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Impunity: Kaduna Governor’s Chief of Staff, Liman Kila accused of lodging in hotel for weeks without paying

  • Allegedly threatening to use govt’s influence to destroy guest house

SaharaReporters gathered that the Chief of Staff tricked the security personnel guarding the hotel into believing that once the management sent him the bill, he would transfer the money within an hour. 

Mallam Sani Liman Kila, the Chief of Staff to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has been accused of fraud and breach of trust by using the name of the governor to lodge in hotels for weeks and disappearing without paying.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Kila is in the habit of doing that and that the executives of the hoteliers’ association in the state had been notified of the matter as he has allegedly used the same trick to defraud at least seven other hotels. 

The latest victim in the alleged fraud committed by Mallam Kila, a former Immigration Controller, is the Admiralty Suites Hotel, Kaduna. He reportedly stayed in one of the hotel’s suites for weeks and his bill accumulated to N865,100,000. 

He, however, allegedly fled the hotel without paying the money. 

SaharaReporters gathered that the Chief of Staff tricked the security personnel guarding the hotel into believing that once the management sent him the bill, he would transfer the money within an hour. 

Uba

However, it was learnt that after he left the hotel premises, he lodged in another hotel and stopped answering calls from the management of Admiralty Suites Hotel. 

It was gathered before he stopped answering their calls, he warned them to stop calling him and also threatened to use his relationship with the governor to destroy the hotel if they spoke out about what happened.   

A staff member of the Admiralty Suites Hotel who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity revealed that the security officer, Iliya Bamaiyi, who allowed Kila to go without ensuring he paid is now in trouble.  

The source said an investigation carried out after the incident revealed that Kila had defrauded some other hotels before the election of Senator Sani as the governor. 

“As we speak, Mallam Kila is currently lodging at the Stone Edge Hotel, Kaduna. How did we find out? After he left our hotel, with a bill of N865,100 with a promise to transfer the money in an hour, we waited. After one hour, we didn’t get an alert so we started calling him but he kept telling us not to disturb him. Two days later, he stopped picking up calls and when he picked up on the third day, he warned that nobody should disturb his life. 

“Now, he has switched off the phone with the mobile number he gave to us. For two days, we called the number and it was ringing but he did not answer it. We started tracking it and we found out that he is lodging at the Stone Edge Hotel in Kaduna. 

“Further checks showed that the same day he checked out of our hotel was the day he checked in at the Stone Edge without paying us. And I am sure he hasn’t made any deposit at Stone Edge.

“Regrettably, such a person and character is made the chief of staff to the governor or does it means that Governor Sani didn’t know him very well before appointing him,” the hotel worker lamented. 

“We want the governor to do what he has been doing with his name. Also, we want other hotels to know the kind of man Mallam Kila is so that they will not fall into his trap and also be defrauded,” another source added. 

Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to get Mallam Kila’s reaction were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls. He also did not reply to the text message sent to him. 

When SaharaReporters contacted Muhammad Shehu Lawal, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani for his comment, he requested time to speak with the Chief of Staff to hear from him. 

“Please give me till Tuesday,” he said.

However, all efforts to reach him on Tuesday as promised were not successful as he did not answer calls from our reporter.

Credits: Saharareporters

Nigerians lament high food prices, await delayed palliatives

The federal government has finally announced some palliatives measures for the states and the Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy. Already, there are doubts over the effectiveness of the handling of the palliatives by the state governors and how far the palliatives can go in ameliorating the unintended consequences of the removal of petrol subsidy.

By Tennyson Sampson

THE hike in petrol prices has been blamed for the high food prices being experienced by millions of Nigerians across the country. The high transportation cost, which is also linked to the soaring prices of food and products triggered off by the removal of the subsidy on petrol by the federal government in May this year.

Unfortunately, immediately President Bola Tinubu announced on May 29 2023 that “petrol subsidy is gone”, the price of petrol was reviewed upwards from N191.8 to N526.7 per litre by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. Although President Tinubu announced in his inaugural speech that with the removal of subsidy on petrol, the savings made from the new policy would be channeled to improve the lives of Nigerians and invest in infrastructure, but it has been over 80 days since the subsidy removal declaration was made and Nigerians are yet to experience any improvement in their lives. Rather they lament and agonize daily over the hardship which the policies of the federal government have brought to bear on their lives.

For instance, many analysts have described the current food prices as worse than what Nigerians experienced in 2019 when the country shut its borders from neighbouring countries during the era of Covid-19 pandemic. They also added that the current food prices and insecurity in the country have pushed up inflation rate to over 24 per cent in August this year.

The recent survey on the prices of some selected foods and other products in Lagos, showed that 1 kilogram (KG) of Beef was selling for N2, 479 in March 2023, while it was sold for N1, 982.92 in March 2022. And the average price of 1kg of Tomato was N466.60 in March 2023 whereas it was sold for N409.96 in March 2022.

