Home Blog Page 2380

MURIC Threatens President Buhari To Declare August 9 Public Holiday, Or Face Wrath Of Allah

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Controversial Islamic Group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called on the Federal Government to recognize and declare Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, every first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday, or be ready to face punishment from Allah.

MURIC, in a statement signed by its founder and Executive Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, said Muslims in Nigeria will join their fellow faithful around the world to mark Hijrah Day on Monday 9th August, 2021 being the first day of the Islamic year.

Akintola lamented that the Federal Government had ignored several calls and demands being made by Islamic organisations in the country to declare this day as holiday, hence, President Buhari will face the wrath of Allah if he fails to do the needful.

The Islamic human rights group said it has decided to amplify the demand this year as the date approaches.

“We are calling on all state governors who are Muslims to identify with this noble, peaceful and divinely rewarding struggle by declaring this coming Monday (9th August, 2021) as Hijrah Day holiday.

“Members of state executives (commissioners, chairmen of agencies, etc) who are Muslims have a duty to bring this to the attention of state governors as a matter of urgency.

“Also, chairmen of local governments who are Muslims should encourage and support Islamic organisations and schools within their jurisdiction to organise events to mark the Day.

“On the other hand, Muslims in public offices who fail to promote it will have questions to answer before Allah yaom al-Qiyamah because they will have to explain why they abandoned their faith and their fellow Muslims for worldly gains,” it said.

The Group  called on Muslims in public offices to not only be conversant with their religion but be bold enough to practice, manifest and seek to entrench it among fellow Muslims.

Uzodinma Gives FUTO Back Its Allocated Land

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma - FUTO Land

Communities which are hosts to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, and which have been infiltrating on the lands allocated to the University had better back off. That will no longer be tolerated as every inch of  the land will be back to the owners FUTO

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma gave this  assurance to the authorities of the Federal University and assured them that the  institution will enjoy unchallenged access to the parcel of land allocated to it 40 years ago by Government.

Governor Uzodimma, therefore, promised to work with the institution to remove all encumbrances that will militate against its expansion and service to the society as envisaged by the founding fathers many years ago.

According to the Governor’s Special Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor spoke on Wednesday when he paid an official visit to FUTO, particularly with regard to reports of festering issue of land allocated to the school and intruders.

Governor Uzodimma told the Principal Officers of the university that he was in the school to have first-hand information of what the problems are and to “ensure that all the encumbrances are removed and the school protected.”

The Governor reiterated that his visit was to “ensure that the school has unchallenged access to original allocation made to the school long ago,” noting that, like his predecessors,  he will want to see that “the land allocated to FUTO is sustained and left for them.”

To achieve the above, the Governor sought for a united front and encouraged the institution to work in tandem with the objectives of the founding fathers.

Governor Uzodimma also informed that  he was happy to hear that the Medical School of FUTO is becoming a reality.

His words: “We are very jubilant and it is a thing of joy to note that the Medical School of the Federal University of Technology Owerri has become a reality.  It is, therefore, our responsibility to encourage the management to put in their best in sustaining the achievement so far made.”

While promising to support the University to protect and sustain the land allocation to it, the Governor urged the Vice Chancellor and the Management to ensure “regular and full tax remittances to the State Government as at when due.”

He further urged members of the Management to do their best to build perimeter fence as a way to protect the School from external aggression and interference.

He noted: “We want the school to be a complete University Community, where all the faculties including the Medical School and the Teaching Hospital are all in the same University Community.”

Welcoming the Governor and his entourage earlier at the FUTO Senate Building, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Nnenna Oti expressed gratitude that the Governor visited them to have first hand information of the university’s challenges.

She pledged to sustain the school’s commitment to the society, particularly as regards corporate social responsibility, by ensuring that the University pays its taxes regularly.

She also committed to a peaceful coexistence between the university, the students and the host communities.

The Governor and his entourage later visited the disputed boundaries of the allocated land.

Governor  Uzodimma was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor of the State,  Prof. Placid Njoku, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abutu Yaro, the Imo State Director of Security Services and members of the State Executive Council.

