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Ogwu, the one who refused to die

Law & Society Magazine
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Ogwu, the one who refused to die

War is closely related to violent anger, aggression, noise, loud frightening sound, chaos, debilitating fear and many more. And so when a man tells you that his name is ‘Ogwu’, the Igala (a Nigerian tribe/language) word for war you expect some measure of aggression and domineering in his personality. However, when this ‘Ogwu’ turns out to be the exact opposite of his name, one begins to wonder how peace and war could ever be embodied in the same personality. Nigeria was in turmoil, as the civil war raged, and the Biafran army was trying out its bombs. In the midst of all these, on 19th February, 1968, a young woman in far away Idah, then under Kabba Province of Northern Nigeria, and present day Kogi state, was in labour. It was going to be her third child.

Thankfully, just when the pangs were becoming unbearable, he came forth. A shrill cry rent the air and the midwife proudly announced that another son has been born to the Onojas. But that joy was almost immediately marred, for not long after the happy proclamation, the unthinkable happened.

 Idah was bombed – the very town where the baby had just been born! In the midst of the melee that ensued, the baby’s father ran away leaving his wife and hapless baby.

“My mother told me that when it happened, my father ran away. That had been an issue of contention. My father said he ran to mobilize the vigilante group to resist the attacks but my mum used to make a jest of him that, ‘you say you love your son but you ran away,’ ” revealed Chief Ogwu James Onoja.

Against the backdrop that he was born during the civil war in Nigeria (1967-1970), and given the peculiar incident that occurred on the day of his birth, he was named Ogwu (war).

“Anybody that bears that name in my place was born during the war. That is why you hardly see people name their children after me, because they say it is not a good name,” he explained.

As the events of his life unfurled, he was urged by many to change the name but he declined Chief Onoja’s major challenge started when at the age of seven, his parents divorced.

 “It was a very serious issue when you have to have a broken home. According to my mother, they used to have a child-spacing arrangement of four years, though not deliberate. I didn’t understand until I met somebody recently who said her mother had that problem. When women with that condition get pregnant and give birth, they may not have another one till four years.

“So, my father’s family felt that my mother’s type of womb would make the family lineage go extinct. Since my mother did not have their desired kind of womb, they opted to bring in another woman to give birth to as many children as possible.  So, my father took a second wife and there was problem.  I witnessed disunity. I stayed with my mother initially and people would come around and say, ‘don’t agree to come back.’ They encouraged my mom to pack out of the house and not return. The crises started in 1972 and by 1975, the divorce had happened,” he revealed. .

Ironically, after convincing his mother to leave her husband, those same relatives later turned against her.

Having found his young self in this grim situation, he devised a way to survive.

 According to him, “I decided that through education and football, I would get my liberty. I was a football captain in both primary and secondary schools. I was the football captain everywhere I went including the School of Basic Studies (SBS) Makurdi in Benue state, and at the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, (UniJos) Plateau state. I could not join the national team because I was called to the Nigerian Bar at the age of 22.”

He continued, “Amongst the other crisis I had was getting a job after being called to the bar. I started with Humphrey Abah & Co. Legal Practitioners, Lagos (1992-1994). Then between 1996 and 1997, I struggled to be on my own and lost my father within that period.  Six months later, I lost my mother.  Then between 2002 and 2003, I lost my brother and sister. So, it was like I was alone though the other woman had five children who are my step-brothers. I thought of changing my name from Ogwu. But thank God I was already married at that time so that gave me some consolation.. It was very huge challenge.

“I served in old Imo State. I was posted to Nkwere Local Government, and thereafter, moved to Orlu, where I joined E. J.O Nwogwu. I practiced with him briefly, and then later moved to Owerri, where I joined Prof. Nwazurike. He was a professor at University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), he said.

Going forward, Chief Onoja said:  “After my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, I went to Lagos. There is something I inherited from my parents, especially my father – integrity and honesty. That was the biggest fuel that brought me to this level.

“When I joined Humphrey in 1993, my salary was N600. Within six months it was increased to N800 because of diligence to duty and commitment to service and honesty. When I came, Humphrey started giving me big assignments and I worked under a very cerebral lawyer called Ime Asanga. I still refer to him as my Prof. Lawyer and lecturer, because he taught me all that I needed to know as a lawyer at that stage.

