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Tax On “Soft Drink”: NLC Kicks, Seeks Amendment of Law

By
Uche Mbah
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Carbonated Drinks in Nigeria

By Uche Mbah

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reacted to the Federal Government’s decision to introduce N10/litre tax on all non-alcoholic, carbonated and sweetened drinks.

Recall that Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, a couple of days ago,  said that these drinks, popular among, particularly, the masses of  Nigerians, will be taxed. This, according to her, is geared towards revenue drive for health related expenses.

But in a statement, Ayuba Wabba, President of NLC, said if that was the case, Government ought to have taxed sugar itself instead of its derivative. He, therefore, dismissed the reason as altruistic.

“Our concern is the mass hunger that would result from the slightest increase in the retail price of soft drinks owing to the imposition of excise duties as it would be priced beyond the reach of many Nigerians,” Wabba said.

“Congress was also alerted by the complaint of manufacturers of soft drinks in Nigeria that the re-introduction of excise duties would lead to a very sharp decline in sales, forced reduction in production capacity, and a certain roll back in investments with the certainty of job losses and possibly shut down of manufacturing plants.”

Other groups, like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, LCCI, hinged their objections on potential loss of jobs.

Nwaba referred to the exit of Tyre companies from Nigeria, saying this was caused by similar tactless policies.

“Nigerians would recall that this was also the complaint of tyre manufacturing companies such as Dunlop and Michelin which was overlooked by the Government until the two companies relocated to neighbouring Ghana.

“A similar situation is playing out with the soft drinks manufacturing sub-sector. Government should pay attention.

“With 38% of the entire manufacturing output in Nigeria and 22.5% share representation of the entire manufacturing sector in Nigeria, the food and beverage industry is the largest industrial sub-sector in our country. The food and beverage sub-sector has generated to the coffers of government N202 billion as VAT in the past five years, N7.3 billion as Corporate Social Responsibility, and has created 1.5 million decent jobs both directly and indirectly.

“There is, thus, no gainsaying the fact that the industry is a golden goose that must be kept alive.”

He said the highlighted  health risks such tax will create would put many Nigerians at health risk.

“The appeal to rescind the re-introduction of excise duties on non-alcoholic drinks becomes even more compelling when the projected immediate revenue expected from the policy is weighed against the potential long-term loss to both Manufacturers and Government. The beverage sub-sector will lose 40% of its current sales revenue,” he added.

“This translates to a loss of N1.9 trillion. While the government will only make total projected receipts of N81 billion from the proposed re-introduction of the excise duties. The government also stands to lose N197 billion in VAT, Company Income Tax and Tertiary Education Tax as a consequence of the expected downturn in overall industry performance should the excise duties be effected as being planned”.

He appealed to the national assembly to amend the sections of the Finance Act that re-introduced the tax.

Ekiti 2022 : Only Eight Parties Ready For Primary Election – INEC

By
Ayodele Oni
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

As political parties prepare for their Governorship Primary election in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) has announced that only eight political parties have notified the Commission of their intentions to conduct primaries.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Dr Festus Okoye, disclosed that the parties are the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), All Progressives Congress,(APC), Action Alliance,(AA), African Democratic Congress,(ADC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance,(APGA).

Others are Allied People’s Movement,(APM), Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) and African Action Congress,(AAC).

According to him, “So far, as at afternoon January 7, eight political parties have given the commission the statutory notice of their intention to conduct primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 16.

“By the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by INEC, political parties seeking to nominate candidates must conduct their primaries between January 4 and 29.”

He explained that by section 85 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), every registered political party shall give the commission at least 21 days notice.

This include notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its Executive Committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective positions specified in the Act.

“Furthermore, by section 87 of the Electoral Act, a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under the Act shall hold primaries for the aspirants and this shall be through direct or indirect means.

“Political parties nominating candidates must ensure that they conduct valid primaries and the primaries must be conducted within the period designated by the commission in the timetable and schedule of activities.”

