A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Federal Government (FG) to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of the murder of founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, and other journalists in the country.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, also made an order directing the FG to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners, henceforth.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicant; the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, had sued the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) as sole respondent in the suit dated and filed Oct. 26, 2021.
In the motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1301/2021 filed by their lawyer, Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkanga, the applicant sought a declaration that the killings of various journalists and media practitioners in Nigeria is a violation of their fundamental right to life.
This right, according to the group, is encapsulated in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other reliefs.
In the affidavit, the group listed some of the journalists murdered in the course of their duty to include Dele Giwa, killed on Oct 19, 1986; and Bolade Fasisi of National Association of Women Journalists, March 31, 1998;
Others include Edward Olalekan of Daily Times, murdered on June 1, 1999; Omololu Falobi of The Punch, Oct. 5, 2006; Godwin Agbroko of Thisday, Dec. 22, 1999; Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday, Aug 17, 2008; and Edo Sule-Ugbagwu of The Nation, April 24, 2010.
Justice Ekwo, who observed that the AGF did not file any process to counter the arguments of the applicant, held that since the group’s arguments were not controverted, such arguments would be deemed to be true.
“I have studied the response of the respondent to the averments of the applicant and I find the said averments to be generic nature and they do not controvert the case of the applicant specifically.
“The applicant has stated names of journalists killed in Paragraph J of the affidavit in support
“It is pertinent to note that the respondent has neither denied that these killings have taken placed or that these persons were not journalists or media practitioners.
“The position of the law is that affidavit evidence which is not challenged or controverted howsoever, is deemed admitted and can be relied upon by a court,” he said.
He said media is a constitutional profession, hence,the journalists and media practitioners ought to be protected in the course of the duties.
The judge said he found in the end that the applicant had established its case by credible evidence and ought to be entitled to the reliefs sought.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government of Nigeria to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government of Nigeria to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of all attacks against journalists and other media practitioners, and ensure that all victims of attacks against journalists have access to effective remedies.
“An Order is hereby made directing the Federal Government to take measures to raise awareness and build the capacities of various stakeholders, particularly journalists and other media practitioners, policy makers, law enforcement, security, intelligence, military as well as other officials and relevant stakeholders on the laws and standards for ensuring the safety of journalists and media practitioners.
“This is the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo declared.
The Chief Executive Officer of Emirate Petrol Station, Mr. Sesan Adelabu, has reportedly macheted his wife, Bolu to death for allegedly breaking their marital vows with their security guard.
Sesan Adelabu was said to have caught his wife in bed with their security guard in their residence in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State, last Friday.
Enraged over what he beheld, he reportedly attacked and killed his wife with a machete and committed suicide thereafter by drinking insecticide.
A report by NATIONAL WAVES said that the security guard took to his heels to avoid being attacked by Mr. Adelabu.
Their remains have been deposited in the mortuary.
The incident was confirmed by the Ondo State Police Command, which ordered an investigation into the death of a businessman, Sesan Adelabu, and his wife, Bolu.
The deceased, a businessman, who was said to be dealing in petroleum products, allegedly macheted his wife to death, after which he drank a liquid substance suspected to be an insecticide.
According to a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, who earlier confirmed the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abayomi Oladipo, has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department of the command to begin an investigation into the matter.
The statement explained that the lifeless body of the deceased was discovered by the policeman attached to the deceased.
The statement read, “The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abayomi Oladipo, has ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case of alleged murder and suicide of a socialite and petrol station owner, Mr Sesan Adelabu, popularly known as Emirate, and his wife, Mrs Bolu Adelabu.
“On the 9th of February, 2024, a distress call was received by the police of A’ Division Akure, by men of Special Protection Unit.
“The officer attached to the deceased in his house at Alagbaka area in Akure, received a call from the deceased child around 6pm asking after his father, because he was not picking his calls. The policeman, while trying to inform his principal, discovered him faced down and lifeless in the toilet while his wife’s body was found on the bed with multiple cuts suspected to be machete cuts on her head and face.
