Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,143,317 members, 7,780,773 topics. Date: Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 09:47 PM

Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case (5627 Views)

It’s Rape Of Democracy, Says Sylva As INEC Stops Poll / Six Governorship Candidates Step-Down For Sylva / Jonathan Okays Sanusi As Supreme Court Justice (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (Reply) (Go Down)

Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 6:49pm On Apr 20, 2012
[size=14pt]Nigeria: End of Road for Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case[/size]
By Tobi Soniyi, 20 April 2012


Ex-Governor Chief Timipire Sylva. (Photo Courtesy Vanguard)

Abuja — The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva challenging the decision of the People Democratic Party not to use the primary he won in 2011 for the 2012 governorship election in Bayelsa which was won by Seriake Dickson.

In a unanimous judgment, the apex court held that it was within the exclusive preserve of a political party to choose its candidates for election.

The court further held that the 2011 primaries conducted by the People Democratic Party had become irrelevant since no election was held in 2011.

In the lead judgment written by Bode Rhodes-Vivour, the court held that the Federal High Court which summoned PDP to come and show cause why the primary that produced Seriake Dickson should not be stopped had no jurisdiction to hear the suit.

The Supreme Court consequently struck out that suit saying that even the apex court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201204201123.html
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 6:52pm On Apr 20, 2012
[size=14pt]Sylva Accepts Supreme Court Judgment, Say It Is Not Justice[/size]
20 April 2012

Abuja — The suit filed by former Governor of Bayelsa state Timipre Sylva against the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown out by the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court panel dismissed the case pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole at the Federal High Court, Abuja and ruled that the fielding of candidates for elections is "an intra-party affair in which courts cannot interfere."

The former governor Timipre Sylva described the dismissal of his appeal by the Supreme Court as no justice, saying that the ruling portrays a dark moment for the nation's democracy and justice in Nigeria.

Reacting to the Supreme Court's ruling that the Court of Appeal lacks jurisdiction to delve into pre-election issues, Sylva who invoked curses on some political players and stakeholders in Bayelsa state, said "everyone involved in the Bayelsa State governorship matter shall still face the judgment of history and the judgment of God. Neither history nor God will not condone impunity."

In a statement signed Friday by his Media Aide, Doifie Ola, Sylva stressed that he remains confident and optimistic that his political future remains very bright, even as he accepts the judgement of the apex court as a democrat.
Relevant Links

End of Road for Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case

Sylva however commended members of the National Assembly from the state, other governors, the media, other members of the society for standing on the part of democracy.

The statement read, "as a democrat, Chief Timipre Sylva accepts today's ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He however considers the decision of the apex court as dark for democracy and justice in Nigeria.

"Sylva believes today's ruling is only the judgement of man and, certainly, not justice. He says after this, everyone involved in the Bayelsa State governorship matter shall still face the judgement of history and the judgement of God. Neither history nor God will not condone impunity.

"Sylva thanks his teeming followers in Bayelsa State and lovers of democracy across Nigeria and beyond, especially, in Bayelsa State, who held out despite intimidation, threats, and pressure to abandon the part of democracy and justice.

"He extends his special gratitude to members of the Bayelsa State caucus of the National Assembly, who stood firm on democracy, as well as members of the Nigerian Governors Forum, seniors citizens from across the country, and all his supporters.

He commends the media and the human rights community for speaking out on the side of truth and justice.

"Sylva remains confident that he still has a long and bright political career ahead of him."
http://allafrica.com/stories/201204201100.html
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Afam4eva(m): 8:13pm On Apr 20, 2012
This man na victim of circumstance.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 8:16pm On Apr 20, 2012
afam4eva: This man na victim of circumstance.
Then it is good. Sylva sponsored a lot of bloodshed through Famou Tangbei and "militancy." He is a murderer.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Afam4eva(m): 8:18pm On Apr 20, 2012
Beaf:
Then it is good. Sylva sponsored a lot of bloodshed through Famou Tangbei and "militancy." He is a murderer.
Who no be murderer for there?
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 8:24pm On Apr 20, 2012
afam4eva:
Who no be murder for there?
Is Amaechi a murderer?
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Afam4eva(m): 8:31pm On Apr 20, 2012
Beaf:
Is Amaechi a murderer?
How i wan take know?

