₦airaland Forum

We often hear of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s brilliance and track record on a superficial basis, not many of us are thoroughly familiar with who or what he was before his giant leap to the Office of the Vice President in 2015. From previous discussions I have held and heard, a considerably high demographic of the Nigerian populace think he simply was a “Redeemed pastor who found grace.”

As a passionate admirer of his oratory prowess and an avid follower of his speeches at State functions, he commands your attention and leaves you enthralled through the entirety of his address; I casually say to my friends that if I could manage a public address as well as the man did, I would never stay quiet.

One of such occasions where I was blown away by his wisdom and the semantics he deployed was his address on the civil war. But it was his visit to the palace of the Emir of Lafia that blee me away.

The Emir, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, credited Prof. Osinbajo with revolution of judiciary in Nigeria. He glossed over some of his achievements as Attorney General of Lagos and how the federal government and state governments across the country replicated this stellar contributions to Nigeria's judiciary.

It was after mind blowing submission that I decided to read up on his educational background. A click became two and two, three… in no time, I was reading about Osinbajo the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; so sterling were his achievements that I thought I’d share some.

It is worthy of note that Professor Yemi Osinbajo first served between 1988 and 1992 as a Special Adviser to the then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN). This probably ensured that he was not green behind the ears when he took over in Lagos State.

His appointment as Attorney General was informed by his reform-minded contributions to the justice sector while he served in 1999, as member and Secretary of a Think-Tank and Transition Work Group, a body set up by then newly elected Governor, Bola Tinubu, to deliberate on strategies for transition from military to democratic government in Lagos State.

On behalf of the state, He was engaged in a number of legal battles with the then Olusegun Obasanjo led administration.

Prof. Osinbajo always found himself (with the backing of his governor) on opposing aisles in a court room with the legal team of the Federal Government. Most of these cases he won.

One of such was the suit marked: SC.353/2001 between the AG, Lagos and AG of the Federation. It was filed in 2001 by the Lagos State Government to, among others, challenge the constitutionality or otherwise of the Urban and Regional Planning Act, 1992.

The Federal Government had sought to rely on the law to sell off some of its property in Lagos without any recourse to the state government. Issues raised for determination in the suit included:
*Whether Urban and Regional Planning (Town Planning) as well as the regulation of physical development in relation to any land in Lagos State were within the legislative and executive jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
*Whether the Urban and Regional Planning Decree No.8 of 1992 is inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 4 of the 1999 Constitution, therefore unlawful, null and void.
*Whether the ownership rights of the Federal Government over land in state territories include the power to control and regulate town planning and physical development in relation to such lands.
*Whether all approvals, permits, and licenses granted by the Federal Government or any of its agencies for any construction, building or physical development or use of Land in Lagos State without the consent of the state government are illegal, null and void.

On May 13, 2003 in its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the state government possessed control over the physical planning and developmental control within their territory. It also held that all development permits issued by the Federal Government to the buyers of its properties in Lagos from 1999 to that date subsisted, but henceforth, owners of such properties must obtain relevant permits from the state government.

The judgment gave Lagos State government the authority to impose all compartments of levies on everyone who bought Federal Government’s property.

A second case I found was one where Prof. Osinbajo also led the Lagos team in the suit marked: S.C. 70/2004 between the Attorney General, Lagos State and Attorney General of the Federation instituted in 2004 by the state government to challenge the directive by then President Obasanjo to the effect that statutory allocation to states that created local governments, be withheld by the Finance Minister.

In its judgment on December 10, 2004, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Lagos State. It held, among other things, that it was wrong for the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations due to the states under any guise.

The court also faulted the Federal Government’s position that the Local Governments created in Lagos were illegal. It held that they were legitimately created, but remain inchoate until the National Assembly played its part as stipulated under Section 8(5) of the Constitution.
The then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Uwais, who read the lead judgment, granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.

"To sum up, the plaintiff’s action succeeds, all the reliefs sought are granted, but applicable only to the 20 Local Government Areas specified in Part 1 of the first Schedule to the Constitution.”

The court made a consequential order compelling the defendant (Fed Govt) to immediately pay all outstanding statutory allocation due and payable to the Lagos State government pursuant to the provisions of Section 165(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,”
Professor Yemi Osinbajo had again led the Lagos State Government to victory.

Prof Osinbajo also led the prosecuting team when the state decided to prosecute former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza al-Mustapha; Mohammed Abacha, son of the late military ruler; Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rabo Lawal among others for alleged criminal offences during the military era.