“An empty container of an insecticide was also found at the scene. Investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident and scene cordoned off to enable police to do the needful please.”
This recent acts assaulting the ability and capacity of legal practitioners to ply their trade unmolested is not coincidental, yet we (lawyers) sit down arms akimbo, with jaws in our hands, signifying helplessness as our livelihood is being buffeted from every side.
In the past 3 days, some cascading events have led me to conclude that our cherished profession is under siege. First, a Nigerian born Minister in the UK cabinet comes in to attend a highly publicized event waving in the process, a treaty or trade agreement that British or UK lawyers can now practice law in Nigeria contrary to the letter and spirit of the Legal Practitioners Act.
Secondly, the Enugu State Judiciary has decreed that lawyers should attach their tax clearance certificates to every legal process filed in court.
Thirdly the National Assembly yesterday stepped down a Bill seeking to compel legal practitioners to declare their professional fee and pay a mandatory percentage thereof as tax to Government outside of the personal income tax, VAT and withholding tax that they already collect.
Yet my brethren are quiet. These proposals demonstrate if we don’t know it already that there is a concerted and daring assault on the legal profession among other professions in Nigeria.
Naturally, we might be tempted to see these measures as ‘hare brained schemes’ that will not go anywhere. But this is how it starts and before we know it haters of lawyers would have legislated us out of economic and socio – political relevance.
That these illegalities will be proposed by haters or the Sambalats to and of the legal profession is not unexpected, what is baffling is lazy silence of those affected by these illegal hare brained measures. So what do I expect?
1 Enugu lawyers should within 7 days challenge that directive seeking to compel lawyers to attach tax clearance certificates to filed processes in court before they can be granted audience in court or even access to justice and also seek injunction restraining the enforcement of such a measure until the substantive suit is determined.
Kudos to the President of the NBA Mr Yakubu Maikyau SAN for taking proactive measures to criticize and force a reversal of the push to have British based lawyers come into Nigeria to take over our briefs. That demon appears to have been exorcized for now but you can bet your bottom Naira on it, they will be back. It is just a strategic retreat.
3 This one in which the NA ‘stepped down’ the Bill which seeks to compel legal practitioners to pay a percentage of their earning per brief as taxes is also squarely in the NBA’s court. We cannot usurp your functions. Wipe this shame from the face of the legal profession. Meanwhile I suggest that the theme of the next NBA annual conference should be ‘The future of the legal profession in Nigeria in the face of internal and external assaults and aggression’. A word is enough for the learned.
Two distinguished members of The Law Centre (TLC) are among the 4 (four) Deputy Directors-General and Heads of Campuses of the Nigerian Law School, appointed by the Council of Legal Education on Tuesday, 12 February 2024.
(1) Mr P. C OKORIE as the DDG & Head of Enugu Campus, Nigerian Law School,
and
(2) MR IBRAHIM MOHAMMED as the DDG & Head of KANO Campus, Nigerian Law School
MRS. O. T. ODUSOTE, PhD and MR SALMANU RILWANU (not TLC members) also got appointed DDGs and Heads of Lagos Campus and Yola Campus, respectively.
On behalf of The Law Centre (TLC), we heartily congratulate Mr. P. C. Okorie, Mr I. Mohammed (distinguished TLC members) and Mrs. ODUSOTE and Mr RILWANU, on the well-deserved appointments, praying for a fruitful tenure, and, thereafter, greater and higher promotions for each of the appointees. Amen
We respectfully urge you in your new roles, to join hands with your colleagues and the authorities of the Nigerian Law School, the Council of Legal Education and other regulators of legal education in Nigeria, towards upholding the ideals of the founding fathers of the Nigerian Law School, by directing your attention squarely towards advancing professional legal ethics, modern law-practice skills and values among aspirants to the Bar in the best interest of legal education and the legal profession in Nigeria, with a view to preparing them upon graduation, to be able to measure up with prevailing international benchmarks and global best practices in the profession.
Best wishes.
