₦airaland Forum

"He said: “Yes, I am aware. That company has been working with the commission since 2011. I assure you that we have a strict system. No electoral officer will be compromised. The integrity of the process is protected.”

STORY!

There are numerous stories where a successful person has attributed much of their success to their spouse or partner. We’ve often heard the saying “Behind every successful man there is a woman,” and vice versa. Research shows that the phrase is not just an empty one but there is a lot of truth to it – your success could depend on your spouse.
The study published at Carnegie Mellon University shows that if you have a supportive spouse there are greater chances of you succeeding in life. The study which involved 163 married couples had a rather interesting activity to find out if their theory held any water. As part of the study, partners were given a choice of either completing a simple puzzle or opting to compete for a prize. The partner's interactions with each other were observed by researchers.
What the researchers noticed was that couples who were more supportive of each other were more likely to opt for the competition. Those who opted for the simpler puzzle weren’t very interactive or supportive of each other.
Researchers followed up with the same couples six months later and discovered that the ones who had opted for the challenge were more content in their relationships than the ones who had attempted the simpler activity.
Professor of Psychology at Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Science, Brooke Feeney says “
Many power couples have openly acknowledged the role that their spouses have played in helping them reach the heights that they have. Barrack Obama spoke about ‘his rock’ Michelle Obama on the Oprah Winfrey show in 2011 and how she kept him balanced.
“Obviously I couldn’t have done anything that I’ve done without Michelle.” Obama told Oprah and the world.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook too spoke about the positive influence his wife Priscilla has had on his life when he delivered the commencement speech at Harvard in 2017. He said that she was the inspiration behind the social work that he does.
In 2013, in an interview with Oprah, Beyonce too acknowledged her husband, rapper Jay-Z's support “on so many levels.” She said that she wouldn’t be the woman that she is if he wasn’t in her life.
The study confirms what is a universal truth. If a partner or spouse lacks enthusiasm or is unhappy about the other’s growing success, the marriage will either end quickly or to save the marriage, the spouse will step back from opportunities on the work front and cut back on their chances of success. On the other hand, if the spouse encourages their partner to seek out new opportunities and is ready to give them the desired push when needed, success is bound to follow.
“Significant others can help you thrive through embracing life opportunities or they can hinder your ability to thrive.” author of the study, Feeney explains.

https://www.bigperspectives.com/2019/02/the-secret-to-your-success-is-who-you.html

Amaechi talks tough, says whatever PDP wants in Rivers, we are equal to the task

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, of influencing a high court judgment against the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Amaechi, who spoke at the River State presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, alleged that the governor had betrayed him after being recommended for ministerial appointment during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the minister, the army also attempted to arrest him in 2015, despite having immunity as a sitting governor, adding that he was ready for battle with Wike.

He said, “Whatever Wike wants on Saturday, we will give him. Whatever the PDP wants in Rivers State, we are equal to the task. It’s as simple as that. It gets to a stage where a man must be a man. Your Excellency, I’m not going to Abuja anymore. I am here from today till (Election Day).

“In 2015, the army tried to arrest me as a sitting governor. You have a governor who is busy lobbying us, trying to negotiate with us, ‘Let us give you presidency, you give me governor.’ He is afraid. We will battle him to the last. On Saturday, they should get ready.

“The support we want is that the President should just thank us when we finish. We are ready for them. They used federal and state institutions against us. They kill our people, APC people, every day; cut off their necks every day. The right to choose our leaders to stop the killings — they got a state high court judge to give judgment.”

According to Amaechi, 80 per cent of those who have made successes in Rivers State politics passed through him.

“Wike was my chief of staff. I made him chairman of council. I nominated him as a minister. When he saw Goodluck, he betrayed me. I have been betrayed serially, including senators. After you finish helping them, after praying for them, they go and betray you for a pot of porridge. Saturday is our day,” he said.

https://punchng.com/amaechi-talks-tough-says-whatever-pdp-wants-in-rivers-we-are-equal-to-the-task/

Atiku in secret meetings with APC stalwarts, as ruling party supporters admit PDP is in clear lead

Acknowledging that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in obvious lead, several All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwarts have started reaching out in secret meetings with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential candidate in the February 16 election with a view to working out “exit deals”.