New Ekiti LCDAs Take Off As Assembly Passes Bill

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Ekiti State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

The newly created 19 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in Ekiti State, will take off anytime from now.

This followed the passage of a bill to that effect on Wednesday by the state House of Assembly.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda had announced on Tuesday that the executive bill and another one on Judicial Autonomy had been sent to the Assembly.

With the creation of 19 LCDA, the state now has 35 Local Councils. They are to function in that capacity until the National Assembly amends the 1999 constitution to reflect the new status.

The bill was unanimously passed at Wednesday’s plenary held in Ado-Ekiti and presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Funminiyi Afuye.

The proposed new LCDAs are, Ado Central, Ado North, Ado West, Ajoni and Gbonyin.

Others are, Ifeloju, Araromi, Ekameta, Ekiti South East and Ero.

The approved  Councils, also, included Ifedara, Ifesowapo, Igbara Odo/Ogotun, Ikere West and Ikole West. The rest are, Irede, Irewolede, Isokan and Okemesi.

The Lawmakers commended Governor Kayode Fayemi for the initiative which they believed would further bring development closer to people at the grassroots.

The LCDAs were first created at the tail end of Governor Fayemi’s first term in 2014 but were abolished b former Governor Ayo Fayose on his assumption of office.

Process for their creation began in earnest in 2017 when Fayemi won election with the setting up of a committee to collate memoranda from interested communities.

PDP Crisis: Party Bigger Than Any Individual; Will No Longer Tolerate Inordinate Ambition – Seriake Dickson

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0

By Adesina Soyooye

A former two-time Governor of Bayelsa State and, now, the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, is livid over the crisis rocking his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

And he warns all those instigating the crisis because of their inordinate ambition to be cautious and/ or ship out.

The shimmering crisis rocking the PDP, which has gradually been losing high profile members, including three State Governors and a BOT member, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, boiled over on Tuesday when seven members of the National Executive Council, NEC, resigned. They cited incompetence on the side of the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, accusing him of not running an inclusive administration. They said he treats them as mere appendages, forgetting that they too have Constituencies to maintain. And, since their election, they alleged, they have had only three meetings with the Chairman and, even those, they said they had to request for them.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Aminu Tambuwal has waded in on Tuesday calling for calm.

And, on Wednesday, the Chairman’s Media Office responded saying that forces who want him out in order to control the party were behind the crisis. With the National election of the Party just a few months away, Secondus wondered what those pushing for a Caretaker Committee for the Party has in mind, and if they really ever meant well for the party.

In a statement later on Wednesday, an angry Dickson asked the National Chairman and the NWC members “To utilise their powers under the constitution to discipline erring members involved in the nefarious plot to destroy the party. PDP is bigger than any individual and should no longer tolerate people with inordinate ambitions to destroy the party which belongs to all Nigerians. People with ambition must know that unless the party is stabilized and strengthened, their ambition will be of no consequence even if they pocket it.

“I call all those behind this crisis not to leave any opening to the APC to exploit with their control of the resources and machinery of Government.”

Dickson knows about the management of such crisis.

As the Bayelsa Governor, he the was Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, and between 2013 and 2020, was the National Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee.

Following is the full text of Senator Dickson’s strongly-worded statement entitled:

PDP CANNOT AFFORD THE GRAVE DANGER OF A CARETAKER COMMITTEE- DICKSON

…ATTEMPT BY A FEW PEOPLE TO HIJACK PARTY WILL LEAD TO IMPLOSION

We have observed for some time the growing tension, recriminations and outright attack on the National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee by some leaders of the party.

One has refrained from making statements because we believe that the party has internal mechanisms and levels of leadership that will handle it and I was infact aware that BOT members, governors and other elders, reconciliation committee, collectively and individually, have been making efforts to resolve some of these disputes and challenges affecting the stability of the party.

As we are all aware, some officers of our party, resigned yesterday and we should thank them for their services but If their resignation is aimed at causing  crisis in  the party then we should all condemn it and those behind it.

