Rights activist Festus Keyamo yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to sack the nation’s Service chiefs – chief of Air Staff, chief of Army Staff and chief of Naval Staff – five months after their appointments were voided by a court.
In a letter yesterday, the lawyer claimed that since no one appealed the judgment delivered on July 1, last year, by Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the court’s decision remained valid and subsisting.

He said: “As it is today, all official actions taken by the Service chiefs since the July 1, 2013, judgment was delivered, are null, void and of no effect in law. It only needs someone who is affected by their official actions to challenge their authority in a court.”
Justice Adamu held that the appointments of Service chiefs without the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives is null and void, in line with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The suit was initiated by Keyamo.

The lawyer’s letter, written yesterday and titled: Refusal to obey and comply with judgment in respect of appointments of Service Chiefs, was addressed to President Jonathan; Senate president and the House of Representatives speaker.
“Till now, no appeal has been filed against that judgment. It goes without saying that all the present Service chiefs; Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (chief of Army Staff); Air Vice Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (chief of Air Staff) and Rear Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba (chief of Naval Staff), were appointed without the confirmation of the National Assembly. Their appointments are, therefore, null and void ab initio,” Keyamo said.
He regretted that the National Assembly, whose power to confirm the appointment of Service chiefs was activated by the judgment, refused to demand that President Jonathan obey the judgment.

The lawyer threatened further court actions should the President and others refuse to act within 14 days.
He added: “In fact, that is why the real intent of Section 18 of the Armed Forces Act is to subject the Armed Forces to civil authority.
It is also pertinent to observe that neither the President nor the Service chiefs are constitutionally superior to the National Assembly.
“As a result, the appointment of Service chiefs, which is political, cannot be different from other political appointments that require the confirmation of the National Assembly, e.g. the chief justice of Nigeria, justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), ministers and ambassadors.

“Please, do not give Nigerians the impression that the military is still above the law.
“The most embarrassing of this scenario is that the c National Assembly has refused to do anything to comply with the judgment when a court of law has clearly given life to that power. It is sad for our democracy.
“In the circumstance and in the spirit of compliance with court judgments, obedience to and respect for the rule of law, I require that you direct, advise and enforce compliance with the judgment given on July 1, 2013.
“If within 14 days of the receipt of this letter you all fail to act, I will have no option but to head back to the court to compel compliance.”

SOURCE: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/keyamo-faults-jonathan-on-service-chiefs/

This man is still making noise?

Presidential aspiration. . .TANKED!
Gubernatorial aspiration. . .TANKED!

Janitorial aspiration. . . TANKED!

Haba!

The President is playing with fire and flirting with impeachment. He swore to uphold the law and defend the constitution of Nigeria, ( "so help him God" ). Can't this man do a single thing, right?

ndu_chucks: The President is playing with fire and flirting with impeachment. He swore to uphold the law and defend the constitution of Nigeria, ( "so help him God" ). Can't this man do a single thing, right?

The gods go a-begging...

Oath of Office of President

I, .............. do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communication or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as President; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God.

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria