₦airaland Forum

gidgiddy:
Restructuring is not possible in Nigeria, the North will never allow it

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, dismissed the suit seeking to challenge former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to vie for the office of the president.

Delivering judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo, dismissed the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff that instituted the case lacked the locus standi (legal right) to do so.

Justice Ekwo described the plaintiff as a “busy body and meddlesome interloper.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a group, Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/177/2019 had sued Atiku, the People’s Democratic Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.

The EMA challenged Atiku’s eligibility to contest for the presidency on the grounds that he was not a Nigerian citizen by birth.

The group asked the court to hold, among others, that considering the provisions of Sections 25(1) &(2) and 131(a) of the constitution and the circumstances surrounding the former vice president’s birth, he cannot contest for the top office.

NAN also reports that the Adamawa State Government, through its Attorney-General (AG), had on July 27, 2021, sought an order of the court to be joined in the suit.



The court, in the motion dated April 26 and filed June 24, granted the prayer of the AG of Adamawa to be joined in the case as the 5th defendant.

The Adamawa government had told the court that Atiku was eligible to vie for the office of the president.

It said Atiku, against whom the suit was primarily directed, is a citizen of Nigeria from Adamawa who had been elected as a governor of the state in 1999 and served as the vice president of the country between 1999 to 2007.

It stated that the suit threatened the right of not just the ex-vice president to contest the office of the president “but that of the citizens of Nigeria, of Adamawa origin covering 12 out of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state.”

Since the report of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari’s alleged involvement in a drug ring hit the airwaves on Monday, the question of whether he will be extradited to the United States of America to face justice for pending infractions has also resurfaced. About nine months ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation had declared Kyari wanted over his association with internet fraudster Ramon Abbass (aka Hushpuppi). Kyari was alleged to have (ab)used the instruments of the state entrusted to him by privately punishing Hushpuppi’s criminal associates. Kyari was suspended from duty and is being investigated by a panel set up by the Inspector General of Police. Up till last month, these issues were still pending.

As if those troubles were not enough, he has now been arrested for his activities in an international drug cartel.

If being caught red-handed is personified, it will be the sting operation that nailed Kyari to the cross of his own indiscretions. For a man on suspension to confidently negotiate a bribe for a drug ring shows both hubris and overconfidence in his limited abilities. Meanwhile, given that much of the case the FBI used to nail Kyari was extracted from his WhatsApp conversations with Hushpuppi, it is almost funny that he still used the same medium to communicate with the NDLEA officer that got him apprehended. For a supposed supercop, Kyari seems persistently incapable of introspection.

All the while his pending case with the FBI steamed, the spectre of his extradition loomed over him like a vindictive ghost. With his latest arrest, the question of whether he would be extradited has become even more topical.


It does not help that some cynics think the drug offence came up to create justifiable legal and administrative snafus that will ultimately prevent him from being sent to the USA. These pessimists reasoned that if he is retained within Nigeria, his case would quietly go away like another of the one million corruption allegations in the country. It is hard to blame these conspiracists for such conjectures. Living in a country like Nigeria forces you to be cynical, otherwise, you will end up the dupe of an intricately spun web of systematic corruption.

Underlying the desire to see Kyari parcelled out to the US to be tried is the lack—and the loss—of faith in Nigeria’s judicial systems. We have repeatedly seen instances whereby Nigerians ignore their local courts that have jurisdiction over issues and sue for justice in western countries. Those who want Kyari shipped out to the USA are doing the same and they are not merely being vengeful. They just believe that the US justice system will neutrally adjudicate as it is supposedly untainted by the factors of identity politics that overdetermined virtually every matter in Nigeria. They reasoned—and quite rightly too—that if Kyari were run through the Nigerian justice system, his trial would be a sham. He would further benefit from the institutionalised nepotism that promoted a mediocre cop like him into a national star in the first place. To them, justice is only attainable in the US courts where officials, unsullied by the politics of religion and ethnicity that bedevils Nigeria, would dispassionately administer justice.