He was instrumental in the prosecution of the suit brought against British -American Tobacco Nigeria Ltd (BAT), International Tobacco Limited and four others on the basis that they were allegedly targeting young and underage persons in their advertising and marketing in spite of the obvious knowledge of the adverse effect and severe health implications of their products.

For eight years while he handled the prosecution, the defence did all they could to frustrate the progress of the case. They preferred to remain in custody than stand trial.

As the Lagos AG, it was not all about litigation for Prof Osinbajo, during his tenure as Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner; he introduced major reforms that surged the state’s judiciary to the current height that makes it a reference point in judicial efficiency in the country.
He established the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in 2003 to provide FREE legal advice and representation to indigent or disadvantaged citizens of the state in criminal and civil cases.

He also aided the establishment of the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) in Lagos to provide a non-adversarial forum for the mediation and settlement of a wide range of disputes between parties who, on invitation, voluntarily present themselves for mediation at the Centre.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s impact as Lagos State AG and Commissioner for Justice cannot be overemphasized; beyond the meek, amiable and unconventional politician you see is a legal giant and a profound intellectual.

Osinbajo's achievement will always speak for him, what a great man he is......

Even the worst opposition critic can not go near the legal achievements of Mr VP.

The first tenure of Buhari/Osinbajo has proven so much advantage in our ecosystem compared to the era of previous administration who wasted so much without achieving

We are so lucky to have Osinbajo as our vice president. May God continue to elevate him

Nice

His quote are my daily motivational

Lagos Judiciary between 1999-2007 set the pace of judicial reform that is been experienced even at the Federal Level today. I could remember vividly Lagos Attorney General then (professor yemi osinbajo SAN) initiated the electronic platform of filing suits and cases then. Osinbajo's name will be written in Gold when it comes to judicial reform in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.

Many a man have swum with dolphins but fewer have swum with sharks. There are fewer corridors more slippery to thread than those of Lagos State and the Federal Government and Professor Osinbajo has and is doing so with great aplomb.

Too much hype is not good for this man’s political career, at least not now. I know why I’m saying this. The cabal is real.

Professor Osinbajo truly deserves the accolade. Lagos state was able to shoot ahead of other states and attain its present status of a reference point for excellence as a result of the unprecedented legal reforms introduced by Osinbanjo as attorney-general between 1999 and 2003. Simple and unassuming, Osinbajo clearly just wanted to serve, and having laid a solid foundation for others to build on, he declined the offer to stay on as AG for a second term and left with his reputation intact.
You may accuse Tinubu of anything if you like, but the guy is exceptionally gifted in putting the right persons in the right positions. Lagos state is lucky to have this man as godfather - say what you will, Tinubu is a blessing to the state. But will the man himself achieve his ultimate political ambition in 2023? Well, your guess is as good as mine.

VP is an achiever no doubt about it.
For him to have won a case against the FG blew my mind. Like really, who does that? With our tainted judiciary system.

Just know that you stand for something great if you have enemies and you shall prevail if you keep striving for the best and bringing out the best in people.


#WorldSocialJusticeDay and

Here is the definition of social justice

Joyce95:
We often hear of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s brilliance and track record on a superficial basis, not many of us are thoroughly familiar with who or what he was before his giant leap to the Office of the Vice President in 2015. From previous discussions I have held and heard, a considerably high demographic of the Nigerian populace think he simply was a “Redeemed pastor who found grace.”

As a passionate admirer of his oratory prowess and an avid follower of his speeches at State functions, he commands your attention and leaves you enthralled through the entirety of his address; I casually say to my friends that if I could manage a public address as well as the man did, I would never stay quiet.

One of such occasions where I was blown away by his wisdom and the semantics he deployed was his address on the civil war. But it was his visit to the palace of the Emir of Lafia that blee me away.

The Emir, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, credited Prof. Osinbajo with revolution of judiciary in Nigeria. He glossed over some of his achievements as Attorney General of Lagos and how the federal government and state governments across the country replicated this stellar contributions to Nigeria's judiciary.

It was after mind blowing submission that I decided to read up on his educational background. A click became two and two, three… in no time, I was reading about Osinbajo the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; so sterling were his achievements that I thought I’d share some.

It is worthy of note that Professor Yemi Osinbajo first served between 1988 and 1992 as a Special Adviser to the then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN). This probably ensured that he was not green behind the ears when he took over in Lagos State.