As confessed by one of the APC chieftains, “Atiku has the momentum now and the wise thing to do politically is to consider options after all in politics there is no permanent friend or permanent enemy.”
Among those reaching out to the PDP presidential candidate are the APC party chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Transportation and Director General Buhari Presidential Campaign organisation, Chibuike, Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of Internal Affairs, General Abdulraman Dambazau, a very reliable source close to the Atiku camp disclosed.
These three APC henchmen, as disclosed, believe that the best option left for them is to start early to work out a contingency plan which if concretised may see them work secretly to deliver Atiku come Saturday, February 16.

Also elements from Tinubu’s camp believed to represent the interests of the “Bourdillon strongman” are among those reaching out to Atiku as revealed. Though details of this group’s discussions with the PDP presidential candidate are scanty, it may also not be unconnected to negotiating an “exit deal” to protect Tinubu’s interests post May 29 2019.
In the last few weeks, the PDP presidential candidate has continued to surge far ahead the incumbent president in both internal and foreign polls. This obviously may have set panic measures in the camp of the ruling party and like most Nigerian politicians, self interest and preservation comes first before any talk of party loyalty or interests.

Recall it was reported last week that President Buhari in a desperate attempt to salvage the slipping fortunes of his re-election bid started reaching out to some PDP chieftains with huge monetary enticement and promise of incorporating them into his new government if they can work to weaken Atiku’s surging fortunes in the coming election.

However, some of those being cajoled reported the president and his team’s subversive actions to the leadership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation where they were asked by the campaign strategy group to continue to play along with the president and his team as this would let in the opposition into the president’s inner workings.
When contacted, Mr Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar declined to comment.
The presidential election is slated for this Saturday February 16, 2019.

https://www.nairaland.com/5018998/atiku-secret-meetings-apc-stalwarts

Atiku in secret meetings with APC stalwarts, as ruling party supporters admit PDP is in clear lead

Acknowledging that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in obvious lead, several All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwarts have started reaching out in secret meetings with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential candidate in the February 16 election with a view to working out “exit deals”.

As confessed by one of the APC chieftains, “Atiku has the momentum now and the wise thing to do politically is to consider options after all in politics there is no permanent friend or permanent enemy.”
Among those reaching out to the PDP presidential candidate are the APC party chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Transportation and Director General Buhari Presidential Campaign organisation, Chibuike, Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of Internal Affairs, General Abdulraman Dambazau, a very reliable source close to the Atiku camp disclosed.
These three APC henchmen, as disclosed, believe that the best option left for them is to start early to work out a contingency plan which if concretised may see them work secretly to deliver Atiku come Saturday, February 16.

Also elements from Tinubu’s camp believed to represent the interests of the “Bourdillon strongman” are among those reaching out to Atiku as revealed. Though details of this group’s discussions with the PDP presidential candidate are scanty, it may also not be unconnected to negotiating an “exit deal” to protect Tinubu’s interests post May 29 2019.
In the last few weeks, the PDP presidential candidate has continued to surge far ahead the incumbent president in both internal and foreign polls. This obviously may have set panic measures in the camp of the ruling party and like most Nigerian politicians, self interest and preservation comes first before any talk of party loyalty or interests.

Recall it was reported last week that President Buhari in a desperate attempt to salvage the slipping fortunes of his re-election bid started reaching out to some PDP chieftains with huge monetary enticement and promise of incorporating them into his new government if they can work to weaken Atiku’s surging fortunes in the coming election.

However, some of those being cajoled reported the president and his team’s subversive actions to the leadership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation where they were asked by the campaign strategy group to continue to play along with the president and his team as this would let in the opposition into the president’s inner workings.
When contacted, Mr Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar declined to comment.
The presidential election is slated for this Saturday February 16, 2019.

https://www.nairaland.com/5018998/atiku-secret-meetings-apc-stalwarts

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Amina Bello, the wife of the Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been involved in a car accident at Kabba, the area where the aircraft of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo crash-landed last week.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/just-in-gov-bellos-wife-involved-in-car-accident-at-kabba/

Mrs Oluwatoyin Odeku, Leader of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA), South-West, said 22.4 per cent of drug abuse cases in Nigeria happened in the South-west.
Odeku disclosed this at a press conference in Akure, Ondo State on Friday.

She said the figure was inline with the official statistics released by the UN in its fact finding mission in the region to curb drug abuse in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Dec. 10, 2018 inaugurated the committee chaired by Maj.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd).

Odeku said that similar programme has been carried out simultaneously in all the geopolitical zones of the country, adding that drug abuse had become a menace that must be curbed.
“This calls for urgent action. It cannot be a federal government fight alone; we must take it to the local government level and to our religious stakeholders.

