..

Hahahahahaha
He doesn’t endorse rape and violence against women but he endorses “shifting womb” of women with his “huge cassava”.
So what is he claiming Vanguard defamed now?? His CHARACTER or his REPUTATION?
All these Yeyebrities sef;
They just want to trend

Good

Tunagee:


Traditional marriage is handled by the magistrate court, and lawyers are needed to file the petition, or be on the defensive when issue of properties, assets are involved.

Customary Court for Traditional Marriage and Sharia Court for Islamic Marriage.
Magistrate’s Courts don’t have jurisdiction

cuteboy2:
Oga lawyer, you seem to be very versed in law. I agree with you that the place to question the "yeye stories" of Fatoyinbo's many accusers is the court room. You claim, the multiple sexual allegations against Fatoyinbo are false. So Fatoyinbo has been defamed. Kindly file a defamation suit on his behalf, since he appears unwilling to do so himself. I'm sure he will thank you for your counsel and services.

Ny'mat Akashat Zibiri, one of the anchors on TVC (DSTV channel 418) daily breakfast show, the day after the story broke also counselled him to approach the court and lodge defamation suit immediately against Busola if he is innocent. Till date mumb is the word from Fatoyinbo.

When will he crawl out from his hole and take a stand for himself and clear his name, rather than send surrogates into Social Media space to lob insults at people? I wonder why Biodun's apologists and his members love calling everyone else "idiots", and asking if non-COZA members are better off than them as if that is the issue.

Ese Walters, a dedicated and hardworking member of COZA for many years was a "runs girl" according to you. A former COZA staff who recently gave an interview of her trauma in the hands of Fatoyinbo was also a "runs girl" abi?

Without, even realising, you have slipped into the cesspit of people who take delight in bashing and shaming victims of sexual abuse. Doesn't it say a lot about Fatoyinbo's pastoral effectiveness of all his female members and close personal staff are "runs girls"? I'm won't be surprised if Modele , Fatoyinbo's wife was a single lady in his church before they married. Can we also conclude that she was a typical COZA girl who was into runs? You see why it is wrong to give people derogatory labels?

The problem with people like you is that you choose to take a sentence or two out of context and run with it.
Anyone reading you will think I know Fatoyinbo or support his philandering when I have made the point consistently that if the allegations against him are true, he is not fit to be a Pastor.
I don’t even know why I am wasting my time arguing with morons who cannot distinguish issues.
If there is allegation against someone that he robbed and raped a victim, does establishing robbery automatically establish rape Are the ingredients of robbery and rape the same
Of course people like you will say it doesn’t matter and that there is no need to prove rape once you have proved robbery.
My sole focus in this discourse is not the morality or otherwise of Biodun’s actions.
I don’t care for all these charlatans who parade themselves as Pastors but if a charlatan did not rape someone, don’t accuse him of rape. SIMPLE.
You have mentioned Ese Walters, what is her story A working class lady of not less than 25 years who resigned from her job to pursue a masters degree in London. While there, Biodun visited London, invited her to his hotel and she went at 11pm. He made advances and she accepted and they ended up sleeping together. For the one week Biodun was in London, she went to sleep with him everyday and they continued the affair afterwards until Biodun dropped her and bitter, vindictive, vengeful, she now granted an interview to tell us tales by moonlight. Are these the people you are fronting An adult like Ese who willingly went to sleep with another woman’s husband in a hotel is your poster girl for rape victims
Nobody is praising Biodun for sleeping with his Church members and violating his marital vows but I wonder how relying on all these stories of consensual sex proves allegation of rape.
As for how old Busola was, whether COZA had been formed at the material time, etc, maybe you listened to a different tape. In any event what she stated there is to suit her purpose but get her into the witness box and see.
And by the way, the blackmail of labeling anyone who has an opposing view on this matter as a “rape apologist” or a rapist is so childish and laughable.
People resort to such infantile labels when they have no reasonable argument to offer.

cuteboy2:


And your beloved Pastor Fatoyinbo will not be equally grilled by the opposing lawyer, abi? He will not enter the witness box I'm sure. He will be "celebrated" and told to take a bow and go home.

Believe me you are feeling sorry for the wrong party. You need to redirect your pity it to Fatoyinbo, cause he will need it more in open court. But, you and I know that Fatoyinbo, being the predatory coward that he is will NEVER step into a court room on this matter. Even, the "robust response" he promised after Ese Walters accused him of sleeping with her and many other members of his church under the influence of "higher grace", is still being awaited.

You are getting it wrong.
Fatoyinbo is not my beloved. He cannot be because I don’t even know him and hadn’t heard of him until a few weeks ago when the Busola story broke.
I have been consistent. IF (and it is still a big “IF”, since none of the allegations have been proven) the various allegations against Biodun are true, then he is not fit to be a Pastor preaching the Gospel.
But that is not the issue here.
We have an allegation of Rape, not fornication, adultery or philandering against Biodun.
If you want to accuse Biodun of being morally corrupt, an adulterer, unfit to be a Pastor, etc, etc, please feel free to do so but if you want to accuse him of rape, then you must comply with the law.
Ese Walters titled her story: “My affair with Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo”; she never accused him of rape.
Apart from the lady who joined the bandwagon a few days ago to allege anonymously that she was raped in Dubai (which is another nonsense story), no one else has alleged rape or claimed to be a minor when they had an affair with Biodun.
Some of us will not sit by idly while all sorts of irresponsible women in the name of feminism (and cowardly men who want to lap up praise) demonize men and label us as beasts while refusing to accept responsibility for their own wanton and foolish conduct.
Others may want to tow the line of political correctness and join the popular opinion but we will call it for what it is.
My call is that rape is an atrocity, reprehensible and utterly condemnable. Indeed it is a serious crime under the Criminal Code and carries a sentence of Life imprisonment; no other crime outside armed robbery and murder is considered more serious.
But if you do not know what RAPE means, you are better served to keep your mouth shut.
Not all sexual misdemeanors and offenses amount to RAPE.
And to your point, if I was in the Legal Team of Biodun, he will not need to testify. Go and read up what is called a “NO CASE SUBMISSION”.
Based on the full vide interview granted by Busola herself, there is absolutely NO QUESTION of rape and she will make a fool of herself to allow this matter go to trial. She has the onus to prove her case before Biodun will be called upon to say anything.
Mind you, the standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubt not on balance of probability and any doubt will be resolved in favor of the accused, Biodun.
What annoys me greatly is that you people are prejudicing GENUINE VICTIMS whose ordeal may be tarnished with the same brush as Busola’s. By the time the story of girls like Busola Dakolo has been exposed in Court to be an absolute frivolity and lacking in merit, no one will listen when ladies who have been genuinely raped cry out.
Apostle Suleiman and Stephanie Otobo case is still fresh in the memory. Football stars Neymar and Ronaldo are also recent examples of false accusations by useless ladies whose new occupation is shouting “rape” at the drop of a hat.
When you keep crying wolf where there is none, nobody will pay attention when a wolf actually appears.

