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CJN Chides Supreme Court Justices, Says Justices Don’t Speak In Public

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Tanko Muhammad, the Chief Justice of the Federation has, in a rare reaction, has responded  to a protest letter, signed by 14 Justices of the Supreme Court.  The letter went viral between Sunday and Monday.

In his response, the CJN chastised them by reminding them that all over the world, Justices are meant to be seen, and not heard.

In an unprecedented move in the 58 years history of the Apex Court, 14  Supreme Court  Justices in the protest letter, complained of their poor welfare conditions and, especially, the terrible state of the Court.

They also complained of the operational challenges which have almost crippled the efficient operations of even the handling of  cases at the Court.

In his response through his spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah,  Tanko allayed the fears of the general public and assured: “There’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty.”

The reaction also explained the non-provision of diesel allowances for the Justices, non-provision of equipped offices, accommodation, and the non-provision of the full complimentary number of vehicles for new Justices appointed who were appointed since two years ago.

The CJN’s response entitled:

“Re: State Of Affairs In The Supreme Court And Demand By Justices Of The Supreme Court, reads:

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad would wish to confirm receipt of letter written and addressed to him by his brother Justices of the Supreme Court Bench.

“Judges in all climes are to be seen and not heard, and that informed why the CJN refrained from joining issues until a letter, said to be personal, is spreading across the length and breadth of the society. This was akin to dancing naked at the market square by us with the ripple effect of the said letter.

“The Supreme Court definitely does not exist outside its environment, it is also affected by the economic and socio-political climate prevailing in the country. Besides that, the Apex Court has to a larger extent, been living to its constitutional responsibility.

“When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s the recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The Federal Government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s an offence to spend the money meant for one item for another.

“Take for instance, the Supreme Court budgeted this year to re-roof and rehabilitate its complex built over 30 years ago and that is being done. The work on the extension of the complex is near completion, the esthetic lawns and cleanness of the perimeters are being well kept, and security and water supply are adequately provided for his brother Justices in their offices and residences. During the period of pandemic, a profound and extra-care was maintained to avoid causalities among them as well as the staff generally. It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for the above for otherwise.

“The accusation so far, in summary is that more or all ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done; which is utopian in the contemporary condition of our country.

“Before eight new Justices were appointed in 2020 onto the Apex Court bench, there was no additional budget to provide new chambers with equipped library, legal assistance, residential accommodations and logistics for them. The Apex Court has to make do with the resources at its disposal to meet their needs over time. All the Justices of this Court has at least a legal assistance, except some may opt for more. One of the CJN’s legal assistance (now Justice Aina) was appointed to Abuja FCT High Court last month, while another (Barr Ramatu) died three months back. Generally the Judiciary is looking up to recruitment of more legal assistance and other supporting staff this year.

“Besides, two Supreme Court Justices died within the period under consideration. Both the four retirees and the two departed cost the court some funds in the forms of gratuities and allowances.

“Two weeks ago, eight Supreme Court Justices were nominated for a workshop in London as the court cannot take all of them there at once otherwise the job would suffer. They would be going in batches.

“Accommodations are being gradually provided for the few that are yet to get. There is none of the Apex Court Justices without SUV and back up cars. If any of them were purchased but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to take those that bought them up over it.

“The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national problem. The Chief Registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN. But there is no way the generator would be put off if the Court is sitting.

“The amendment of Court rules is on the process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict with the constitution and other extant laws. Not all the CJN has reviewed the rules in the past. Within the three years his brother Justices mentioned came the pandemic and the judiciary workers’ strike

“The internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them. The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week.

“The general public should be rest assured that there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty.”

Tinubu Allays Fears, Says Running Mate Was Legally Nominated

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Adesina Soyooye

In an apparent response to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which said that stand-in Vice Presidential nominees are illegal, unconstitutional and unrecognised by INEC laws, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has allayed fears that it could affect his candidacy.

