A prince of Zazzau Emirate in Kaduna State, Bashari Aminu, has gone to court to challenge the appointment of Ahmed Bamalli as the new emir of Zazzau.

Mr Bamalli, erstwhile Nigerian ambassador to Thailand, was announced as the new emir by the Kaduna State Government on Wednesday.

The suit was filed at the Kaduna State High Court.

Mr Bamalli’s appointment followed the death of Shehu Idris who died on September 20, after reigning as emir for 45 years.

Mr Aminu, who holds the title of Iyan Zazzau, was ranked first in an initial shortlist submitted to Governor Nasir El-Rufai by the five kingmakers of the emirate.

The state government, however, discarded the kingmakers’ report, citing allegations of inducement by one of the contenders.

The government later announced the appointment of Mr Bamalli, following a fresh selection process among 13 princes, ordered by the state government.

Court documents seen show that Mr Aminu sued Mr El-Rufai and nine others in the suit seeking to quash Mr Bamalli’s appointment.

The court filings signed by Yunus Usman, a senior advocate of Nigeria, seeks 10 reliefs from the court.

Aside Messrs El-Rufai and Bamalli, Mr Aminu also joined the Kaduna State Attorney General, Kaduna Council of Chiefs, Zazzau Emirate Council and the five kingmakers as parties to the suit.

The prayers

Mr Aminu prayed the court to validate the selection process of the Zazzau kingmakers which placed him ahead of two other princes and excluded Mr Bamalli from the shortlist.

He argues that the appointment of Mr Bamalli contravened Chiefs (Appointment and Depositions) Law Cap 21 of 1991.

Mr Aminu wants the court to declare the appointment as “irregular, illegal, unconstitutional, unjust inequitable and contrary to good conscience, null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

He also asked the court to declare that he was “duly and properly selected/elected and appointed as the Emir of Zazzau (Zaria) by the traditional kingmakers of Zazzau in accordance with Zazzau Native Law, Custom and Tradition.”

He also wants the court to bar Mr Bamalli from declaring himself as the emir of Zazzau and to stop the state government from proceeding with Mr Bamalli’s coronation as the Zazzau emir.

Mr El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, could not be reached for comment on this story and whether or not the governor had been served the court papers.

The federal government and the organised labour last night resolved to extend the suspension of the new electricity tariffs by one week to enable the technical committee on its review to work out modalities for the implementation of the agreement reached on the electricity tariffs structure as well as address some grey areas of the report.

This was part of the decisions reached at the meeting between the federal government and organised labour at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Momoh who confirmed the extension of the suspension of new tariffs regime at the Tripartite Committee meeting by the organised labour, the government and relevant stakeholders, said NERC was committed to ensure that the power sector works no matter what it would take.

As part of palliatives in the power sector, the federal government said it had approved six million meters to be distributed across the country.

The Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba said one million meters were already available and that distributions would start within the week.

He disclosed that the distribution would be completed before December.

The resolution read by the Chairman of the Technical Committee and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo, said, “the committee adopted a two-phase approach to proffer solutions that would help resolve issues affecting the sector in the medium term, whilst providing relief to customers immediately.

“The immediate relief would be provided to citizens for a 2 to 3-month period (not later than December 31, 2020), being the timeline for the conclusion of an extended scope of work for the Technical Committee”.

Some of the issues to address include timeline for the distribution of the six million electricity meters being pledged by government as part of the palliative deal.

In the report of the committee, federal government accepted to procure six million meters to be distributed by the Discos to electricity consumers without metres.

It said: “six million meters will only be through local meter manufacturers and assemblers and will be targeted at creating local jobs and a new meter manufacturing sub-sector in the country”.

The report also provided for salary protection for electricity workers.

It said that government will ensure that the salaries for electricity workers are protected in the revised payment waterfall structure.

The report further states that: “Mandatory monthly publication by Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of allowed billings in Naira for unmetered customers to make the capping regulation more effective.

“NERC will publish maximum charges in Naira for consumers without meters (in support of the capping regulation); freezing of customer band migration during the interim period: In order to protect customers from changes in tariff during the 2-3 month period of review by the Joint Technical Committee”.

