that he is not alone and may see how he has fared compared with your record and others in anticipation. Those whose stewardship have not been accounted for would be encouraged to do the right thing borrowing from your precedent. Or would it be fair for you to ask others what you are required but refused to do? In addition, the sum of N42 million was reported to have been given to Ogoni/MOSOP from Denmark in 2009, and you received it.

It was gathered that some permanent members of Ogoni Welfare Association (OWA Lagos) were privy to the money and that only you and them know how it was disbursed either to Ogoni/saved, for a project or to selves. A consignment of drugs donated to Ogoni was also allegedly received by MOSOP and some OWA members. These are surely not issues to remain silent about for ten years now. They are calling for your reaction, account or testimony, which will help Ogonis and the world understand what happened in the past 14 years and what you truly received  on behalf of Ogoni as MOSOP henchman. Also, Elder Lekue Lah Looloo, who was in jail with your junior brother Batom Mitee, said you and Batom betrayed Saro-Wiwa in particular and and other in general. This culminated into an interview that was published by Post Express Midweek, of May 31, 2000.

It was entitled: "How Mitee Betrayed Saro-Wiwa" and reproduced by MOSOP International/ USA. I also reprinted the document in my book, Ken Saro -Wiwa and MOSOP; the Story and Revelation, as was the monetary document above. There are several other insinuations and allegations, but the last I should mention is about the just settled lawsuit against $hell Oil. Why did you not join in this known case (Wiwa et al Vs. $hell) yet you were wrongfully arrested, imprisoned and tortured while a deputy president of MOSOP? I had watched a documentary dealing with the "Remembrance" or known as "In Remembrance" of  Saro-Wiwa and you were saying that Saro-Wiwa was holding you when you panted haven had Ibrahim Auta sentence nine of them to death by hanging unjustly. You said he had reminded you of how you all promised not to show any sign of weakness but damn the government to do their wish or worst?

And he told you not to worry that once they are moved to the prison you (as a lawyer) should proceed to file an appeal on their behalf. Do you remember this speech or interview? If so, how long would it take you to file an exoneration suit since they were killed and you had no opportunity to appeal, being the lucky deputy president who was not guilty in a guilt by association situation?  You were the luckest one indeed (though the Civil Liberties Organization and others called it "cosmetic acquittal") because you were not a threat to security and also turned youself in among other flimsy reasons adduced by the unprofessional prosecutors Chief Joseph Duadu and others? Let us face it from an attorney perspective, does the Ogoni 9 deserve posthumous justice like you considering that they were killed for the same thing you were freed? What have you to tell Ogoni and the world concerning Looloo's allegations?

Are you comfortable sweeping it under the carpet? generation will continue to ask you; they will ask your children and children's children until the truth is unraveled. Your accuser is alive and you have not made any move to sue him for defamation of character or libel. Does your silence even as a lawyer imply complicity, which may also influence the power usurpation to hide the facts as long as you live? Could it also be the reason behind the alleged monetary misappropriation, ties with $hell, government, and a deal to kill MOSOP for the Anglo-Dutch oil monster to return to Ogoni; the government's hyper-exploitation; your indigenous colonization of MOSOPians/Ogoni as the grapevine goes? I had attempted to hear from you on these subject before, but to no avail. I hope this spirit of accountability and good governance that seems to have overtaken you lately would spur you into doing Ogoni the honor of telling them what they are in dire need to know.

The youths are thirsting for knowledge in preparation for leadership due to the consciousness received from Saro-Wiwa's leadership. They need developments which some of the alleged monies could have made possible. They are however, worried as a result of the disappointment felt on your watch knowing that nothing tangible is on the ground to suggest the reciept of one dime or penny. Could you please open up and tell them the truth, which will set you free, prepare grounds for reconciliation and a march to fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers brought closer by Saro-Wiwa?

Ogoni is highly blessed with both human and economic resources, if properly harnessed and not misappropriated or wasted should turn it into a paradise, which means Kenule, the first name of our hero-your master. Do not hold the progress of Ogoni back anymore; the masses have suffered excruciatingly and need urgent intervention. This is your turn for accountability. I look forward to hear from you, or you could call an open forum in Ogoni as you did in Maeba's case to honestly answer these questions.

Ben Wuloo Ikari.