Btw, who did sylva kill and is there any proof of this? Pls say the truth.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 8:48pm On Apr 20, 2012
afam4eva:
How i wan take know?

Btw, who did sylva kill and is there any proof of this? Pls say the truth.
Well, aside from the governors in the North East and their boko haram, Sylva holds the record for extra-judicial killings. Just a few short months ago, it was daily news to hear that another bomb had gone off somewhere in Yenagoa; with Sylva, gone such news has suddenly died out.
The man also made threats to bring boko haram to the South to fight GEJ. How do you think a man with clean hands could have done that?

Lastly, here is what the CLO had to say about Famou Tangbei:

[size=14pt]WHY THE SPONSORS AND OPERATORS OF FAMOU-TANGBEI IN BAYELSA STATE SHOULD BE PROSECUTED[/size]
| October 9, 2011 | 0 Comments

We wish to thank the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for ensuring the disbandment of the notorious Operation Famou-Tangbei in Bayelsa State. It is a decision that is long overdue to bring succor to the inhabitants of Bayelsa State. We believe Mr. President has once more demonstrated government’s responsiveness to the aspirations of the people.

We reckon that security is the first law of nature and no administration will do anything to compromise the security of her citizens. However, there are times political power holders because of overzealousness and the tendency to protect their personal estates, are tempted to use official security for their personal advantage. This is exactly what happened to Operation Famou-Tangbei, OFT in Yenagoa. OFT was established when militancy was at its peak and there was a need to reduce crime. It was for that same reason that the Federal Government initiated the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta Region. Now, with the Amnesty Programme, OFT has outlived its usefulness.

We represent seven Civil Society Organizations in the Niger Delta. When the issue of the excesses of OFT was reported to us, we conducted investigations into their activities. We discovered that while the outfit was established to reduce crime; it has rather exacerbated criminal activities. We therefore hereunder buttress the reasons for the timeous actions of the Federal Government.

There are several reasons why the OFT squad should not only be disbanded but its key sponsors and operator prosecuted. A few of these reasons are outlined:

1. OFT AS AN INSTRUMENT OF INTIMIDATION AND POLITICAL REPRESSION: The Operation Famou-Tangbe OFT outfit was an instrument of political repression and intimidation. The present administration has used OFT to intimidate, maim and harass members of opposition parties in Bayelsa State. This has been the complaint by the opposition Labour Party in the State during and after the April elections. Rather than maintain peace and security, OFT became an instrument of intimidation like the Gestapo under Nazi Germany.

2. OFT AND EXTORTION OF MONEY IN AND AROUND YENAGOA: There are many reported cases where people paid undisclosed sums of money to OFT Policemen to beat people up for trivial matters such as boy friend – girlfriend relationship etc. OFT also played the role of debt collectors and settlement of matrimonial issues. These are civil and domestic issues that have no relationship with security.

3. The OFT outfit became a handy tool in the hands of political office holders in Bayelsa State to seize land from the less-privileged and those who are not politically connected. It is not surprising that a Law maker and a Traditional Ruler could come out to condemn the disbandment of OFT. We also learnt that the present administration is desirous of using OFT to commit violence and rig the gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State.

4. OFT IS A DRAIN ON THE BUDGET: The funding of OFT is a colossal drain on the budget of Bayelsa State. Officially, it is estimated that the sum of N150 Million is spent monthly to maintain the outfit. Research however showed that the Government spends the sum of N40 Million while the remaining N110 goes down the pockets of the sponsors and operators. Civil Society should pressure the Bayelsa State Government to account for huge sums of money spent to maintain the outfit.