“It is not something we can joke with, drug abuse is always leading to crime. We call on all stakeholders to cooperate with us to tackle it.
“Drug abuse, in most cases, usually start with curiosity, peer pressure and other unidentified reasons.

“Buhari have the best interest of youths in mind, the ministerial committee was first inaugurated before the presidential advisory committee to deal with the menace,” she said.

Odeku, also advised the Ondo State government to create more rehabilitation centres for those willing to quit drugs and get rehabilitated.
She called on religious leaders to join hands in the fight against drug abuse and in helping to create rehabilitation centres.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/02/08/south-west-leads-in-drug-abuse-with-22-4-in-nigeria/

Buhari Is A 'liar', Says Foreign Policy Magazine

https://www.nairaland.com/5003659/buhari-liar-says-foreign-policy#75431975

http://saharareporters.com/2019/02/05/buhari-liar-says-foreign-policy-magazine

All they said about Sai Buhari is true. Trump has his own problem but he is ten times better than the lifeless one.

Among references to the current president's "dictatorial tendencies" as contained in the article are the "extraconstitutional suspension" of Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), his decision to "serially ignore" court orders, harassment and arrest of journalists and activists, deployment of security services to intimidate political opponents, and "unforgivably" sanctioning the killings of hundreds of unarmed civilians on multiple occasions.

All they said about Sai Buhari is true. Trump has his own problem but he is ten times better than the lifeless one. but trust nairaland mods, this will never make front page.

Among references to the current president's "dictatorial tendencies" as contained in the article are the "extraconstitutional suspension" of Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), his decision to "serially ignore" court orders, harassment and arrest of journalists and activists, deployment of security services to intimidate political opponents, and "unforgivably" sanctioning the killings of hundreds of unarmed civilians on multiple occasions.

N’delta Agitators Threaten To Form Govt, Partner IPOB

A coalition of top Niger Delta agitators have threatened to unveil a government that would oversee the affairs of the region, and equally declared their readiness to work with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari. They said that Buhari’s suspension and replacement of Onnoghen by a Northerner was part of his ethnic agenda, which is unhealthy to the country’s unity.

https://www.nairaland.com/4987224/onnoghen-ndelta-agitators-threaten-form

Onnoghen: N’Delta agitators threaten to form govt, partner IPOB

A coalition of top Niger Delta agitators have threatened to unveil a government that would oversee the affairs of the region, and equally declared their readiness to work with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari. They said that Buhari’s suspension and replacement of Onnoghen by a Northerner was part of his ethnic agenda, which is unhealthy to the country’s unity.

https://www.nairaland.com/4987224/onnoghen-ndelta-agitators-threaten-form

A coalition of top Niger Delta agitators have threatened to unveil a government that would oversee the affairs of the region, and equally declared their readiness to work with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari. They said that Buhari’s suspension and replacement of Onnoghen by a Northerner was part of his ethnic agenda, which is unhealthy to the country’s unity.

The agitators, who issued the threat yesterday in a communiqué after a meeting that started in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa on Saturday, noted that since Buhari remains focused on his alleged ethnic agenda, they (agitators) would unveil a government that would oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta region. The communiqué, among others was signed by General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs), and Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators; General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Simply Benjamin (Bakassi Strike Force); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

The agitators described the suspension of Onnighen as a “blatant exhibition of rascality and the highest form of dictatorship, tyranny and fascism in the 21st Century, which we view as the highest level of insult on the collective intelligence of the Niger Delta people.” They added:”The removal is a coup against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a coup against the Rule of Law and separation of powers and a coup against the Nigerian Democracy.

“It is a face-off with the Niger Delta people, and we call on the International Community to note this so that when we would retaliate nobody would blame us. This is clearly aimed at preventing Justice Onnoghen from selecting/inaugurating credible judges that would handle election petitions in their respective Tribunals.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/01/onnoghen-ndelta-agitators-threaten-to-form-govt-partner-ipob/

As the controversy over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari festers, the jurist appointed in acting capacity to replace him, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, is facing a serious backlash among his colleagues at the Supreme Court, Sunday Tribune has learnt.

Apart from shunning the weekend inauguration of election petition panels by Tanko, it was learnt that nearly all the justices of the apex court, had taken a firm position not to help in conferring legitimacy on the process that brought in Tanko, though many of them were said not to have any personal animosity towards him.

“A mutiny is brewing here (Supreme Court), because those people you see here (justices of the court), are independent-minded and cannot be coerced into doing what they don’t believe in,” a highly-placed source in the court disclosed last night.

