Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen,
yesterday, directed all heads of courts in the country to compile and forward to the National Judicial Council, NJC, comprehensive lists of all corruption and financial crime cases being handled by their various
courts.The CJN, who gave the directive during a special court session the Supreme Court held to mark the opening of the 2017/2018 legal year, noted that “inexplicable and seemingly intractable delays” have been the bane of criminal justice administration in the country. He decried that such delays “result in the unfortunate disruption of due process.”
Consequently, Justice Onnoghen ordered all the heads of courts to designate at least one court in their various jurisdictions as special courts, solely for the purpose of hearing and speedily determining corruption and financial crime cases. He said where such cases proceeded on appeal to either the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates on each week should be fixed solely for hearing and determining such appeals.
He said the National Judicial Council, NJC, would at its next meeting, constitute an Anti-Corruption Cases Trial Monitoring Committee that will continually monitor the progress of high-profile criminal cases.
According to the CJN, “this committee would be saddled with, among other things, the responsibility of ensuring that both trial and appellatecourts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide
by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of cankerworm.” Warns bribe givers to desist
Justice Onnoghen, who also used the occassion to swear-in 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, and vowed to bring the full weight of
the law on anyone found to have offered gratification to a judicial officer. He said: “We shall reform, strengthen, continue to work with the National Judicial Council, and with the support of the public rid the Judiciary of
both perceived and real corruption. “I encourage members of the public to cut off the supply side of
corruption by stopping the offering of bribes to judicial officers. The full weight of the law will be visited on all those who are caught in this nefarious activity that is capable of eroding integrity and confidence in
the judiciary.
“Finally on this issue, I wish to appeal to litigants, advocates and the public to refrain from making unsubstantiated and malicious allegations/
complaints against judicial officers. Guard your ranks jealously Calling on the 29 Senior Advocates of Nigeria to guard their ranks jealously, the CJN warned that the award was a privilege which stood to be withdrawn if abused.
“I must remind you that being a privilege, it can, and shall be withdrawn if abused. The privileged you are conferred with today is not intended as a weapon of intimidation or licence for rudeness and arrogance,” he warned.On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation and MThe CJN, who gave the directive during a special court session the Supreme Court held to mark the opening of the 2017/2018 legal year, noted that “inexplicable and seemingly intractable delays” have been thebane of criminal justice administration in the country.
He decried that such delays “result in the unfortunate disruption of due process.”
Consequently, Justice Onnoghen ordered all the heads of courts to designate at least one court in their various jurisdictions as special courts, solely for the purpose of hearing and speedily determining corruption and financial crime cases. He said where such cases proceeded on appeal to either the Court of
Appeal or the Supreme Court, special dates on each week should be fixed solely for hearing and determining such appeals. He said the National Judicial Council, NJC, would at its next meeting, constitute an Anti-Corruption Cases Trial Monitoring Committee that will
continually monitor the progress of high-profile criminal cases.According to the CJN, “this committee would be saddled with, amongother things, the responsibility of ensuring that both trial and appellate courts handling corruption and financial crime cases key into and abide
by our renewed efforts at ridding our country of cankerworm.” Warns bribe givers to desist
Justice Onnoghen, who also used the occassion to swear-in 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, and vowed to bring the full weight of the law on anyone found to have offered gratification to a judicial officer.
He said: “We shall reform, strengthen, continue to work with the NationalJudicial Council, and with the support of the public rid the Judiciary of both perceived and real corruption.“I encourage members of the public to cut off the supply side of corruption by stopping the offering of bribes to judicial officers. The full weight of the law will be visited on all those who are caught in this
nefarious activity that is capable of eroding integrity and confidence in the judiciary.
“Finally on this issue, I wish to appeal to litigants, advocates and the
public to refrain from making unsubstantiated and malicious allegations/complaints against judicial officers.Guard your ranks jealously
Calling on the 29 Senior Advocates of Nigeria to guard their ranksjealously, the CJN warned that the award was a privilege which stood to be withdrawn if abused.
“I must remind you that being a privilege, it can, and shall be withdrawn if abused. The privileged you are conferred with today is not intended as a
weapon of intimidation or licence for rudeness and arrogance,” he warned.
On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, in his address, saidthe new legal year was an opportunity for judges and lawyers to rededicate themselves to the rule of law.He said the Federal Government under the leadership of PresidentMuhammadu Buhari will do whatever it takes within the context of the
provided precedent to ensure peace and security of the nation in the sustenance of our democracy.inister of
Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, in his address, said the new legal year was an opportunity for judges and lawyers to rededicate themselves
to the rule of law. He said the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari will do whatever it takes within the context of the provided precedent to ensure peace and security of the nation in the sustenance of our democracy.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU late yesterday suspended its five weeks strike action, after reaching and signing another agreement with the federal government.
The union, therefore, directed all its members to resume classesimmediately after their branch congresses later today.
Addressing journalists in Abuja after a closed door meeting which lasted for over three hours, the ASUU national president, Biodun Ogunyemi, however, warned government that failure to implement all agreements
before the end of October, the lecturers would once again down tools.
He said, “After an elaborate and an exhaustive consultation process, the National Executive Council of ASUU has agreed to conditionally suspend the ongoing strike action. Taking into cognisance that the latest proposal from government to address the pending issues in the strike action has a deadline of the end of October 2017.
“All members of ASUU are to resume work after their branch congresses tomorrow 19th September, 2017.
“However, ASUU will not hesitate to review its position if government reneges on its signed memorandum of action which we all witnessed today,” he said. Shortly after signing the agreement, the minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, noted that the grey areas had been dealt with to the satisfaction of both parties.
He assured ASUU that although the economy was in a critical position,
government was committed to keeping to its end of the bargain by implementing all the issues captured in the document.
“We understand ourselves and have agreed on many issues in the spirit of give and take. Government will implement this document and as I have assured ASUU, this government is a government of change, we are not like other governments in the past.
“We agreed on funding for revitalisation of universities, earned allowances, government responsibility as regards to the university staff schools, pension, we agreed on salary shortfalls, ASUU has agreed the exemption given to them by government on funds.
It would be recalled that the university lecturers had embarked on an indefinite strike on August 13, over some contentious issues arising from breech of the 2009 agreement entered into with the Federal government concerning a full payment of salaries and improved funding of universities. After a meeting held with the Federal Government on August 17, ASUU after due consultation and collation of views from its members, had submitted a counter offer to the federal government on August 28.