The National Commissioner urged political parties to pay  attention to and comply with the intendment, activities and timelines in the timetable and schedule of activities released by INEC for the Ekiti 2022 governorship election.

“Political parties are reminded that the access code for uploading the list and personal particulars of nominated candidates will be given to the national chairman of political parties nominating candidates.

“This will be available to political parties that conducted valid primaries in accordance with the constitution, the Electoral Act and the Guidelines and Regulations of the commission.”

IPOB Doesn’t Speak For The Igbo; Its Anger, Accumulated – Ohanaeze

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The Source
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Prof George Obiozor - Ohanaeze President

By Charles Igbo

IPOB Has Declared War On Nigeria – ACF

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, has said that the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, does not speak for the Igbo when its leadership speaks.

Obiozor spoke just as the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, accused IPOB of a declaration of war in the country, and asked Igbo leaders to call them to order.

Obiozor spoke during an Arise Television programme on Friday, January 7, 2022.

He said that the IPOB anger is an accumulated one, but that while the anger of its members and that of most youths nationwide is understandable, IPOB does not speak for the Igbo.

Obiozor chided Northern Groups who attribute anything said by IPOB to the Igbo Nation, thereby, encouraging Northern youths to make inciting statements against the Igbo. He, particularly, pointed out when Northern youths asked all Igbo in the North to leave the region.

Obiozor: “Take it from me and, it is the right statement, IPOB doesn’t speak for the Igbo, and that is the truth.

“To be very candid with you, the IPOB anger is an accumulated anger based on perceived or real injustice against Ndigbo for so long.

“We understand their anger, and the anger of many youths across the country.

However, the truth of the matter is that they are not mandated to speak for Ndigbo.

“The Northern Groups that are making the statements are unfortunate because we don’t respond when their youths in their youthful exuberance make certain comments like they did before that all Igbo must leave the North.”

But the ACF has just accused IPOB of declaring a war in the country over IPOB’s recent ban of the National Anthem in schools and the transportation of livestock to the South-east.

In retaliation, a Northern group has, also, said the North would no longer buy anything brought to the region from the South-east.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, was reacting to the plan of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria to ban the movement of foodstuffs  from the North to the South-east over the IPOB ban.

Yawe  said Nigeria was not at war and appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to call IPOB to order.

This will not be the first time the Union would embark on a blockade of foodstuffs to the South-east over INEC threat to ban the transportation of Cattle to the South-east.

Said Yawe: “We have appealed to this Union in the past when their members were attacked and some killed, and their property destroyed due to no fault of theirs.”

The blockade, at the time, triggered the skyrocketing in the prices of foodstuffs I’m the South.

In the instant case, Yawe said: “The concerns of the Union and their fears are justified. Somebody should call IPOB to order. We are not at war. We are still one country and not at war. Their pronouncements amount to an open declaration of war.”

There has been no reaction either from the Federal Government, or from Ohanaeze since the ban placed by IPOB on the National Anthem and the transportation of foodstuffs and Cattle from the North to the South-east.

Nnamdi Kanu: Ejimakor Challenges Buhari, As President Disappoints Amaechi; Ohanaeze Pleads

By
The Source
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Aloy Ejimakor

By Charles Igbo

Ninety Three – year old Mbazulike Amaechi must be a sad and depressed man. Mbazulike, a former Aviation Minister in the first Republic, suffered a shock given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari a couple of days ago.

The old man had led a delegation of some Igbo leaders, two months ago, to meet with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Their main agenda was to plead with Mr President to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Federal Government.

Since June 2021 when Kanu was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought back to Nigeria to face trial – a trial which was cut-short in 2017 when he bolted out of Nigeria to save his life during an invasion of his father’s Palace where he was, after he was granted bail by the Court – Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State  Services, on the orders of an Abuja Federal High Court. He is being prosecuted by the  Federal Government on alleged sundry offences, including treasonable felony and terrorism.