Only a justice of the court, Justice Sidi Bage, was at the weekend ceremony despite invite being reportedly made available to all the justices of the court.

“Though they were aware and available in Abuja, they simply refused to turn up. That is how it may remain until the original CJN returns. If it were the man they recognised as the legal CJN, all of them would have turned up at the inauguration,” the source who works closely with the apex court told Sunday Tribune.

Buhari is alleged to have removed Onnoghen to stop him from taking charge of the inauguration of the tribunals, a ceremony which became Tanko’s first official assignment.


Tanko had always challenged Onnoghen over seniority, though the suspended CJN took oath before him at the apex court.

His argument was predicated on the assumption that since he got to the Bench ahead of Onnoghen, he should remain his senior, notwithstanding who got to the apex court first.

Onnoghen’s predecessor-in-office, Justice Muhammadu Mahmud, had insisted on the recognition of Onnoghen as being senior to Tanko.

When Onnoghen assumed office, peace overtures were repeatedly made to Tanko.



The acting CJN is said not to be too popular among his colleagues due to the way he had consistently treated Onnoghen and his quick acceptance of the latter’s position is perceived at the apex court as a coup against the leadership of the court, the Sunday Tribune source explained.

It was further learnt the class action being planned against his controversial ascension to the top-most job, may include outright rejection of fresh appeals allocated by Tanko.

Panels appointed by him to sit on appeals, are also likely to reject sitting, though the court, according to an insider, will continue to determine running cases already allocated by Onnoghen.

The source was confident the storm would be over in a week and Onnoghen would be restored due to the alleged illegality of the entire process leading to the suspension of the CJN.

Checks at the National Judicial Council (NJC) showed that there was no scheduled official meeting, but unofficial meetings were reportedly on to resolve the logjam.

Going by precedents regarding crises in Rivers and Abia states judicial divisions, NJC should suspend and possibly fire Tanko for accepting the acting appointment without the involvement of the council as prescribed by the law.

Under Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar’s chairmanship of the council, Justice Peter Agumagu of Rivers State Judiciary was suspended indefinitely and eventually compulsorily retired for accepting acting Chief Judge appointment from former Governor Rotimi Amaechi without the recommendation of the council.

The difference in Tanko’s case is that he automatically heads the council as the acting CJN.

New questions are now also being raised concerning the functions of the Code of Conduct Bureau, which recommended Onnoghen to the tribunal for prosecution for alleged failure to declare asset and now deciding to update the declaration.

In the Act setting up the bureau, the function provisions as listed in section 3 showed that the president must have been misled in firing the CJN.

The provision reads; the functions of the Bureau shall be to;

(a) receive assets declarations by public officers in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

(b) examine the assets declaration and ensure that they comply with the requirements of this Act and of the law for the time being in force.

(c) take and retain custody of such assets declarations and

(d) receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of this Act and where the Bureau considers it necessary to do so, refer such complaints to the Code of Conduct Tribunal established by section 20 of this Act in accordance with the provisions of sections 20 to 25 of this Act:

*Provided that where the person concerned makes a written admission of such breach or non- compliance, no reference to the Tribunal SHALL be necessary”.

Onnoghen had admitted, in writing, not to have declared his assets up to date and decided to bring it up to date when he was appointed the CJN.

By the provisions of the Act, he should not have been referred to the Tribunal for trial, a Supreme Court source argued.

https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/186747/

Osinbanjo is where belle face.If he act contrary to the biddings of the cabal,they'll go after him. APC promised change, change from the old ways of PDP to more Democratic ways of running a government. but Buhari and his supporters are always quick to refer to the draconian old ways of doing things to buttresses some of their actions. So if that is the case,WHERE IS THE CHANGE, why did majority of Nigerians voted you when you know you'll do worst than what PDP did for 16years.

Rotentina:
Story for the gods!


I don't know why we love to support corruption in this part of the world.

Nobody love supporting corruption.What every lover of democracy is saying is simply follow the rules laid down by the constitution. Except you're saying Buhari is a law unto himself and he is above the constitution.

Can the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed, who was a critical member of the National Judicial Council, which sanctioned Justice Obisike Orji by forcing him to go on a compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State without being recommended by the council, head the judiciary? Davidson Iriekpen asks

A story was once told that when Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State in 2012 failed in his bid to foist Justice Joseph Oyewole on the judiciary as Chief Judge, he settled for Justice Gloria Oladoke instead of Justice Oyebola Ojo.

Investigation revealed that at the meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) as Justice Oladoke introduced herself as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State, below was the response she got from the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar: “Who invited you here? You don’t belong here. Please excuse us. Get out!”



THISDAY gathered that it took this decision by the NJC for Governor Aregbesola to know that he should follow the rule by appointing the most senior judge of the state.

In Rivers State, a few years after, Justice Peter Agumagu, who was appointed Chief Judge by Governor Chibuike Amaechi was rejected by the NJC equally headed by Justice Mukhtar. The NJC had directed that Justice Daisy Okocha be sworn in as Chief Judge of the state, a decision Amaechi refused to comply with.

The NJC consequently queried and suspended Justice Agumagu as a judicial officer by the NJC for allegedly violating Section 271(1) of the constitution by submitting himself for confirmation by the state House of Assembly and swearing-in by the governor as the state’s substantive Chief Judge without being recommended by the council.
The body claimed it acted pursuant to paragraph 21(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The most recent was on March 14, 2018, when the council at its 85th meeting under the chairmanship of Justice Walter Onnoghen, declared the suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State Justice T. U. Uzokwe, by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as unconstitutional.

It also sanctioned Justice Obisike Orji, by forcing him to go on a compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State without being recommended by the council. It stressed that the decision to suspend the chief judge and the swearing-in of an acting chief judge without the input of the NJC was unconstitutional, null and void.

The NJC statement then said: “The suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State (Justice Theresa Uzokwe) by the State House of Assembly without a prior recommendation by the National Judicial Council violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, the subsequent act of appointing and swearing-in of Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge is invalid for being unconstitutional. Furthermore, the conduct of Justice Obisike Orji in presenting himself to be sworn in raises potential questions of misconduct that Council is now looking into. Council therefore resolved to query and suspend Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji pending the outcome of its investigation.”

The above carefully demonstrates the importance the NJC attaches to the adherence to the constitution and due process. But all these were shattered on Friday when President Muhammadu Buhari unilaterally suspended Onnoghen and promptly swore in Justice Tanko Mohammed.

Though the president defended his action by citing an order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal, directing Onnoghen’s suspension, his action has been described by a cross section of lawyers and others as a judicial coup.

Onnoghen’s travails first began in 2016, when the president refused to confirm his elevation as the CJN. But as fate would have it, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was then the Acting President, swore him into office when the president was away on medical vacation.

About six months after he took office, there were rumours that he was being investigated, but each time the rumour came, the agencies accused would deny it. However, on January 7, a civil society group, the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative, filed a petition with the Code of Conduct Bureau, accusing him of corruption and false declaration of assets.

A six-count charge was drafted at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Initially the presidency denied having anything to do with his arraignment. In spite of the criticisms that the move against Onnoghen did not follow laid-down rules, the trial proceeded with unusual speed.

Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in its ruling, ordered the CCT to stay action, pending the determination of Onnoghen’s application that the CCT had no power to try him.

But while Nigerians were waiting for the ruling, the president on Friday confirmed the fears that it was indeed behind the travail of the embattled CJN by proceeding with his suspension and the swearing-in of the Justice Mohammed in acting capacity.

The question begging for answers from observers is, should Mohammed have taken the position, when as a critical member of the NJC, he was part of the decision that forced Justice Orji to go on compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State?

They reasoned that both the suspension of Onnoghen and swearing-in of Muhammed in acting capacity by President Buhari followed the same pattern of how Justice Theresa Uzokwe was suspended by the Abia State House of Assembly and Justice Orji subsequently sworn in as acting Chief Judge of the state by Governor Ikpeazu.

Besides, Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution is very explicit on the due process for the CJN removal, when it stipulates as follows: “A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances . . . in the case of . . . Chief Justice of Nigeria . . . by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”

Also, with respect to the trial of the CJN before the CCT on the assets declaration charge, established judicial precedents dictate that the allegations must be referred to and handled by the NJC and it is only after its pronouncement can the federal government’s prosecuting agencies proceed against him before any tribunal or court of law.

In 2012, the Supreme Court ordered the Kwara State to reinstate its former Chief Judge, Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb, who was sacked in 2009 by Governor Bukola Saraki. The apex court in its judgment stated that under the 1999, the governor did not have the power to sack her from her position without the approval of the NJC.

“It is not difficult to see that for the effective exercise of the powers of removal of a chief judge of a state by the governor and House of Assembly, the first port of call by the governor shall be the NJC,” Mahmud stated.
Her removal from office on May 4, 2009 by the State Executive Council was ratified by the House of Assembly following Saraki’s request. Justice Elelu-Habeeb sought redress in court

However, in its judgment, a panel of seven justices of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Mahmud, held that under the 1999 Constitution, the state executive council and the governor cannot remove any judicial officer or a Chief Judge of a state without some input from the NJC and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

According to him, the NJC is equipped with the personnel and resources to investigate the inability of the chief judge to discharge the functions of his office and the subject of disciplinary action of removal through the committees of the council.

After citing several sections of the constitution, Justice Mohammed further held that: “From these very clear provisions of the constitution, which are very far from being ambiguous, the governors of the states and the houses of assembly of the states cannot exercise disciplinary control touching on the removal of chief judges of states or other judicial officers in the states.”

Just like in the above stated case, not only does the president have not the powers to unilaterally remove Justice Onnoghen, he did not contact the Senate or the NJC before the action was taken and therefore, his action typifies impunity and disrespect for the laws of the land, which he swore to uphold.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/27/the-hypocrisy-of-justice-mohammed/

Divide and rule is a system adopted by the colonial masters before Nigeria independence in 1960. The North have learn the act perfectly and they're adopting the same principle to divide the south. No reasonable south south or Ijaw man will applaud Buhari in his nepotist venture currently going on. The Northern region have taken over the entire apparatus of government and they decide the faith of the country while the south are busy fighting themselves in the name of "I belong to APC or PDP". Take a look: The President - North, The Senate President- North, The Head of the Judiciary-North, The Speaker- North, all the Head of Security Agencies- North, Chairman Inec - North. When it comes to Government Appointment the North are always the most qualified but outside the government you'll not find them. Ahmadu Bello Will be very happy with his "North first Agenda" wherever he is right now.

Do I blame Buhari, No. I blame all those southerners who go about deceiving themselves that they're more politically advance than the Northerners. How can all the security apparatus, The Judiciary, The Legislature, The President all came from the North. The most baffling among all is that some southerners are urging Buhari on. If this whole epistles happened to be the other way round,will the Northern region accept it ?- They'll have buried their political difference and fight whomever is in power with whatever means possible. Other southerners supported the south west when they needed their support but when it comes to the south west to support their fellow Southerner they make a u-turn to support a northerner. Buhari is not interested in being a nationalist. Buhari want to be remembered as one who promoted the interest of the North above other interest (National interest). He want to be rememberd and recognized above Admadu bello.

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By Yemi Adebowale;yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com; 07013940521 SMS ONLY

resident Muhammadu Buhari has simply been heating up the polity in the ongoing war against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen. His suspension yesterday and swearing in Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN, is an assault on the constitution. The reasons adduced by Buhari are preposterous.
The Attorney General and Minister of justice, Abubakar Malami should end this shenanigan and dangerous precedent by withdrawing the criminal charges bordering on alleged refusal to declare assets and operating foreign bank accounts, against the CJN. As for our President, he should show courage by accepting his error and reversing his actions.

My position is not based on the merit or demerit of the charges against the CJN. It is not based on whether Onnoghen committed the infractions or not. My submission is based on respect for our constitution and the rule of law. We must be careful not to deliberately create a state of anarchy.


The lawyers who filed the charges against Onnoghen are aware of the requisite constitutional provisions and the Court of Appeal judgment in Nganjiwa’s case. It is evidently a politically-tainted case. The charges against the CJN should have been sent to the National Judicial Council and not the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

To further bolster my point, let’s critically look at the subsisting decision of the Court of Appeal in Nganjiwa vs FRN (2017). Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa had appealed the decision of the High Court of Lagos State in 2017, challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain and determine the case against her. She was charged for offences ranging from unlawful enrichment by a public officer to giving false information. The appeal court concurred with Nganjiwa, ruling unequivocally that a serving judicial officer cannot be arraigned or tried in any court for a criminal offence; not until such officer has been investigated, dismissed or recommended for trial by the National Judicial Council. This judgement was never appealed. So, it remains the law.

Yes, the CCT has the power to try all public officers for asset declaration infractions, but in the case of judges, the jurisdiction of the tribunal has to be effectively activated, by first complying with lawful conditions as properly explained in the Appeal Court decision on Nganjiwa.


