GRPolitics
CJN: YCE, Ohanaeze, SMBL knock FG as court stops trial
By Oliseama Okwuchukwu
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday stopped the Federal Government’s arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on charges of non-declaration of assets.
But as the case was going on in Abuja, more groups including the Yoruba Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Southern and Middle Belt Forum and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, came hard on the Federal Government for planning to plunge the country into crisis with the CJN’s trial.
The groups stated this on Monday while commenting on the arraignment of Justice Onnoghen on charges of non-declaration of assets.
They said the way the matter was being handled could plunge the nation into anarchy, saying due process must be followed so that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would not be seen as being desperate to ease out the CJN.
However, ruling on two separate ex parte applications brought before her by different groups, Justice N.E. Maha, made an order restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, the CCT and its chairman, Danladi Umar; the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris; and others from taking steps in respect of the case till January 17.
Also restrained from taking steps concerning the court order were the National Judicial Council and the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
The judge ordered that the defendants be served with the processes filed by the defendants in the two suits.
She ordered the defendants to appear in court on January 17 for the hearing of the separate applications for interlocutory injunction to stop the prosecution from proceeding with the planned trial of the CJN.
She ruled in respect of the application filed by the incorporated trustees of the International Association of Student Economists and Management, on Monday, “It is hereby ordered as follows:
“That the defendants shall be served with all the processes filed in this suit and shall appear on January 17, 2019 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
“That in the meantime, parties shall maintain the status quo that exists as of today, January 14, 2019 and shall not take any steps that will interfere with the res or subject matter of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“That the matter is adjourned till January 17, 2019 for hearing.”
The Federal Government, had through the Code of Conduct Bureau, on Friday, January 11, filed six counts of non-declaration of assets against the CJN.
Justice Onnoghen was due for arraignment before the CCT on Monday but he was absent.
His absence, which his defence team led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), anchored on faulty service on court summons on him and their motion challenging the CCT’s jurisdiction, forced the tribunal to adjourn till January 22.
While the CCT proceedings were ongoing on Monday, the plaintiffs who obtained an order against the proceedings were filing their papers before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Shortly after the filing, the matters were assigned to Justice Maha who heard the plaintiffs at about the time the CCT was concluding its Monday’s proceedings.
One of the two suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2019 was filed before the judge by incorporated trustees of the Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative.
Those joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, the Chairman of CCT, Danladi Umar; the National Judicial Council, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
The other suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2019 was filed by the incorporated trustees of the International Association of Student Economists and Management.
The suit has as the defendants, the AGF Malami; the CCT, the CCB, the Chairman of CCT, Umar; and the Inspector-General of Police, Idris.
While the ex parte application in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2019 was moved by Mr. R.A. Lawal-Rabana (SAN), before Justice Maha on Monday, the one filed in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2019 was moved by Mr Jeph Njikonye.
The two plaintiffs have pending before the court their motions on notice seeking an interim injunction restraining the defendants in both suits from proceeding with the trial of the CJN pending the determination of their substantive suit.
By the Monday’s order of Justice Maha, the defendants are to appear before the court on Thursday to show cause why the order of interim injunction should not be granted.
The plaintiffs in both suits argued in their applications that the CJN, as a serving judicial officer, could not be prosecuted without first being disciplined by the NJC.
They argued that the CCT charges were null and void.
The affidavit filed in support of the application by the International Association of Student Economists and Management, read in part, “That the Honourable Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen is not subject to the criminal jurisdiction of the 2nd defendant (CCT) unless and until he has been subjected to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the National Judicial Council, which has not been done in this case.
“That in view of the foregoing, the 2nd defendant does not have any jurisdiction to try , arraign, charge or prosecute Honourable Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen in respect of Charge No CCT/ABJ/01/19.
“That subjecting a sitting judicial officer to the National Judicial Council is a condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction by the 2nd defendant.
That in view of the above, Charge Number CCT/ABJ//01/19 is null and void and ultra vires; the powers of the defendant and ought to be set aside by this honourable court.”
It added that the tribunal had on the basis of the reasons dismissed the charges against a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, in a ruling delivered on January 9, 2018 by applying the Court of Appeal in the case of Ngajiwa v. FRN
Similarly, the CJN has filed before the tribunal a motion challenging its jurisdiction and asking for an order “striking out and/or dismissing in its entirety, the charge” preferred against him.
Onnoghen, who filed the application through his battery of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said the tribunal should be bound by its ruling delivered on January 9, 2018, in Justice Ngwuta’s case in which it applied the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the case of Nganjiwa v. FRN.