During the visit by Elder statesman Amaechi and Co,  the old man had pleaded, passionately, to the President to release Kanu to  him as a last favour before his (Amaechi) death. He promised to control Kanu, and stop him from speaking the way he does.

Buhari made a loose promise. He told the delegation that difficult as the request was, he would consider it. And Amaechi left, satisfied.

Since that visit over two months ago, nothing has been heard from Buhari. Instead, the trial continued.

But, three days ago, Buhari commented on the Kanu case while fielding questions from Channel TV reporters.

Asked if he would release Kanu, and if so, when, Buhari’s answer was a categorical “no”. He insisted that Kanu’s case must run its full course in the Court. He said it is his policy  not to interfere in Judicial matters. He said that Kanu deserved his day in Court. He said Kanu had told a lot of lies against Nigeria, from abroad which he needed to prove in Court.

But irked by the President’s response, the Special Counsel to Kanu and IPOB, Alloy Ejimakor, has tackled Buhari. Ejimakor said that one day, soon, Buhari would be accountable to his promise to obey any judicial order on  Kanu.

Ejimakor: “Buhari’s remarks on releasing Nnamdi Kanu is two-faceted. Whereas he appears to have dimmed the prospects of an executive decision to release Kanu, he also said he has left it to the Judiciary  to decide.

“Buhari is, therefore, saying that he will respect and implement any judicial decision on Kanu, including an order for his release. This is not the first time he has said such a thing. He said it to Chief Mbazulike Amaechi when he made such  a request two months  ago.

“I hope a day will come, sooner than later, when Buhari will be held to his commitment and promise to respect any Judicial decision on the Kanu matter whether it is bail, mistrial, or outright unconditional release.”

But a more conciliatory reaction came from Professor George Obiazor, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Obiozor said the President cannot be faulted by saying that the case is in the Court, that it is a matter for the Judiciary, but he nevertheless, pleaded for mercy from Buhari. He asked for Kanu’s unconditional release.

He said: ” The President said that the matter is in Court, and you cannot fault it.

“There is division of labor at the Federal level where the Judiciary is independent. So, he is technically right to say that the case is already on.

“We are asking for something different from the Judiciary, and we are asking him to consider his prerogative. Also, the idea of treating him with mercy as a son and citizen, to be considerate and compassion.

“We are not talking about the Judiciary. If he takes the Judiciary route, he is taking the right route logically, but then, away from what we are talking. We are appealing for mercy, and some form of amnesty.”

Before the President’s position, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had given an inkling that there will be no such intervention by the Executive in Kanu’s case.

This Magazine gathered that from a source at the Presidency that “Buhari is angry over Kanu’s personal insult of him, especially, insisting that he was dead, and that Nigeria is being ruled by an ‘al Sudani’ from Sudan. He is also angry that Kanu dismisses Nigeria as a zoo, and cannot get over Kanu’s alleged instructions which went viral, during the EndSARS protest, to IPOB members to kill and behead Security personnels.”

Kanu is being prosecuted in the Court of the Hon. Justice Binta Nyako.

Nigeria Now Generates 13,000 Negawatts of Power – FG

By
Uche Mbah
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Garba Shehu

By Uche Mbah

A Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, says that the Buhari administration has surmounted obstacles created by the Jonathan administration to generate 13,000 megawatts of electricity.

Nigeria has been reeling under the burden of power generation and distribution resulting in the unbundling of the power sector into Generation, Distribution and Transmission. Government clung to transmission while private investors bought into generation and distribution.

Speaking during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Friday, Shehu said Government has improved generation by 200 times.

According to him, Government inherited “a reckless privatisation of the power sector, done by the Goodluck Jonathan administration” , but can now generate up to 5,000 megawatts more power.

“The situation on ground constrained the government and the party from delivering as much more than what we have. As we speak today we have doubled power availability in the country,” he said.

“In terms of generation, it has improved 200 times. We have the capacity to generate more than 13,000 of power. The uptake is up to 5,000 as we speak now. That is not the best but it’s an improvement on the 2,500 megawatts that we inherited.