Signed:
Chief J. S. Okutepa, SAN,
Sir Boms Worgu,
Ambassador Garba Gajam,
Major Ben Aburime (rtd),
Mr. Chinua Asuzu,
Mrs Abiye Tam-George, and
Ms Altine Ibrahim (Administrators & Moderators) For: The Law Centre (TLC) ➖➖➖➖
About The Law Centre (TLC): The Law Centre (TLC) is a special-purpose WhatsApp Community of Nigerian Lawyers, with a primary objective to bring together lawyers from all segments of the legal profession in Nigeria, including lawyers in private law practice, lawyers in public law practice or public service, law teachers, lawyers in administration (in the public or private sector) or in business, lawyers in the justice sector, lawyers in the legislature, lawyers in politics, lawyers in law enforcement, and lawyers in law the publishing sector, among lawyers in other segments of the law profession in Nigeria. Accordingly, membership of TLC cuts across law firms, public and private institutions, law enforcement agencies, legislative houses, public offices, legal education institutions, the judiciary, the financial sector, the human rights community, cut across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT — every segment is adequately represented. Pursuant to its objectives, TLC is devoted to holding discussions, round-tables, and exchange of ideas, materials and precedents, et.c., among lawyers from all segments of the Nigerian legal profession, especially on such issues as law practice, the legal profession itself, legal education, law reform, law-making, administration of justice, law office management, law enforcement, security. Only discussions, comments and materials that promote the objectives of the platform or are related to above-specified matters/areas are welcome of TLC. Among TLC’s objectives is organizing, holding seminars, workshops and webinars on current and emerging issues and challenges in the legal profession. ▪If you are interested in joining The Law Centre (TLC), please contact us: [email protected]. ➖➖
‘David prevailed…with a sling and a stone.’ 1 Samuel 17:50 NKJV
Chuck Swindoll says: ‘Every day Goliath paraded along the slopes of the Valley of Elah issuing threats…The only response from the Israeli troops was the sound of knees knocking and teeth chattering! The giant’s strategy of fear and intimidation worked…until David introduced him to the Lord of Hosts, and “with a sling and a stone…struck the Philistine and killed him” (v. 50 NKJV). To this day, two timeless truths remain.
One: You won’t win the battle by employing the Enemy’s technique. When you fight with the world’s weapons, you become like the world. The Bible says, “There was no sword in David’s hand” (v. 50 NASB); his most powerful weapon – the thing that made him unique and gave him the victory – was his inner shield of faith. It kept him free from fear, cleared his vision…and gave him composure amidst chaos. Two: Slaying giants takes skill and discipline.
Wielding the sling and stone of the Spirit is much more delicate than swinging the club of the flesh. Paul says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…powers…rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV).
Note: wrestling isn’t a team sport. Goliath said, “Choose one man to come down…and fight me!” (1 Samuel 17:8 NLT). For the duration of the battle, you’re the Enemy’s sole target. If you’re facing your own personal giant, be like David; turn him over to God, load up your sling…and let God win the victory for you.’
On 30 December 30 last year, Lagosians pelted Tinubu with cries of “Ebi n pa wa” We are hungry, they chanted as the president’s long motorcade waltzed its way through the crowd in downtown Lagos.
On this in his article Vox Populi, Vox Dei? Bolanle Bolawole had this to say: “Revolutionary France will happen upon Nigeria if care is not taken! The objective conditions for a revolution are everywhere prevalent in Nigeria. Only the subjective conditions remain to be seen. And in the last few weeks we have seen food protests in Nigeria, which were similar to what happened in France when the peasants thronged the streets in their numbers chanting: ‘We are hungry, give us bread!’ An arrogant Queen Marie-Antoinette had mocked the French peasants, saying: “Let them eat cake”! The starving people that could not afford cheap bread were the ones the queen teased with expensive cake!
“Compare Marie-Antoinette’s obliviousness to the abject conditions and daily life of deprivation and penury of the French masses to the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s insensitive and irresponsible “Let them breathe” response to the cry of Nigerians to their presumed representatives to take notice of the suffering in the land and act accordingly!