Festus Okoye, INEC Commissioner in charge of Voter Education, said on Monday that the only way it could work is if the stand-in candidates write to INEC to withdraw their candidacy.

There are fears that, perhaps, some candidates might refuse to step down as in the case of the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, whose stand in, Bashir Sheriff Machina, has refused to stand down.

Tinubu and Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in a bid to beat the INEC deadline of June 17, during which time they must submit names of their running mates, had sent in “stand-in” candidates who they hope to replace with permanent names after sorting out with stakeholders.

While Tinubu picked a former National Welfare Secretary of the APC,  Kabiru Ibrahim Masari, from Katsina State, as a stand-in, Obi put Dr Doyin Okupe, as his own.

But allaying fears of a possible backlash Monday night, in an interview with ARISE Television, Tinubu’s Spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, said Masari was duly nominated as his Principal’s running mate. He, however, added that if Masari chooses to step down within INEC’s stipulated time, no law or rules, or regulations has  been breached.

Rahman: “Without taking issues with the INEC National Commissioner, I just like to state the situation as it relates to the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“And it is that Asíwájú Tinubu has duly completed his nomination forms, including giving the particulars of his running mate. He has returned the completed nomination forms to INEC. He even returned the forms two days ahead of schedule.

“I don’t know about a placeholder. This is the coinage of the media. I know he has picked a running mate.”

Rahman, however, added that “consultations were still ongoing between President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu, his running mate, Masari and the APC national leadership” over who exactly  the choice of his running mate would be.

“I must add, however, that there are ongoing consultations involving President Buhari, the party’s governors and the APC leadership with Asíwájú Tinubu and his running mate. If following these  consultations, the running mate decides, for instance, that he wants to stand down in the interest of the party and the country, I think it’s only fair and appropriate to allow him deal with that as long as it is done within the spheres of the electoral law and the timeframe for that, given by INEC.

“I think it’s within the prerogative of the running mate to take his own decision and to say, for instance, that he would like to stand down because he feels doing so will serve the candidate and the party better than he remaining on the ticket. And that this is done in line with the provision of the law and INEC guidelines and timetable. This is the way it is”, Rahman said.

Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has no such problems.

He has since submitted the name of his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, a former Senator, and Governor of Delta State.

Tinubu: Three More Senators Decamp From APC

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Since after the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election that threw up Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its Presidential Candidate, the party has continues to hemorrhage.

On Tuesday, three Senators of the APC resigned their membership of the ruling party thus, worsening the recent exodus of senior party members.

The exodus fuelled speculations that the North, strategically, will not vote along party lines but will line up behind the Northern  Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Only recently, campaign posters of APC gubernatorial and legislative candidates superimposed photos of Atiku on their campaign posters.

The lawmakers are Senators Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).

Gumau, defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party while Babba Kaita and Alimikhena defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

They wrote three separate letters to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Tuesday, announcing their change of parties.

Their departure has reduced the number of the APC Senators to 67 from 70.

Babba Kaita’s letter reads in part:

“As Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and registration declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party.

“My resignation from the APC was born out of the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the State Government and Leadership of the Party in Katsina State, where small people like me do not have a chance.

“I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina State.”

On his part, Senator Alimikhena, said his decision was as a result of “continuing and multifaceted crisis that has bedeviled the APC”,in his Senatorial District, “that has created parallel executives that has undermined internal discipline, cohesion and focus.”

In a related development, the Senate President, who lost the bid to become the presidential candidate had gone back to reclaim his slot as a senatorial candidacy but was rebuffed by the candidate he kept their as a “placeholder”. He has allegedly bulldozed his way through Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to submit his name as the rightful candidate kicks.

Amaechi, Akpabio, Nwajiuba Lose, As Buhari Replaces Them; Sends New Names To Senate

By
Adesina Soyooye
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President Buhari

By Adesina Soyooye

The immediate past Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has finally lost the plum office.

Amaechi  had resigned from office to pursue a Presidential ambition against 2023. But he was given a technical knockout by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who beat him to a disrespectful second position to emerge the Presidential candidate of the Party.