“We aspire to do 20,000 or 30,000 megawatts of power. We haven’t done that but we have launched 19,000 availability. It’s remarkable, why don’t we look inwards and use out the 13,000 that are available. A lot of power is generated and wasted in some cases.

“This Government inherited a reckless privatisation process, which the president said in the interview that it was largely driven by the need to gratify political interest.”

Considering the still very epileptic power supply, not a few Nigerians doubt Garba’s claim.”

OPC Scores Gov Akeredolu High On Security

By
Ayodele Oni
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Amotekun Commanbders with Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), led by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has scored Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State high in the area of providing secured and peaceful environment across the eighteen Council Areas of the State.

The group, in its New Year message to the Governor, Government and people of the State, commended Governor Akeredolu for his bold, fearless and courageous actions taken towards securing lives and properties of residents of Ondo State through the instrumentality of the Western Security Network (WSN) codenamed, Amotekun.

The statement, signed by the acting coordinator of OPC in Ondo State, Comrade Nafiu Sarafa, and made available to newsmen in Akure, on Friday, discribed Amotekun Corps as the most valuable feat achieved by Akeredolu’s five years administration, vowing that “OPC is ready to compliment the security apparatus in the State.

“This is with the aim of tackling the menace of herdsmen/ farmers clashes, kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities anywhere in the State.

“In the year under review, it’s very important to identify and salute the rear feat achieved by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in the area of security, especially during the high point of threat occassioned by withdrawal of military personnel from  checkpoints and strategic positions in the State.

“In protest, the GOC of 32 Artillery Command, Owena Barracks went ahead to resign his position as the chairman of the State Security Council; but the governor took charge, instructed the Amotekun commandant and the commissioner of police to fill the security gap and restore confidence back to the body polity.

“During the Yuletide season, the Amotekun Corps under the leadership of Akogun Adetunji Adeleye mounted ‘stop and search’ checkpoints at flashpoints, crime prone areas and junctions across the State, which effectively curbed and reduced crimes and criminal activities of hoodlums during the festive periods.

“Another landmark achievement of the Amotekun Corps is the ability to keep the state safe by adequate implementation of the Anti-Grazing law signed by the Akeredolu-led administration.

“All these goals were made possible and achievable with the total support, encouragement and enabling environment given to the Amotekun Corps by the visionary Governor to secure the people of Ondo State, its environs and their property.

“The well organised and coordinated joint patrols and control points amongst members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) the Nigerian Police and Amotekun Corps did the wonders and practically rendered the arrogant GOC and his Sojas useless and unnoticeable in the scheme of things and security formation of the State.

“While congratulating the Governor, his Government, the Amotekun Corps and other security agents for the achievements in securing our Sunshine State, we as OPC members pledge our loyalty and readiness to join the winning team in order to consolidate and solidify the security apparatus put in place by the Governor.”

Convention: APC Leaders To Meet Buhari Sunday

By
Uche Mbah
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APC Party
APC Party

By Uche Mbah

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to meet the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sunday, to determine a date for the party’s National Convention.

Internal wrangling have held the Convention at bay, with different interest groups insisting on being in control of the party.

President Buhari had recently said that opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  may clinch the Presidency if APC does not put their house in order.

The party had proposed a tentative February date for the convention.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with the President, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, confirmed the agenda of Sunday meeting with the President is the Party’s National Convention.

Fielding question on the efforts of the party leaders to avert a collapse, the Governor said: “Yes, I agree that all the times there are meetings, especially taking final decisions on the party, I’m always part of it and part of it was also why I visited the President and the President still stands committed that there must be an immediate convention.

“You know, when the convention is coming there are fears here and there, some people will tell you it will work, it will not work. I don’t want to jump to a conclusion, but the visit to the President has already assured us and you know that there is already a notice that all the governors are meeting on Sunday. By Sunday we will tell you when we’re doing the convention.