“A very jovial man; he called me one day and asked – ‘You went to Kano, how much did Oga (our principal) give to you?’  So, I gave a breakdown of how the money was spent. I said air ticket is x amount, when I got to Kano, I slept in my brother’s house. Then he asked, ‘you didn’t stay in a hotel?’ I said no, because it was an opportunity to link up with my people. He asked, ‘where is the accommodation money?’ I told him I gave everything to Oga (the principal partner).

“He asked about other trips and I listed how I spent the money and retired the balance to our principal. He exclaimed and said ‘no wonder since you came they don’t send us on trips again. You mean you returned the balance to Oga?’ I didn’t know that God was preparing me for a bigger role, because most of my life to this stage has been a life of service and trust. People trust me with what they have.

“Then it came to getting married so, all my team mates with whom I played football came to me and said, ‘Now that you are a lawyer, you have to get married.’ They said they would look for a wife for me, which was after several failed attempts at UniJos by J.S. Okutepa (SAN) and others to get me a girl-friend.

“In December 1991, I was not called to bar then. It used to be NYSC before call-to-bar. My cousins and friends told me that they had seen a woman for me. This was at a district headquarters where my uncle was the district head. Unknown to me, they had all gone to woo her but she ignored them.

“She came from the city. So, we went there and that is the woman I have now as my wife. We went there but she refused to come out. Eventually someone prevailed on her and she came out to greet us. Then I introduced myself as a lawyer and practicing in Imo State. I expressed my love for her; that everybody spoke well of her.  .

“When I got married, we had challenges because I hadn’t a good job. Then, I got admission for my Master’s degree, and I was already an orphan. But because there was love, she was ready to stick with me. I had no car when I got married, and even the driver that took us from the village after our wedding to Lagos, dropped off by the road at Yaba after he had agreed to take us to my rented apartment. I had to carry my wife’s luggage on my head.

“It was tough. No money to eat. We had to sell our wedding gifts. I also had heaps of old newspapers. I started selling those too to Suya sellers (roast beef). In all, we had no problem of understanding each other. We knew there were people waiting for us to fail, so we had every reason to ensure that the marriage worked to the disgrace of our detractors.”

According to him, “My major breakthrough started when a kinsman Enemona Agada, gave me a brief from Failed Bank Tribunal. I lost the case, but the other party later came to negotiate, as I was still holding one of their properties.

“I made N400, 000 from the transaction. That was January 1998, and my wife was heavily pregnant. On March 12, 1998 she climbed 18 floors to go and collect the cheque because there was no elevator. The baby came the following day. I bought a Mercedes 200 car with which I brought them home. That was my first car.

“When I was in a partnership, they wanted me to do something that was against my conscience. A client was going to be cheated, but I advised her not to agree to the terms and she listened. She later thanked me and even gave me a property to manage.

“Thereafter, I was introduced to a lady who told me somebody whose name she wouldn’t disclose wanted to buy a property. The property she was looking for fit the same property the first woman handed over to me for sale. It was an estate property. “After the transaction was concluded, both the woman and the person who bought the property disappeared leaving all the original documents of the property with me.

“People said it was a settlement from God but I disagreed, and sought for ways to find them. I remember they told me the person the property was bought for was managing director of one company, so, I wore my suit and went to the place, but I couldn’t enter. I wrote a note but there was no reply. Then I put the property up for rent. The first rent yielded N1000. I then wrote a cheque, put the name and address, and sent to the person.

“But he sent it back to me saying he didn’t know what I was talking about. From the reply he wrote to me, I saw the land line was Multilinks, and we had a Multilinks line in my office. I called and his personal assistant (PA) picked. I introduced myself and briefly narrated the transaction which was now four years.

“I was in my office one day when the man called our Multilinks line and requested to see me. His opening statement was: ‘People like you are no longer available, sit down.’ I stretched my hand forward to give him the property documents, but he asked me to sit down. I told him that I couldn’t find the link woman. That I have been collecting the rent and the cheque I sent him earlier was with me.

“But he sent it back to me saying he didn’t know what I was talking about. From the reply he wrote to me, I saw the land line was Multilinks, and we had a Multilinks line in my office. I called and his personal assistant (PA) picked. I introduced myself and briefly narrated the transaction which was now four years.”

“He asked me to hold the documents; that after all the papers had been with me for four years. He now instructed the PA to give me two new properties to manage for him. That was a big break for me. That was how the relationship started with the man and he decided that we should work together. So, by 1999 I was already a millionaire.