The truth that must be told is that there is a binding and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, stating unambiguously that a serving judicial officer cannot be arraigned or tried in any court for a criminal offence. This applies to the case of Onnoghen. The CJN cannot be arraigned at the CCT, until he has been investigated, dismissed or recommended for trial by the National Judicial Council. This is the position of our law. Those under the influence of excessive Tramadol and Codeine are now trying to turn the law upside down. What a country!

I also need to remind all those behind the case against the CJN and all those clapping for them that sections 153 (1), 271 (1), 292 (1) (a) (ii) and Paragraph 21 (Part 1) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution are to the effect that any judicial officer accused of an offence must first be subjected to investigation and disciplinary action by the National Judicial Council prior to any trial.

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), was apt when he declared that a dangerous precedent was being set in the charges filed against the CJN.


He remarked: “Some of the legal issues already settled by the Supreme Court in the case of Saraki vs Federal Government are being reopened in Onnoghen’s case. The most dangerous aspect of what is going on now is that our laws are in trouble.

“When I said that the proper procedure has not been followed and that the government should withdraw the frivolous charge, I wasn’t talking about the substance of the case, because for me, if you catch an armed robber red-handed and you decide to chop off his hand, you have lost your case; you still have to take him to court and that is what should happen in this case. We must go through the proper channel for dealing with complaints against judges.”

What more should I add? Buhari should spare this country this unnecessary tension.

Bishop Mamza on ‘Hungry Clerics

For those who don’t know him, Most Rev. Stephen Mamza is the Bishop of Catholic Dioceses of Yola, Adamawa State. This fearless cleric made my day last Sunday, when he took on those he described as hungry clerics. For Mamza, many religious leaders in our dear country have lost their credibility by dabbling into politics for pecuniary gains.

He said, “The problem we have is that we have hungry religious leaders; those that are not there for the service of God but because of their pockets. If not, why should a religious leader allow a politician to control him? The cleric is supposed to be the leader of the politician and not the other way around, as we can see.

“We clerics are supposed to form the conscience of the politicians. But in a situation where due to material things, we cede this position to them, then we’ll lose our credibility.

The problem that we have today with religious leaders is that many of them have lost their credibility because they dabbled into politics.”

Mamza also took on the notorious Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, accusing him of being an embarrassment to the Catholic Church, saying, “I wonder why Mbaka is yet to be sanctioned by the bishop of his diocese. This cannot happen in other dioceses. There is no reason why he should not be sanctioned.

“Every priest is under the jurisdiction of his bishop. If a priest commits a crime or does something wrong anywhere in the world, the person that acts on that priest is the bishop. Even Rome will not act just like that; it is your own bishop that will do that. I think we can say that his bishop should make sure he cautions Mbaka because he has really crossed his bounds.”

Adamu Must Respond to Sleaze Allegation

I am still waiting for the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to respond to sleaze allegation against him.

The allegation was made three days ago, yet, Adamu has remained mute. I need to remind him that the sacked Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TeTFund), Abdullahi Baffa, alleged that he was forced out of office owing to his refusal to provide monetary kickbacks to the minister. Baffa allegedly told BBC Hausa on Wednesday that the Minister had sent a contractor to him demanding his share of N200 billion disbursed by the agency to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Bafa alleged: “If they bring any evidence indicting me, I’m ready to accept death punishment. I do not regret my refusal to obey the minister’s directives because I cannot sabotage my country. Go and ask the minister. Eight months ago, Mallam Adamu Adamu sent one of his biggest contractors to tell me that the minister was angry with me for three reasons.

The third issue was that TeTFund disbursed over N200 billion to universities without remitting the percent kickback, amounting to at least N20 billion at 10 percent rate. The fact is that since I started this job, I have never demanded a single kobo from any university. If any university shows proof of collecting kickback from them, let death sentence be passed on me.”

Mallam Adamu, Bafa has spoken. Please, respond appropriately. I know that our anti-graft agencies won’t be interested in this because fighting corruption in Nigeria is evidently a padi padi arrangement.

Deconstructing Obasanjo’s Latest Dispatch

I am not a fan of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Over the years, I have learnt to dispassionately examine his messages rather than the messenger. His latest dispatch to President Muhammadu Buhari, largely focusing on the impending Presidential election, should be of interest to everyone that genuinely loves this country. I have also been worried about INEC’s ability to conduct a free and fair election, based on the trickeries at the Osun State gubernatorial election held last year.