You are the baby Lawyer;
Those of you leading Busola on to make false accusations in order to gain popularity, money or vendetta are the wicked ones.
Documentary evidence my foot;
You people are even confused as to what your case is: one moment you claim she never gave consent, the next you claim it was “statutory rape” and consent is immaterial.
What documentary evidence is relevant in a rape case?? Doctor’s report In respect of which of the several alleged rapes The doggy sex Busola admitted having on the bonnet of Biodun’s car?? Is it a Police Report at an Ilorin Police Station complete with Biodun’s Statement and Police Investigation Report of 20 years ago
My friend go and look for who to bamboozle with your ignorant allusions to “Documentary evidence”.
Documentary evidence koo, documentary evidence, ni.
I don’t know Biodun and I, like many others, have formed my opinion based entirely on watching the full video of the interview granted by Busola. If her account of the facts are correct, the most you can accuse Biodun of is fornication/adultery.
The last time I checked, these are not crimes under Nigerian law but may be unbecoming of a Pastor except that Biodun was not even a Pastor at the time the alleged incident took place.
If a man is guilty of adultery, accuse him of that, don’t accuse him of rape.
False accusations are equally as reprehensible as rape.
All of a sudden, Runs Girls have started opening their mouths to accuse people of rape supported by idiots who insist we should never question or interrogate their yeye stories.

buragidi:


Worry not about what u do not know son. The evolving developments on this case is mind-blowing. I only pity Biodun and his supporters. You would be amazed about documentary evidence about matter, not disclosed but kept since the past twenty years.

Go back to the ABC of law, baby lawyer.

Don’t be afraid bro;
Ranting on Nairaland or social media counts for nothing.
I am happy, Busola made a tape which will be available to a Court of Law since she has made a complaint.
On social media we are told that any woman who alleges rape should not be questioned no matter how ridiculous her story is but in a Law Court, it’s a totally different ball game.
I am so sorry for Busola if and when she enters that witness box. Her cross-examination will not be by that biased compassionate friend of hers who interviewed her but by a hard-nosed Criminal Attorney who will tear her rubbish story to pieces and leave her a sorry mess

simiife:
This pple shud try to understand that nobody is shaming her,some pple like me are just being cautious. Neymar's story has tot most of a us lesson that we shud nt just queue behind a lady that come out with any rape story,she might be saying d truth or she might be lying.

I saw a pix of an high sch footballer here on naira land dat has already spent six years in prison b4 d girl dat said he raped her confessed, am sure dat was how all dos so woman right activist came out in support of till dey led him to jail.

You pple shud allow investigation take place 1st b4 u condemn anybody.Like Pastor Adeboye said,everybody is going bliv d woman if she accuse u of rape.But if a man talk anything now,pple will make jest of him and even ask y he is doing as if he didn't enjoy it.

Men in dis world are in deep mess,if a man has slept with a lady b4 and she feels bita abt it 4 any reason,d next tin we would hear is 'he raped me',and pple will start supporting her.

Well maybe dis will make men to b decent, d way I am nw I so scared of women or shud I say gels because of my age,i will prefer to stay celibate 4 d rest of my life dan to wach everything ive worked 4 cruble in my face just because of some 10 mins or less enjoyment dat will come back 2 hunt me in d future, even If its 2 stay unmarried, i will, pata pata I will adopt a child or 2.

Its unfair, dis dia #metoo nonsense shud be fair not 1sided...

All the time #say no to rape #i stand with busola#justice.What happened to #say no to rape#say no to false rape accusations #i stand in d middle #justice,make una dey try make dis tin balanced, afterall na una dey call for equality, y will issues like dis be diff,its unfair ooo.

Provided they are genuinely “VICTIMS” not peddlers of fake and false accusations.
Rape is reprehensible and a traumatic experience but so is being at the receiving end of false accusation of rape.

Iyajelili:
Well said Madam! If victims of rape come out to talk about their experience, many men would divorce their wives.
Like she right said, victims don't speak out because of the stigma that comes with speaking out.

You are right on the money.
What took place between the two is fornication and/or adultery.
We will know which is which when Busola enters the witness box and is grilled. She said they met when Biodun was single but engaged; she did not say whether he was married when the alleged incident happened in her father’s house. By the next incident though, he was clearly married because she said Biodun’s wife had just given birth and she went to their house for “omugwo”; slept in their house, did all the cooking and washing, etc and when he was taking her back the next day, they had more sex in the car.
If you peruse the Statement by Biodun/COZA, they merely said Biodun has never raped anyone in his life, “not even as an unbeliever”. So clearly, they did not rule out sex, only rape.

scoory:
What people don't understand is that justice is not black and white. When Fela was jailed for currency smuggling, there are probably some truth to the allegation but it is not true justice because it was politically motivated.
This Fatoyinbo guy most likely had a sexual relationship with the Bukola girl but he can't admit it because he is a pastor. That does not mean he actually forced himself on her.
He is being blackmailed because he has more to loose. If he was a regular guy like me, I will gladly come out and explain how we enjoyed each other's company.

You all keep watching until these NGO organizations turn nigeria into the rape capital of the world so that they can be swimming in money from funds and donations.
You think all the rape stories trending on Nairaland, blogs and social media recently is a conincidence?
Sometimes I wonder if I'm a genius or most people are just dumb.

Before you come to the public to talk, first make sure of your facts.
People just heard about statutory rape in other jurisdictions and started mouthing it here in Nigeria but no section of the Criminal Code provides for “Statutory rape”.
Sex with a girl 16 years and above is no offence provided she gave her consent so I don’t know where you people got this “18years” and “sex with a minor” you parrot all the time.
Sex with a girl above 13 years but under 16 years is a misdemeanor punishable with 2 years imprisonment but there are three very important provisos, which make it not straight forward to secure a conviction.
Busola was 17+ at the time of the alleged incident or at least above 16 years so the only issue is whether she gave consent; she does not qualify for any discussion of statutory rape nor is a 16+ a minor under Nigerian Law.
Good luck to her convincing any Court that she did not give consent when she just opened her legs without resistance nor alerted her sister upstairs, drank Krest; weeks, months or years later (we don’t know) she went to Biodun’s house, felt comfortable and safe enough to sleep over in the house of her alleged molester, cooked for him, washed for him and when she was being driven back to her house the following day, they stopped by the road and had more sex on the bonnet of Biodun’s car, DOGGY STYLE. All these by Busola’s own account caught on tape. Story for the marines.
Busola’s supporters have of recent started shouting “statutory rape” all over the place because they know it was consensual sex but what you may even call statutory rape under the Criminal Code applicable in Southern NIGERIA is sex with a girl under 13 years.
In Northern NIGERIA where the Penal Code operates, they have different provisions. We all know that in the North, girls are regularly married off at 12-13 years and by 15 years, many of them already have 2 kids.
In analyzing this Busola/Biodun debacle, people shouldn’t forget that Biodun was not a Pastor at the time and COZA had not been established. By Busola’s account, Biodun was running what she called a “CLUB” where reformed cultists, prostitutes and other vagrants who had given their lives to Christ come for fellowship at Kwara Hotel, Ilorin.
Also, Biodun was a young man of between 23-25 years at the time and from what Busola said, he was single but engaged when they first met and from her description of how they were going out together to shop, etc, it is clear they were already an item before the incident she alleged took place in her father’s house

abayomilaws:
I hereby baptise and rename pastor biodun fatoyinbo as Don Corleone, alpha of Coza. Your media team and internet warriors are really working. Ride on pastor, or they ride you on pastor. Keep manipulating . This girl has been bought, compromised or threatened . I pray for thunder from heaven, if there is God, to fire the liar and manipulator in this saga. We are tired of this whole confusion .