Not a few people had hoped that President Muhammadu Buhari would re-nominate him to the office. But that hope was dashed Tuesday when Buhari sent a list of six nominees to the Senate to replace those members of his cabinet who quit to pursue elective offices.

The names of the nominees received by Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, were read on the floor of the Senate, Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

In the same boat with Amaechi are five others, including, Senator Godswill Akpabio who was Minister for Niger Delta and Barr. Emeka Nwajiuba, Minister for State, Education.

The letter reads:

“In accordance with Section 8 Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I hereby forward the underlisted ministerial nominees for your confirmation.”

The nominees are:

Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State

Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State

Egwumakama Joseph Nkama – Ebonyi State

Goodluck Nnana Opiah – Imo State

Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub – Kano State

Ademola Adewole Adegoroye – Ondo State

Odum Odih – Rivers State

For Amaechi, it is double jeopardy. Aside from losing the sum of N100m paid for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, and losing his plum office, he is to face alleged criminal charges in Court.

The Rivers State Government has just filed Criminal charges against him, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers Governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, Sahara Energy, owned by Cole, and others.

The Government says they allegedly defrauded it to the tune of $50 billion, proceeds from the sale of some State assets. The money, the Government alleges, was paid into the accounts of Sahara Energy, a private concern.

Akpabio had stepped down for Tinubu at the last minute at the Primary election when he saw he stood no chance. His chances of going to the Senate is in serious jeopardy as there is controversy over his candidacy. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has already given him a red card.

Nwajiuba who was the first Cabinet member to resign without any promptings, failed to show up at the Primary election over the non-zoning of the Presidential office to the South, and especially, the South-east where he hails from.

Nominated in his place is Nana, a former Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, and a former Member, House of Representatives. He is, currently, a Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and hails from same zone as the Governor –  Orlu zone.

Breaking: Buhari Dumps Amaechi, Appoints New Ministers

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi did not make the list of Ministerial nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday.

Before the President sent the list of would-be Ministers to the Upper House, there were reports that Amaechi, who contested the APC Presidential primary but lost, was plotting a return to the cabinet.

In the Maritime industry one of the sectors under the Ministry of Transportation, where Amaechi held sway before he resigned to contest the APC Presidential Primary two weeks ago, there were fears on Monday of his imminent return, a situation sources in the sector insist, could upset the apple’s cart in the ministry where Gbemi Saraki, the Minister of State for Transportation is currently presiding.

Saraki, the daughter of the late Kwara state strongman, Abubakar Olusola Saraki and Amaechi had been struggling for the control of the soul of the Ministry since they were both appointed by President Buhari.

Some aides of Saraki told the magazine that she has been carrying on as the Head of the Ministry since the departure of Ameachi, but that activities had slowed down in the Ministry over apprehension that Buhari would renominate Ameachi to office.

The former Rivers state Governor is known to have the ears of the President due to their closeness.

Amaechi and other Ministers had resigned their appointments to vie for the position of APC presidential flag bearer.

The Ministers are Ogbonaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio, Emeka Nwajiuba.

Reading a letter sent to the Senate on Tuesday by President Buhari, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the list contained seven nominees. None of the ministers made it, a confirmation of suggestions in political quarters that their services are no longer required by the President.

Buhari’s request was contained in two letters read by Lawan on the floor of the Senate.

Owo Catholic Church Attack: Ondo PDP, APC Engage In War Of Words

By
Ayodele Oni
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Catholic Church in Owo

By Ayodele Oni

As the spirit of those killed in Owo Catholic Church terrorist attack cry for justice, the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) and opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) are up in arms over the incident.

First to fire war of words is PDP which acknowledged that some of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s remarks during the incident are pointers to failure of the APC administration.

According to PDP, “What Akeredolu said at the burial service, was a confirmation of what every sensible Nigerian has said about the APC Government and its agents.

“That the Government has failed the people is the truth. Akeredolu’s qualification of the failure as “not because we have not tried but because those forces on the other side are evil and they have support” amounts to begging the question.