The report said that Discos will be directed to temporarily suspend customer band migration.

“This means that while Discos are expected to fulfill their Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) thereby improving the quality of service to customers, no added charges will be passed on to customers during this period. This measure is aimed at building confidence in the Service-based Tariff structure”.

Other aspects of the technical committee’s report include, the inclusion of labour representation in NERC, extensive review of key sector reforms, ground Audit of implementation across Discos, review of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms set up by NERC and the Discos.

Others are gas pricing: review mechanisms for pricing the domestic supply obligation (DSO) and the foreign exchange component(s), decentralisation of the grid.

The government is to explore ways to accelerate investment and bring more players into the sector, drive investment and reduce costs for end-users. Options should be in addition to the Franchising and Mini-Grid regulations.

On the issue of import duty waivers for the electricity sector, the committee was mandated to investigate and recommend ways for the electricity sector to receive incentives that will reduce costs across the value chain that will impact on tariff.

Organised labour led by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba and Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Quadri Olaleye demanded an inclusion of timelines for the implementation of the report.

They insisted that there should be a time line for the distribution of the six million metres promised by the federal government..

Olaleye sought to know what federal government will do with the N1.7 billion it said will be saved daily from the removal of subsidy on electricity tariff.

But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige interjected and said that federal government is currently experiencing economic difficulties and would rather plough the savings to fund the deficit budget.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has denied making any statement that Rivers state can also manage its oil like the case of the gold in Zamfara.

A statement by Paulinus Nsirim, the Commissioner for Information reads ” The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a completely false and misleading story circulating in the Social Media, that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State made some remarks in connection with a report that the Central Bank of Nigeria will purchase N 5billion worth of Gold from the Zamfara State Government”.

“The purveyors of this barefaced fallacy suggested in their warped story, that Governor Wike was unhappy with the decision of the CBN to buy Gold from Zamfara State” .

“They claimed that Governor Wike who lamented that the same privileged attention has not been given to the oil from Rivers State, demanded that Gold should be made a national cake, adding that he too would proceed to own a gold well in Zamfara State”.

Let us state here categorically that Governor Wike never made such a statement. Infact, we note with a sense of relief, that no major, mainstream News media or Press Organization, either print, electronic or online, attached to Government House, Port Harcourt, carried this concocted story.

So it is a wonder where the mushroom, less than credible social media outlets got the comments, which they claimed Governor Wike made “while addressing the Press.”

It has indeed become the ugly penchant in recent times, of some cynical and dubious detractors, to drop or insert Governor Wike’s name in their calculated crusade to ignite unprovoked conflict with the hidden ploy to disrupt the recently emerging warm cordiality which has defined the relationship between him and some leaders across geopolitical divides in the country.

These naysayers have also commenced a devious gambit to insidiously tarnish the overwhelming goodwill which the burgeoning image and reputation of Governor Wike has been enjoying across the country and this latest story is simply the latest installment of their failed efforts.

Those familiar with Governor Wike will know that he does not need to resort to such churlish and petty grandstanding portrayed in the silly story, to speak up on any matter whatsoever.

The write up is thus just another figment of the convoluted imagination of its authors. They goofed big time on this one.

Nigerians are therefore advised to completely disregard the story, especially now that the Federal Government, the CBN and the Zamfara State Government have all come out to speak clearly on the matter and set the records straight.

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said opposition to the Water Resources Bill by people from the South-South and Middle Belt would not stop the Federal Government from going ahead with the new law.

The minister, who said opposition to the new water Bill was unwarranted explained that those from the two zones would be the greatest beneficiaries if passed by the National Assembly.

Adamu, who addressed newsmen, in Abuja, yesterday, brushed aside insinuations that the Bill was being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him snatch people’s lands, institutionalise Ruga and northernise the country.

He argued that over 95 per cent content of the Bill was already in existence before the advent of the Buhari’s administration as it was first drafted in 2006 and completed in 2008.