You people always like to rush to comment on what you don’t know.
Ese Walters never said she was raped. The title of her interview or story back then was: “My affair with Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo”. Google it. This was some years back. She has only come out now to correct mischief makers like you who insist that she alleged Rape when she never did

Don’t mind them;
No other person has accused him of rape and no other teenager has made allegations apart from Busola who was actually 17+ at the time.
Ese Walters was about 24 years doing her Masters Degree program in London and titled her claim: “My affair with Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo”; she never claimed rape.
As for the Lady who came out a few days ago to claim that Biodun used one hand to pull down her trouser (not skirtoooooo) her pant, his trouser, his boxers while pinning her down with one hand, you can see that all kinds of stupid girls hungry for fame are just coming out of the woodwork to spew rubbish.
People don’t even understand what a Court trial is and think it is this rubbish they are talking here.
These witnesses will be cross-examined, trust me.
For those talking about character evidence against Biodun; what of Busola herself?? Didn’t she have two children out of wedlock Was that not FORNICATION? Her own fornication is established; Biodun’s is still allegation. What of her abortions All the allegations against Biodun amount at best to fornication/adultery.
Law Courts don’t pay attention to morality.
If they do, then multiple evidence of Busola’s activities as a RUNS-GIRL during her Youth Service in Bayelsa will also surface. There are guys willing to testify of what they did with her when she was a runs-girl. This will be a dirty fight and ya’ll painting Busola with rose colored petals will run away at the end.
Don’t misunderstand me; that someone is a prostitute is no excuse for rape; I am just answering those who say they have lined up 100 women to attack the character of Biodun at a trial forgetting that the character of Busola herself is not worth examining.
Take note too: from Busola’s story, she was introduced to Biodun when he was not yet married (though engaged according to her)
He was not a Pastor but running what she called “A Club” at Kwara Hotels, Ilorin for reformed prostitutes, cultists and other vagrants who had given their life to Christ, etc; This was where her sisters took her to when they started attending Biodun’s programs; COZA had not been established then.
He was not the Biodun of today but a young man of about 25 years or so.
It is not clear whether at the time of the alleged “rape” incident in her house, he was already married or had become a Pastor but those will come out in the witness box.
What is clear from her own account is that they were dating even if sex was not yet involved. Busola gave accounts of how he will come to their house and take her out for shopping, lunch, etc and even when her mother asked her on one occasion why she was going out with him, Busola said there was nothing wrong with it.
What is particularly interesting and which the Judge will want her to explain is how she never told anyone about the alleged rape at the time, RATHER, when Biodun’s wife put to bed, she visited them, slept in their house, cooked for them, washed for them and when he was going to drop her off the following day, they had sex again in the car. This are clearly stated in her video interview. You want to tell me that a Judge will accept that a Rape victim went on “omugwo” to the house of her attacker and felt comfortable and safe enough to sleep there, cooking and washing for them??!??
PLEASEEEEEEE
Did someone fry people’s brains
Law and cases are not determined on feminism and sentiments but cold hard facts and defined parameters.
And if the case fails as it will certainly do, Busola and TIMI will be exposed to claims for millions of Naira in damages.
These allegations were activated by MALICE.
Busola herself stated in her interview that she had to tell her story because some people were already accusing her of adultery by sleeping around with Pastors and spending Church money. They had advised TIMI to go for DNA Paternity test for their three children.
It was when her elder sister called to tell her that news of her alleged infidelity was trending on the internet that she quickly recorded and released the video interview.

abbey621:


Many more victims of rape? Yea right? It's not enough that a case of 20 years ago with no proof is successful in bringing him down now we are calling him a serial rapist with many victims? Please don't confuse extra marital affairs or sleeping around with RAPE, anyways let it all come out in court. If the bastaard is guilty, let him hang but if innocent let the liars spend some time in jail.

I have already said it that ignorant emergency Lawyers proliferate the Internet.
Insults is their calling card.
Just quote the Section of the Criminal Code that creates an offence called “Statutory Rape” and we will start from there.
You just hear a term you don’t even understand and you start parroting it.
Imagine: 18years is the age of consent.
I laugh in Fulani

buragidi:


Illitrate, minors don't have consesual sexx. Let that sink into your empty scull and rusty brain. When u sleep with a minor, u commit statutory rape, even when she willongly offered herself. #saynotorape #notinmychurch. #donotbearapistapologist.

You ignorant emergency Lawyers just make me laugh;
You display your learning on internet??
Your practice is on Nairaland
Imagine talking about “statutory rape” is if there is such an offence under the Criminal Code.
“Statutory rape” is just a colloquialism for sexual misdemeanors in respect of sex with a lady above 13 but under 16yrs; it carries 2 years imprisonment but pay attention to the proviso:
1. Prosecution must be commenced within 2 MONTHS of commission of the offence;
2. There must be corroboration by another witness other than alleged victim who witnessed the unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim;
3. The fact that the accused believed the victim was above 16 years is a defence.
As for your other postulations, they are too laughable as to merit a comment.
I wish you people goodluck getting a conviction.
Mind you, standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubts and the onus of proof is on the prosecution. The accused (Biodun) does not have to say a word, give or call evidence; have you heard of NO CASE SUBMISSION??
Meanwhile, Parts 1-4 of Busola’s cock and bull story are already with Biodun’s Legal team as with most other people.
Most people who haven’t witnessed a Rape trial can’t imagine what fun it will be.
Take one instance: she will have to recount in specific detail how they had that doggy-style sex on the bonnet of Biodun’s car in the middle of the road after she had slept over in his house the previous night; EVERY DETAIL including how the di.k was slid into her pus..y; how she managed to balance on the bonnet (or was it passenger seat sef), etc, etc. There are no holds barred. A thousand eyeballs will be fixated on her as she recounts. I am sorry for her and Timi.
This will not be one sympathetic journalist friend grilling her but a hard-nosed litigator. I am sure Biodun’s lawyers are already warming up and rubbing their hands with glee and delight at having Busola at their mercy.
I laugh in Fulani.

buragidi:


Why do u people keep sounding like illiterates, abeit u could actually be one.

That someone does not struggle or shout during sexx/rape does not mean a valid consent has been obtained.

Having carnal knowledge of a person without consent or forcefully obtained consent is called rape, whether the victim shouted/struggled or not.

A person under the age of 18 cannot give any valid consent to sexx because she is below the age of consent. Therefore if she/he willingly and freely offered himself/herself for sexx, such sexx is called statutory rape.