“At least, I appreciate the humility of the Governor to openly admit the failure of the APC Government, whether at the centre or at home in Ondo State.

“It is a further proof as to the reason why such an “evil” government should not be allowed beyond 2023,” PDP spokesman in the state, Kenedy Peretei, said in a statement.

“While the whole of Ondo State mourned and grieved over the massacre, the pains of civil servants came to the centre stage again. This was against the backdrop of calls for volunteers to donate blood to save lives of those who were in hospitals.

“While most children are anaemic, parents can’t afford proper medical care for men… prior to this, there had been a crazy staffing crisis. Civil servants have parked their cars due to inability to buy tyres, service or fuel them.

“We owe tonnes of bills in kids school fees and food stuff bought on credit. Hungry people neither donate blood nor volunteer. In what other ways can a government fail the people other than this?”

Reacting to the position of the PDP, Governor Akeredoku, in a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde stated that it is unfortunate that the opposition party is deriving joy in such an incident which has been condemned worldwide.

“The statement supposedly made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in respect of the remarks made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the funeral mass for the slain victims of Owo terror attack did not come as a surprise to the Ondo State Government.

“The assertion credited to the opposition shows its lack of empathy and respect for humanity. It is an unnecessary gloat that greatly offends the collective psyche of the people of the state.

“The PDP, which obviously doesn’t know the limits of politics, is attempting to reap political capital at the expense of human lives. It is politics taken too far.

“Since the unfortunate incident of Owo attack, the people of the state and across the country have collectively mourned the departed while praying for the injured to heal fast.

“It is very sad that the PDP, in its  characteristic manner, has shown that it places politics above human lives.

“At this time when the state is still struggling with the pains of the heinous attack, the opposition party has found it convenient to scoop political gains from the excruciating pains inflicted on humanity by the incident.

“As we speak, the tombs of the deceased are even yet to dry, but the PDP couldn’t wait to dance on their graves. This infantile and inhumane brand of politics depicts what the party stands for.

“The misplaced allusion to the Governor’s statement at the funeral mass as well as the weak nexus between same and the issue of workers’ salaries expose the PDP as a lazy party without direction.

“We will not prevent the PDP from sliding into this path of perfidy, but we shall not forget to warn against playing politics with the precious lives of the people of the state, and dishonouring the memories of the innocent compatriots who fell to the bullets of terrorists.”

The St Francis Xavier Catholic Church was attacked by terrorists who killed 40 worshippers, including children and couples. No arrest has been made.

First Bank: Buhari Congratulates MD As He Gets Cranfield Recognition Tomorrow

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The managing director of First Bank Nigeria, FBN Limited Adesola Adeduntan has been congratulated by President Muhammadu Buhari on his conferment of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa by Cranfield University, the United Kingdom.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the president said the award is a testimony that many talents like Adeduntan abound in the country, noting that the achievement recorded by the First Bank boss is a proof that hard work  pays.

This is a “testament to the fact that Nigeria is blessed with the brightest and the best in all areas of human endeavor,” Buhari said.

Adeduntan holds Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Ibadan, Master’s in Business Administration from Cranfield University, and is Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, as well as Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN.

In 2020, the First Bank boss received the Forbes Best of Africa Award, in New York City, United States of America.

The Forbes Best of Africa Award is for business personalities with record of creating and building great global businesses that have made far-reaching contributions to the development of Africa.

Abdulsalami Abubakar: Presidency Says No Cause For Alarm

By
The Source
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Abdusalami Abubakar

By Gideon Njoku

The Presidency has said there is no more cause of alarm over the health status of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

News broke Monday morning to the effect that the former Head of State had suffered a serious set back in his health, and was flown out of the country for proper medical attention.

Abubakar, it was reported, was first flown to Dubai but had to be relocated to London for a more aggressive attention than he was getting in Dubai when there was little or no improvement in his condition.

The reports alleged that he had suffered stroke.

