The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin(SAN), has resigned following alleged disagreement with the Federal Government on the Visitation Panel sent to the university.

He said there were too many vested interests in UNILAG matter, who were not approaching the issues objectively.

But he said it has come to a stage he must stand by his principles since the Federal Government believed the actions he took may not be right.

He said the visitation panel was raised to exonerate the Vice-Chancellor and implicate the Pro-Chancellor.

He said although he appeared in protest before the panel, he made it clear that the panel could not determine the issues before it.

He said he will also not be available again to serve as the chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team on the Agreement reached with university unions in 2009.

He has been the chairman of the negotiating team since January 6th, 2017. He said he had served the university system in Nigeria with his heart and intellect.

He said as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and the University of Lagos, he did not receive sitting allowances and other perks of office.

He said he did not allow the two institutions to provide him with food or drinks. He said he paid for every right or privilege that was conferred on me.

Sundiatapost

Child rights agency UNICEF has condemned the sentencing of a 13-year-old boy to 10 years in prison for blasphemy in northern Nigeria.

Omar Farouq was convicted in a Sharia court in Kano State in northwest Nigeria after he was accused of using foul language toward Allah in an argument with a friend.

He was sentenced on August 10 by the same court that recently sentenced a studio assistant Yahaya Sharif-Aminu to death for blaspheming Prophet Mohammed, according to lawyers.

Farouq’s punishment is in violation of the African Charter of the Rights and Welfare of a Child and the Nigerian constitution, said his counsel Kola Alapinni, who told CNN they filed an appeal on his behalf on September 7.

Alapinni told CNN he or other lawyers working on the case have not been granted access to Farouq by authorities in Kano State.

He said he found out about Farouq’s case by chance when working on the case of Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy at the Kano Upper Sharia Court.”

We found out they were convicted on the same day, by the same judge, in the same court, for blasphemy and we found out no one was talking about Omar, so we had to move quickly to file an appeal for him,” he said.

“Blasphemy is not recognized by Nigerian law. It is inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria.”The lawyer said Farouq’s mother had fled to a neighboring town after mobs descended on their home following his arrest.

“Everyone here is scared to speak and living under fear of reprisal attacks,” he said.UNICEF Wednesday issued a statement “expressing deep concern” about the sentencing.

The sentencing of this child — 13-year-old Omar Farouk — to 10 years in prison with menial labour is wrong,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative in Nigeria.

“It also negates all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria — and by implication, Kano State — has signed on to.”Kano State, like most predominantly Muslim states in Nigeria, practices Sharia law alongside secular law.

CNN contacted a spokesman for the Kano State governor for comment but had not heard back before publication.

UNICEF has called on the Nigerian government and the Kano State government to urgently review the case and reverse the sentence, the organization said in a statement.”

This case further underlines the urgent need to accelerate the enactment of the Kano State Child Protection Bill so as to ensure that all children under 18, including Omar Farouq are protected — and that all children in Kano are treated in accordance with child rights standards,” Hawkins said.

CNN

The Niger State Government on Thursday defied the threat by Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) that it would no longer supply the north with petroleum products if the Niger State government keeps its roads shut. The state government insists it will not go back on the restriction order it placed two days ago on heavy trucks to stop plying its roads.

The insistence even as the government assured that its position will be reviewed as event concerning the closure unfolds, a statement by the spokeswoman to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Mrs. Mary Noel-Berje, said.

Unverified reports have it that the state has been under pressure from the federal government and other stakeholders to rescind its closure decision to avert heightening tensions in the northern part of the country.

The state government this Thursday maintained that its decision to close all its roads to articulated vehicles was done within the confines of law, stressing that adequate consultations and sensitisation with relevant stakeholders were made; and two weeks notice served to the general public, including relevant road transport organisations before the roads were barricaded.

The government statement added that it will not relent in ensuring that state roads are not accessed by the vehicles, adding that the heavy trucks are free to use the alternative federal roads that transverse the state. 

It added that beyond the current closure to fast track the reconstruction of the Minna-Bida Road, measures would be evolved such as weigh-bridges to ensure that the movement of articulated vehicles on its roads are regulated to avoid heavy flow of traffic beyond the capacity of the roads. 

Chairman of the Infrastructure, Project Monitoring and Implementation Committee, who is also the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ibrahim Balarabe, briefed journalists on the latest development and was quoted in the statement as saying: “There is no going back on Niger state government’s decision on the ban on articulated trucks from plying the state-owned roads. We still stand on our position and will not relent on that. Our roads still remain closed to articulated trucks”.

He enjoined the federal government to rise up to the occasion and do the needful on federal roads needing rehabilitation in the State.