Money can change anybody !

Nigerian Army on Friday said politicians were behind the agitation by Nnamdi Kanu and his group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, in a statement,
lamented that such persons were doing so for their selfish interest. He said: “It is so sad and unfortunate that a particular group of people, for political expediency and mischief, are trying to set the military and Nigerian society against each other. It is sad and unfortunate.” Usman described the face-off between the Army and members of IPOB in Abia as an isolated issue which was being blown out of proportion by some people. “These isolated incidences, instigated by miscreants and mischief makers, therefore, should not be taken as something that should jeopardise the military exercise going on in that place. “It is really sad and unfortunate that people will not find time to ask
question about the essence and activities involved in respect of exercise Egwu Eke II before jumping into conclusion. “The exercise is taking part in the entire South East and Cross River, why should we have problem in one state – Abia. There is no reported
problem in Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu and Cross River States. “There is need for all of us to be more responsible, exercise understanding about the issues at hand, support and encourage the military to perform its legitimate duty. The exercise we are having has
been scheduled since last year – 2016. It is not targeted at any segment of the Nigerian society.
“As a matter of fact, it was because of the encouraging feedback that we have about the conduct of exercise Python Dance I in 2016 that brought the idea of having another exercise. “And being a responsible organisation, people said Python Dance seems to be something awkward, so, why don’t you call it in the native language
of those people so that they can understand it just like you have exercise Harbin Kunama. “We have had exercises in other parts of the country. As soon as we are done with exercise Egwu Eke II, we are embarking on exercise Crocodile Smile II which is also a scheduled training exercise in the circle of the Nigerian army training year, 2017. “And this time around, beyond the South South Zone, it will be extended to the South West zone, involving 2 Division, 6 Division and 81 Division,’’
the Army spokesman noted.

The Nigeria Army has made it clear that it is not pulling its troops out of Abia state. In a news conference on Thursday, Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu,
had stated that the army had agreed to pull its troops out of Aba and Umuahia – the two most volatile areas of the state. Ikpeazu also said he was working to ensure the total withdrawal of troops from the state. But in a statement issued by its spokesman, Sani Usman, on Thursday night, the army said it would carry out its operation ‘Python Dance’ to “logical completion” in the state. “The attention of the Nigerian army has been drawn to some stories in the media that it is withdrawing its troops from Exercise Egwu Eke II,
crediting such information to Abia state governor and the general officer commanding 82 division Nigerian army. This is not true. The Nigerian army wishes to enjoin members of the public to disregards such
rumours,” it said. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia state governor in his speech stated that ‘there will be gradual withdrawal of soldiers on the streets of Aba and
Umuahia from tomorrow’. This should not be misconstrued as withdrawing of troops earmarked for Exercise Egwu Eke II. The general officer commanding 82 division has not said such thing. “Consequently, we wish to state that Exercise Egwu Eke II is commencing
tomorrow as scheduled. Commanders have been instructed to ensure that all hands are on deck to commence the exercise to its logical completion.
We wish to state further that the successful completion of the exercise will dovetail into the various states security outfits till the end of this year.”

I hope he shows up to defend his people

Kanu and his father, even his mother can't be found.

politicsngr.com/2017/09/14/breaking-heavy-gunshots-fired-nnamdi-kanus-residence-video/

Buhari using military force in the south east, this is causing a lot of human right abuses, I think he should dialogue with ipob members and he Igbo's want to go, let them go ! It is not a crime for us to disintegrate as a nation.

With the way things are going, do you think violence is the way out ?

Briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun disclosed that JAMB in July announced the remittance of N5 billion to the Federal
Government which happens to be the highest so far in the last 40 years of its existence. She said the disparity in the remittances of the two agencies in the past and now necessitated the decision to probe all previous heads of the former heads, adding that despite the poor remittance in the past, NIMASA has remitted N4.95 billion in 2015 and N24 billion in 2016. The minister also disclosed that other agencies with similar discrepancies in their revenue remittances will be probed. Adeosun said that FEC approved that Nigeria should join the African Trade Insurance Agency.

Buharo should not use military force, he should rather address this issue lawfully, it is their right to agitate.

So sad !

Halimah Yacob has been declared Singapore ’s eighth president on Wednesday after a “walkover” election that saw no vote after no other contenders ran for the position. Yacob, 63, had been the only candidate deemed eligible to stand in the country’s Elections Department, having held a key public position as
speaker of parliament for three years. The other two contenders, Salleh Marican and Farid Khan, were both
denied eligibility, having fallen short of a constitutional rule that required any candidate from the private sector to have led a company with shareholder equity of at least 500 million Singapore dollars (372 million
dollars). Following the announcement, Yacob thanked her supporters in a speech, calling it a “a proud moment for Singapore, for multiculturalism and multi racialism. ”Yacob is Singapore’s first Malay president in 47 years and the first woman to occupy the president’s office.
While some have applauded the historic moment, the election has also drawn public criticism due to what was seen as a lack of democratic process.
Yacob addressed these concerns, saying “I am a president for everyone, regardless of race, language, religion or creed.”
The president is vested with the responsibility of overseeing the country’s national asset reserves, but does not hold any of the executive powers of the prime minister or members of the cabinet. Yacob is expected to be sworn into office on Thursday.
The last Malay to hold the presidency was Yusof Ishak, whose image adorns the country’s banknotes.

Spokesman of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Aminu Ilyasu said it was unfortunate that some media houses did not verify their reports before going to press.
Colonel Ilyasu said it was extremely disturbing that some media houses also reported that a mosque in the area was razed down during the incident, stressing that the mosque was intact. He appealed to the media
to double check their information before rushing to press, noting that misleading reports could further aggravate ugly situation like that of Tuesday.
Community sources told the Vanguard that the mosque was allegedly ransacked by the rampaging IPOB members. Two patrol vehicles belonging to the Police were also allegedly burnt down during the crisis.
Meantime, Publicity secretary, Arewa consultative Forum, in the state, Alhaji Babaji Yahu Tanko , said three persons allegedly died in the sad incident, adding that several lock up shops belonging to Hausa traders
were razed down. Chairman of the local government area, Mr Sunday Chukwudi said peace had returned to the area, adding that law enforcement agents had moved in to guarantee safety of lives and properties.
At press time economic activities had resumed in the area with the market open for business. Some traders told the Vanguard under conditions of anonymity that some Hausa youths were whisked away in buses by the IPOB members that Tuesday. “We have not heard anything about them. We don’t know if they were later released. But I saw when they bundled some of the wheel barrow boys into waiting vehicles”, a trader said.
There was heavy presence of security men in the area. At some points pedestrians were seen raising their hands in surrendering positions as they walked passed the security men. Rivers Asembly Urges Shell To Sign GMoU With Oyigbo Community Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to enter into a formal Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, with the people of Oyigbo in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Buhari must be careful, if not this might lead to another crisis that might not be controlled

To watch the vidoe visit www.thebreakingtimes.com/army-invades-nnamdi-kanus-house-again-video/#

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South-South league, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan would not contest the 2019 presidential election. The group said this while dismissing claims that Jonathan wanted to hijack the party structure in Bayelsa state for his presidential ambition in 2019. In a statement by its Chairman, Barr. Ariolu Tebidapa (Delta State) and the
Secretary, Akpan Ibibio (Akwa-Ibom state), the body claimed that those against the interest of the party were behind the allegation. Noting that the PDP had zoned its presidency to the North, the body warned against any attempt to ridicule the image of the immediate past
president. The body maintained that if Jonathan was interested in anything, it was how to reposition PDP at the national level to “push forward his vision for
Nigeria.”
The statement reads, “It is obvious, that since after the supreme court judgement that laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the PDP, some persons within the party in the region, are still not settled due to
the role they played, in spite of the fact that the party has granted amnesty to all those who worked against the interest of the party.
However, the PDP has zoned it’s presidency to the Northern part of Nigeria. So, we wonder what these fifth columnists really want to achieve by selling falsehood.
“It is also not true that the former President is attempting to hijack the party structure in Bayelsa State. We consider this story as an imagination from those who are being chased by their shadow. As the leader of the party, how can he (Jonathan) be interested in only one state, when the party is preparing for elective congresses and National convention?
“If at all former President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in anything, it should rather be who leads the party at the National level to push forward
his vision for Nigeria. “Consequently, we consider all these as attempts to distract the attention
of the former President, at a time when he is busy working with other party leaders and focusing his attention on how to reposition our great
party and Nigeria for the challenges ahead.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan has made the South-South region proud during his service as President, with his achievements of
international reckoning and sacrifice to keep Nigeria United. We think he deserves every respect and regard.