5. SETTLEMENT OF DOMESTIC MATTERS SUCH AS MATRIMINIAL PROBLEMS: OFT operators saw themselves as above the regular police force. The head of the squad executed directives only from Government House and other corrupt government officers. The Commissioner for Police was not rich enough to give instructions to the body. If the operations of the squad are legal and within the ambit of law, why did the Commander refuse to take directives from the State Police Command?

6. SETTLEMENT OF PERSONAL SCORES: The death of the Plant Manager at Gilly-Helena Hotel Late Mr. Karina Frank-Oputu – who in Sept 2011, was beaten to death by OFT operatives in Yenagoa, is just one of several cases of unreported extra-judicial killings. Such cases are numerous in Bayelsa State and most of the victims could not complain for fear of been maimed or killed by OFT operatives.

7. SUPPORTING RIVAL CULT GROUPS and killing of opponents under the guise of curbing cultism. When you consider the circumstances of the killing of the 22 year old Freddie Philip Ockiya in Yenagoa, it is obvious that OFT operators behaved like cultists, who took delight in killing rivals. If they were fighting cultism, one would have expected that when somebody is arrested, the person is made to pass through due process of the rule of law as against summary execution. We are investigating several other cases of extra-judicial killings in the State.

Conclusion:
We interacted with some Bayelsa people who hailed the decision to disband the OFT outfit. In fact the announcement of disbandment kept so many Bayelsa people jubilating. The opinion of Bayelsa people was also sampled on facebook – the most popular social network. Among 200 views sampled, about 198 persons supported the disbandment of Famou-Tangbei. In fact a great many people are of the view that the sponsors and operatives should be tried for human rights violations against the background of sundry extra-judicial killings in the State. On the basis of this popular decision by the Inspector General of Police, it is ridiculous for a few persons to argue that the scrapping of OFT will bring back criminality are perhaps not aware of the strides government has recorded in the Amnesty Program. Amnesty has brought about relative peace in the Niger Delta Region and Bayelsa State is not an exception. We are grateful to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for taking proactive steps to stop the activities of the OFT killer squad.

Those who are raising eye brows about the disbandment of the notorious outfit in some national papers are beneficiaries of the nefarious activities of the squad. By implication, they are enemies of the freedom we all savour in a democratic system of government. Bayelsa State is Mr. President’s home State, which should be a reverting model of what the rule of law, stands for. The OFT outfit has exacerbated the problem of insecurity in Bayelsa State rather than Civil Society in the Niger Delta Region has started to document the numerous cases of killing especially the killings that subsume under extra-judicial murders or killing without the due process of law. When the compilation is done, the federal government will be furnished with more information on the activities of OFT. With such cast-iron evidence, human rights lawyers will determine whether or not the sponsors and culprits of such massive human rights violations will be prosecuted.

We the undersigned categorically call on the Presidency and the Forces Headquarters to immediately set up a panel to investigate their activities and bring the culprits to book for full restitution. We demand justice and the enforcement of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians including the people of Bayelsa State.

Barr. Eghosa Osaro
Civil Liberties Organization
http://www.nigerianewswire.net/why-the-sponsors-and-operators-of-famou-tangbei-in-bayelsa-state-should-be-prosecuted/
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Ibime(m): 9:29pm On Apr 20, 2012
Beaf:
Is Amaechi a murderer?

If you didnt know, know it now.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by ZUBY77(m): 9:45pm On Apr 20, 2012
Beaf:
Then it is good. Sylva sponsored a lot of bloodshed through Famou Tangbei and "militancy." He is a murderer.
Judging by most of your posts here on nl, you are a reasonable person.
But How do you manage to follow GEJ blindly without questioning his motives sometimes? As far as i m concerned, they are all thieves including your Gej.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Ejine(m): 9:52pm On Apr 20, 2012
Ibime:

If you didnt know, know it now.