“Ongoing food protests – were they spontaneous or sponsored? Even if they were sponsored, the prevailing conditions made that possible. No one can deny that the situation of things in the country has become unbearable, even for the middle class Nigerians, not to talk of the poor and the multidimensionally or desperately poor. If, on the other hand, the protests are spontaneous, then, it means Nigerians, ever so docile, are now stirring. And that is a warning signal for the government to act fast.”
In a country where snakes, monkeys and termites have been accused of either swallowing or tampering with huge amounts of government money, social commentators and public affairs analysts are wondering what might have happened to the returned stolen funds under former President Muhammadu Buhari which have reportedly vanished from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), all the stolen public funds recovered between 2016 and 2019 by the immediate past government of Muhammadu Buhari are missing from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The group revealed this on Wednesday afternoon via its verified X-page, stressing that the disappearance of the missing looted funds was noticed when the management of the apex bank could not account for them.
SERAP through its X handle wrote: “BREAKING: Recovered stolen public funds between 2016 and 2019 are reportedly missing from the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN]. The Auditor-General of the Federation wants the CBN to account for the money.”
BREAKING: Recovered stolen public funds between 2016 and 2019 are reportedly missing from the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN]. The Auditor-General of the Federation wants the CBN to account for the money.
It could be recalled that the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) had earlier said it disagreed with the Nigerian government on the amount of looted funds the latter said it recovered from 2015 to 2022
The Buhari Government disclosed that over one billion dollars were recovered as looted funds by the administration within the period of seven and half years.
The former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who made this known while briefing newsmen said $1 billion in looted funds had so far been recovered by the Buhari-led administration.
Commenting on the issue of looted funds, Malami stated that the funds had been deployed to various sectors of the economy, including poverty alleviation.
However, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre had disclosed that the figure published by the government was not accurate.
He said the only thing that was correct about President Buhari’s administration was the inconsistency in the stating and flaunting of figures, especially regarding asset recovery.
Suraju lamented that the government’s asset recovery programme had not been coordinated.
He explained that a serious government that values statistics and data could have been more constructive and responsible to provide data that covers international recoveries and local recoveries.
Herbert Wigwe everyone knew, but not many knew the backbone behind his immense success. I called you Chiz Baby. Queenette Allagoa called you Chiz Burger. Most called you Doreen. I remember when you came back from the United States of America 31 years ago. You were just 26 years old, armed with your university degrees and ready to start life afresh back home. We immediately bonded over our unique family dynamics and love of trading. I remember marvelling at your capacity to switch back and forth from an American accent to a Nigerian English accent with ease. I was immediately drawn to your infectious laughter which could be heard from a mile away and your tremendous industry. You were born into privilege, but you were never afraid of hard work.
Your dad, the late Chief Cyprian Chukwuemeka Nwuba (Uncle CY) was a chartered accountant and had worked for Shell Petroleum Development Company where he rose to the position of African Financial Controller, before transferring to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation where he was the Group General Manager, Finance and Accounts, before his retirement. Your mum was a senior public servant who worked in the education ministry before she took you, Alex and Pauline to live with her in the United States.
Despite spending your impressionable years growing up in the U.S., we would head out daily to Oke-Arin market in the heart of Lagos Island where we tried our hands at wholesale trading. I would later drop my forays into Oke-Arin market and give up the shop that my parents had paid for me as I forged a new career in journalism. But you never did, frugally saving and turning around every penny that you made until you became an immensely wealthy and successful businesswoman with interests in construction, real estate and the hospitality sectors.
I remember the beginnings of your relationship with Queenette, which was to blossom into a lifelong unbreakable sisterhood. Today, she’s inconsolable without you, but remains thankful to God for your life. I remember your first meeting with Herbert, then a young, freshly minted General Manager at Guaranty Trust Bank, and the twinkle in your eye after introductions had been made. It was at Queenette’s house where we used to hangout as young women, laughing our heads off and without a care in the world. I remember your wedding to Herbert and the reception at the Muson Centre. I remember Chizi’s birth a few months after and Tochi’s four years later. We would still hangout at Queenette’s house where Herbert would often turn up after work to pick you up, but only after he had helped himself to a hearty meal of edi kai kong, afang or fisherman’s soup that were regular staples at Queenette’s abode.