“We’ve taken a date already. I think our first date before Christmas we said we’re going to do a convention in February and we are still working for convention, as far as I’m concerned, except things change from another angle. But as far as I’m concerned, we’re working for our convention in February.

“These are things that the President was raising his fears, but we’ve already given him assurances that nothing will stop us from having a very peaceful election.

“Some parties have done their own, the PDP did their own, nothing will stop APC from doing their own.

“So, all the fears that we’re talking about, which the President also re-echoed, is also telling the governor’s please do more, and keep the party alive. So, by God’s grace, we’re going to put our party alive.”

Noting that steps will be taken to tackle every issue militating against the convention, Lalong continued:

“Well, these are things we’re going to discuss, but I’m not drawing conclusions, but I always tell you that a political party is a cumulation of interests. The interests may be the same, they may not be the same, but at the end of the day, what we’ll do is that we are going to elect people who are going to represent you.

“People will come with different interests and so when you are preparing like this, you have different interests and those different interests will be aired in different ways.

“But I just want to assure you that in so many ways, when we meet, we’ll harmonize all interests and we’ll come out as one APC and that’s what we’re hoping that whatever will be the interests that we’re going to discuss, I have a very great hope that at the end of the day, our goal is to elect people who will take care of our party because that will be the beginning of the process towards electing those who will take over from this present government.”

On the issue of court cases against the convention, Lslong said it is not likely to affect the convention. “There are procedures to holding court processes. Many of the court processes were there when we set up the caretaker committee, but up to this moment, if you go to take a census of some of the court proceedings, you will realize that a lot of them have been resolved out of court. So, it’s still the duty of the party, it’s still part of the functions of the party to resolve.

“But we must not wait to resolve all court presses before you go for the convention. I don’t think so because there is also machinery for resolving the court processes, even after the convention.

“I had a court process in my State, that did not stop me from going on and at the end of the day, we resolved the court process and we’re still going on, preparing and waiting for the convention.”

On whether the APC can meet the speculated February 5 date for the convention in view of the need for a mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he said: “Well, I’m not the chairman of the convention committee, but I want to assure you that we’ve called a meeting for Sunday and if there is a meeting on Sunday, and you’re thinking about next Friday. Just wait and see what will happen before next Friday. I don’t want to draw a conclusion now.

“You’re already talking of litigations, you draw conclusions, somebody will go and file a case tomorrow. So, I don’t want us to draw a conclusion on that, but I want to assure you that we are meeting. We already sampled the minds of many of the governors.

“We’re meeting and we’re very hopeful that we’re going to keep and then with the admonition given by the President, it’s a warning signal to all of us to sit up and ensure that we have a seamless, very clean, fair and transparent convention so that our party will not get disintegrated.”

OPINION: The Story of the Siege on Magodo

By
The Source
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Azu Ishiekwene

By Azu Ishiekwene

This is a local story and it’s personal. I’m involved. And because I’m involved, I thought the best way to tell it is to hear it from persons who have a more intimate knowledge of the story; those who have lived in Magodo Shangisha GRA Scheme II, Lagos, for well over two decades. The three respondents, the first of whom is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, have asked that their names should not be used. I’ll simply describe them as Respondents I, II and III.

Keep in mind as you read this, that land title in a Government Reserved Area (GRA), is supposed to be the most secure, having both the government-issued Certificate of Occupancy and the gold standard of the government seal of quality assurance.

Yet this GRA you’re going to read about – located just opposite the official seat of power of the Lagos State Government – has been invaded four times by trespassers with the aid of hoodlums abetted by an occupying police force.

This last time, they came with bulldozers, chains and big padlocks. They came on the watch of 200 policemen from Abuja to execute a writ of possession which they refused to produce.

Yet, those who have cited the purported writ say it does insist on Magodo, the GRA they have besieged for nearly two weeks, in defiance of a personal visit by the state governor, BabajideSanwo-Olu, who is supposed to be the chief security officer of Lagos. It could be your GRA next:

Respondent I:

“On December 21, 2021, some land-grabbers in the company of hundreds of armed policemen invaded Magodo GRA Scheme II in Shangisha, Lagos State. They came with thugs, fake bailiffs, spray paint cans, and bulldozers.