Mind shedding a little more light on this? smiley
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 9:58pm On Apr 20, 2012
^
I am interested too.

@Ibime
Please throw more light on your statement. Is it about cults?

ZUBY77:
Judging by most of your posts here on nl, you are a reasonable person.
But How do you manage to follow GEJ blindly without questioning his motives sometimes? As far as i m concerned, they are all thieves including your Gej.
Thanks for the kind words, bro.
I am sure that as you learn the immense intricacies of Nigerian politics, you will find that my position is vindicated.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by 1025: 10:03pm On Apr 20, 2012
i am not deceived here. the thread topic should be, jonathan dismisses sylva's case. we don't have any court in nigeria including the so called supreme court. what we have is pdp and pdp loytalists.
why sylva when we have the obasanjos, annenihs, bode georges and the bankoles? jonathan an ijaw man can't fight for the ijaws rather he is fighting the ijaws and creating divisions there.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by smsmoney(m): 10:06pm On Apr 20, 2012
Sylva should know that those who live in glass house don't throw stones
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 10:07pm On Apr 20, 2012
1025: i am not deceived here. the thread topic should be, jonathan dismisses sylva's case. we don't have any court in nigeria including the so called supreme court. what we have is pdp and pdp loytalists.
why sylva when we have the obasanjos, annenihs, bode georges and the bankoles? jonathan an ijaw man can't fight for the ijaws rather he is fighting the ijaws and creating divisions there.
This is a silly post or a weak attempt at comedy.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by EPOMA(m): 10:22pm On Apr 20, 2012
Beaf:
Is Amaechi a murderer?
yes he is, he started one the most deadly cult in rivers if you don't know. you jump into everything , mr know all
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 10:33pm On Apr 20, 2012
EPOMA:
yes he is, he started one the most deadly cult in rivers if you don't know. you jump into everything , mr know all
Don't be daft. You could have waited for Ibime to reply, he is much more sensible than you are and would have given a more detailed (and truthful) answer; not the malnourished area boy style beer palour tosh you supplied.

Who even asked you?
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by donpeluchi(m): 11:01pm On Apr 20, 2012
This sounds like a cash and carry judgement. It has jonathan's hands written all over it. Smh at the nations judiciary
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by donpeluchi(m): 11:02pm On Apr 20, 2012
This sounds like a cash and carry judgement. It has jonathan's hands written all over it. Smh at our so called judiciary
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Korrection(m): 11:10pm On Apr 20, 2012
wetin concern average Nigerian... an dem dem theory......Soon youlll see its s witch hunt issue by GEJ......the guy go free soon...watch out for part 2
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by lacasa: 11:25pm On Apr 20, 2012
Who gives a flying Bleep,

Really
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by coolguy2002: 11:34pm On Apr 20, 2012
oooh
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by brainchild78(m): 12:07am On Apr 21, 2012
wow?! guess the bloke has ran out of all options. so what next? i must say that in light of the decisions reached by the judicial arm of government it appears that they are heavily influenced by political factors. the judiciary should strive to be independent and strive towards arriving at just and impartial decisions.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Ibime(m): 2:15am On Apr 21, 2012
In the bible, David had to chide Joab for killing Absalom on his behalf.

Lets just say that even Odili did not know when some of his political enemies were eliminated and had to chide his boys on at least one occasion for overzealousness in protecting oga's political interests.

Some guys forget that certain saints they proclaim today were their oga's eyes, ears, mouth and hand during the most murderous regime Rivers State (or any state in the Federation) has ever seen.

As for Epomas contention, it is not beer parlour gossip, although open to embellishment and people who add jara. Viki boys run Rivers State and Speaker of the "House of Vikings" is no saint.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by jmaine: 2:55am On Apr 21, 2012
Ibime: In the bible, David had to chide Joab for killing Absalom on his behalf.

Lets just say that even Odili did not know when some of his political enemies were eliminated and had to chide his boys on at least one occasion for overzealousness in protecting oga's political interests.