It also showed 1kg of brown Beans sold for N 596.96 in March 2023 as against N594.15 in February this year whereas it was sold for N527.66 in March 2022. And 1kg of a tuber of Yam was sold at about N443.02 in March 2023 whereas it was sold for N378.59 in March 2022. The average price of Vegetable oil (a bottle) stood at N 1,220.62 in March 2023 and N1, 196.68 in February 2023 where as it was sold for N970.29 in March 2022.

Some traders, who spoke to Realnews on high food prices lamented that the prices of foodstuffs like rice, yams, beans, garri, plantain, yam flour, semolina, corn, frozen chicken, turkey, and palm oil have become unaffordable and that the prices increase daily due to many faulty policies of the federal government.

In his comments, Christopher Obia, a foodstuffs trader at Mile-12 Market, said that there had been a slight increase in the prices of some food items between March 2023 and August 2023 with current prices likely to go up soon.

“We sell 10kg of semolina between N7,000 and N8,000 instead of N6,000 a few weeks ago. Also, a bag of the short grain of rice goes for N38, 000 and the long grain of rice goes for N41, 000 as against N32, 000 and N37, 000, respectively before now,” he said.

In the Magboro area of Lagos-Ibadan expressway, semolina, which was previously sold for N7,000 a bag has gone up to N7,300, while 1kg of (rose) from N7500 to N800, while a carton containing 20 pieces of spaghetti is sold for N10,500, reflecting an increase of N1,500 from the previous price.

However, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has said that the headline inflation rate rose to 24.08 percent in July 2023 as against 22.79 percent recorded in June 2023.

“Looking at the movement, the July 2023 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.29 percent points when compared to June 2023 headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 4.44 percent points higher, compared to the rate recorded in July 2022, which was 19.64 percent.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in July 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., July 2022),” the NBS said.

It stated that on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in July 2023 was 2.89 percent — 0.76 percent higher than the rate recorded in June (2.13 percent) and that in July 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.76 percent higher relative to June 2023.

The NBS blamed the rise in the food index on increases in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, fish, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fruits, meat, vegetable, milk, cheese, and eggs.

“On a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in July 2023 was 3.45 percent, this was 1.06 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2023 (2.40 percent). The rise in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, oil, and fat,” the report said.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced N5 billion financial support as palliative to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy. It also set up an ad hoc committee to engage with the leadership of labour unions on the issues palliatives and interventions.

According to the statement issued by the office of the vice president after the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja on Thursday, August 17, 2023, the members of the committee comprise the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State; Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo; Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

It stated that the Council also received progress reports on the ongoing nationwide distribution of rice, grains, fertiliser, and other items to states and N5 billion financial support, provided by the federal government and commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for their interventions.

 “The committee will liaise with the leadership of labour unions in the country to find a way forward on the emerging issues in the interest of the nation,” it added.

Since the announcement of the removal of petrol subsidy by President Tinubu, the Organised Labour had disagreed with the government over that decision without consultations with the stakeholders and it has not been able to reach any agreements on resolving the unintended consequences of the petrol subsidy removal. The Organised Labour had recently organized successful protests nationwide and are threatening a national strike soon if their requests for the upward review of the national minimum wage and the rehabilitation of the refineries among others are not resolved.

While the involvement of state governors in handling of the palliatives has been criticised by the Organised Labour and some Nigerians for lack of faith in the ability of these governors to administer the palliatives without resorting to political considerations, some others are proposing other ways to alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians.

For instance, they are calling for the establishment of adequate corrective measures to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal, which include increasing agricultural investment and transportation subsidies to minimise the impact on food security, establish safety nets like subsidised education and healthcare services for low-income citizens in order to bridge the widening income inequality in the country.

In addition, they noted that another major effect of the subsidy removal is the increased transportation costs due to the high fuel prices, directly impacting agricultural production and Agricultural inputs and production and called for increase budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector as well as tackle insecurity across the country, which is preventing farmers from going to the farms. They also made an urgent case for the reopening of the nation’s land borders shut many years ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as check trans-border arms smuggling and diversion of petroleum products.

Realnews Magazine

94-year-old man defiles 13-year-old

The Adamawa State Police Command has apprehended a 94-year-old man, Muhammed Abubakar for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl at Tappare ward, Ganye Local Government Area of the State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by SP Sulaiman Nguroje, the Police Public Relations Officer, he said the suspect, identified as a herbalist, had been in the habit of deceiving young females by giving them sugar and sweet items.

He added that the latest incident happened on 18th August 2023, while the victim was passing by the suspect’s house, adding that the suspect called the teenager into his house and took advantage of her.