By the party’s constitution the appropriate authority, the NWC is empowered to make replacements. I therefore call on the National Chairman and other members of the NWC in accordance with the constitution of the party to immediately make appropriate consultations from the states and zones from which these officers have resigned and forthwith, make those replacements subject to ratification by the NEC.

An emergency NEC meeting should be convened which should take appropriate decisions to stabilize the party. And if there is any member of the working committee who wants to resign, such a person should consider the over all interest of the party and have a rethink. If however, any NWC members goes ahead to resign, the  resignation should be accepted and consultations be made by the Chairman and NWC to fill those positions as temporary vacancies subject to ratification.

The National Chairman and NWC members should utilize their powers under the constitution to discipline erring members involved in the nefarious plot to destroy the party. PDP is bigger than any individual and should no longer tolerate people with inordinate ambitions to destroy the party which belongs to all Nigerians. People with ambition must know that unless the party is stabilized and strengthened, their ambition will be of no consequence even if they pocket it.

If the PDP shrinks from a party for all to a party for a few, it would lose its selling point and many members and leaders will have no option than to review their membership.

We are not a ruling party at the centre. We don’t have the time, resources and mechanisms to resolve problems that will arise from a caretaker committee which will throw up more problems before the party convention and primaries at the centre and across the states.

I caution all those behind this crisis not to leave any opening to the APC to exploit with their control of the resources and machinery of  Government.

We should all learn from the challenge the APC has found itself with the appointment of a caretaker committee which is still unfolding. With only four months to the end of the tenure of the current working committee, it does not make sense to either push for and force a resignation, or to force the appointment of a caretaker committee on a party with officers who have a constitutionally guaranteed tenure.

Furthermore, with only about a year to the nomination of candidates in the light of the ongoing electoral acts amendments bill, it again does not make sense to push a divisive agenda that the party may not have the time resources and mechanism to resolve before the nomination processes and primaries which by their nature are divisive.

Our singular target and focus for now if we are serious, should be to stabilize and strengthen the NWC by supporting it and correcting whatever may be wrong in-house quietly while putting our effort wholly on the task of identifying and selecting credible candidates and ensuring fair primaries.

Our window of opportunity to take over power  in 2023 is fast receding as a result of these self inflicted challenges and the hope that Nigerians have in us as an alternative is fast dimming too unless we pull back from the brinks and do so quickly.

I call on our governors to close ranks and stop the unnecessary battles amongst themselves, support one another and work with other leaders to strengthen and support the party, rather than weakening it.

I am of the view that governors should be supported in their respective states and the party at the national level should not over ride their decisions and judgments but to guide and advice when necessary.

It is a good thing that our governors are all doing well but they should pay the necessary attention to the need consolidate their states in order to be able defeat the APC challenge  in 2023.

I call on the BOT, the National Assembly Caucus of the party, elders and leaders of the party across the country to stahnd with the National chairman and the NWC to prevent the party from this avoidable crisis.

Dickson, a former  two-time Governor of Bayelsa State, now, Senator representing Bayelsa West, was Chairman PDP Reconciliation Committee from 2013 to 2020, and Chairman PDP Governor’s Forum

PDP National Chairman, Secondus Says Ambitious Powerful Forces Behind His Trivails

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Uche Secondus

By Ayodele Oni

Embattled Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), has blamed his current woes on “a very strong party chieftain” that is hell bent in sending him out of office.

A lonely man in a lonely road, Secondus through his media office on Wednesday, stated: “Why few months to National Convention of the party, somebody is routing for a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the party.”

He was apparently referring to moves by some National Working Committee, (NWC) members that met on Wednesday and working towards his removal to pave the way for a Caretaker Committee before a proper National convention to usher in a new  Chairman.

The statement, signed by the chairman’s media Aide, Mr Ike Abonyi, reads: “The Media Office of the National Chairman is privy to intelligence that the strong party chieftain bent on hijacking the party structure for destruction is still on the loose with the main agenda of denting the image of Prince Uche Secondus the National Chairman.