Biodun has never denied having carnal knowledge of Busola. He had simply claimed he never raped anyone (Every criminal would say that in the first instance). He has also agreed he knows Busola, but he has not graphically descibe the relationship that subsisted between them. There is a big question mark.

The new lady who narrated her ordeal yesterday mentioned that Biodun confessed to her that Busola was one of those girls frolicking around him in Ilorin and impliedly indicated that they had sexx, was never raped.

Many rape apologists and hired defenders of Biodun/COZA like you have also agreed that Biodun had/ could have sexx with Budola, but you kept arguing that it was consensual.

If the above is true, then the would be what was Busola's age when this happened? If truely she was sixteen as she claimed, then Biodun don buy market. He had committed statutory rape.

Biodun good have oratory prowess and he could be a good manipulator, but honestly he did not appear like an intelligent person to me, especially when subjected to pressure. The way he handled Ese Walter's case of 2013 gave him out as a dullard. His initial response to the current issues and other crisis management tactics deployed to discredit the victim corroborated my ompression of him. I see him flopping under intense cross-examination in the court of law. I am aware the Dakolos have engaged the services of Femi Falana on this matter.

Let's watch like bat as the event unfolds. #saynotorape. #notinmychurch. #donotbearapistapology

Rubbish;
It was consensual sex.
Busola will so regret this by the time she enters the witness box and her cock and bull story is torn to shreds by Criminal Attorneys.
Report ko, report ni.
Naija Police that can’t solve crime committed yesterday is the same you are reporting tall tale of 20 years ago.
You people ranting think that Court of Law is social media where you just turn up and say you were raped; no medical report, no police report, no witnesses and you get conviction.
I have ordered my popcorn;
Let the show begin.

kirajustice:
@POLITICSNGR

Below is a full transcript of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar's State of the Nation address in Abuja. PoliticsNGR earlier reported that Atiku was going to make the statement today following the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.

"Yet again, our dear country is passing through a difficult moment. How we react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of our democracy, which has been brought to great peril by this needless crisis engineered by a government that is unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of our constitution.

Meanwhile, I commend all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have expressed outrage over the unlawful removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, an action, which constitutes a flagrant breach of our constitution and a frontal assault on our democracy. I want to note the universal condemnation of this unlawful act by all Nigerians, as well as the international community.

I need to state that this latest action by General Muhammadu Buhari falls squarely within the pattern of executive lawlessness that has now been firmly turned into statecraft by the APC government.

The serial disregard of court orders, and consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of our citizens confirms beyond all doubt that General Buhari and his government would rather obey their own whims and operate by separate rules outside the well-established constitutional order and the rule of law. It scarcely requires emphasis that this behaviour is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a military dictator.

Without doubt, the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance and the progress of our country. In this context, the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial. As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly above board. The issue at stake is not whether the Chief Justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution.

As a democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well intended, should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our democratic institutions. To create a condition that allows the constitution and the rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the way for tyranny. History is replete with odious dictators whose path to dictatorship started with statements of good intentions. We must therefore remain vigilant in defense of our democracy.

We are all witnesses to how this government has serially assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that represents the bastion of our democracy. However, with this attack on the judiciary, General Buhari has set a new precedent in our democracy that has no equivalence in our history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship. This cannot be allowed to stand.

At this juncture, I must warn the APC government to desist from taking actions that may push us further down the slippery slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the electoral process. General Muhammadu Buhari must remember that he is a beneficiary of a free and fair election. It is therefore a matter of honour for him to allow a political environment and process that gives confidence to everyone.

All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to rise in peaceful defense of democracy, for which so many have laid down their lives. I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria.

I conclude by expressing, once again, my gratitude to the international community for standing by our country in this challenging time. However, the primary responsibility to resist tyranny and protect democracy in Nigeria ultimately lies with Nigerians. It is on this note that I call on all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the coming general elections to vote in defense of democracy and the rule of law.

We must vote out this anti-democratic government and restore our country to the path of true democracy, which is the surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for our people."

https://politicsngr.com/cjn-executive-lawlessness-atiku-state-nation-address-full-transcript/

WoW������������������������
Incredible speech.
GAME ON

Fraust40:



I'm sorry to bud into your argument, but pray tell me - do you have any Legal Authority upon which you have based the emboldened statement? I ask because my own God-given brain tells me that the word "necessary" generally connotes persuasion, and not compulsion.

Sorry, have you first verified by reading section 3(d) of the Act to confirm that it actually says so
If you have confirmed then I will ask you if there is, in your opinion, a difference between “it MAY not be necessary” and “it SHALL not be necessary”.
Let me have your thoughts on that and then we take it from there

post=75126681:
Those who have left the substance of the matter, which is non-declaration of assets, to embark on a wild goose chase must know that they are part of the problems of this country.
Those cheering the CJN have been busy trying to depict the issue as executive interference in another arm of government.
They are failing to realise an important fact that those who have the privilege of holding exalted offices in trust for the rest of Nigerians should lead by example.

It was speculative for some commentators to think that the CJN was being targeted so that he could be removed and replaced with someone who will work in the interest of the government in the February elections.
The most important question should be whether the CJN broke the law or not in failing to declare his assets.

One major and incontrovertible fact which has emerged from the controversy over the CJN’s alleged failure to declare his assets is his own reported admission that he made a mistake by forgetting to declare a number of his assets.
The number one judicial officer is also reported to have expressed ignorance about the time space within which he should have made the declaration.”


We are not talking of a magistrate or a high court judge but a judge of the Supreme Court, who happens to be the number one judicial officer of the land; we must forget sentiments and look at facts.”

The posturing of some South-South governors in defence of the CJN should be treated as treason since they swore to protect and preserve the constitution.

There was a country!

NOISE WITHOUT SUBSTANCE:
Go and read section 3(d) of the Code of Conduct Act: it says that once a person admits to an error, mistake or non-Compliance in Asset Declaration matters, it “SHALL NOT BE NECESSARY” to charge the matter to the Tribunal. The so called admission is A COMPLETE DEFENCE under the law.
If I may ask; where is Buhari’s Asset Declaration?
Why has Buhari not stepped aside until the Federal High Court determining his Certificate Case concludes Hearing or maybe we ask that Court to issue a BLACK MARKET INJUNCTION asking him to step aside without going through the National Assembly?
The Buhari aide, Dennis Aghanya, who wrote the petition to CCB, in his last paragraph of the petition said it was written because of the IMMINENCE OF THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS, but of course that makes no meaning to you.
God gave you a BRAIN for a reason: use it!!!