“There have been many versions of what happened on that sad day, with varying degrees of falsehood and inaccuracies. The most incredible of them all is by Adebayo Adeyiga, which has gone viral, turning the truth on its head.

“He made up a fancy story about the so-called displacement of the early occupants in 1984 under the auspices of the Shangisha Residents Association at the time led by Chief Adebayo Adeyiga, their purported maltreatment at the hands of subsequent governments, and so on and so forth – a typical David-v-Goliath narrative, deliberately meant to curry sympathy and incite public anger, while hiding the facts in plain sight.

“But the facts contradict him. There was no acquisition to build any hospital and no valid claim to a title in the first place.

“In 1969, there was an acquisition of the totality of the land area from Ojota, Ketu, Magodo, Agidingbi, Omole. It was an extensive acquisition by the Lagos State Government and compensation was duly paid to the main owners then, while a few of the villages were excised.

“Unfortunately, either through error of commission or omission by the Lagos State Government, they did not follow up with the physical possession of the properties. As a result, trespassers – including those now claiming to have been dispossessed in Shangisha/Magodo – took advantage.

“For a very long time, the government did nothing, so trespassers proliferated. People who had nothing to do in the place started selling and buying land already acquired by the government and started building.

“There were no title documents or approved building plans; they simply took the law into their own hands. Until 1984, when the military government of Mohammadu Buhari government came. Air Commodore GbolahanMudashiru was the administrator for Lagos at the time. It was his government that took steps to reclaim government land that had been encroached upon.

Respondent II

“Shangisha was part of it and the properties were demolished, save for a few. It was in the course of the demolition that the Shangisha Landlords Association, led by Chief Adebayo Adeyiga, came into being and tried to use sentiments, knowing full well that they were squatters.

“They begged for compensation, not as of right, but on humanitarian grounds. They engaged the Lagos State Government not as radical or original owners of the land, but for the fact that they had built properties, pleading for compensation on compassionate grounds. These are the same people who are now claiming that the government deceived them that it was going to build hospitals in Magodo only to displace them later: a matter that clearly does not lie in their mouth as squatters!

“If the government had not listened to them at that time, nothing would have happened because they cannot derive authority over a faulty foundation; they were trespassers.

“Unfortunately, the government did not document those they were giving allocation; they were submitting names and the government was allocating until it decided to put a stop to it. That was when they decided to go to court. In the court, they put their membership at 549, not taking into account those that had already been given allocation.

“So, it was not right for them to go to the public and say that because they are poor, the government had taken their land and given it to the rich. It is a fallacy; they don’t have any title in the first place.

Respondent III

“Adeyiga is from Ijebu Irolu in Ogun State. But unfortunately, the case was brought to a Lagos court through the Ministry of Justice that was negligent in terms of following up to defend the interest of the State, and judgement was given.

“The judgement was affirmed by the court of appeal. But what is in this judgement? The judgment of 31 December 1993 said Lagos State was bound to give them preferential allocation of 549 plots. By the time of this judgement (which was between them and the Lagos State Government), the government had designated Magodo as an Estate and started allocating the land.

“The government started issuing Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in 1986. By 1993, the Lagos State Government had allocated to them about 300 vacant plots in Magodo, even though they were claiming 549 plots. Some of those families opted out, saying Adeyiga could not represent them. But Adeyiga rejected all offers, insisting on a phantom 549 plots!

Respondent I (again)

“If the Lagos State Government is not honouring the court judgement, the lawyers of the disputants know what to do. There are so many remedies, including the committal proceedings in respect of the judgement of the Supreme Court.

“Instead, they have decided to wage a war on Magodo residents. Even as you read this article, policemen from Abuja on the orders of the Inspector General of Police are camped inside Magodo and families continue to live in fear and apprehension!