He argued that the Court of Appeal in the Nganjiwa v FRN (2018) had ruled that “no criminal investigation or prosecution can be initiated or instituted in any court of law or tribunal against a serving judicial officer without first presenting such allegations to the National Judicial Council and a determination thereof by the National Judicial Council.”
He added, “Under the doctrine of stairs decisis, the decision of the Court of Appeal is binding on all courts and the tribunals in Nigeria, which are subordinate to the Court of Appeal, including and particularly, this honourable tribunal.
“In the unreported ruling of this honourable tribunal in Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, charge number CCT/ABJ/01/2017, delivered on January 9, 2018, this honourable tribunal applied the binding decision of the Court of Appeal in Nganjiwa v. FRN (supra) struck out the charge preferred against a judicial officer and discharged the said judicial officer accordingly.
“This honourable tribunal neither has the jurisdiction nor vires to countenance or entertain the charge preferred against the applicant by the respondent.”
Buhari prefers his kinsman as CJN -South, M’Belt leaders
Meanwhile, the SMBL has castigated the Federal Government over the criminal charges filed against Onnoghen.
The SMBLF spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, said the conspiracy against Onnoghen was to help Buhari replace him with a judicial officer from the North.
Odumakin said, “The petition filed within 72 hours received accelerated investigation and charges were filed against the CJN by a government which had not prosecuted Babachir Lawal, a government which did not try Maina or probe Governor Ganduje of Kano State.”
Yoruba elders, Ohanaeze knock FG
Also, the Secretary-General of YCE, Dr Kunle Olajide, in an interview with one of our correspondents in Lagos condemned the move to arraign Onnogehn without following the laid down procedures.
The YCE secretary said, “It is imperative that every effort must be made to preserve the sacredness and the sanctity of the judiciary because the judiciary, as it is often said, is the last hope of the common man.
“Moreover, our economy is still in the woods and we are seeking foreign investors. So, this is not the time, to deliberately or otherwise , do what can tarnish the image of our judiciary because foreign investors must have confidence in the judiciary before they come in.
“We will appeal to Mr President to act swiftly in this matter and perhaps revert to the status quo ante and then seek wider consultations from legal experts to know how to proceed if the CJN has been found to have breached the laws of the land.”
Also, the spokesperson for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Achi-Okpaga, condemned the way the petition against the CJN was handled, adding, “We are not saying they should not prosecute anybody who has stolen but there are laid down procedures to be followed. Let them follow due process in this matter.
“I agree that the President is not a lawyer but the attorney general who is a senior lawyer should be de-robed for this. They should not plunge the nation into anarchy because this is election period. People are saying they want to change the CJN by all means and put their person in charge so their man, who would be in charge would use his position to discard any petition against his benefactors.”
Source: Punch
GRPolitics
2027: Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah Over Massive Projects in the Zone
…say senatorial district highest beneficiary of Mbah’s projects, reports Ikenna Oluka
Leaders of Enugu North Senatorial District, otherwise known as Nsukka Zone, have endorsed the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to continue in office beyond 2027, saying the governor has transformed the zone in less than two years of his administration.
The Nsukka leaders who convened at the Adada House, Nsukka, on Thursday, under the aegis of Enugu State Coalition for Progress, Enugu North Senatorial Zone Branch, comprised a cross section of socio-cultural groups, the academia, representatives of Traditional Rulers, captains of industry, businessmen and women, politicians, market men and women, farmers association, labour leaders, among other leaders drawn from the 6 council areas of the zone, expressed their unwavering support for the Mbah administration.
In an interactive session by a panel of discussants from the groups which was followed by a communique issued at the end of the discussion and signed by no fewer than 700 signatories including the former deputy governor, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Senator Chuka Utazi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the deputy speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, Dr. Dan Shere, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Gen. Godwin Ugwuoke (rtd), Dr. Mike Ajogwu SAN, Chief Maxwell Ukuta, Prof Osita Ogbu, and Igwe Dr H.N Ukuta, they cited the litany of monumental infrastructural developments of the governor across the state, particularly in Nsukka Zone, as the reasons behind their endorsement.
In a resolution and vote of gratitude, the coalition commended the governor’s outstanding leadership and stellar performance since assuming office in May 2023, saying the only candidate the zone would support in 2027 is Governor Mbah.