You people are playing with fire �
It is most unfortunate that you allow partisan sympathies to becloud your sense of reasoning. Very sad. This action may have consequences no one can predict now.
History shows that all the great conflicts and conflagrations which consumed countries and societies started with little incidents like this. The Nigerian Civil War in which millions perished started “like play, like play” as they say on the streets.
What Buhari has done is a coup in that he has suspended the Constitution and usurped the powers of the two other arms of Government thus desecrating and violating the principle of separation of powers. He has usurped the powers of the Judiciary in removing a CJN (NJC) and the powers of the Legislature (2/3rds majority vote). The Constitution was framed in such a way that no one arm can interfere in the other arm without at least one of the other arms being involved for balance and to avoid treachery. That is why to remove the President, the other two arms are involved; to remove the CJN, the other two arms are involved.
Currently, there are several suits pending at the Federal High Court against Buhari over failure to include any proof of any qualification in his Nomination Form sent to INEC. Note: the issue is that he did not include any proof at all: no proof that he attended Primary school, secondary school, Military academies, Military courses, etc.; Nothing at all. So the argument is not about whether what he has is equivalent to school Certificate or not as people have been arguing all over the place because there is NOTHING to consider at all.
My real point however is: BY THIS PRECEDENT OF REMOVING CJN THROUGH EXPARTE ORDER, SHOULD ANY OF THESE COURTS HEARING BUHARI CERTIFICATE CASES ALSO SUSPEND HIM FROM OFFICE AND SWEAR IN THE VICE-PRESIDENT BY EXPARTE ORDER PENDING WHEN HIS CERTIFICATE CASE WILL BE CONCLUDED??
We are clapping for a big Monster rearing it’s ugly head because of politics. When this one succeeds, Senate President and House Speaker will also be removed through Exparte Order, Governors will be removed through Exparte Order and then we would have descended into full blown dictatorship;
It will be too late and Nigeria will burn.
WHEN THE RAIN FALLS; IT WILL NOT FALL ON ONE MAN’S HOUSETOP

modath:

Atiku should ask for a refund from the people that sold Dubai strategy to him, these people hate PDP deep down cos all they've succeeded in doing is make their affinity and obsession with corruption & grand larceny so obvious at each and every turn.

PDP won't stop making sane & fair minded people laugh, CJN admitted to "forgetting" to declare over $3m (and counting) and "they've turned that into a CONSTITUTIONAL MATTER" rather than distancing themselves from the drama, they have decided to carry it on dem head like expired gala for inside go slow...

You people are playing with fire �
It is most unfortunate that you allow partisan sympathies to becloud your sense of reasoning. Very sad. This action may have consequences no one can predict now.
History shows that all the great conflicts and conflagrations which consumed countries and societies started with little incidents like this. The Nigerian Civil War in which millions perished started “like play, like play” as they say on the streets.
What Buhari has done is a coup in that he has suspended the Constitution and usurped the powers of the two other arms of Government thus desecrating and violating the principle of separation of powers. He has usurped the powers of the Judiciary in removing a CJN (NJC) and the powers of the Legislature (2/3rds majority vote). The Constitution was framed in such a way that no one arm can interfere in the other arm without at least one of the other arms being involved for balance and to avoid treachery. That is why to remove the President, the other two arms are involved; to remove the CJN, the other two arms are involved.
Currently, there are several suits pending at the Federal High Court against Buhari over failure to include any proof of any qualification in his Nomination Form sent to INEC. Note: the issue is that he did not include any proof at all: no proof that he attended Primary school, secondary school, Military academies, Military courses, etc.; Nothing at all. So the argument is not about whether what he has is equivalent to school Certificate or not as people have been arguing all over the place because there is NOTHING to consider at all.
My real point however is: BY THIS PRECEDENT OF REMOVING CJN THROUGH EXPARTE ORDER, SHOULD ANY OF THESE COURTS HEARING BUHARI CERTIFICATE CASES ALSO SUSPEND HIM FROM OFFICE AND SWEAR IN THE VICE-PRESIDENT BY EXPARTE ORDER PENDING WHEN HIS CERTIFICATE CASE WILL BE CONCLUDED??
We are clapping for a big Monster rearing it’s ugly head because of politics. When this one succeeds, Senate President and House Speaker will also be removed through Exparte Order, Governors will be removed through Exparte Order and then we would have descended into full blown dictatorship;
It will be too late and Nigeria will burn.
WHEN THE RAIN FALLS; IT WILL NOT FALL ON ONE MAN’S HOUSETOP

Vanguard News Nigeria

Alleged Falsification Of Assets: CCT strikes out charges against Justice Ngwuta

 adekunle

8 months ago

…says FG failed to secure NJC’s approval
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA—-The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out 10-count charge the Federal Government preferred against Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court who was accused of concealing some of his private assets.
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court
FG had in the charge marked CCT/ABJ/01/17, alleged that Justice Ngwuta had between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016, refused to declare his ownership of 28 plots of land to the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

It accused the apex court jurist of engaging in private business as a public officer, contrary to Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.
FG alleged that Ngwuta’s refusal to declare his assets as a public officer, was contrary to section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act, Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Punishable under Section 23(2) of the same Act.
However, before full-blown hearing could commence on the matter, the defendant, via a motion dated January 9, queried the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him over charges he said was grossly incompetent.
He argued that by virtue of sections 318, 158(1) and Paragraph 21 (B) of the 3rd Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, the CCT, lacked the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine the case against him.
The embattled jurist, through his team of lawyers led by a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, contended that allegations against him were never referred to the National Judicial Council, NJC, before the criminal charge was entered against him.
He claimed that as a serving judicial officer by virtue of his appointment into the Supreme Court bench, FG, ought to have inline with section 158 of the constitution, allowed the NJC to firstly exercise its disciplinary powers regarding all the allegations in the charge.
Ngwuta further drew the attention of the tribunal to the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case FG instituted against Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, wherein the appellate court held that serving judicial officers could not be prosecuted for judicial misconduct or breach of trust, without prior investigation by the NJC.
He insisted that allegations that culminated to the charge against him, were never referred to or determined by the NJC.
However, FG, in a written address it filed in opposition to Ngwuta’s motion, maintained that the tribunal had powers and jurisdiction to try the case before it.
FG stressed that powers the constitution conferred on the CCT, made the Court of Appeal judgement in Nganjiwa’s case, inapplicable to the charge against Ngwuta
It told the tribunal that some “sorrounding circumstances” made Ngwuta’s case peculiar, even as it argued that under section 158(1) of the 1999 constitution, the powers vested on CCT were similarly vested on the NJC, making such powers mutually exclusive.
“The applicant is being tried as a public officer and not as a judicial officer. He is not charged for violating his oath of office as a judicial officer, but for violatiing the code of conduct for public officers.
“More over, the defendant is before this tribunal, not as a Justice of the Supreme Court, but as a public officer who we have said had in the discharge of his functions, breached the code of conduct for public officers”, FG’s lawyer, Mr. Abey Mohammed, SAN, argued.
Meanwhile, ruling on the matter on Tuesday, the Mr. Danladi Umar-led two man panel tribunal, upheld Justice Ngwuta’s argument and struck out charges against him.
While discharging the defendant, a member of the panel, Mr. William A. Atedze who read the ruling of the tribunal, held that Ngwuta being a serving judicial officer, was under the management, control and discipline of the NJC.
He maintained that NJC is a body whose independence from external control or interference is constitutionally provided for by section 158 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“What this means is that any allegation of official misconduct will first have to be referred to the National Judicial Council to the exclusion of any other body, court or Tribunal’’, the CCT held.
The tribunal dismissed FG’s position that the Supreme Court had yet to uphold the appellate court decision in Justice Nganjiwa’s case which Ngwuta relied upon.
The CCT held that the Court of Appeal verdict in the case against Justice Nganjiwa would remain extant till it is vacated.
“Judicial precedent is bidding for as long as it is subsisting and until such precedent is overturned by a higher court”, the tribunal ruled.
It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier dismissed a separate 18-count money laundering charge that FG also slammed against Justice Ngwuta.
Ngwuta was among seven superior court Judges that were arrested after a “sting operation” the Department of State Service, DSS, conducted between October 7 and 8, 2016.
Part of charges FG filed against him before the CCT included that he had “between 2nd June 2011 and 19th July 2016, while serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Tribunal, did make a false declaration of assets” to the CCB when he failed to declare three duplexes at Chinedu Ogah Avenue, Ntezi, Aba in Abakaliki, while being a Justice of the Supreme Court.
He was alleged to have between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016, while serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria made a false declaration to the CCB when he failed to declare twenty-two plots of land at Chief Igwe Uga Avenue, Abakaliki, as well as failed to declare six plots of land at Frank Okoroafor Avenue, Abakaliki.
Other allegations was that he failed to declare Peugeot Saloon with Vehicle No: VRG55513890295200 and Chassis No: VF34B5FV9BS069213, Registration No: ABC566RL and count five revealed that he failed to declare a Wrangler Jeep with Vehicle No: VRG55535620346898 and Chassis No: IJ4GA591581626734, Registration No: RSH526AJ.
As well as allegedly engaging in purchase and sale of rice, palm oil and other related products, while being a Justice of the Supreme Court and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Code Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) of the same Act.