I recall when you ventured into the construction industry. Just a few of us knew that Craneburg Construction Company was your baby. You would regale me with stories about size of the contracts your company was taking on and I was amazed at your trips all over the country, executing and monitoring road, infrastructure and building projects. You would sometimes call me from Bauchi or Sokoto State and I would ask, “Chiz Baby, what on earth are you doing there?” You would always respond with your trademark laughter, “Ijeoma, I am working.”
It was your construction firm that built the highways, bridges and toll plaza from Lekki Phase II all the way to and within Epe town, making the journey to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State less arduous. It was your construction firm that built roads and flyovers in Ondo, Imo, Adamawa, Ogun, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. You took on airport construction projects, oil and gas, and marine projects like fish to water. Today, Craneburg is one of Nigeria’s largest, diversified construction groups that employs 7,000 people working across all major sectors of the economy. When you were not travelling around Nigeria, you would take off to China or Hong Kong to import all sort of things that you sold. No enterprise was too big or too small for you to handle. You revelled in it like very few people could.
I once asked you how Herbert felt about your far-flung business interests. You responded, saying that your relationship with him was built on trust and he was a confident man who was very supportive of your business. Herbert was later to confirm this over ten years ago when he proudly confessed to a mutual friend that you were probably wealthier than he was. More recently, in an interview on Arise News Channel, when the interviewer Ojy Okpe asked Herbert what his most prized possession was, without skipping a beat, he said you were his most prized asset and his everything. This was how much you meant to him. You were anything but a trophy wife. You were an equal partner in a blessed union made on earth and now in heaven.
As I watched your relationship with Herbert thrive, I was later to understand that it was your independence, industry and mutual love of children that solidified your bond as a loving couple. Just like Herbert, you loved children dearly and I watched your family grow with the addition of David, Hannah and Okachi. I remember your love and dedication to your children. Despite your business interests, you always took off for several months at a time watching over Chizi and Tochi in the UK when they were at boarding school and university. When David and Hannah were old enough to go to boarding school, you did likewise. I remember when you told me that Herbert found it difficult to let go of David and how he cried like a baby when he was dropped off at prep school in the UK. You and Herbert absolutely adored children and were planning to have more because they brought both of you tremendous joy.
Barely a week before you embarked on your final journey to the United States, I called you to introduce you to a friend of mine who wanted to build two multi-storey buildings in Lagos. Irrespective of the numerous projects that you were already handling, you were very grateful and excited at the new prospect and within 24 hours had met with her and her team at their office in Ikoyi. My friend is very sad at your passing but has promised to go ahead with Craneburg Construction as a mark of remembrance of your dynamism and industry.
Chiz Baby, what will we do without you? You were a beautiful woman, not just in looks but in spirit. You never, ever flaunted your success. You were always God-fearing, humble, playful, shrewd and intelligent. Last Saturday evening when I heard that you, Herbert and Chizi had been declared missing after the helicopter crash, I kept calling Alex your brother who was extraordinarily brave that night. We held on to whatever glimmer of hope that we had that all three of you had walked away from the crash and would be found. But as the night wore on and we learnt that you were no more, I completely lost sleep.
All I could do was to go down memory lane of our early beginnings as I showed you the lay of the land and introduced you to the few friends that I had. I thought of our minor scrapes as young women and our ability to move past them. I thought of your interactions with my mum and dad whenever you came round to visit. I thought of your interactions with your parents and siblings Alex, Pauline, Tolly, the late Anana and Chinny and how much you loved them. I thought of Tochi, Hanana, David and little Okachi who you, Herbert and Chizi have left behind. It was like watching life through a kaleidoscope.