While the assumption of the objectivity of the US court is not unfounded, pushing out Kyari to be tried through the US’s legal system is not the height of justice as those who insist he be handed over to the FBI construe. Whatever he took from Americans, or any other world nationals, through his growing list of alleged crimes, Kyari did far worse to his own country’s people. Yes, Nigerians have been far more wounded by Kyari’s abuse of institutional power and breach of public trust than anyone else.



We must recall that long before the FBI apprehended him in connection to Hushpuppi, Kyari had been serially accused of instances of power abuse ranging from extortion to inordinate arrests. He had outstanding petitions against him, and they had never been properly addressed. The preponderance of his debts to the society is thus owed to Nigerians and its settlement to them deserves to be prioritised. His trial is a moral resolution we cannot afford to outsource to another nation regardless of the viability of their legal system. Yes, the sight of Kyari in handcuffs and being shepherded into an aeroplane will be gratifying (and maybe even cathartic). However, that is not what will constitute “justice” in this case.

First, extraditing someone is not as simple as procuring their plane ticket. It typically entails a legal process that could get protracted and exhausting. An overfocus on sending a rogue police officer out of the country could also detract from the necessary moral reckonings Nigeria needs to urgently confront. Second, a zealous insistence on extradition might ultimately provide a leeway for the institutions that Kyari represented to reduce the issues at stake to one man’s malfeasance. Rather than tackle a dense network of corrupt bureaucrats and inter-agency scoundrels, they will package him as a scapegoat and deliver him to those who will take the mess off their hands.

It might be hard for some to believe, but it is easy enough for Kyari’s superiors to throw him to the wolves and be rid of the bad publicity he now personifies. It does not take that much to send off a single officer anywhere. They will even accompany him with grand speeches about how the system they run does not tolerate corruption and unhesitatingly deals with erring officers. The real challenge is whether the country’s security agencies are willing to challenge themselves to a thorough house cleaning. Justice, in this instance, will not be served by pretending that this is one rotten apple that fell off the tree and should be hauled out. It is about facing the fact that the entire vineyard suffers an infestation of worms.

You only need to look at how Kyari landed in his latest travails to see a system run by ethically soiled officers. From the NDLEA’s account of the sting operation that landed Kyari into soup, we saw how the man still confidently worked the beats from where he had been suspended. He still accessed the institutional resources that allowed him to interfere with the operations of government agencies. Also, the degree of confidence that pushed him to negotiate a bribe while being investigated could not have been a merely misplaced one. His impunity must have come from a certainty that his back was covered by people within the system who, due to their own involvement in the architecture of corruption, would hold him up even if he was exposed.

This man has escaped various oversight mechanisms all these years despite the petitions some people had written against him. Why else would the system have allowed him to get away with so many accusations of infractions over the years if not because he has powerful backers in high places? For Kyari to have boldly approached an NDLEA officer and vomited a scheme without first ascertaining if that one would be on board or not speaks to a larger culture of corruption that permeates those law enforcement agencies. His proposition to the NDLEA officer, who exposed him, could not have been a one-off event. These are rehearsed habits of corruption in official garb. Scratch off the surface of that man’s actions and you will find layers of systemic rot and institutionalised abuse of power.

Kyari’s messy scandals culminate the years of corruption in public agencies. Considering the extended network of corruption across government agencies, it now makes sense why they promoted him into a superstar. As long as he accumulated accolades, he was their useful tool to deflect justice and ethical reckonings. Now that his bag of sins is overflowing, he should also be that focal point for redressing all the injustices he perpetrated against Nigerians but overlooked over the years. When he has properly accounted for what he owes us, they can ship him elsewhere to answer for his other crimes too.

TORTUOUS from the onset, the long-running scandals involving a disgraced senior police officer, Abba Kyari, just got messier. From being indicted in 2021 for aiding the fraudster, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, he has allegedly been caught red-handed and neck-deep in international drug trafficking by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and is finally in their custody. The sordid affair is still unfolding before a shocked global audience. Without question, Nigeria’s global reputation on corruption, misgovernance and fragile institutions has suffered further battering.