They insisted that supporting Mbah to do 8 years in office was in the best interest of Nsukka people as his re-election would enable him finish the landmark projects initiated by his administration in the zone which were already opening Nsukka for economic development.
The coalition further praised the governor for providing peace and security in Enugu State, making it an attractive destination for investment, business, and tourism in Nigeria.
“In particular, we note with satisfaction, that the setting up of the Enugu State Command and Control Center by His Excellency at the Government House for tracking criminal activities across the state has become a model for other states of the federation. We applaud His Excellency’s holistic development agenda for Enugu State anchored on his disruptive innovation philosophy as a catalyst for positive change,” the communique read in part.
While underscoring that the senatorial district has 102 electoral wards constituting 39.2 percent of the 260 electoral wards in the state, the elated Nsukka leaders said with 102 Smart Green Schools and 102 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the six councils, the zone has become the highest beneficiary of Mbah’s stellar performance.
On the ongoing dualization of Enugu-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, the coalition described it as a critical infrastructure aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activities, adding that the reconstruction of the 44.8 km Ama Ngwo-Eke-Oghe-Iwollo-Umulokpa road and the new 40 km Owo-Ama Nkanu-Ubahu-Mbu-Neke dual carriageway would open up a new traffic and economic corridor to the senatorial zone.
It also noted that Mbah’s administration has transformed Enugu State from a civil service state to a fast-emerging industrial hub, with an unimaginable annual internally generated revenue of over N600 billion by the end of 2025. “The governor’s commitment to progress is evident in the rapid pace of development and transformation across various sectors, including roads, bridges, healthcare, security, tourism, entertainment, industries, and educational institutions.”
Throwing their weight behind the governor, Chief Ukuta said the people of the zone would not only queue behind him in the next polls, they also owed the governor apology for the herd mentality that almost led to the voting of wrong candidates.
Expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership ability, Senator Utazi said as an APC card-carrying member, he was at the meeting to particularly appreciate the good work of the governor, stressing that he deserved the unwavering support of the entire zone.
“I am a card-carrying member of APC starting from my ward in Nkpologu all the way to Abuja. I want to say that this gathering is not for PDP. It’s a gathering for every well-meaning Nsukka indigene who is appreciative of the good job the governor of Enugu State is doing in Enugu State and especially in Enugu North senatorial district. In fact, when I came back to Enugu, starting from the airport, I saw nylon roads, the type only seen in Abuja. When I visited the governor recently to discuss the police station I built there as a senator, the governor was immediately working to operationalize it, and is additionally working on the road from 9th Mile to Umulokpa. He also told me severally the things he was doing in Nsukka zone and all of them are what people can see on ground. Let’s support him to continue with his job. I want to say frankly that Nsukka people are happy with him,” the senator added.
Adding his voice, Dr. Ajogwu said the coalition had already spoken the minds of Nsukka people which was to support the governor for another term.
On his part, Hon. Ezeani, who led lawmakers from the zone, said the governor would continue to enjoy cordial relationship with the House of Assembly to ensure the continuation of the good governance in the state.
He described the Mbah administration as business unusual where new projects were springing up daily with many already completed across the state, adding that they had already declared unalloyed support and endorsement for his candidacy beyond 2027.
Lending his voice, Dr Shere lauded the governor for the transport infrastructure project which has the Nsukka Central Terminal Station, the Holy Ghost utra-modern terminal stations, Abakpa and Gariki stations in addition with the recently delivered CNG buses ordered by state government.
“You don’t need to be told that in Nsukka, we are all adopting governor Peter Mbah to complete the job he has started here. Nsukka is now looking beautiful because of what he’s contributing to our economy, infrastructure, education and transport sectors. Look at the Enugu Air, it’s a game changing moment for the state. The investment prospects will impact all the nooks and crannies of the state. Again, the International Conference Centre, the ongoing 5 star hotel, the Hotel Presidential and the 300-bed international hospital in the state will make Enugu the hub of medical tourism where robotic surgery will be conducted and thousands of jobs created,” he said.
Moving a motion for endorsement of the governor for 2027, Chief Itanyi insisted that the ongoing 43.7 km dualisation of the Penoks-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road was the single most costly project in the state. The motion was unanimously affirmed by voice votes by the members coalition who filled the hall.
GRPolitics
Breaking: ‘Welcome home,’ Gov Mbah Receives Edeoga Back to PDP
…‘You’re Enugu people’s choice,’ Edeoga tells governor
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday, welcomed the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 governorship election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, back into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fold, commending the ex-opposition flagbearer for demonstrating that politics is not a do-or-die affair.