He pointed out that before it was sent to the National Assembly, copies were distributed to the 36 governors for inputs and some gave recommendations while the rest were satisfied with it.

On the revenue that would be generated, he said the funds would be shared between the federal and state governments.

“Being a constitutional ministry, the bill is something that has been in the works for several years especially eight years. We thought it was a routine matter to adjust it.

“This bill past through the House of Representatives without any issue. So, when it came out with all the cacophony, it really took us by surprise.

“People have forgotten that in 2018 when this controversy started, I went to the TV and stations, I put out statements on this matter. And in 2020 this same issue came up again.

“The process of drafting this Bill started in 2006. And it was completed in 2008. And because Nigeria has subscribed to the Integrated Water Resources Management Commission Act which was created in 2017, it delegated the power of the minister drawn from the Water Resources Act of 2004 otherwise known as Decreed 101 of 1990.

“There is nothing new in the Bill. It is just an agglomeration of the 4 existing laws. Nothing more. The bill is to assist us move the water sector forward.

“If people are saying that we should throw the Bill, there is nothing to throw away because the bill is existing whether you pass it now or you don’t pass it, the rules are there.

“We will continue to implement them. But we are losing two important things. We will not have the opportunity to improve food security,” the minister said.

He claimed that those thwarting the passage of the Bill “have not read it. They are politicising it based on what they have heard.”

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has charged the Legal Aid Council to ensure equal access to justice for all irrespective of means and that Constitutional rights of citizens are respected, protected and defended.

A statement from Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said Malami made the call in Kano on Monday while declaring open a two-day Legal Aid Governing Board Retreat with the theme “The Role of the Governing Board in the Corporate Governance: Providing Strategic Direction towards Achieving the Mandate of the Legal Aid Council”.

Malami who charged Board Members of the Council to keep themselves abreast with the extant laws said the policies of the Council must retain the force of facilitating its core objectives which includes the provision of pro-bono legal services to indigent, economically deficient and less privileged Nigerians.

He said the services of Legal Aid Council are geared towards reducing, to the barest minimum, incidents of Human Rights abuses perpetrated against nation’s citizens.

“The Board’s policies must assist the Council to remain the leading and pro-active provider of free, qualitative and timely legal aid services in Nigeria, ensuring social justice and the emancipation of the oppressed, reprieve to the weak and vulnerable, thereby giving voice to the voiceless,” he said.

According to Malami such steps would enable the Board to bear allegiance to the motto of the Council: “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” while maintaining the Council’s Mission mantra: “To ensure free, effective and efficient legal aid services to indigents in Nigeria.”

The Minister assured the Council of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Justice in supporting activities of the Council aimed at providing strategic direction in achieving its mandates, adding that his Office in conjunction with the Management of the Legal Aid Council have duly concluded all the requisite legal arrangements for the launch of the “ACCESS TO JUSTICE FUND”, a Fund duly provided for under the Legal Aid Act, 2011, which is a unique national fund aimed to raise funds for the assistance of legal aid works in Nigeria.

The Minister who expressed appreciation over the cordial working relationship between the Council and the Federal Ministry of Justice being the Supervisory Ministry of the Council, cited Paragraphs 1 (iii) and (iv) of the Federal Government Circular Ref No. SGF/OP/1/S.3/T.1/142 dated 2nd August, 1999 which provides that “the Ministry is not to take over the running of the Parastatals/Government-owned Companies under them by getting involved in their day to day management, and that Ministers are not expected to serve as Chairmen of Boards of Parastatals and Government-owned Companies under their Ministries”.

He also commended the Council for releasing thirty-one (31) of its Law Officers for the terrorism trail of Boko-Haram members which, he said provided the requisite legal defence in the trial. (thenigerialawyer)

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s candidate for the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is currently holding a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock.

The former minister of finance was announced as one of the two final candidates in the WTO election alongside Yoo Myung-hee, the South Korean candidate.

She was accompanied to the villa by Niyi Adebayo, the minister of industry, trade and investment, Zubair Dada, the minister of state for foreign affairs, and Maryam Katagum, the minister of state for industry, trade and investment.