“Reports reaching this office shows clearly that this character is deploying all devious means to try and diminish the person and character of the National Chairman with a view to having his way of ultimately hijacking the structure for his disproportionately large ambition.

“We, therefore, wish to alert the general public, particularly media houses and party stakeholders, to look out for strange deployment of luring gifts from this destructive ‘Father Christmas’ all aimed at having a grip on the soul of our party by having a caretaker Committee.

“What continues to shock many party observers is the real reason behind the desperation of this man to get at the National Chairman and the quantum of public funds being expended to achieve this illicit goal a few months to the National Convention.

“Few months to National Convention, anybody who means well for this party and who is a true democrat, should respect the constitution of the party and approach issues dispassionately.

“Prince Secondus through the Media Office, however, wishes to assure all critical stakeholders of our great party that every reasonable step is being taken to ensure that the image and status of the party are not injured by all these needless noise and scheming by desperadoes.”

Even though the statement was silent on the personality involved, there are indications that the Chairman was referring to the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who allegedly, is the arrow head of Secondus’ must go campaign.

Governor Wike has, however, denied ever nursing any ambition after his second term expires.

PDP Crisis: Secondus’ Fate Hangs As Another Top Shot Quits; BOT Member, Joy Emordi, Defects To APC

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Joy Emordi

By Ayodele Oni

The mass exodus continues in the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) as a member, Board of Trustees, Senator Joy Emordi, defected to the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

The defection of a top echelon of the opposition party is coming as the embattled Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus, is reported to be considering an honourable option of resigning voluntarily, as a face saving measure.

Seven members of NEC of the party, who resigned on Tuesday had, among other things, accused the Chairman of high- handedness and insensitivity.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party met in Abuja on Wednesday, with the Chairman not in attendance, to deliberate on the future of the Party and the embattled Chairman.

Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, formally received  Senator Emordi in a brief ceremony in Abuja.

Sen. Emordi, said she was convinced that the future of a prosperous and united Nigeria lies in the APC, describing the APC leadership as sincerely and genuinely committed to a united Nigeria that has plans for the future generation.

The former Lawmaker assured the APC of her loyalty and that of  her supporters to the party: “l assure the party of my loyalty and support and to work for the success of the party.

“The APC led Federal Government is working for the South East and this is attracting more PDP members into APC.”

The  NWC meeting, presided over by the Deputy National Chairman North, Senator Suleman Nazif, met till the early hours of Wednesday in an attempt to save the party and give the embattled National Chairman a soft landing.

One thing that the meeting was able to achieve, according to inside sources, is the fact that those that attended unanimously agreed that Prince Secondus’ time is up and there is the need to move the party forward.

It was further gathered that a follow up meeting is due within the next couple of days to allow for more members to attend during which a resolute decision, to relieve Secondus of his position as the national chairman is expected to be taken.

Uche Secondus
Uche Secondus

However, there are strong indications that Prince Secondus may decide to tow the line of honour before the appointed day and resign.

Although, he continued with his consultations but from indications, he has lost the support of prominent members of the Party.

The PDP Governors Forum, which promised to wade into the mass resignation of NWC members on Tuesday, is reported to have shut its door against the Chairman.

If he still enjoys support from any NEC member, it may be difficult for such member to openly canvass for him now.

It will be recalled that Prince Secondus rode into office with full backing of Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike and former governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayo Fayose, who blocked one of his kinsmen, Dr Tunde Adeniran, from contesting for the position.

Those that reacted to the present state of the opposition party said such situation cannot be avoided, especially when another General election is knocking at the door.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: FG Doles Cash On Oborodudu, Brume Over Successes

By
The Source
-
0
Blessing Oborodudu and Ese Brume

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has splashed cash on Blessing Oborodudu and Ese Brume for their Silver and Bronze medal winnings at the ongoing Olympic Games.

Olympic silver medalist, Oborududu and Bronze medalist, Brume have been mrewarded with their promised cash of $10,000 and $7500, respectively in a ceremony held at Grand Prince Hotel, Tokyo Japan on Tuesday.