Worse may be on the way. From the President, Major-General Buhari (retd.), who (as usual) failed to act swiftly and decisively when Kyari was first fingered in a fraud deal by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, down to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, who has been ambiguous in punishing the tarnished police officer, and the official delay to facilitate his extradition as demanded by the US government, the country has been ill-served. The lack of synergy among critical agencies prevalent in the regime is also playing out. Some NDLEA operatives too will not escape exposure.

From this scandal, Buhari should take sweeping, decisive action, including sacking complicit senior officials, overhauling the police and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, as well as taking charge of, and coordinating the anti-corruption and anti-drug trafficking wars. Nothing less will suffice to salvage the havoc done to the country’s image.

The drama came into public glare on Monday when the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, addressed a news conference in Abuja, where he dropped the bombshell that Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police, had been ensnared in a sting operation while aiding and abetting drug trafficking. Kyari had allegedly sought to bribe NDLEA operatives, tamper with exhibits, and facilitate collusion with drug traffickers, he said. Babafemi declared, “With the intelligence at our disposal, the agency believes strongly that DCP Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline…” This is damning. He presented video evidence that appeared to show Kyari making illegal deals with an NDLEA agent and handing over $61,400 as bribe to pervert justice.

Consequently, the NDLEA declared Kyari, who headed the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team before his suspension, wanted. Shortly afterwards, the Nigeria Police HQ issued a statement, saying Baba had ordered an investigation into the matter. Crucially, it said the Force had arrested Kyari and four other officers and handed them over to the NDLEA.

Regardless of how the case ends, the entire Kyari saga exposes how deep corruption, impunity, incompetence, and criminality have corroded institutions and governance in Nigeria. True, under the law, Kyari and other suspects are presumed innocent until otherwise pronounced by the courts, but his case smears mud on the regime, the police, and the system.

Many questions beg for answers, including the conduct of key officials. Start with the IG: when in July last year, a US court indicted Kyari in the $1.1 million scam perpetrated by Abbas and ordered his arrest, based on which the US eventually requested Kyari’s extradition to face trial, Baba suspended the erstwhile “super cop.” As a Lagos-based civil rights lawyer, Femi Falana, observed; “That a serving police officer who is suspended, would also (be able to) mobilise police personnel to go and perpetrate drug trafficking shows that the system has collapsed.”



Baba must explain how Kyari was able to conduct operations and mobilise police officers he called “my boys” while ostensibly on suspension, especially as another officer had been appointed to run the unit. Besides, Baba needs to explain why it took him four days after the NDLEA formally requested it and the viral public exposure by the NDLEA to arrest and hand Kyari and his accomplices over to the drug law agency. Buhari should order an inquiry that will among others, uncover the veracity or otherwise of attempts to shield, cover up and exonerate Kyari, who recently turned up as a guest at the wedding of Baba’s son in Maiduguri, Borno State, from the Hushpuppi extradition affair.

Nigerians will recall that Baba has been having a running battle over Kyari with the Police Service Commission. While the IG’s initial report on the Abbas case was deemed to be mild on the disgraced officer, the PSC has insisted that the officer has a strong case to answer and should be so treated. Its insistence on a new investigating panel after it rejected the tepid result of the one set up by the IG has not been acted upon. Elsewhere, there is zero tolerance for corrupt law enforcement officers. In February 2020, a South Texas, US, police officer, Hector Beltran, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for drug trafficking. Similarly, in May 2021, a corrupt Scotland Yard, United Kingdom, officer, Kashif Mahmood, was jailed eight years for involvement with a drugs gang from whom he also stole £850,000. China executes such offenders.

An independent inquiry enquiry should thoroughly examine the role of the Office of the AGF. Though Malami has always declared that the Federal Government is cooperating with the US government over the extradition request, some civil rights groups have alleged delaying tactics in bringing Kyari to trial by his office.