That was why I was impressed with Obasanjo’s salvo to INEC. He remarked: “I personally have serious doubt about the present INEC’s integrity, impartiality and competence to conduct a fair, free and credible election. And if the INEC is willing, will the ruling party and government allow it? From what we saw and knew about Osun State gubernatorial election, what was conclusive was declared inconclusive despite all advice to the contrary.

“The unnecessary rerun, if viewed as a test-run for a larger general election, would lead people to expect incidences of deliberately contrived, broken or non-working voting machines or card readers, confusion of voters as to their voting stations; inadequate supply of voting materials to designated places, long line to discourage voters and turning blind eyes to favour the blue-eye political party of INEC because the commission’s hands will be tied to enable hatchet men and women to perform their unwholesome assignment.”

I have written severally against attacks on opposition leaders by agents of the Buhari government. Few days back, the United States Congress also sent a warning note to our President about this ugly trend. So, I fully concur with Obasanjo’s observation that, “Another Abacha era is here. The security institutions are being misused to fight all critics and opponents of Buhari and to derail our fledgling democracy.

“EFCC, Police and Code of Conduct Tribunal are also being misused to deal with those Buhari sees as enemies for criticising him or as those who may not do his bidding in manipulating election results. Criticism, choice and being different are inherent trade mark of democracy; if democracy is derailed or aborted, anarchy and authoritarianism will automatically follow.”

I am on the same page with Obasanjo’s observation that Buhari’s men are desperate to rig him in for a second term. The hand writing is on the wall. Patriots must stand up against this plot. Obasanjo said: “The President and his people believe no stone should be left unturned to rig Buhari in. There seems to be a ploy to intimidate the judiciary as a whole in preparation for all election cases that will go before them. Where and how will all these stop?

“From available intelligence, we have heard of how Buhari and his party are going about his own self-succession project. They have started recruiting collation officers who are already awarding results based on their projects to actualise the perpetuation agenda in which the people will not matter and the votes will not count.”

On the sagging war against Boko Haram, Obasanjo echoed my persistent position, saying, “this administration has reached the end of its wit even in handling all security issues, but particularly Boko Haram issue, partly due to misuse of security apparatus and poor equipment, deployment, coordination and cooperation.”

Baba Iyabo’s last shots were thought-provoking: “At the end of the day, those who goad you on will leave you in the lurch. You will be left alone, naked and unheralded.

In defeat, which must be Buhari’s fear, leading to desperation, he and his co-travellers can still maintain modicum of decency, and exhibit fear of God in their actions.’’

Well, as usual, President Buhari is uncomfortable with Obasanjo’s latest dispatch. His aides and cohorts have been pummeling Baba Iyabo. My forthright message to Buhari today is that he should reflect deeply on the points raised by Obasanjo, and make amends appropriately.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/26/musings-on-the-suspension-of-onnoghen/?amp

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
At Davos discussing global economic growth amidst current headwinds; inequality and lack of inclusive growth; and the need for energy access and a just transition for low-income countries and excluded populations. Click the link to read more.

https://www.reuters.tv/l/Pe$S?

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discussing the global economy, trade and tariffs, China, and Hong Kong, with Hong Kong Chief Executive HE Mrs Carrie Lam at the Standard Chartered Breakfast Davos.

“Look at what is happening, the person (Buhari) that is leading us says he cannot appoint any other tribes into the posts he considers sensitive because he does not trust them. If he cannot trust my tribe and your tribe what is the benefit? And he still wants my tribe and your tribe to vote for him. So, he can ask us to vote for him but he cannot trust us to be appointed into sensitive positions. What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander."

Bola Tinubu’s statement about Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 is fairly prophetic, “Muhammadu Buhari is an agent of destabilisation, ethnic bigot and religious fanatic who, if given the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country. His ethnocentrism would jeopardise Nigeria’s national unity.”

Bola Tinubu’s statement about Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 is fairly prophetic, “Muhammadu Buhari is an agent of destabilisation, ethnic bigot and religious fanatic who, if given the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country. His ethnocentrism would jeopardise Nigeria’s national unity.”

Bola Tinubu’s statement about Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 is fairly prophetic, “Muhammadu Buhari is an agent of destabilisation, ethnic bigot and religious fanatic who, if given the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country. His ethnocentrism would jeopardise Nigeria’s national unity.”

Bola Tinubu’s statement about Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 is fairly prophetic, “Muhammadu Buhari is an agent of destabilisation, ethnic bigot and religious fanatic who, if given the chance, would ensure the disintegration of the country. His ethnocentrism would jeopardise Nigeria’s national unity.”