A statement signed by John Joshua-Akanji, Special Adviser, Media, to the Honourable Minister, said “Blessing Oborududu and Ese Brume were presented their cash by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister said “There’s no point delaying the reinforcement of these athletes who have made the country proud, that is the reason they were rewarded immediately for their record breaking performance.”

In her reaction, Oborududu said “I am just super excited and I want to say thank you to all my supporters and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the encouragement”

Oborududu made history as the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal courtesy of the silver medal she won in the women’s 68kg freestyle.

Brume’s medal is the first won in track and field since 2008 at the Beijing Olympics where Blessing Okagbare and the women’s 4x100m relay team won a silver medal each.

The Federal Government had earlier promised a reward of 15, 000 dollars, 10,000 dollars, 7,500 dollars for gold, silver and bronze medalists at the Tokyo Olympics.

Simon Ebohdjaiye, Director, Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development made the promise on Tuesday in Tokyo shortly after wrestler Blessing Oborududu won Team Nigeria’s second medal at the Games.

He said the reward was an upward review from the initial amount announced due to the dedication of the athletes.

“Gold medallist will now be rewarded with 15,000 dollars, while silver and bronze medal winners will each get 10,000 dollars and 7,500 dollars respectively.

The Director said the gesture was to drive home the point that the Federal Government would always reward superlative performances.

Lagos: Assassins Murder RCCG Pastor Praying for Congregation Inside Church

By
The Source
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

It was a Black Tuesday for members of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, RCCG.  Pastor Bolanle Ibrahim of the King of King Parish,  Maidan village,   Mile 12 area of Lagos state, was murdered in cold blood inside the Church.

Reports say that the Clergyman was praying for mothers and their children when the suspected assailants stormed the Church and dragged him out.

Narrating the horrific event his inconsolable wife,  Kudirat, said on the fateful day her husband was killed, he was fasting.

She stressed that the assailants stormed the Church premises, dragged him and killed him.

Contrary to the news making the rounds that his late husband was a cultist, she said for the period they courted, she never suspected her husband to be a cultist, wondering where people heard that he was a cult member.

“What they are saying about him are blatant lies. My late husband was a man of God and he served Him to his death.

“I wasn’t at home on the fateful day of the incident. I went to take care of my sick mother at the hospital. I had no premonition about his death. After the deed was done, nobody called to inform me.

“I never knew my husband had been killed, I was still busy calling him to bring something for me from home, not knowing that he had already been killed. Whenever I called him the person who is picking his call kept telling me my husband is preaching, it was later around 7pm that my elder brother came to break the news to me about the gruesome murder of my beloved husband.”the bereaved wife said

Eyewitnesses of the horrific death of Pastor Ibrahim said it was a clear case of assassination.

Speaking with this news medium, an eyewitness (Name withheld) said, that the Pastor was first identified by the assassins, as they brought out his picture to ascertain that he was truly the one they are looking for before unleashing their evil intention on him.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Muyiwa Adejobi said a man was attacked during church service. The assailants went for him in the church.

“We are investigating the case because we have a clue into the killing. We will unravel the case,” Adejobi was quoted as saying.

Shock, As PDP Faces Tsunami; NWC Collapses; Governors Forum Calls For Calm

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

If the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, does not quickly put its house in order, it faces imminent collapse.

It is facing a-2014 situation almost, when a number of its high profile members, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Governors, including then Rivers State Governor, and current Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, as well as some members of the National Assembly, left the party en masse with their thousands of supporters.

That unprecedented exit contributed, in no small measure, to the shock victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC over the Party in the 2015 General elections. It was what brought  then General Muhammadu Buhari into office.

The same situation seem to be repeating itself. It also marked the climax of the internal crisis which has, within a few months, caused the Party three State Governors- those of Ebonyi, Cross River, and Zamfara States

In one fell swoop on Tuesday, August 3, seven members of its National Working Committee, resigned from their offices.

In resigning, they cited the alleged incompetence of the National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus  as their reason.

According to the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, one of those who resigned:

“Since our election in 2017, we, the National Officers of the Party, have met with Secondus thrice. It is not as if he called us. On those three occasions  we sought audience with him.