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION:

12 January 2019
Assault, Intimidation and Desecration of the Judiciary Must Stop
1. Nigerians have witnessed again the targeted assault of the judiciary by agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria (“FGN”) epitomized by today’s media trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, GCON (“CJN”). According to media reports which have now been validated by the Statement of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (“CCT”) that was released today an application was “filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau to the CCT Chairman yesterday for the trial to commence against the Chief Justice of Nigeria on six count charges” and that the CCT “will commence the trial on Monday, 14th January 2019”. The Nigerian Bar Association unequivocally condemns this assault, intimidation and desecration of the Judiciary by FGN agencies and demands that it be stopped immediately.
2. In Nganjiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria (2017) LPELR-43391(CA), the Court of Appeal made it very clear that any misconduct attached to the office and functions of a judicial officer must first be reported to and handled by the National Judicial Council (“NJC”) pursuant to the provisions of our laws. Only after the NJC has pronounced against such judicial officer can the prosecuting agencies of the Federal Government proceed against him. As the Court pointed out, these requirements of the law are anchored on the overriding principles of separation of powers between the executive, the judiciary and the legislature and on the need to preserve, promote and protect the independence of the judiciary. Our respective liberties and the rule of law are best protected and preserved if the judiciary remains independent and shielded from intimidation and assault by the other arms of the government.
3. In Nganjiwa v FRN (supra), the Court of Appeal made reference to Rule 3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of February 2016 (“Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers”)and held that the said Rule 3 “makes provision in relation to fidelity to the Constitution and the Law”. The provisions in regard to assets declaration as they apply to all public officers including the CJN are contained in both the Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act 1991, the enabling law that establishes both the Code of Conduct Bureau (“CCB”) and the CCT. The fidelity which judicial officers therefore owe “to the Constitution and the Law” pursuant to Rule 3 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers encompasses compliance with the provisions relating to assets declarations as contained in the Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. Any infraction in that regard by a judicial officer, as the Court of Appeal rightly held, constitutes a misconduct by the judicial officer and becomes the subject matter for discipline by the NJC as a condition precedent to any possible prosecution of the judicial officer by any of the FGN’s prosecuting agencies.
4. Why has FGN decided to embark on this anomalous course of charging the CJN before the CCT without first presenting whatever facts it purportedly has against His Lordship to the NJC for its deliberation and determination? The Petition that triggered the CCB action was on its face received by the Bureau on 09 January 2019 and the Charge was promptly drafted and is dated the following day, 10 January 2019 – giving the CCB a record 24 hours for completion of its investigation and the drafting of the said Charge and ancillary processes! If one contemplates the fact that the CCT arraignment is scheduled to take place on 14 January 2019, we have in total a record number of 3 (three) working days between the receipt and processing of the petition, investigation, preparation of Charge and ancillary processes and the arraignment! Such unprecedented speed and efficiency in Nigeria’s criminal justice administration! It is clear, given the rush with which this matter was conducted by the CCB, that the NJC was not privy to it and did not conduct its mandatorily required disciplinary processes prior to the filing of the Charge before the CCT.
5. We still wonder why the FGN choose to deviate from the laid down and explicit provisions of the law as expounded in Nganjiwa v FRN (supra). Could it be that it was misadvised? Or is this a naked show of power and force by agencies of the FGN? And why embark on the media trial of the CJN? This, unfortunately, is a predilection of the FGN’s prosecuting agencies with the possible exception of the Federal Ministry of Justice. As the NBA pointed out in its International Anti-Corruption Day Statement that was issued on 09 December 2018 “media trial of persons charged with corrupt practices . . . amount to corruption itself. Indeed, those orchestrated media trials degrade and corrupt the justice administration system quite apart from the incalculable (but obviously intended) damage that it does to persons who may ultimately be discharged and acquitted. In point of fact, it is corrupt practice to use as license or hide under the cover of the fight against corruption to recklessly destroy the names, characters and reputations of persons who have not been found guilty of corrupt practices by competent courts and who may ultimately be pronounced innocent of such charges.” These media trials must, alongside the on-going desecration and assault of the judiciary, cease forthwith.
5. There are two final issues that we must touch upon in this Statement, albeit, briefly. First, could it possibly be a coincidence that the current assault on the judiciary is taking place only weeks to the 2019 National Election? Apart from the conduct itself being wrongful and deplorable, its timing is condemnable. FGN will find it difficult to convince any reasonable person that its assault against the CJN and by extension the judiciary is not aimed at emasculating that arm of the government and intimidating our Judges ahead of the 2019 National Elections. In our afore-referenced International Anti-Corruption Day Statement, the NBA had deplored “conducts that qualify as . . . political non-accountability, absence of transparency and impunity in public service.” The FGN’s conduct in this instance qualifies, amongst others, as “impunity in public service”.
6. As a final point, it is also difficult for a disinterested observer not to see a pattern of consistent assault by agencies of the FGN on the heads of the two independent arms of government, to wit, the legislature and the judiciary, starting with the prosecution of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the CCT and now, the ill-fated prosecution of the CJN before the same CCT. The impression must not be created that the agencies of the Executive arm of the FGN are interested in destabilizing and laying prostrate the other arms of the Government and in the process eliminating and destroying any and all voices of dissent and checks and balances. That is not desirable for the democracy that we strive to build neither is it good for the image of the Government. We urge restraint on the part of Government and demand that the CCB follow due process in proceeding against the CJN by complying with Nganjiwa’s Judgment (supra) and other similar judicial precedents. This continuing attack on the justice sector must cease forthwith. FGN and its agencies must desist from debasing the rule of law.