According to the statement, “investigation on the case so far reveals that the suspect while committing the act rubbed some concoction in the form of perfume on the victim which made the victim ill after the incident.”

The statement explained that as a result of the illness, the victim opened up to her mother when questioned.

He disclosed that the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters Ganye, by the mother of the victim.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, according to the statement, frowned at the ugly incident and has directed the officer in charge of the family support unit of the command to take over the investigation and ensure diligent prosecution of the perpetrator.

The police boss called on the members of the public, particularly parents, to be watchful of their wards against criminally minded elements and key into the Command’s effort in fighting to end all forms of gender-based violence.

Allnigerialatestnews

Female lawyers converge as FIDA Africa Regional Congress begins in Abuja

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Thursday commenced its much anticipated Africa Regional Congress at Barcelona Hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja.

Click here for the programme of events with the THEME: MAPUTO PROTOCOL AND WOMEN IN AFRICA: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AS A VITAL TOOL FOR ACCELERATION.

FIDA-AFRICA-CONGRES-PROGRAM

The fate of Prof. Ndifon hangs on the balance, it dangles like ***

By Stephen Azubuike

Introduction

Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon is a Professor of Law, professing in the areas of Comparative Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law. He also professes in female anatomy, if the allegations of the law students of the University of Calabar, Nigeria (UNICAL) are anything to go by.

Prof. Ndifon rose through the ranks to become the Dean, Faculty of Law, UNICAL. He has held many positions in the University. He has also served in various committees. These include Senate Examination Malpractice Committee, Senate Examination Results Vetting Committee, Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit and Committee of Deans.

More so, there are allegations that Prof. Ndifon is also a part of the obscure unit of indecent activities in the University. 

From the information available on the University website, Prof. Ndifon is described as a consummate researcher. However, from recent developments, it appears his research prowess appears to extend to in-depth enquiries into the coital capacities of the female law students of his Faculty.

The protest and allegations

Prof. Ndifon’s philosophy of life is said to be “hardwork and enduring courage.” The female law students of his Faculty must have bravely keyed into this enduring courage when they staged a protest at the Faculty of Law on 15 August 2023, telling the world that they no longer desire to keep enduring the excesses of the alleged “randy Dean.”

On their placards were the inscriptions: “Prof. Ndifon must go for our sanity”, “We’re tired of sucking dicks”, “Law Girls are not Bonanza”, “The Faculty of Law is not a brothel”, “Prof Ndifon must stop grabbing us”, “Enough of Law School List manipulation”, “Prof. Ndifon, let the girls with big breasts breathe, stop suffocating us!!” (So, it seems the girls with small apples are the only ones safe from suffocation.)

The implication

The inscriptions on those placards gave a lucid idea of the alleged tragic travails of some of these ladies. This is critical. The students argued that the Faculty of Law is a place where great minds are shaped with legal blades, and not a brothel. More terrifying is the declaration that they are “tired of sucking dicks”. Could it be that aside from the Dean, there are other male lecturers and other members of the academic staff involved? How often has the alleged sucking exercise been, and for how long? 

Prof. Ndifon has been accused of grabbing some of these ladies, perhaps, like Lagos omoniles grab land. Land is a treasure in the City of Excellence and so must be the treasurable bodies of the ladies in every department. Surely, “Law Girls are not bonanza.” Just like land-grabbing, girls-grabbing is a crime. The latter amounts to an assault—indecent assault.

Law School List

Let’s talk about the reference to Law School List. For those who don’t understand, to make a Law School list is a big deal in many Faculties of Law in Nigeria. This is due to the fact that the Nigerian Law School usually gives a quota to different universities annually. To make the list, a law student must endeavour to meet the requirements. These include ensuring you do not have any carry overs especially at the end of Year 4. In tight situations, you may miss the list if the number of qualified candidates is more than the approved quota. In a worst-case scenario, a person in position may mischievously ensure your name is omitted. The good news is that I understand law students/graduates with no academic blemish can actually apply directly to the Nigerian Law School for admission. (You may need to enquire more about how this works).

What the protesting law students seem to be saying is that Prof. Ndifon uses the Law School list as a manipulating tool to pressure some ladies to succumb to his advances. Reportedly, the Vice Chancellor of the University has recalled the Law School list. Hopefully, the intended clean-up process does not end up affecting the admission of the innocent students into the Nigerian Law School this session.

The students’ demand, UNICAL’s and NBA’s reactions

Ultimately, these law students are crying out, stating that their mental health is in jeopardy in the hands of Prof. Ndifon. Therefore, they want him out for their sanity. 

Prof. Ndifon has denied all the allegations, claiming he is a victim of an alleged set-up. But it appears his preliminary responses are less than compelling. Recent reports had it that UNICAL has positively reacted to the unfortunate development. This is by relieving Prof. Ndifon of his position as Dean. He has also been suspended, pending investigation by a panel to be set up. 