Some guys forget that certain saints they proclaim today were their oga's eyes, ears, mouth and hand during the most murderous regime Rivers State (or any state in the Federation) has ever seen.

As for Epomas contention, it is not beer parlour gossip, although open to embellishment and people who add jara. Viki boys run Rivers State and Speaker of the "House of Vikings" is no saint.

The Viki Confrat has always had a strong presence in Rivers State way before the Odili's. . .And it wont be surprising to have their "[size=14pt]NorseMen[/size]" running the show in Rivers State politics . . .Is that where you allegations is deeply rooted . . .Most politicians patronize one cult or the other cos this boys are their Enforcers . . . . .
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Ibime(m): 3:09am On Apr 21, 2012
jmaine:

The Viki Confrat has always had a strong presence in Rivers State way before the Odili's. . .And it wont be surprising to have their "[size=14pt]NorseMen[/size]" running the show in Rivers State politics . . .Is that where you allegations is deeply rooted from . . .Most politicians patronize one cult or the other cos this boys are their Enforcers . . . . .

Viki connection is mere window dressing.

Serious allegation lies in the hard evidence of corpses produced by Odili regime which Amaechi cannot extricate himself from, anymore than Chris Moltisanti can extricate himself from the crimes of Tony Soprano.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by sirxris(m): 3:27am On Apr 21, 2012
Plz, silva just leave bayelsa alone joor, she nids beta pesn o!
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Beaf: 3:38am On Apr 21, 2012
Ibime: In the bible, David had to chide Joab for killing Absalom on his behalf.

Lets just say that even Odili did not know when some of his political enemies were eliminated and had to chide his boys on at least one occasion for overzealousness in protecting oga's political interests.

Some guys forget that certain saints they proclaim today were their oga's eyes, ears, mouth and hand during the most murderous regime Rivers State (or any state in the Federation) has ever seen.

As for Epomas contention, it is not beer parlour gossip, although open to embellishment and people who add jara. Viki boys run Rivers State and Speaker of the "House of Vikings" is no saint.
I've always known the cult thing to be a problem in Rivers, however they seem to have been cleared out under Amaechi. Its not like the sort of thing witnessed in Delta these days (not saying Delta is anything like Rivers used to be though) with a beer palour being sprayed on one occasion.
So Amaechi was Odili's enforcer if I understand you correctly?
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by Canisma(m): 5:08am On Apr 21, 2012
Everybody here has ignored the fact that had sylva won the Supreme court case, HE WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED IN RETURNING ALL THE FIVE SACKED GOVERNORS BACK INTO OFFICE.
That is very "Unpracticably Unpossible".
Wouldnt that have amounted into a disjointed "confusional conference" for the polity ?
The judgement in my book was a simple logical conclusion to a legal and judicial disaster waiting to happen.
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by PrudenceCarHire(m): 7:04am On Apr 21, 2012
Hmn!
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by jmaine: 7:23am On Apr 21, 2012
Canisma: Everybody here has ignored the fact that had sylva won the Supreme court case, HE WOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED IN RETURNING ALL THE FIVE SACKED GOVERNORS BACK INTO OFFICE.
That is very "Unpracticably Unpossible".
Wouldnt that have amounted into a disjointed "confusional conference" for the polity ?
The judgement in my book was a simple logical conclusion to a legal and judicial disaster waiting to happen.

it wasnt about lenght of tenure . . .but about his feelings of being illegally sidelined and disqualified from his party primaries . . .
Re: Nigeria: End Of Road For Sylva, As Supreme Court Dismisses Case by coolguy2002: 7:51am On Apr 21, 2012
oooooooh

(1) (2) (Reply)

List Of Cabals Who Smuggled The Ailing President Back Into Nigeria. / Vice President’s Wife Arrested, Detained For Corruption, Money Laundering / Our Leadership Is Intact – APGA

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 66
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.