Chiz Baby, right now we can only console ourselves in the knowledge that you and your dearest Herbert left behind separate, yet intertwined sustainable legacies through which we shall remember both of you for eternity. Thankfully, Tochi is your daughter through and through. She is almost the same age today as you were when you returned to Nigeria over three decades ago. We believe in her capacity, with the support and guidance of her numerous uncles and aunties, to look after and bring up her younger siblings in a manner that would make you, Chizi and Herbert proud. Despite the heartbreak, they will grow, prosper, and carry on the baton of the Wigwe family. They will be fine!
Sleep on my dearest Chiz Baby. Sleep on my dearest Herbie. Sleep on my dearest Chizi. And may your souls rest in eternal peace.
There’s no dull moment around Her Lordship. She works hard and makes no fuss about socials being a very important aspect of her life. And so during her valedictory ceremony on the 8th of February 2024, at the Court of Appeal Enugu Division where she retired as Presiding Justice, Hon. Justice Uzo Ifeyinwa Ndukwe-Anyawu, who exited judicial service on her 70th birthday (28 December 2023) regaled guests with hilarious tales about her exploits back in the days.
“The academic sides of my sojourn in the university was brilliant and interesting. I did not lag behind on the social aspect of university life. Driving in the university was a sina qua non. One was careful not to be bitten by the almighty BEE, a UNEC soft sell magazine that watched all the clandestine moves of students. I got lucky not to be bitten by the BEE. But it was all fun when you were not the victim of its sting.”
She also recounted her encounter as a judge with Ahmodu Ali and the famous “Ali must go strike.”
Anyanwu and Peter Obi
“In my 4th and final year, there was the almighty strike that had bedevilled Nigerian Educational System. In the years in the University our elders cautioned us on joining the National Strikes of NANS. The reason being that each of us had lost not less than 3 years in the war. The universities in the East tried to shield themselves from National Strike actions. However, this one was the master of all strikes. The ALI MUST GO Strike.
“Universities nationwide were shut down for weeks. We stayed at home for weeks. Universities were opened early June. Universities had only about two weeks, to finish their syllabus, do revision and then exams. It was tough but, school calendar was school calendar. Exams cannot be shifted. ALI was the then Minister of Education. No one knew who he was.
Anyanwu, Otisi, Goodluck and Iheme-Nwosu
“Decades later, this man came to my Chambers to take his oath for his Code of Conduct Form. I administered the oath and we got talking. He confessed that he was that ALI the Minister under whom we went on strike. He narrated how the road in Surulere was blocked when he was going home. He was forced to come down and he immediately fizzled into the crowd shouting ALI MUST GO like everyone on the street. He was an ordinary man.
“He was not physically endowed in terms of height, so no one recognised him. He became one of the protesters on the street waving leaves. He was a very funny man. I told him in no uncertain terms what he caused me as an individual. Up till today I can’t place my hand on the issues we went on strike for. However, ALI was the face of government that kept us at home.”
Justice Ngozi Ndukwe-Nwabulu (sister), Anyanwu and Otisi
A master of criminal prosecution, Anyanwu who spent 12 years doing only criminal prosecution most of which were at the Ministry of Justice in Aba, a division of Ministry of Justice in old Imo State state., now in Abia state confessed that “Criminal prosecution remains today my forte in law. Criminal matters does not fluster me.”
But this criminal law expert did not leave her love for socials behind at the university.
“The social life in Aba was very vibrant. I grew up in Enugu with me enjoying the perquisites of club membership. My father was a dedicated member of Enugu Sports Club and one-time President. I can say with glee that we grew up seeing the Club as a most appropriate place to be for socials and relaxation. My husband quickly registered us in Aba Sports Club.
Just J. E Ekanem, Anyanwu, Peter Obi, R. M. Abdullahi , Ken Amadi JJCA
“He played billiards and snookers whilst I did the badminton. Most especially I was so engrossed in the club as there were very few places to go to in Aba. I was at a certain time elected a Social Secretary for the Club under the chairmanship of Barrister Eric Obianwu of blessed memory. I used to organise monthly dance and other entertainment which also earned me the nickname of “Band boy”. Under my portfolio, I organised Christmas parties for our children. No dull moments.”