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, served as her country’s first female finance and foreign minister, and has a 25-year career behind her as a development economist at the World Bank, eventually becoming its number two.

She is also on Twitter’s board of directors and is a special envoy for the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 fight.

Human Rights Group, Access to Justice has stated that the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is not enough to confront the impunity and entrenched lawlessness, calling for more urgent reforms to be carried out.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Group on Sunday, signed by the Convener, Joseph Otte & the Project Director, Deji Ajare, which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer.

“Access to Justice welcomes the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector-General of Police following the recent public outcry over police brutality, particularly those of the SARS. However, dissolving SARS is not enough and will not address the large-scale and widespread culture of impunity that has characterized the delivery of policing and security services in Nigeria.

“That culture of impunity is rife and thriving in the Police Force as most people know. If the Police Force as a whole is not reformed, it is highly unlikely that any new initiatives or tactical Units created out of the Force will operate differently from the way SARS did. The institutional culture of the Police, as well as other law enforcement/security agencies promotes impunity, lawlessness, lack of accountability and disregard for the rule of law.”

Meanwhile, it was stated that successive administrations have not paid attention to this endemic culture, adding that, “ Past and present governments in Nigeria are enablers of this culture. Neither the Buhari government nor past governments have done anything significantly more than traffic in largely “empty” rhetoric regarding reform of law enforcement and security institutions. The actual work of undertaking reforms that would make Nigeria’s law enforcement and security agencies accountable, professional and respectful of the rule of law has been left undone, and traded-off for the rhetoric.”

However, it was stated that the present administration failed to do the needful, and as such, aiding the impunity culture.

“President Buhari’s government has, possibly more than any other, created the atmosphere for widespread impunity to thrive and flourish. Under his administration, – as many independent reports have asserted – thousands of Nigerians have been summarily or extrajudicially killed by security and law enforcement officials in circumstances that are themselves an expression of the confidence which officials of these institutions have that no consequences will follow their brutal actions, and indeed, nothing has followed.”

In the light of the forgoing, the Group made the following five recommendations:

“Do more than lip-service, and immediately commence the reform of all law enforcement and security institutions in order to confront and kick out deeply entrenched cultures of lawlessness and impunity within them. For this purpose, government must itself lead by example. By showing intolerance for acts of lawlessness and impunity, and complying with court orders, government will set the marker for law enforcement and security agencies’ conducts in this respect.

“Government must conduct a thorough review or audit of [the dissolved] SARS operations, and, for this purpose, establish a fact-finding Inquiry into how the unit transformed into a notorious scheme of oppression and injustice; every SARS official who was involved in the brutal and widespread assault of citizens and the violations of human rights must be brought to justice, including being prosecuted, in order to safeguard against similar atrocities in the future. If these operatives are not identified and sanctioned now, they may very well find their ways into new successor initiatives to SARS, and thus forcing Nigerians to relive the past in the form of old wine in new wineskins. Also, by bringing perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice, Government begins the arduous task of tackling the culture of lawlessness and impunity in its key security institutions.

“Government must re-organize current accountability systems in order for police services to function accountably. The Police Service Commission which is constitutionally responsible for the discipline of members of the Police Force is practically toothless and unable to implement its crucial mandate.

“Government must immediately abrogate laws – such as the Sheriff and Civil Process Act [SCPA] 2004 – which make it nearly impossible for courts to hold the police –and other law enforcement and security agencies – to account. Unless those laws are jettisoned, courts may also continue to face daunting challenges in upholding the rule of law and punishing the infraction of civil rights. Furthermore, law enforcement and security institutions (and their operatives) will continue to act with impunity knowing that Nigeria’s laws, in practice, shield and protect them from being made accountable for their actions.

“Government must also improve the service and post-service welfare of officers of the Police Force. In addition, there is a need for Government to ensure that Police officers are given the tools they need for their jobs as some of the extortionist tendencies amongst members of the force is aimed at raising funds to get their jobs done. Finally, training and retraining of the rank and file of the force must be given more priority and selection for these trainings must be done on need basis and not on the basis of other sentiments.”