Paul Usoro, SAN President

WHAT SOME SENIOR LAWYERS ARE SAYING
(FROM VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS)
SANs kick
Three senior advocates of Nigeria (SAN) who spoke on the CJN episode, last night, were scathing in their criticism of the action against Onnoghen. In his reaction, Sebastine Hon, SAN, said: “ While I know that the Chief Justice of Nigeria does not enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution, I see this move by the Federal Government as dangerously political and tendentious. Suddenly, we woke to see a petition leaked to the informal or social media, allegedly received by the Code of Conduct on 9th January, 2019. Suddenly, we are told charges have been filed against the CJN. Suddenly the Presidency is reportedly asking him to step aside! Was he interrogated or interviewed and his own reactions obtained? Why this supersonic rush? These steps are more political than honest. “There is an attempt to destroy the Judiciary or gag it; and in the latter situation, to hector it into submission. I personally say no to this! All Nigerians of goodwill must say no to this unprovoked assault on the Judiciary. “After unsuccessful attempts to reign in the National Assembly, the same unholy attention is beamed on the Judiciary. If this arm of government is destroyed, due process, constitutionalism and the rule of law will pave way to whimsical, narrow and brute force, at the instance of one man or a select few! I personally say no to this. “Nothing stops the Federal Government from deferring, in the interest of national peace and cohesion, the filing of those charges till an opportune time – since there is no limitation of time in criminal proceedings. Why now? “The Federal prosecutors are also aware of extant decisions of the Court of Appeal, to the effect that unless and until the NJC pronounces a Judicial Officer guilty, he cannot be arraigned in court. Those authorities know full well that these decisions of the Court of Appeal have not been overruled; but they have decided to humiliate the CJN, by rushing some charges to the Tribunal and leaking same to the press over the weekend. “I strongly counsel the CJN not to heed the obviously unholy call that he should step aside. There is light, I am strongly persuaded, at the end of the tunnel!.” For his part, Yusuf Alli, SAN, stated: “To say that I am flustered and nonplussed is an understatement. We should not destroy our institutions. The judiciary is one of the most important institution in any country. We should not toy with the judiciary. While accusing everybody of being corrupt, we should not throw it around just because some people are happy. The Chief Justice of Nigeria is the epitome of Nigeria’s judicial system. We should just be very careful so that we don’t end up with the title of Chinua Achebe’s book, ‘ There was a country’.” Chief Chris Uche, SAN, reacting, said, “This is carrying the battle for 2019 too far. To attempt to intimidate and destroy the Judiciary because of the forthcoming presidential election is a ploy that must be stoutly and vehemently resisted by the legal community. The legal community must rise in unison against this attack on all of us. “We will not allow this to happen otherwise the legal profession is finished. The AGF should not allow himself to go down in history as the one under whose watch the judiciary in Nigeria was destroyed. His predecessors such as Clem Akpamgbo SAN, Abdullahi Ibrahim SAN, Bayo Ojo, SAN and others strove to strengthen the judiciary as an institution. Those who allow their heads to be used in breaking the coconut may not be around to drink the water therefrom.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/assets-declaration-charges-ive-done-no-wrong-onnoghen/

SalamRushdie:
Yesterday Night I prayed for Buhari to make a silly mistake and today I saw this ..Isnt God Great?

Silly mistake is putting it mildly.
THIS IS A HORRENDOUS MISTAKE.
The Presidency will soon find out and realize that this is too hot to handle and will retreat with their tail between their legs.
People just overrate the powers of the Presidency; what they call powers of the Presidency is actually dictatorship, but Nigerians have resisted such fascism before and will again.
What have they not done to remove Saraki and Dogara but failed flat on their face?
Is it the head of the Judiciary that they can remove so cheaply?
You will see what will happen in Court on Monday. The CJN has the full support of over 90% of Lawyers in Nigeria including those in APC who feel this is a step too far and realize what is at stake here. He also has the support of his colleague Judges.
The CCT have already previously ruled that they have no jurisdiction to try a Judge when another Supreme Court Judge was arraigned before them. They discharged Hon. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta without a trial just on Preliminary Objection to their jurisdiction. That position of the law is sacrosanct.
Under the law, it is only the NJC that has the powers to approve a complaint against a Judge before it can be presented to the CCB. If the NJC says a complaint lacks merit then that is the end of it though an appeal can lie from decisions of the NJC to the National Industrial Court and from there to the Court of Appeal and from there to the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, a Judge cannot be removed just because you filed a criminal charge against him. There are specific Constitutional procedures for removal of a Judge. Not even the NJC can remove or dismiss a Judge: they can only RECOMMEND to the Senate which is currently headed by Saraki.
When the Senate receives a recommendation for dismissal of a Judge from NJC, they debate it but that is if the Senate President lists it for debate anytime soon which may not happen before May 29th 2019 as the business of the Senate may not permit since there are more important things for the Senate to attend to .
When it is eventually debated, you require an address supported by 2/3rd of the Members of the Senate supporting the dismissal. Yes, you heard me right, not simple majority but two-thirds majority. The Presidency could not marshal two-thirds majority to remove Saraki, talk less of the CJN where even APC Senators from the South will vote against it. It is only if the Senate by an address supported by 2/3rd members endorses the recommendation for dismissal that the President can act on it. It is only after the President assents to the recommendation for dismissal of the Judge upon an address supported by 2/3rd majority of (109) Senators that a Judge stands dismissed. It is only after a Judge has been dismissed that the CCB can file charges against such Judge before the CCT.
From the foregoing, what do you think will happen?
All these arrogant zombies parading Nairaland and beating their chests about the awesome powers of the Presidency will soon be cut down to seize with their with their wings clipped wella.
And once the attempt to ILLEGALLY AND UNLAWFULLY remove the CJN fails as did the attempts to remove Saraki and Tambuwal, what do you think will be the fate of Buhari in the pre-election and post-election matters coming up?
The answer is blowing in the wind my friend.
SO YES BRO, GOD HAS ANSWERED YOUR PRAYERS BIG TIME

eagleeye2:

The NJC have its way of dealing with its members. The executive cannot stampede them.
We will follow this matter with keen interest. Hope this will not be another circus show like that of Saraki.