His appointment as Attorney General was informed by his reform-minded contributions to the justice sector while he served in 1999, as member and Secretary of a Think-Tank and Transition Work Group, a body set up by then newly elected Governor, Bola Tinubu, to deliberate on strategies for transition from military to democratic government in Lagos State.

On behalf of the state, He was engaged in a number of legal battles with the then Olusegun Obasanjo led administration.

Prof. Osinbajo always found himself (with the backing of his governor) on opposing aisles in a court room with the legal team of the Federal Government. Most of these cases he won.

One of such was the suit marked: SC.353/2001 between the AG, Lagos and AG of the Federation. It was filed in 2001 by the Lagos State Government to, among others, challenge the constitutionality or otherwise of the Urban and Regional Planning Act, 1992.

The Federal Government had sought to rely on the law to sell off some of its property in Lagos without any recourse to the state government. Issues raised for determination in the suit included:
*Whether Urban and Regional Planning (Town Planning) as well as the regulation of physical development in relation to any land in Lagos State were within the legislative and executive jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
*Whether the Urban and Regional Planning Decree No.8 of 1992 is inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 4 of the 1999 Constitution, therefore unlawful, null and void.
*Whether the ownership rights of the Federal Government over land in state territories include the power to control and regulate town planning and physical development in relation to such lands.
*Whether all approvals, permits, and licenses granted by the Federal Government or any of its agencies for any construction, building or physical development or use of Land in Lagos State without the consent of the state government are illegal, null and void.

On May 13, 2003 in its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the state government possessed control over the physical planning and developmental control within their territory. It also held that all development permits issued by the Federal Government to the buyers of its properties in Lagos from 1999 to that date subsisted, but henceforth, owners of such properties must obtain relevant permits from the state government.

The judgment gave Lagos State government the authority to impose all compartments of levies on everyone who bought Federal Government’s property.

A second case I found was one where Prof. Osinbajo also led the Lagos team in the suit marked: S.C. 70/2004 between the Attorney General, Lagos State and Attorney General of the Federation instituted in 2004 by the state government to challenge the directive by then President Obasanjo to the effect that statutory allocation to states that created local governments, be withheld by the Finance Minister.

In its judgment on December 10, 2004, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Lagos State. It held, among other things, that it was wrong for the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations due to the states under any guise.

The court also faulted the Federal Government’s position that the Local Governments created in Lagos were illegal. It held that they were legitimately created, but remain inchoate until the National Assembly played its part as stipulated under Section 8(5) of the Constitution.
The then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Uwais, who read the lead judgment, granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.

"To sum up, the plaintiff’s action succeeds, all the reliefs sought are granted, but applicable only to the 20 Local Government Areas specified in Part 1 of the first Schedule to the Constitution.”

The court made a consequential order compelling the defendant (Fed Govt) to immediately pay all outstanding statutory allocation due and payable to the Lagos State government pursuant to the provisions of Section 165(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,”
Professor Yemi Osinbajo had again led the Lagos State Government to victory.

Prof Osinbajo also led the prosecuting team when the state decided to prosecute former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza al-Mustapha; Mohammed Abacha, son of the late military ruler; Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rabo Lawal among others for alleged criminal offences during the military era.

He was instrumental in the prosecution of the suit brought against British -American Tobacco Nigeria Ltd (BAT), International Tobacco Limited and four others on the basis that they were allegedly targeting young and underage persons in their advertising and marketing in spite of the obvious knowledge of the adverse effect and severe health implications of their products.

For eight years while he handled the prosecution, the defence did all they could to frustrate the progress of the case. They preferred to remain in custody than stand trial.

As the Lagos AG, it was not all about litigation for Prof Osinbajo, during his tenure as Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner; he introduced major reforms that surged the state’s judiciary to the current height that makes it a reference point in judicial efficiency in the country.
He established the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in 2003 to provide FREE legal advice and representation to indigent or disadvantaged citizens of the state in criminal and civil cases.

He also aided the establishment of the Citizens Mediation Centre (CMC) in Lagos to provide a non-adversarial forum for the mediation and settlement of a wide range of disputes between parties who, on invitation, voluntarily present themselves for mediation at the Centre.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s impact as Lagos State AG and Commissioner for Justice cannot be overemphasized; beyond the meek, amiable and unconventional politician you see is a legal giant and a profound intellectual.

Davash222:
Too much hype is not good for this man’s political career, at least not now. I know why I’m saying this. The cabal is real.

You have a point there, but a good brand can't be hidden.