Meanwhile, this is the second time Prof. Ndifon will be suspended by the University over similar allegations relating to sexual harassment. 

By a press release published on 19 August 2023, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) announced that it has commenced investigation into the allegations of sexual assault leveled against Prof. Ndifon. 

Conclusion

Once again, the fate of Prof. Ndifon hangs on the balance. It dangles like bells, and awaits the supreme test. His alleged victims must now prepare to step forward for the real deal. Protests and placards have done only the basic job. The main assignment awaits them at the main bowl of the panels, and possibly the courts. From my experience participating in university panel investigations, both Prof. Ndifon and all the alleged victims are entitled to attend proceedings in the company of their legal representatives. 

I hope UNICAL will do a thorough job in order to protect the integrity of our higher institutions. The safety, intellectual, and moral well-being of our students need to be guaranteed. 

The article —THE FATE OF PROF. NDIFON HANGS ON THE BALANCE, IT DANGLES LIKE BELLS, written by Stephen Azubuike was originally published by Stephen Legal on 23 August 2023.

FIDA Africa Regional Congress begins tomorrow, rolls out programme of events

The much-awaited Africa Regional Congress of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) with the THEME: MAPUTO PROTOCOL AND WOMEN IN AFRICA: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AS A VITAL TOOL FOR ACCELERATION.begins tomorrow at Barcelona Hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja.

Below is the programme of events.
DAY 1: Thursday 24th August, 2023

1Arrival & Registration: 12 noon – 6.00 pm.

Welcome Reception: 6:30 pm – 8.00 pm.

DAY 2: Friday 25th August, 2023

OPENING CEREMONY: 10.00 am – 12 noon.

Chairperson: Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria & ECOWAS
Keynote Speaker: Her Excellency Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Former First Lady Ekiti State
Moderator: Rhoda Tyoden, Former Country Vice President, FIDA Nigeria

Opening Prayers
▪ National/FIDA/Women Anthems,
▪ Welcome Address – Joy Ejim, FIDA Regional Vice President Africa [North & West]
▪ Chairperson’s Remarks
▪ Goodwill Messages:
Carolina Rios Villota, President, International Federation of Women Lawyers
(FIDA).
President, Nigerian Bar Association
Representatives of African Union, ECOWAS, etc
▪ Keynote Speech – Digital Technology and Gender Equality: Maputo Protocol and African Women In Focus
▪ Vote of Thanks – Eliana Martins, Chairperson, Africa Regional Congress Planning Committee

Question & Answer Session.

1ST PLENARY SESSION 12:20 pm – 1:20 pm

Maputo Protocol @ 20: The Journey So Far

Question & Answer Session
1:20pm-3.00pm Health Break/Jumat Service – Hajia Laraba Shua’ibu
Venue: Maitama Islamic Center Plot 120, Nile Crescent, Maitama

2ND PLENARY SESSION 3:05 pm – 5:05 pm.
Gender Justice and the Rule of Law – The Place of Inclusion and Digital
Technology

Question & Answer Session.
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Cultural Night

DAY 3: Saturday 26th August, 2023

3RD PLENARY SESSION 9.00 am – 10.00 am.

ICT & Digital Education: The Way Forward.

Question & Answer Session


Practical ICT Session 10:10 am – 11:10 am.

Question & Answer Session.

4TH PLENARY SESSION 11:20 am – 12:20 pm.

Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Technology,
Information and Finance Strategies.

Question & Answer Session.

FIDA Africa Empowering Women 12:25 – 12:45 pm.


Question & Answer Session.

5TH PLENARY SESSION 12:50 pm – 2:20 pm.

Business Meeting/Country Reports – Country Representatives

Question & Answer Session.

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm- Health Break

FIDA Africa Promoting Women’s Health – 3:30 pm – 5.00 pm

Outreach/Advocacy Visit to FIDA Abuja Ward (Gwarimpa Hospital).

Free Health Checks – Hallmark Insurance HMO Health Services Limited

7.00 pm – 10.00 pm – Formal Congress Dinner & Awards Night.

DAY 4: Sunday 27th August, 2023
9.00 am – 12 noon – Thanksgiving Service.

Venue: Assemblies of God National Worship Center, By Michika Street,
Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki Abuja.

12:05 pm – 12:30 pm – Health Break/Lunch

12:35 pm – 2.00 pm – Fireside Chat: The FIDA Africa of our Dream

Comments, Questions & Answers Session.

2:05 pm – 2:30 pm – Formal Closing Ceremony

Click here to download programme events.

FIDA-AFRICA-CONGRES-PROGRAM


CIO AWARDS AFRICA 2023 is here!

📢We’re super excited to announce that the call for nominations for the CIO AWARDS AFRICA 2023 has kicked off 💃🏾!