Mbah said that Edeoga’s return to the PDP was in line with the party’s principle of reconciliation and making the people, not personal ambition, the focus of governance, urging him and his supporters to feel very much at home.
This was even as the former gubernatorial candidate endorsed Mbah as the popular choice of the people of Enugu State, stressing that he had fully aligned with that choice.
Receiving Edoega in his office, in the company of party leaders led by the state party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, Mbah said, “Welcome back home. The symbolism of your action is a mark of the enduring bond that runs in our party. I am indeed very delighted to have you back to rejoin your family.
“What we are witnessing today is a result of fence-mending consistent with the philosophy of our party – the imperatives of reconciliation.
“It is also a demonstration on your part that politics is not a do-or-die affair; that what we are currently doing in Enugu State appeals to you and you believe that it is working for the interest of the people and you have taken that decision to say, ‘Look, let us join hands together and serve our people.’
“I commend you greatly for making such a courageous bold step. The lesson for us is quite profound, as it shows that the common denominator even when we express our aspirations on different political platforms, is all about the people and making them the centerpiece of our ambitions.
“So, we will embrace you with our arms wide open. You are going to be treated as a member of PDP, which we know you are indeed. We look forward to working with you in the service of our people.”
Edeoga, on his part, commended Governor Mbah for making his return possible, describing it as a paradigm shift from politics of animosity and winner takes all to politics of empathy and people-centred development.
“I thank Your Excellency for overseeing the process that has culminated in my return to the PDP and my visit to your office. It is easy to downplay what has happened. But something like this has not happened in the annals of politics in Enugu State. I commend your wisdom, I commend your empathy, I commend your mental sagacity.
“What has happened here today will effect a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It will no longer be winner takes all or politics being seen as a hostile or brutal activity. It has restored politics as just a contest of ideas and visions. These contesting visions were thrown open to the public and the people of Enugu State have made their choice, which I completely align myself with.
“Politics should be played without bitterness; it should be played without animosity and as much humanely as possible. Once the victor has emerged, the next thing is governance. The governance is ongoing and it is going very well. When it is time for politics, people are free to pursue their dreams. For now, it is time for governance.
“Anyone, who feels annoyed or deeply angered that Edeoga has taken this step of faith, I believe with time, they will align with the superior wisdom of those who are their leaders. Leadership comes with responsibilities and one of these responsibilities is to take a step of faith.
“Again, thank you for making my return to the PDP possible. I recommit myself to the ideals of PDP. As much as possible, I will work to ensure that PDP becomes victorious going forward,” he said.
GRPolitics
Minister Commends Guards Brigade for Exceptional Service in Securing the Seat of Government
The Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has expressed profound appreciation for the unwavering commitment and exemplary efforts of the Commander, officers, and personnel of the Guards Brigade in safeguarding the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
In his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2024 West African Social Activity (WASA 2024) held in Abuja, the Minister stated, “Your loyalty, sacrifice, and dedication in executing your Presidential security duties, coordinating ceremonial parades, and managing operational challenges are commendable. Your proactive approach in addressing security threats has ensured the safety of the Presidency as well as that of citizens, visitors, and diplomats alike. I urge you to continue embodying compassion and empathy in your operations, striving for excellence in all your responsibilities.”
The Minister highlighted that the WASA event serves as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, as showcased by the personnel and families of the Guards Brigade. “The traditional dances and local delicacies on display tonight not only enhance our appreciation of our diverse cultures but also play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage and distinct identity,” he added.
In conclusion, the Minister called upon the Guards Brigade to uphold the trust placed in them by consistently meeting the challenges of their duties and ensuring that the flag of the Nigerian Armed Forces continues to fly high.
Earlier, Major General Adebisi Onosayan, Commander of the Guards Brigade, delivered a welcome address expressing gratitude to the President for his unwavering support of the Brigade’s operations, training, and welfare. “Thank you, Your Excellency. I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for their relentless guidance and support. We pledge our unwavering loyalty and readiness to contribute effectively to the security of lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory and its surroundings,” he emphasized.
General Onosayan further noted that the 2024 WASA highlights the social diversity, cultural identity, values, beliefs, and rich heritage of the Nigerian people, resonating with the ethos of the Nigerian Army. “This event provides an opportunity to showcase various cultural dances, traditional cuisines, languages, attire, and ethnic groups of our great nation in a relaxed atmosphere,” he stated, adding that today’s event marks the Brigade’s Grand Finale.
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