Recall that on Wednesday, .PTD, in a statement by its National Chairman, Otunba Salimon Oladiti, said: “we want to use this medium to inform the general public that from … Thursday, September 17, our members will not be lifting products from Lagos to the northern part of the country because the Niger State government has shut out heavy-duty trucks, including tankers, from passing through the state.

“The only alternative road is not motorable. This is Bida- Agai- Lapai-Lambata Road. In fact, this road is a deathtrap.

“When we got wind of the plan of the Niger State Government to shut the roads about weeks back, I spoke to the Minister of Works through one of his aides and he assured that the ministry would do palliative and remedial works on the road.

“Unfortunately, over two weeks after our discussion, nothing has been down on the roads.

“As leaders, we have to do the needful and protect the lives of our members from avoidable accidents and attacks from hoodlums.

“So starting from tomorrow, September 17, our members will not be lifting products from Lagos to the Northern part of the country. Until the Federal Government makes the alternative road motorable, our members will not resume lifting of products to the northern part of the country.

“In the letter to our State Chairman, the Niger State Government, through its Ministry of Transport, dated September 9, by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Abdullahi U. Imam, informed us about its decision to shut out all heavy trucks vehicles from passing through the link and major roads in the state from Tuesday.

“The letter read ‘You are aware of efforts of the Niger State government to rehabilitate Minna-Bida Road and major roads leading to Minna.

“‘These efforts have largely been frustrated because of the heavy presence of heavy trucks plying these roads.

“‘In view of the forgoing, we hereby notify you of government’s decision for a total shutdown of all linking roads to Minna to heavy trucks from 12 midnight of September 15.

“‘You will, please, bring this information to all your members in order to guide them to find alternative routes for their movements’.

“Consequently, we have directed our members (tanker drivers) to stop lifting products from Lagos to the northern part of the country until further notice.”

By Martin Paul, Abuja

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and a non-governmental organization(NGO),Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA yesterday restated their opposition to the Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly.

Representatives of the labour union and the NGO  met with the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu in Abuja at a meeting called by  the  Minister to mobilise support for the contentious bill.

AUPCTRE, which is an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and CAPPA, were adamant at the meeting and insisted that the pro-privatisation sections should be removed from the Bill or else it should be trashed.

The labour group and the CSO at the meeting restated their demands for the National Assembly to jettison the National Water Resources Bill 2020, alleging that the bill failed to address human rights issues and did not enjoy the support of Nigerians.

 The meeting, which was at the instance of the minister, followed A nation-wide criticism that trailed  the bill’s re-emergence, after it was defeated by both chambers of in the Eighth Assembly in 2018.

AUPCTRE and CAPPA had in a press briefing on August 21, 2020, raised fears that the Bill will fling the doors wide open for private entities to seize the nation’s water resources and had in a joint letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on September 3, 2020, catalogued obnoxious sections of the Bill and how they posed danger to the attainment of the Human Right to Water.

 In the last two weeks, civil society and other groups have also criticized the Bill.

 Notable Nigerians and organisations that had kicked against it include the playwright and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Dr. Yinka Odumakin of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, and the Ijaw Youth Council.

Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom had threatened to sue the National Assembly, if it went ahead with the Bill, while his predecessor and Senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Gabriel Suswam also called for withdrawal of the Bill.

The Bill titled: “An Act to Establish a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria”, provides for the equitable and sustainable development management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s Surface Water and Ground Water Resources and for related matters, had scaled a second reading in the House of Representatives and has been referred to the House Committee on Rules and Business for further action.

AUPCTRE and CAPPA raised concerns about Sections 1, 2, 3, 13, 22, 24, 89, 98, 104, 105 and 107. As well as Sections 109, 110, 120, 121, 125, 129 and 131.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, National President of AUPCTRE, Comrade Benjamin Anthony said: “Our meeting with the Minister of Water Resources was very frank.

“The minister advanced reasons why the Bill should be passed, but we drew his attention to the contentious clauses that must be addressed. “We restate our opposition to this anti-people Bill and urge the National Assembly to trash it.

“The Bill fails to address human rights issues and does not enjoy the support of Nigerians. Comrade Anthony insisted that the Bill will dispossess Nigerian citizens of their inherited and cultural rights to water and should be discarded immediately.

 Also speaking, CAPPA Director of Programmes, Philip Jakpor said: The contents of the Bill are against the spirit of the July 28, 2010, United Nations General Assembly Resolution, which recognized in unmistakable terms, the human right to water and sanitation.

“Our position remains unchanged: President Buhari should use his good office to recall this contentious Bill from the legislative quarters and kick-start a fresh process, which will entail consultation and input from Nigerians from the beginning through the entire process at the National Assembly”.