As usual, we’re celebrating our tech trailblazers for their outstanding work across Africa in Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal.

ARE YOU or do you know an exceptional CIO, CTO, CDO, CDTO, COO, Head of IT etc?

Join us in recognizing their game-changing contributions at the prestigious CIO Awards Africa.

Kindly click on this link https://bit.ly/thecioawards23 to submit your nomination.

Deadline for nominations: 31st August 2023.

Eyes on the judiciary: My personal experience with Justice AB Mohammed of PEPC panel

By Emmanuel Ogebe

Seeing Justice AB Mohammed on the presidential petition panel was a reminder to me that it’s not just about judicial intelligence. If intelligence was valued in our society, most of our rulers would never smell power and Nigeria would be far ahead. Fortunately, the petitioners won’t go through my travails in his court because it is constitutionally time-bound and he is in a panel with four other justices. However, I will always know that I did not get Justice in his court and wonder how my NJC petition went to voicemail.

It was a very costly venture traveling all the way to Nigeria for the final addresses in the presidential election petition trial. But I knew that history beckoned as the case with the closest probability of overturning the presidential elections. From the array of grounds listed, it seemed like APC’s candidate had made just too many blunders over time that had now come to roost at this particular juncture.

Since there is no recording of the hearings, broadcast or transcription, I had to be in the court room where it was happening to hear firsthand the reasoning and arguments canvassed.

It was on this last hearing of the court that I saw him again this time with recognition.

During my monitoring of the proceedings, I had gotten to hear all of their lordships speak. Their intellect was not in doubt nor was their sense of purposefulness and humility. On several occasions I had seen them strongly remonstrate against petitioner’s counsel only to adjourn for ruling, come back and rule that his position was right after all. Nigerians are generally very smart people and rarely when you find one being intentionally unsmart, it is usually with an agenda.

Anyway one judge by the extreme right always impressed me with his knowledge of procedural law. This is important because, at the Court of Appeal (not being a trial court but an appellate court) they generally don’t deal with rules of trial procedure anymore.

This explained some of the avoidable arguments over elementary issues such as order of precedence in cross examination amidst multiple respondents on the same side as occurred with PDP’s counsel Chris Uche, SAN.

So I was impressed by the judge on the right who always seemed to quote procedure from his head without reference to a book.

When ThisDay published the profiles of the justices, I saw that he was newly elevated to the Court of Appeal which explained his familiarity with rules of procedure having just come from the FCT High Court a couple of years before.

Then it hit me. He was the FCT judge in my bungled case.

Read Also: Right Of Reply: Re Rotimi Jacobs calls out DSS for disregard of Bawa

In my over three decades post-call to the Nigerian bar, I have only ever petitioned the National Judicial Council about two Judges. One was Justice Tanko JSC (as he then was) over his participation in Buhari’s coup against CJN Onnoghen. I was vindicated by history when he was ignominiously pushed out of office himself after an unprecedented judicial mutiny by fellow Supreme Court Justices.

The other judge I petitioned was the judge by the far right in the presidential petition court.

I would have shared my petition here for you to see firsthand what forced me as a son of a judge to file a complaint against a judge knowing full well how judges can be unfairly pilloried.

However I am constrained in doing so because I want the judge’s side to also be available for fairness’ sake.

Accordingly I went to the NJC to request a copy of his response to my January 2018 petition and their resolution of same as I never got a reply.

Read Also: Just in! UniCal Appoints Acting Dean Faculty of Law

To my shock, NJC found his file but my petition was not in it. The file was a Court of Appeal file so I asked if they could search his High Court file. I was informed that the contents of his High Court file would have transferred to his Appeal Court file.

I was then referred to the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s office where I had submitted the petition.

There, we were unable to trace it either even after I produced an acknowledgment copy showing date of submission. I was advised to write a reminder letter.

I was still smarting from the frustration of system failure and poor record keeping at the highest court in the land when I heard of the destruction of the billboard campaign “all eyes on the judiciary.”

Read Also: Nigerian Muslim clerics meet Niger Republic coup leader+ Photos

I’m not sure what the urgency or propriety of demolishing the signs were. They were not demeaning or inciting or even partisan but Nigeria is the fatherland of absurdity.

“In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act” says George Orwell.

Although I believe I am entitled five and a half years after my petition to publish its contents, as a courtesy to the NJC, I ask that they release their resolution first.

What I will do in the meantime is to rehash what is already in the public domain.

“STATEMENT ON REPORTED DEMISE OF EX-MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS

Dear Media,

You may recall my travails under the wicked and evil Buhari regime.

Apart from the covert attacks of all their intelligence services, the public face of their fight was Aisha Alhassan (who) held a press conference and lied that I didn’t put the Chibok girls in school in America.

I finally sued her for defamation in Abuja High Court.