Speaking about her time at the Court of Appeal Calabar division, Her Lordship enthused: “I soaked in the beauty of Calabar and participated and enjoyed the breath-taking carnival with my whole family in December 2012. Nigeria is a very interesting place.”
Justice Ndukwe-Anyanwu and Otisi PJCA
Yet it is not all about fun and socials. Although judges and facilities in Nigerian courts have been blamed for the slow process of justice administration, Justice Anyanwu maintains that the disposition of a judge to do justice comes into play. “I raised the bar of speedy disposition of appeals. By the time I was leaving Ilorin in September, 2022, we were hearing 2021 and 2022 Appeals.
“When I first got to Calabar division, I insisted on seeing all the files and gave dates to all the motions. At the end of every day, I’d deal with about twenty files so by the end of two or three months I could earmark and eyeball all the motions. That was where we started because the litigation staff could be quite dubious and if you don’t understand the court, you wouldn’t know what they are doing to you.”
Barr. RosemaryChikwendu and Emeka Ngige SANEmeka Ndukwe, Prof Uche Udeanii, Barrister Rosemary Chikwendu, Uju Egbe, Uwaifo Egbe, Emeka UdeaniSisters. Uju Egbe in green. Prof Uche Udeani in blue and a friend Tonia DiaiJustice Scholar Amanoh Rtd) and prof Uche UdeaniOtisi JCA and Gloria Anulude JProf Uche Udeani and Barr. Margaret NwagboMr Okafor , Mr. Chinedu Nwosu, Prof Uche Udeani Mrs Nnenna Okafor, Mrs UdehMr Udeani , Prof Uche Udeani Mr Joe Udeani and Emeka UdeaniSisters with Emeka UdeaniSisters with Ifeoma Igwilo
There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself. Every time I appoint someone to a vacant position, I make a hundred unhappy and one ungrateful. I am the state” – France’s King Louis XIV.
France’s Bourbons king, Louis XIV (Born: 5 September, 1638; Died: 1 September, 1715), also known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, ascended to the throne in 1643 and reigned until his death in 1715. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is said to be the longest of any French sovereign (he began to reign at the age of five). The statement “L’etat, c’est moi” literally meaning, ”the State, it is me” credited to this king demonstrated that he and the other Bourbons kings ruled with absolute power and iron hand and saw the French nation as their personal property with everything and everyone at their beck and call.
Which was why, despite that the objective conditions for the French revolution of 1789 had long been noticed, and Louis the Great was warned, he spurned the warnings. It will hold during my time, he was quoted as saying, let my successors take care of themselves! He was both right and wrong! Louis XV (Born: 15 February 1710; Died: 10 May, 1774; reigned from 1 September, 1715 until his death) took care of himself but not so his own successor, Louis XVI!
Although called “Louis the beloved” Louis XV died an unpopular king; discontentment and the signs of a revolution were thick in the air throughout his reign. Regardless, this king and his wife, Marie, had 10 children in 10 years (1727 – 1737). He was reputed to have consummated his marriage to his wife seven times on their wedding night! Who was there doing the counting, if I may ask!
Fate, sometimes, is cruel even as Maximilien Robespierre (‘the Incorruptible’), who presided over France’s Reign of Terror (1793 – 1794), has said that “Pity is treason”! Louis XVI, who was minded to accept some of the reforms proposed by the leaders of the French revolution, was the one who got consumed by the revolution. He was guillotined on 21 January, 1793 “in the 39th year of his age, at 22 minutes after 10 o’clock in the forenoon”
When situations have got so bad, any leader who appears on the scene must make up his mind which side of the divide he wants to pitch his tent – whether on the side of the people or against them.
And if on the side of the people, he must act fast, and decisively, too. No sitting on the fence! No half measures! Drum this into Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ears!