But the Presidency, in a Post on the verified Facebook page of a Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, said General Abdulsalami has been discharged from the hospital and was relaxing in a London apartment.

Garba said he had just visited the former Head of State in London and he was no longer, apparently, in any serious condition.

Said Garba’s Post:

“Alhamdu Lillahi for Allah’s mercy, I just ended a visit to  His Excellency Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State. He is out of hospital. In a London apartment and apparently in no serious condition. He was his jovial self, maintaining a keen interest in developments back at home in Nigeria. Please, no cause for alarm.”

General Abubakar handed over power on May 29, 1999, to a Civilian Government headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo after years of Military Rule.

He took over from General Sani Abacha when Abacha suddenly died in office. Since then, he has been working hard on deepening peace and democracy in Nigeria.

Peter Obi, LP Candidate, Says He Never Called 70% Of Nigerian Politicians Lunatics

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

By Charles Igbo

Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has denied that he described 70 per cent of Nigerian Politicians as Lunatics.

The story had gone viral on Sunday. But Obi, in a statement from his Media Office on Monday, was distanced from such statement.

The statement dismissed its attribution to Obi as the “handiwork of mischief makers who have been trying, over the years, to quote him out of context or twist his statements in a manner to set him against the people.”

The statement reads:

RE: “70% of Nigerian Politicians are Lunatics.”

“The attention of Mr. Peter Obi’s Media Office has been drawn to an article being   circulated, where Mr. Peter Obi was quoted to have said that ‘70% of Nigerian Politicians are Lunatics.’

“Let it be made clear that Obi, not known for violence of speech, did not make the statement. It is the handiwork of mischief makers, who have been trying, over the years, to quote him out of context or twist his statements in a manner to set him against the people.

“Anybody who has listened to Obi, even when he was the governor, would know that he always, when he wants to show that the wrong people have taken over would talk in terms of lunatics taking over the asylum, which plainly means that those that are not supposed to be in a particular place have displaced the rightful people.

“Therefore, the use of ‘Lunatics,’ is always euphemistic. Obi has never and would never use it plainly to designate a given set of people as if to suggest they are mad, as the writer suggested he said about politicians. He cannot so degrade a tribe he belongs to.

Obi assures all class of people of his continued respect.”

2023: VP ‘Placeholder’: Tinubu, Obi In Trouble; INEC Says Not In The Constitution

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Adesina Soyooye

A great shock may be awaiting the Presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC , Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and that of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi.

Both candidates have no Vice Presidential candidates yet. Even though they submitted names  – Kabiru Masari from Katsina State for Tinubu, Dr Doyin Okupe from Ogun State for Obi – the names are temporary.  It was meant to beat the June 17 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the submission of VP candidates. The idea is to substitute the names with permanent candidates after consultations with Party stakeholders before the window of substitution closes. They call it “placeholder.”

But INEC may pull the rug from under their feet if what Festus Okoye,  INEC’s Commissioner in charge of Voter Education said Monday on Arise Television.

Speaking, Okoye said there is nothing like “placeholder” in the Constitution. He described the idea of “placeholder” as “a unique Nigerian invention”, and submitted that the Commission’s law has no such provision.

Okoye: “The Constitution makes it very clear that you cannot run alone as a Presidential candidate and must nominate an associate to run with you for that position, and as far as INEC is concerned, the Presidential candidates have submitted their associates to run with them in the Presidential election.

“As far as we are concerned, there’s no form submitted by the Presidential candidate where they said ‘we’re submitting this person’s name as a place or space holder.

“The issue of space or place holder is a unique Nigerian invention that has no place in our constitutional and legal framework.

“Political parties’ candidates have submitted names of associates to run with them, and that is the position of the law as at today and nothing has changed. For there to be a substitution of a candidate, the vice-presidential candidate must write to INEC, with a sworn affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law. That’s the only way there can be a substitution of candidates.”

If the due process is not followed, Obi would be worst hit. Okupe, his “placeholder”, is from the same Southern region as Obi. It would be the Northern region has been marginalised under the LP ticket.

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