Don’t Politicise the Bill – FG

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has warned that the National Water Resources Bill should not be politicised, saying the law was  consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Land Use Act.

The ministry had also urged Nigerians to disregard misleading allegations, which were evident from the various commentaries noticed from those opposing the Bill.

The Minister, in a statement noted that the Bill was not a new law; rather an amalgamation of Water Resources Laws that had been in existence as enshrined in LFN 2004.

He said reports in the media appeared to had neglected the provisions of the bill which was for the development, management and efficient use of the nation’s water resources in line with global best practices.

The Minister further appealed to stakeholders and Nigerians in general to have faith in the bill as it was for the good of the nation.

 “It is in the overall best interest of every citizen of the country that the process of its passage is not politicised.

“The general public is invited to note that this National Water Resources Bill when passed into Law will better serve and provide for the enhancement of the Nigeria Water Sector in line with global best practices,” he explained in a statement.

…Says Voters Will End APC’s Politics Of Godfatherism On Saturday

By Augustine Akhilomen

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has laughed off the broadcast by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that it will not in any way influence the outcome of the election on Saturday.

Wike, who spoke in a two-hours no-holds-barred interview with Gbenga Aruleba of AIT, said the APC leader could see the handwriting on the wall and the imminent defeat of their party, hence the last-minute effort to de-market Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The Rivers Governor, who is the Chairman of the Campaign Council of the PDP for the Edo governorship election also dismissed Tinubu’s position that Obaseki is not a democrat, saying that he was not in a position to determine that, but a decision of the Edo people.

“It is the Edo people that will determine if Obaseki is a democrat and not Tinubu. Just like what is obtainable in Lagos, where one person determines what happens, that cannot happen in Edo.

“With all due respect, if Bola Tinubu says Obaseki is not a democrat, that is his own view because Edo people know that Obaseki is a democrat. How do you now know who is a democrat? When it was in 2016, did he not say that Obaseki is the man the people should vote for? So these are the things I say am not worried about. I don’t think his statement will have any influence on Edo people at all.”

He said the people of Edo have made up their mind to use the election to send a strong message to the former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and put a final nail on the coffin to the era of politics by godfathers in the State.

“Edo people must be careful with what they hear from Oshiomhole. This is an opportunity for the Edo people to send a message to him that Oshiomhole can not be dragging them left and right. But for them to put an end to godfatherism in Edo State. If APC loses on Saturday, watch what will happen in other States.

“Oshiomhole as the godfather said this young man did very well and that you should listen to him and they voted for him in 2016. The same man said Ize-Iyamu cannot be trusted with public funds and is the same person that is facing corruption charges will you now vote for him. He turns mouth and said I made a mistake in bringing Obaseki to you, now I want Ize-Iyamu so vote for him. Only God knows what he will say tomorrow. Edo people must not allow one man to decide their fate,” Wike said.

He expressed optimism that the PDP will clinch victory in the election, just as he urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to resist the temptation to directly or indirectly compromise the electoral process.

According to him, “All eyes are on Edo State. People across the world are watching to see if they will want to tamper with the will of the people because they know that in a free and fair election, Obaseki will win hands down.

“We have to let the people of Edo State know now that if we follow what is on the ground and the kind of campaigns that the party has carried out, honestly, we are seeing a victory. But then again, it is not enough. Yes, the police have assured that they will not allow thugs to destroy the ballot box and that the election will be free and fair. But what disturbs us is that this is not the first time they have said that. In every election, police have said they won’t allow rigging, and INEC too will say something but at the end of the day, they still fail us.

“Yes they have said so, Yes we believe them but we still have to be vigilant. Vigilant because APC as a party is desperate. The desperation has shifted to Edo State. See, this election is not only about Obaseki, this election will make people understand the need for them to determine what their fate will be.

“This election will help to resolve whether Nigeria is ready to stop this godfatherism politics, where an elected governor can not carry out his own functions until the godfathers tell you what to do.”

He added that the candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was no match for Obaseki, saying that the election contest was not between the two candidates but between the people of Edo and Oshiomhole’s overriding influence in the political process in the State.

“I think we have done very well and the message was clear, the difference was clear. The people of Edo State have found faith in PDP and we are not worried about anything. No amount of propaganda or blackmail will change it.

“I believe the message that Tinubu was sending, he didn’t get the idea properly. But they all know that there is no comparison no matter how you paint Obaseki. He cannot be compared to Ize-Iyamu. It is like if it is not Coca Cola, it can’t be Coca Cola,” Wike said.