“We were not party to the judgement and the judgement did not say the judgement creditors should go to Magodo, spray paint on occupied properties with families inside, and lock us up, and deploy bulldozers to level our properties!

“On December 21, 2021 when they invaded (for the fourth time), we asked them for the writ of possession or the survey attached to the judgement, but they could not provide any! What they came to do here was plain impunity abetted by security forces for whatever reason.

“If a judgement of the Supreme Court is going to be enforced and the necessary machinery of the Nigerian police is being called for purposes of assistance, it is incumbent on the police authority to ask for the warrant which must show identifiable properties.

“In this case, there was nothing – and yet we have strong reasons to believe that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), is aiding and abetting this illegality.

“Of course, we are for the rule of law and the obedience of court orders. But isn’t it curious that in spite of allocations given to these fellows by the Lagos State Government (according to the Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), they have refused to accept the olive branch: It must be Magodo or nowhere else! We can almost see the hand of the snake in this undisguised hostility as we are hearing that some persons have been promised juicy plots in Magodo, at all costs!

“There is a legal maxim that the law will not compel the performance of an impossibility, but that is exactly what these trespassers are determined to do!

The reporter who conducted the interviews inside the Estate was briefly arrested by the Abuja police and detained for “videoing” them supervising the thugs and invaders. Only the timely intervention of the Force Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, saved the day.

Another update at press time indicated that there might indeed be a resolution of the dispute after Governor Sanwo-Olu held a meeting with all the parties in his office on Wednesday. The agreement, in principle, to allocate land to the judgement creditors is a good and bad thing: good because court orders should be obeyed; and bad because, in this instance, a message has been sent that hostage taking is a permissible means to an end.

Residents whose rights were violated and properties marked and locked up as part of the hostage process, will do themselves a world of good by taking the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to court.

That’s one way to prevent this nonsense from happening again.

Ishiekwene is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

OPINION: Margery Okadigbo: Keeping The Legacy Alive

By
The Source
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Margery Okadigbo

By James Okoroma.

The appointment of Senator MARGERY OKADIGBO as  Chairman of the newly-incorporated Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited by President Muhammadu Buhari  presents a unique opportunity for one to closely examine the content and character of this woman with stoic disposition within the context of the challenges she has faced in the Nigerian Project and the successes she has recorded upholding the legacies of her husband seen and regarded by many as one of Nigeria’s most controversial and cerebral Politicians  who served Nigeria with every strength he could muster till the last breath.

Mrs Okadigbo’s appointment came after Mr. President had suspended the inauguration of the old Board for reasons which were not made public.

I make haste to state here that Mrs Okadigbo’s appointment is not just another patronage dispensed to another Nigerian Politician for political considerations. It is a well-thought out reward for merit, tenacity of purpose, discipline, good conduct and commitment to the national interest.

Since September, 2003, when her husband, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo passed on, Mrs Okadigbo has held on tenaciously to those values and philosophies that defined her husband as a great Nigerian Patriot, Political Strategist and Thinker who died in the course of National Service.

What many do not know, is that Mrs Okadigbo is a Lawyer of over thirty-six years standing and a businesswoman with vast interests in Real Estate, Merchandising and Human Resource Management. She has silently continued to record several achievements in Law Practice, business and Politics in furtherance of her husband’s wishes and Vision for the Nigerian Nation. Unlike several other women who have gone to town after being widowed,

Mrs Okadigbo has stayed away from scandals and kept her eyes on the ball in pursuit of popular causes that benefit all Nigerians irrespective of their religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Like her husband, she successfully ran for the Senate and sat on her husband’s seat as the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District.

While in the Senate, Mrs Okadigbo made commendable contributions that helped in enriching Legislations and improving  Governance generally.

At the social level, she  has remained a motivator, role model and a beacon of hope to many Nigerian women who are facing challenges in their homes and careers.