“To him, we are just a necessary evil to be tolerated but never to be catered for. We all have our constituencies and our followers.

“It appears that they see us as nothing but appendages forced on them by the Party’s constitution.”

But the the PDP Governors’ Forum has waded into the gale of resignations

In  a statement, Chairman of the forum, Governor Aminu Tambuwal stated that the body “received with regrets and sadness the recent rumblings in the PDP.

“The Governors hereby call on all members of the party and indeed all stakeholders to remain calm in the face of the developments.

“We plead with all aggrieved persons and those with the interest of the PDP at heart to keep their gun powder dry, as efforts are being made in consultation with members of the PDP Board of Trustees and other stakeholders to resolve all contending issues.

“To this end, the PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM has scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the affairs of the Party and the way forward.

“The PDP as the only remaining hope of the nation for good governance must show an example to Nigerians and also take advantage of the current disarray in the APC and its rudderless government.”

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd), confirmed the resignations.

He, however, said those who resigned were deputies not the substantial heads of the departments. He declined to give further details.

Those who resigned include the deputy national financial secretary, the deputy legal adviser, the deputy national auditor, the deputy national publicity secretary, the deputy women leader and the deputy organising secretary.

In his reaction to the resignations, the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Kola Ologbodiyan was optimistic that the crisis will be resolved.

Ologbodiyan: “The NWC of our party, at its meeting today (yesterday) received the notice of the resignation from deputies who are elected members of the National Executive Committee.

“The party will look into the grievances raised by members of NEC as well as members of the National Working Committee.

“The internal conflict resignation mechanism of our great party has also been immediately activated to put these issues behind us”

Secondus’ leadership of the Party has been put under pressure, especially, since the defections of three Governors and a number of PDP high profile members to the ruling APC. A number of party members has asked for his resignation.

The situation has not been helped by the no-love lost relationship between him and the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. Incidententally, Wike was instrumental to Secondus becoming the Chairman of the Party. But they have since fallen apart with Secondus as the butt of Wike’s many harsh criticisms. Both men are from the same State.

However, not a few people allege that Wike’s larger than life influence in the Party that is responsible for the crisis. “It is his ambition that is fuelling the crisis. He is a dictator who loves to  lord his opinion on the party”

But it is an allegation  Wike always denies, insisting he has no interest in the Vice Presidential ticket of the Party in 2023. He only wants things done properly, he emphasises.

Removal Of Onnoghen As CJN, Illegal – Former Gambian Chief Justice

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle

By Ayodele Oni

For the Nigerian Judiciary to be truly independent,  the power to appoint Chief Judges and members of the National Judicial Council (NJC)  should not rest on an individual.

The immediate past Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle, who made the remark also  described the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen as illegal.

Justice Fagbenle, a Nigerian-born legal icon was speaking during a Public Lecture to usher in the 2021 Law Week by Students of Achievers University Owo (AUO), Ondo State.

Delivering a lecture titled: “Independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria: Lessons from The Gambia and Other Jurisdictions”, Justice Fagbenle pointed out that the removal of Justice Onnoghen should have gone through a process backed by Law.

According to him, Onnoghen’s removal should have been recommended by the National Judiciary Council (NJC), if he had been found wanting, which would then be ratified by two-third of the National Assembly.

Before his hurried sack about three years ago, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, had his residence invaded and ransacked by security operatives.

All these happened as preparations for the second term election of President Mohamadu Buhari were in top gear and Justice Onnoghen was alleged to be romancing with the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the election.

The Guest Lecturer flayed the delay of justice in Nigeria, adding that the society would be better  when there’s Justice for the poor and the rich.

The Pro-Chancellor and Founder of Achievers University Owo, Dr Bode Ayorinde, fingered the 1999 constitution as amended as one of the problems of Nigeria, saying it’s inadequate and would continue to be a cog in the wheel of the progress of the country if not amended.

He was of the view that the Constitution is the albatross of the Nigerian State.

1...2,3792,3802,381...2,984Page 2,380 of 2,984