I traveled to Nigeria for my case over 10 times at great cost. Most times the case won’t go on. Then in 2019 the case entered voicemail and never reappeared for hearing again.

Last month while in Nigeria, a learned colleague came and informed me that Aisha Alhassan had gone to the Abuja High Court, where she ignominiously left employment after looting millions, and emotionally blackmailed them that how dare they allow me come from US and embarrass her in the court she “built”?

I was shocked but not surprised at this revelation knowing how she manipulated her way and escaped conviction when she was criminally charged to court for corruption.

Based on this information I asked my counsel to approach the court for a new date in my case.

The court fixed yesterday May 6 for the hearing. Unfortunately due to the JUSUN strike, the case did not proceed.

You can thus see why the news of her death the day after another aborted hearing of my quest for justice in my defamation case against her and the FGN is poetic and prophetic justice in and of itself.

“Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”

Proverbs 11:21 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%2011:21&version=KJV

Nigeria’s rulers should be warned that as the wise King Solomon said, “All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.”

Ecclesiastes 8:9 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ecclesiastes%208:9&version=KJV

The regime of Umaru Yar’Adua threatened me for my integrity and principles. Just the day before yesterday we marked his end and the collapse of his cabal 11 years ago.

Read Also: An intruder in APC’s internal affairs, By Ayo Lijadu

Gen. Abacha imprisoned and tortured me in the presidential villa 25 years ago. Next month marks 23 years since he perished with his hideous regime.

The Buhari regime is facing and will face its own divine visitation which is to be feared more than phantom coup alarmism.

In my prophetic pronouncement against the regime for their false accusations against me, I said thus, “If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.” (See statement below)

Proverbs 17:13 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%2017:13&version=ESV

If you check it, you will see that evil has not departed Aso Rock. For the first time in our nation’s history aides of the First Lady and the president opened fire against themselves in the villa. Before that the First Lady went on international media to embarrass her husband as a clueless non-performer unworthy of her future vote and he himself blasted her as only useful for food and sex – all while traveling abroad!

Worst of all, most recently, the First Lady has set a record as a refugee abroad from the putrid stench of her husband’s ruinous misgovernance. For the first time, Nigeria has a nomadic president and an IDP First Lady (Internationally Displaced Person.)

…The Nigerian regime and their American acolytes will not escape justice poetic, prophetic or prosaic!

Ironically Aisha Alhassan died before she could see the university graduations of four out of the 12 schoolgirls I brought to US (three Chibok and one other terror survivor) between this week and next week.

However Aisha Alhassan never saw the five Chibok girls she fraudulently took away from me graduate beyond secondary school if even that despite the millions they squandered and plundered in the guise of educating them…

She owned much landed property in Abuja but died in a foreign land like a typical Nigerian kleptocrat.

No one is immortal and death is the debt humanity pays for a life we never borrowed but were bestowed.

When my time comes my deeds will speak for me as hers have spoken for her. May our rulers learn to fear God.” “(Death of a kleptocrat: Aisha Alhassan died days before graduation of US Chibok girls she lied about – May 7, 2021.)

The Abuja high court judge handling my defamation case (at the time a senior Abuja lawyer informed me it had been sabotaged by Aisha Alhassan) is currently on the Court of Appeal presidential election petition panel. However I didn’t petition him based on this information as by then I still had not received a response to my prior 2018 petition about my case’s first disappearance in 2017.

Yes. It had happened before. I had flown to Nigeria in September 2017 for a ruling in my case but when we got to court, my case was mysteriously unlisted. It wasn’t until 2018 that I finally petitioned the CJN about this bizarre situation.

In March, my lawyers were called to appear in court the following day for the ruling. They informed me that the court claimed my file had mistakenly been sent to the Court of Appeal. That was to be the beginning of the drama in my case.

Finally, last year, I learnt that my trial judge had been promoted to the Court of Appeal so my case would have to start afresh under a new judge after five years and countless trips.

This press statement of April 19 last year says what followed, “Chibok defamation case: court drops dead minister Aisha Alhassan, lawyer vows to continue case to hold Nigerian government accountable for academic failure of four out of five Chibok girls after six years since embassy’s takeover.

An Abuja High Court has removed late former Women Affairs Minister Aisha Alhassan as a defendant in international human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe’s Chibok defamation law suit pursuant to a motion filed by his attorneys.

The US-based lawyer says that despite the death of the minister, the defamation suit will continue to hold the government responsible for its heinous acts.

“Aisha Alhassan frustrated the trial for years using her clout and access as a corrupt former staff of Abuja High Court. When I was tipped off, I asked my counsel to set a date for hearing after two years of silence. We were given May 6th court date and she died on May 7th.