A Lawyer, B. Inem Esq has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC over the outrageous outfits used by lawyers called to bar recently in their pre and post call to bar photoshoot.

In the petition dated 16th September 2020, the lawyer decried the dressing manner of the new wigs. According to the petition, “The legal practitioners robes/garb which include our Wig and Gown has been extremely abused and reduced to a nonstandard by our colleagues who deem it fit in gross violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC) to wear same along with varying outrageous colours and styles of clothing and further post pictures of this abuse for public consumption.”

The petitioner noted that the photoshoot pictures is against Rule 45 (2) (a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.

The Petitioner also copied The Chief Justice of Nigeria, The Chairman, Body of Benchers Nigeria, The Attorney General of the Federation, The Chairman, Council of Legal Education and The President, Nigerian Bar Association.

Below is the Full Petition.

September 16, 2020

The Chairman,
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
Federal Capital Territory- Abuja

Dear Sir,

URGENT CALL TO REDRESS DRESS CODE MISCONDUCT AND UNETHICAL CONDUCT AND DISREPUTE TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION

I write to bring to your attention the severe disrepute into which the Legal Profession has been brought particularly by greenhorn legal practitioners. The legal practitioners robes/garb which include our Wig and Gown has been extremely abused and reduced to a nonstandard by our colleagues who deem it fit in gross violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC) to wear same along with varying outrageous colours and styles of clothing and further post pictures of this abuse for public consumption.

Reiterating the respect and sanctity to be accorded to our garb, I reproduce Rule 45 (2) (a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners:

(2) A lawyer SHALL NOT wear the Barrister’s or Senior Advocate’s robe – (a) on any occasion other than in Court except as may be directed or permitted by the Bar Council; …

The mischief the rule above was made to cure was an abuse of the lawyer robes. Sir, today, such abuse is wanton and uncontrolled. It has been said that the dress a lawyer wears whether in or out of court must be tidy, respectable and sober; not flamboyant, sadly, this is not the case today.

Kindly find attached some pictures of recently called legal practitioners evincing the outrageous dress styles bringing the lawyer robes and by extension the profession to disrepute. While celebrating the no small feat of getting called to the bar is necessary, such celebrations should be done with utmost decorum and regard, as expected of a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and not in a manner to obliterate respect, dignity and honour of the hallowed profession.

Sir, the legal profession is a very serious, noble and conservative one. In Okafor & ors v. Nweke & Ors [2007] LPELR-2412(SC) the Learned Justice of the Supreme Court, W.S. Onnoghen said:

“Legal practice is a very serious business that is to be undertaken by serious minded practitioners particularly as both the legally trained minds and those not so trained always learn from our examples. We therefore owe the legal profession the duty to maintain the very high standards required in the practice of the profession in this country.”

Sir, our robes have been worn for over 300 years and our wigs have been worn since the year 1680. Our profession has a rich history and culture that must be preserved, therefore I urge you to kindly use your good office to nip this bastardization of our hallowed profession in the bud before the situation escalates. I am willing to supply information concerning the offending practitioners in a separate petition should they refuse to cease and desist from their unethical conduct.

Please accept, Mr Chairman, the assurances of my highest regards.

Yours Faithfully,

B. Inem Esq.

ENCL: 1. Pictures of outrageously dressed legal practitioners with Lawyer garb

CC: 1. The Chief Justice of Nigeria 2. The Chairman, Body of Benchers Nigeria 3. The Attorney General of the Federation 4. The Chairman, Council of Legal Education 5. The President, Nigerian Bar Association

SEE THE PICTURES BELOW

THE Ghana Judiciary witnessed an unprecedented event as Reverend Father Joseph Adu Owusu-Agyemang has made history by becoming the first Priest to be appointed as a High Court Judge in the country.

Reverend Father Josepth Adu Owusu-Agymang is the Parish Priest of All Saints Catholic Church, Santasi Fankyenebra in the Kumasi Archdiocese.

President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on 16th day of September 2020 inducts 16 Judges in which the reverend father was equally part of them.

It is significant to note that there exist many priests who practice Law in Ghana but none has ever been appointed as a Judge of the High Court.

Reverend Father Josepth Adu Owusu-Agymang was ordained by Archbishop Peter Akwasi Sarpong as a priest on 14th day of July, 2007 and had been in the Kumasi Archdiocese where he worked at Archdiocese’s legal service department.

Meanwhile, the Ghana President charged the newly appointed Judges to exhibit honesty, discipline, and fairness in their line of work so that, Ghanaians will have trust in the judiciary.

“It is, therefore, critical for the growth of the nation that the High Court commands the respect of the people by the quality of its justice, as well as by the comportment of its judges,” the President added.