That is not all. The police also alleged collusion with traffickers by NDLEA operatives, citing investigations and confessions by detained suspects. This is certainly plausible. The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Mohammed Marwa, should first order a thorough internal investigation to smoke out complicit officers. Buhari’s investigation should also encompass the agency. The police allegations should not be swept under the carpet.

Buhari should wake up to the reality of his regime in near-chaos. Agencies and officials go rogue, often working at cross-purposes. Lacking effective coordination, and with the President perpetually aloof and inattentive, anti-corruption and security agencies often operate as they like.

In this case, corruption is also on display; so is impunity. He must rein in both. He should set up a strong inquiry, shake up the police and order extensive reforms. All those who colluded with or shielded Kyari should be uncovered, flushed out of the service, and prosecuted. The process must be transparent enough to dismiss conspiracy theories of a ploy to prevent Kyari’s extradition. All processes, including investigation, trial and extradition, should be expedited and long-lasting reforms undertaken.

Besk:
The fact that you can neither write English words properly nor even compose simple sentences that a 5 year old can write, is enough reason to know that you’re a product of your failed leaders where you come from, the mkpuru mirin that you’re addicted to and the fact that disgrace has always resided in your family.

My advice to you before you disgrace your family further is please go to a nursery school in your village and beg them to teach you how to write English sentences and then help you get some sense into your little idiotic skull. Apoda ni e.

Bigchristo:
The insecurity issues is not being addressed, all their focus is campaigning for next election, those who see suffering and smiling as their birth rights will still go out and vote for them n we all suffer till another 4yrs

Selfmotivated:
The shit is getting nastier every day, what a country

DrGoodman:
And yahaya bello is going for presidency

Nigeria is rotten.

One person have been killed while 10 others were abducted by gunmen who invaded a Train- Stop Point in Ajaokuta, Kogi State on Monday.

The incident was said to have occurred around 2 pm. The gunmen who were said to have been kitted with firearms opened fire on a man simply identified as Dennis and killed him instantly.


It was gathered that late Dennis was on his way to pick his boss from work before he met his untimely death.

Thereafter, the gunmen whisked away to unknown destination the abducted victims, the majority of whom were residents of the Ajaokuta village and were waiting for the train to arrive at the Stop Point.



A source in the village said the kidnappers have contacted one of their victims’ families and demanded an N20 million ransom.

A resident of Ajaokuta community, Dele Ajala said, “The latest kidnap has plunged some of the victim’s family into sorrow. This just goes to show how insecure the country is. There is a need to reinforce the state with adequate police officers to counter this kind of issue. Robbery, kidnapping has now become legal businesses in the country.



“It is appalling to see people fall victim to kidnapping on daily basis. This shows that the people cannot trust their government to secure them anymore”.

When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Ovye Aya, said the command is yet to be briefed about the incident, however promised to reach out to our correspondent as soon as he gets information about the incident.

aminulive:
POLITICSNIGERIA.COM



https://politicsnigeria.com/ndlea-bust-police-faces-scrutiny-over-abba-kyaris-defiance-of-psc-suspension/

Besk:
You mean not everyone is as stupid as you’ve represented your entire family to be on Nairaland, where most people mock you and consider you a basket case?

The unfortunate thing is that you have lost all sense of shame and it is a pity if you still have parents because you’ve become a shame to them and their name.

Kwanza:
https://tribuneonlineng.com/inflation-rate-declines-slightly-to-15-60/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter
Lalasticlala
Mynd44

Besk:
Stupid IPOBians displaying their lack of civility again.

Lanrelagboi:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159594998676013&id=735776012

Nonpartisan1:
See for yourself!


cc: lalasticlala Mynd44 Johnnyessence


https://insideosun.com.ng/forabetterosun-i-am-confident-of-victory-in-apc-primary-says-oyetola/

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/insurers-pay-n11bn-claims-on-endsars/