Her lies died with her and her case has now been transferred to eternity where she will account before the throne of judgment why she was busy defaming humanitarians and looting our commonwealth instead of finding peoples’ daughters who were languishing in captivity. This is a reminder and a warning to our misrulers that you can’t bribe God.”

Even the new trial judge was shocked by the longevity of the case in the High Court as Abuja has more courts than most states judiciaries in Nigeria. Per press release of February this year,

“Court again awards costs against FGN in lawyer’s Chibok defamation lawsuit

An Abuja high court has again awarded costs against the Attorney General of the Federation for seeking an adjournment of the defamation lawsuit of international human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe against the Federal Government over his sponsorship of Chibok girls to America.

At the proceedings yesterday in the capital, the Defendants were represented by Mr Agbe of the Ministry of Justice who claimed that they were unable to proceed with final addresses because they had not received the record of proceedings.

However counsel for the Plaintiff, Godwin Abarike, Esq said that the records of the case were already with the Defendants.

Per Abarike, “I am opposing the request for adjournment because it is the latest gimmick from the defendants to delay the case when we are here for final address. They have already given us notice of appeal over their dismissed motions so this is just another delaying style.”

Counsel for the FGN, Mr Agbe took offense at Abarike’s submission saying, “My Lord, his use of the word ‘delay style’ is painting me in a bad light.”

However the court said, “No it’s the records that paint you in a bad light. This case has been on since 2017. It’s just a defamation case not a chieftaincy case.”

Eventually the court ruled that it would “reluctantly“ adjourn the case to allow the FGN prepare its final address and awarded N100,000 costs against the Federal Government.

This is the fifth time that costs have been awarded against the Federal Government since the commencement of this defamation action in 2017. However the FGN has failed to pay previous awards totaling over N1,000,000 till date.

The matter was adjourned to March, 2023 for adoption of Final Written Addresses.

The FGN never presented any witnesses or evidence in its defense whereas the Plaintiff Emmanuel Ogebe, Esq flew to Nigeria and testified in his own behalf on multiple occasions.”

From the above, you can see that it was not just me a pioneer practitioner in Abuja 30 years ago but even a serving judge could not understand why a simple defamation case dragged for six years. It is one of the least complicated cases to handle. You tender the defamatory publication and the other party produces evidence to prove it was true. In my case, the FGN didn’t even present any evidence. In fact their exhibit proved my case that it was malicious because of my criticism of Buhari!

The prior judge’s claim that my case file’s first disappearance in 2017 was because it mistakenly went to the Court of Appeal was not credible or plausible but I was willing to give his lordship the benefit of doubt.

However the second disappearance in 2020 is the one where I received compelling information about Alhassan’s interference with the matter.

So what is my impression of the judge? To be fair, Justice A.B. Mohammed was very sharp. You could tell that he knew his onions and understood issues.

He also ruled against the FGN’s preliminary objection to my case which indicates he is not afraid of the government and even awarded costs against them twice.

His strange ruling however was to allow the FGN to file its statement of defense after I had testified, been cross examined and closed my case as plaintiff. We felt it was clearly prejudicial for them to hear the totality of my case before writing and filing their defense. However we did not appeal against it. Still the FGN even failed to bring witnesses to prove their case.

Seeing Justice AB Mohammed on the presidential petition panel was a reminder to me that it’s not just about judicial intelligence. If intelligence was valued in our society, most of our rulers would never smell power and Nigeria would be far ahead.

Fortunately, the petitioners won’t go through my travails in his court because it is constitutionally time-bound and he is in a panel with four other justices.

However I will always know that I did not get Justice in his court and wonder how my NJC petition went to voicemail…

I wish Nigeria’s electorate better luck than I with his lordship.

Whether or not billboards are destroyed, eyes are on the judiciary.

“Ignorance allied with power is the most ferocious enemy justice can have,” wrote James Baldwin.

I urge NJC to release its resolution of my petitions and call on the judiciary to broadcast the judgment of the election petitions on live TV for all eyes to see. The judiciary is not a secret society and judicial reasoning is not necromancy. Let the people see!

  • This is the 13th edition of Emmanuel Ogebe’s  Presidential Election Petition Court Diary

Right Of Reply: Re Rotimi Jacobs calls out DSS for disregard of Bawa

A call on DSS not to release Bawa until the EFCC complies with thousands of court valid orders & judgments

By Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan

I find the above article rather interesting and with mixed emotions on account of the misleading caption and absurdity of a veneer of respectability accorded same while underneath the surface is the cancer that the EFCC itself as a body has foisted on the ordinary citizens since its inception. Here is why.

On 12th of February, a lady was arrested by the EFCC at Access Bank in Wuse 2 and detained in the Bank vault, and molested. I was instructed to go and secure her release from that illegal detention inside the Bank. On getting to the Bank I was arrested and detained by overzealous EFCC officials and detained in a dimly lit rat-infested underground cell without trial for 8 days incommunicado.