Another example that teaches this truth very clearly is Mikhail Gorbachev, the last effective leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Gorbachev bid his time as he climbed up the ladder. Once in the saddle, he announced his twin-policy of “glasnost” and “perestroika” He wanted to make the Soviet society a little bit more open. He sought to give the people some liberty. But as he opened the door a little, a rush that he could not control swept him off his feet!
Revolutionary France will happen upon Nigeria if care is not taken! The objective conditions for a revolution are everywhere prevalent in Nigeria. Only the subjective conditions remain to be seen. And in the last few weeks we have seen food protests in Nigeria, which were similar to what happened in France when the peasants thronged the streets in their numbers chanting: “We are hungry, give us bread!”
Nigerians protesting high cost if living
On December 30 last year, Lagosians pelted Tinubu with cries of “Ebi n pa wa” We are hungry, they chanted as the president’s long motorcade waltz its way through the crowd in downtown Lagos. An arrogant Queen Marie-Antoinette had mocked the French peasants, saying: “Let them eat cake”! The starving people that could not afford cheap bread were the ones the queen teased with expensive cake!
Compare Marie-Antoinette’s obliviousness to the abject conditions and daily life of deprivation and penury of the French masses to the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s insensitive and irresponsible “Let them breathe” response to the cry of Nigerians to their presumed representatives to take notice of the suffering in the land and act accordingly!
Ongoing food protests – were they spontaneous or sponsored? Even if they were sponsored, the prevailing conditions made that possible. No one can deny that the situation of things in the country has become unbearable, even for the middle class Nigerians, not to talk of the poor and the multidimensionally or desperately poor. If, on the other hand, the protests are spontaneous, then, it means Nigerians, ever so docile, are now stirring. And that is a warning signal for the government to act fast.
Video of Lagosians chanting “we’re hungry in yoruba language
Video of Lagosians chanting “we’re hungry in Yoruba language
The mistake many are making is to think the problem is that of the president alone; it is not! State governors, local government chairpersons and the National Assembly members are all in the net together.
There is no way an injury to the president will not affect these other fellows across the board. Even past presidents and governors; past National Assembly members, party leaders past and present should note how JJ Rawlings called some fellows out of retirement in Ghana to answer for their crime against the Fatherland. If Vox Populi is Vox Dei, then, let our leaders listen to the cries of the people and harken to the voice of God!
I see Tinubu in Gorbachev’s shoes. If he dithers, like the Soviet leader did, God help him! If he fiddles like king Nero did while Rome burned – like Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos was reported partying in one fairytale island while fire was on his roof – you can be sure he will come to certain grief. Nigeria’s situation is dire; it is long past the one that half measures can take care off. “Either this or that” is what is needed now.
On whose side is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu: On the people’s or their oppressors’?
The same audacity that Tinubu displayed on the way to the presidency is needed now. He must call the same bulldozers into action. He has to step on toes now like he did then. Said Robespierre: “Audacity, more audacity and always audacity and France will be saved” Yes, audacity, more audacity and unending audacity saved France. The same audacity is needed right now if Nigeria would be saved. Is Tinubu up to the task? Can this man rise above his well-known limitations and conquer his own foibles?
Let no one deceive you: This is no mean task. Says the great Greek philosopher, Aristotle: “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self” Tinubu conquered his many enemies on the way to receiving the APC presidential flag; he thereafter went ahead to defeat 17 opponents at the Saturday, February, 25, 2023 presidential election. Now, he is up against the fiercest enemy he will ever confront – his own self. Will he stumble at this hurdle? May he not! But should he, then…!
LAST WORD: Why have we not started growing food on a large scale all over the country – the Federal, state and local governments? Are housing estates our critical priority at this time? Are people protesting because they need accommodation or because they need food? In this respect, Tinubu’s administration has wasted eight months already! Why can’t the churches and mosques also clear hectares of land and pour their unemployed, hungry and angry members there?
Former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, BOLAWOLE was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of THE WESTERNER newsmagazine. He writes the ON THE LORD’S DAY column in the Sunday Tribune and TREASURES column in New Telegraph newspaper on Wednesdays. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.
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