Immediately after her husband’s death, she retreated and concentrated on raising her children, maintaining family cohesion and ensuring that her husband’s name and reputation were not soiled for any reason. Today, the children her husband left behind, are all University Graduates from some of the best Universities in Europe and America. In this regard, she has fulfilled her husband’s wish to give their children the best education anywhere in the world.

Senator Margery lives a disciplined and austere life with no interest at all in ostentatious possessions and opulence.

To also ensure that her husband’s  Legacies are sustained for all generations of Nigerians, Mrs Okadigbo established the CHUBA OKADIGBO FOUNDATION which  consistently offers Scholarships to many, picks hospital bills of indigent patients, assists widows with Credit facilities and secures employment for University Graduates and other Classes of people.

She pursues these causes with modesty and without any intent to make political capital out of them.

In Ogbunike Community, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State where Dr. Okadigbo hailed from, Mrs Okadigbo is regarded as the mother of the poor, widows, orphans and socially-alienated. In fact, she is the present-day Mother Theresa in that area.

This explains why she  consistently wins any election she indicates interest in. She is the woman of the people and the political leader they respect and adore.

Till date, the story is still  told of her Empowerment Programmes while in the Senate which liberated many men , the Youth and Women from poverty in Anambra North. Her inclination has always been to create wealth and improve lives wherever she finds herself without making noise.

There is no doubt that Dr. Okadigbo will be proud of this woman who has brought honour to his name and sustained his legacies  wherever he is.

As she assumes duty at the NNPC as Board Chairman , there is no doubt she will bring  her experience, discipline, business acumen and vast international and local contacts to bear on her new assignment.

Dr. Okoroma was Special Assistant to late Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo.

Uzodinma Swears-in Ag. President, Imo Customary Court Of Appeal

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has sworn-in Hon. Justice Victor Uchenna Okorie as the Acting President, Imo State Customary Court of Appeal, Owerri.

Addressing the Acting President, members of the Bar and the Bench,  senior government officials and key traditional rulers at the New Executive Council Chambers,  Government House Owerri at the ceremony, Friday,  Governor Uzodimma congratulated Justice Okorie and informed him that his appointment was strictly on merit and in adherence to due process.

He charged Justice Okorie to discharge his duties in full compliance with the principles of due process and the rule of law upon which he was nominated and inaugurated.

Again, he reminded the audience that the Shared Prosperity Administration of his government is anchored on the respect for the rule of law and due process, insisting that he expects the Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal to follow the same process.

He requested him to always bear the people in mind while dispensing justice, noting that “the people always look at the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”

Governor Uzodimma further reminded Justice Okorie that his “appointment comes with a lot of responsibilities which expects him to live above board and show examples that will galvanize the Bench and the Bar to be always on  their toes.”

He enjoined him to remember that “after God, it is only the judges that hold the authority to make pronouncements that could lead to life and death; hence such authorities must be delivered and or dispensed with the utmost fear of God.”

Governor Uzodimma added: “The judiciary ought to be always more than circumspect,  be just, fair and firm.”

He emphasized that it is only by doing so that the common man will continue to see the judiciary as their last hope.

The Governor promised to provide the judiciary with the necessary tools that would assist the members in the dispensation of justice in Imo State.

In his response after the swearing-in, Justice Okorie thanked Governor Uzodimma for finding time despite his crowded schedule to inaugurate him as Acting President Customary Court of Appeal.

He promised to be guided, always, by the letters of the oaths of office he took in the discharge of his duties.

He also promised to work to improve on the already set standards by his predecessors in the State Customary Court of Appeal.

Present at the swearing-in were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Barr. C. O. C. Akaolisa and other members of State Expanded Executive Council.

Justice Okorie was accompanied by the Ag. Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka, serving and retired Judges of Imo State and the Chairman Imo State Nigerian Bar Association,  Barr. Jude Ogamba.

Also present were the Chairman,  Imo State Traditional Institution Council/Chairman, Community Policing,  HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke, the Chairman, Imo State Elders Council, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and the traditional ruler of Ihim autonomous community in Isiala Mbano, HRH, Eze Oliver Ohanwe.

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