On 25th May 2010, exactly 13 years ago, in Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan v EFCC and 2 Others Suit No FCT/ HC/ CV/495/2010 his Lordship the honourable justice Chinedu Sylvester Oriji delivered judgment for the enforcement of my Fundamental Rights declared my arrest and detention illegal and unconstitutional and made both monetary and declaratory orders 

On 13 August 2017 in Appeal No CAA)282/2013 the Court of Appeal Abuja (Coram their lordships Emmanuel Akomaye Agim JCA (Read the leading judgment) Tlinuade Akomolafe Wilson JCA and Tani Yusuf Hassan JCA in a unanimous decision affirmed the judgment of the trial court and added that aside from the monetary judgment, the EFCC should tender an apology to me for the illegal arrest and detention. Till date the EFCC has not appealed the monetary judgment and has refused to comply with the judgment as an institution which sees itself as above the law.

Despite several letters and correspondences successive Chairmen of EFCC refused to obey the orders of the Court or appeal the monetary judgment made by Oriji J 13 years ago. I was told in EFCC legal department that I should GO TO COURT

I hope Bawa should remain in detention for 13 years too maybe the current leadership of EFCC and other law enforcement agencies will take a cue from that and start obeying all the pending Court Orders gathering dust in the EFCC legal department

I call on the DSS chairman please not to release Bawa please let EFCC GO TO COURT

Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist writes from Abuja

Follow on Twitter @Chiefnkereuwrm

Just in! UniCal Appoints Acting Dean Faculty of Law

  •  Cross River First Lady says sexual abuse has no place in our society, especially higher institutions
  • NHRC calls for investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct at Unical’s Faculty of Law

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has approved the appointment of Dr (Mrs.) Rose Ohiama Ugbe, as the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law.

A statement issued by the Registrar of the University of Calabar on Tuesday, Mr. Gabriel Egbe, disclosed that the appointment takes effect from Tuesday, August 22, 2023, and will run till a substantive dean is elected for the faculty.

The release states that, as acting Dean, Dr. Rose Ugbe will take up the responsibilities and duties associated with the office and also oversee faculty’s academic programmes, foster a healthy relationship among staff and students, and create a positive environment for teaching and learning.

Other functions as contained in the release include supporting faculty members in their research activities and collaborating with the University Administration to ensure full implementation and actualization of the vision of the University.

Also. Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu has announced that says sexual abuse has no place in our society, especially in higher institutions.

A statement signed on behalf of Rev. Otu by  her Press Secretary, Faith Okon reads:

“The Office of the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu is closely following the case of Professor Cyril Ndifon, a lecturer in the University of Calabar and Dean of the Faculty of Law, over allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation of female students spanning several years.

The plethora of allegations is worrying and should be concerning to any decent and God-fearing individual and institution.

First Lady of Cross River State, Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu

As a person, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu and her office is committed to humanity first. These allegations are weighty and deserve thorough investigation and prosecution of the individual if a prima facie case is established against him.

The Wife of the Governor reiterates her commitment to continue to fight for the rights of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as create a culture of safety and respect for all women, youths, and children in Cross River State.

As an advocate against all forms of gender-based violence and molestation, she stands in solidarity with all survivors of sexual abuse in all institutions, especially in universities.

Sexual abuse is a serious crime that has devastating consequences on survivors, both personally and professionally. It causes physical and emotional torture and can have a lasting impact on a survivor’s academic and professional life.

We understand that sexual abuse is often under-reported and survivors are stigmatized. However, we would like to encourage survivors to speak up and come out to get the help they need.

The office of the Wife of the Governor is working assiduously to provide resources for help, including counselling, legal assistance, and support groups.

We, therefore, call on the management and students of institutions of higher learning to do more on advocacy to prevent sexual abuse.

We urge everyone to join the Wife of the Governor to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse, and together, we can create a world where everyone is safe and respected.”

National Commissioner Human Rights Commission and The Special Rapporteur on The Right to Education in Nigeria, Sir Agabaidu Jideani has called for a thorough investigation into the allegation of sexual assault levelled against the Dean Faculty of Law – University of Calabar

Sir Agabaidu Jideani stated that a University Undergraduate is a precious asset to the nation and any violation of the rights of such precious assets is injurious to the Nation.

Sir Agabaidu Jideani

He described the University system as a platform for the promotion of the rights to education and enlightenment and should not be found to have become an engine for sexual violence.

The National Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on the right to Education in Nigeria called for the protection of the alleged victims and the provision of access to appropriate counselling for the young ladies.

Sir Agabaidu Jideani also requested the establishment of an institution-wide whistleblowing system to enable students to report incidents confidentially and anonymously as well as a proactive approach to dealing with reported incidents by the University authorities.

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