The CJN is going no where.
Buhari has just started a battle he cannot win.
He has succeeded in shooting himself in the foot.
When another Supreme Court Judge, Sylvester Ngwuta was also arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Tribunal threw out the charge stating that they have no jurisdiction to hear the case unless the NJC has first tried the matter and dismissed the Judge. Ngwuta was discharged by CCT WITHOUT a trial. That is what our Constitution provides and Buhari will be told that this is a democracy with separation of powers.
After attacking the Judiciary and failing abysmally, he will now be at their mercy starting from his case of non-qualification currently pending in Court. Interesting times ahead.
Monday is next tomorrow.
Stay tuned and see how it plays out.

kettykin:
How come no body is facing tribunal for running for an office without the requisite qualifications and credentials. It seems this country is badly cursed and filled with hypocrites. Tufiakwa !!! May i never come back as a Nigerian in my next life. I can come as an American igbo or Cameroon igbo

Buhari is facing such a case.
Come to Federal High Court 3, Abuja on February 4th and you will know.
That is why they are panicking and want to hijack the Judiciary.
Neither Buhari, APC nor INEC has been able to file any defence to the action served on them since December. The plot against the CJN is already dead on arrival.
People will be shocked

Racoon:
This is a dangerous precedence.Imagine the silly catastrophic gaffes by this govt.The petition against CJN have not even been probed by the NJC.Just within a week the CCT received this they have put in plans to dock the CJN.

See how the whole process was just incredibly hastened up with a supersonic speed because of partisan interest.This sudden waking up fight is a declaration of war on the bench.

Meanwhile this government that is incredibly filled with morally corrupt persons have never taken any concrete action.

The Government is unimaginably corrupt and they have bought up most of the media. Don’t be surprised if this post is pulled down by Nairaland any moment from now.
Last week we put up a post in which we informed the public about an ongoing litigation over the fraudulent procurement of NYSC Certificates by some powerful persons in the Presidency for a PermSec. As soon as the post started gathering serious reactions from readers, the Mods on Nairaland pulled it down. An Editor in a major Newspaper told us they could not publish the story because the big men involved were friends of their publisher and that they had just facilitated their publisher meeting with the President two days prior.
I cried for Nigeria that day.
I never knew that we had descended so low as a people. You look at foreign media; they are fearless but here, it is brown-envelope and partisan journalism.
I nearly didn’t bother to put up this post but decided to in order to satisfy my conscience.
They can hide or pull it down if they like.
They will have to live with their conscience;
I have satisfied mine

GavelSlam:
Whatever the motivation, the question is, is he guilty?

Your question is embarrassing.
Even a primary one pupil is aware of the popular dictum that every accused person is innocent until his guilt is determined.
You don’t determine guilt according to some beer-parlor rules but in accordance with the prescriptions of the law.
The Law, in this case has prescribed very clearly, that in respect of judicial officers, allegations against them MUST FIRST be made to the National Judicial Council (NJC). Both the NJC and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) were created by the Constitution and so each must be allowed to exercise their powers without interfering with the other. I will explain the reason why the matter must go to NJC first.
It is to protect the integrity of the Judiciary as an institution and not the individual Judge. It will be an embarrassment to the Judicial institution for a sitting Judge to be in the dock standing trial. If a Doctor is on trial for an offence, he doesn’t need to resign from his work and can go straight back to the hospital from the Court after a day’s trial but the institution of the Judiciary is different. The Constitution has established a complex system for dismissing Judges. The NJC tries them on the allegation. If they are found liable, the NJC recommends his dismissal. The recommendation then goes to the Senate first. If the Senate by an address supported by no less than 2/3 members recommends his dismissal to the President, then the President can order his dismissal.
So, the NJC could even make a recommendation to the Senate for dismissal of a Judge including the CJN and the Senate rejects the recommendation and the matter ends there; the Judge continues. But if the Senate by 2/3rds majority accepts the recommendation of the NJC to remove the Judge and the President acts on that recommendation, then the Judge is dismissed.
Once dismissed, he can now face criminal trial for the offences because he is no longer a sitting Judge. These are the provisions of our laws and MUST be followed.
To answer your question therefore: Onnoghen is not yet guilty.
The FG should follow due process. They don’t want to because the process will not finish before Election matters start and end. That is the real a of this shenanigans: TO HIJACK THE JUDICIARY BY FAIR OR FOUL MEANS

ValCon888:

Op you deserve 3 bottles of big stout. Abeg make dem forward this thread to front page asap!

Lalasticlala food don done for here o!

You can be sure they won’t. My experience on Nairaland in respects of posts against Buhari and his henchmen is shocking. This country is doomed. We just pay lip service to getting our country on the right part but when it is time to walk the talk, we fail.
God help us

President Muhammadu Buhari has just allowed the cabal holding him captive to rail-road him into a blunder which he cannot survive politically.
It is clear that the attempt to remove the CJN is politically motivated. The below report by the cable news makes it clear that the Executive Secretary of the ARDI which wrote the petition against the CJN is a former media Aide of Buhari and former National Publicity Secretary of the CPC. Picture of Dennis and Buhari together below.
What Buhari has done is to declare war on the Judiciary and he will lose big time.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal has no jurisdiction to try Judicial officers except prosecution is recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC). The Tribunal itself said so. See copies of Ruling below.
Read and judge for yourself
“Dennis Aghanya, the author of the petition against Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), is President Muhammadu Buhari’s former media aide.

Aghanya is the executive secretary of the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI), a civil society group that petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over alleged non-declaration of assets by the CJN.

He was Buhari’s aide between 2009 and 2011 and the pioneer national publicity secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He is also the founding member of The Buhari Organisation (TBO).

When the national assembly had a face-off with the president over the lack of due process on the purchase of $496 million aircraft from the US, Aghanya appealed to the leadership of the national assembly to show understanding.

“For anyone to think of impeachment process against him is not right. We have many problems at hand. Violation of a constitutional provision is bad but it is worse to act in an immoral manner,” Aghanya had said.

In his recent petition, Aghanya accused the CJN of maintaining domiciliary foreign currencies accounts said to be contrary to relevant laws, especially for public office holders.

The group said its petition became necessary “bearing in mind the imminence of the 2019 General Elections and the overwhelming roles of the Judicial Arm both before and after”.

TheCable had earlier reported that there were moves to remove Onnoghen before the elections.

The trial of the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is slated to commence on Monday.”

- The Cable report
https://www.thecable.ng/revealed-dennis-aghanya-author-of-petition-against-onnoghen-is-buharis-former-aide

And who is behind ARDI:
“Dennis Aghanya, the author of the petition against Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), is President Muhammadu Buhari’s former media aide.

Aghanya is the executive secretary of the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI), a civil society group that petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over alleged non-declaration of assets by the CJN.

He was Buhari’s aide between 2009 and 2011 and the pioneer national publicity secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He is also the founding member of The Buhari Organisation (TBO).

When the national assembly had a face-off with the president over the lack of due process on the purchase of $496 million aircraft from the US, Aghanya appealed to the leadership of the national assembly to show understanding.

“For anyone to think of impeachment process against him is not right. We have many problems at hand. Violation of a constitutional provision is bad but it is worse to act in an immoral manner,” Aghanya had said.

In his recent petition, Aghanya accused the CJN of maintaining domiciliary foreign currencies accounts said to be contrary to relevant laws, especially for public office holders.

The group said its petition became necessary “bearing in mind the imminence of the 2019 General Elections and the overwhelming roles of the Judicial Arm both before and after”.

TheCable had earlier reported that there were moves to remove Onnoghen before the elections.

The trial of the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is slated to commence on Monday”.

- The Cable report
Picture of Dennis and Buhari together