“It’s about integrity. He picked me and that is why up till now, he is my godfather. Where I’m staying in Asokoro, Abuja, I have been staying there for 18 years without paying rent. I’m a man that God has greatly favoured.

“There is nothing like luck, but there is God. I don’t believe in luck, but I believe in God because your hard work alone will not take you there. You need integrity and skills. It is the combination of that, that can distinguish you. And then, there is what I call the spirit of contentment. L&S

Restructuring: Imperative of Political Will

Samuel Attah
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613
Restructuring: Imperative of Political Will

The clamour for restructuring of the country requires political will to drive the process. However, due mainly to the divergence of perspectives on the concept, especially between the north and south divide; restructuring may take a long while or just never happen.Evidently, the country is stagnated if not retrogressing because of its current structure. A situation where the states and local governments exist merely as an appendage of the federal government and derive their survival from the goodwill of the federal government will always stifle progress and growth at both levels. As long as growth and progress are clogged at these levels, true development will remain a phantom.

In Nigeria, the federal government has remained a big powerful central government that controls virtually all the affairs of the state governments.

It controls the sum of resources given to the states, approves the amenities they could put in place and even their ability to determine their destinies. As a result, under the present structure, no state or local government can grow or develop beyond the aspiration or wishes of the federal government.

Often times, a state government would require approval from the federal government to carry out certain projects and may not proceed if approval is not given. Presently, many Nigerians would prefer federal government to confer more powers on the states.

Yet, some are of the opinion that Nigeria is not ripe for this system. They insist that given the mechanics of a decentralized government, powers could easily be abused.

During his nation-wide address of August 21, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari, said the National Assembly is the appropriate body saddled with the responsibility of addressing such matters. But the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has argued that his position cannot be taken to mean he is unwilling to restructure.

 However, a couple of weeks back  the president declared that calls for the restructuring of the country were propelled more by selfish than national interests.

Some of the questions begging for answers remain:

  1. Is Nigeria ripe for restructuring?
  2. Will restructuring be beneficial to Nigeria as a whole?
  3. Would restructuring impact negatively on Nigerians in terms of economy, security, education…?
  4. If the above questions are resolved in favour of restructuring, would the federal government muster the political will to do the right thing?

Clearly, from the dissonance in arguments between federal government and those speaking for the north and southern parts of the country, the impression being created is that some sections will benefit more from restructuring while others lose out. Whether this is true or false perhaps depends on how each divide views restructuring.

A former General Secretary, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union, NUPENG, Chief Frank Kokori, holds that “the reason agitations are going on in this country is because certain people feel they are marginalized, but I know that the whole country is marginalized because of bad governance and corruption.

He said:  “I am for real federalism. The federal government should be left with some residual powers on defence, currency, foreign affairs, and others while states should be given powers over other affairs.”

Dr. Bukar Usman, a former Permanent Secretary in the Presidency, however, has a different view. “The answer to the re-structuring question lies more in collective self-examination, in fundamental change of attitude, and in a public-spirited approach to public administration by the current operators of our constitution.

“It cannot be denied that the powerful centre is the outcome of intense agitations by Nigerians of the 1960s that the regions were too powerful and imbalanced and should be balkanised. The agitations were heeded and implemented to grant self-determination to some communities and preserve the unity of Nigeria,” he argued.

At a recent event, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, cautioned that the situation in Nigeria would degenerate unless restructuring occurs.

‘’Taking into account the historical and current developments, including especially the continuing outrageous killings in the North Central zone of the country, I am proposing a restructuring of Nigeria into a true federation of eight federating units comprising the existing six geo-political zones plus a restored old Mid-West region and a newly created Middle Belt federating unit.

“The present mostly non-viable 36 states many of which can no longer pay the salaries of their workers, should be retained in the new federating units, but as development zones to be administered without their current costly executive and administrative institutions.

“It would be for each federating unit to decide if and when to create within it additional development zone(s) in response to any genuine cry of marginalisation…

President Muhammadu Buhari

‘’I therefore call on our governments and lawmakers to heed the growing warning signs of potential national disaster by agreeing to adopt a restructured true federalism which I believe will provide the best basis for the realisation of the Nigerian nation that we all desire,” he said.

“Taking into account the historical and current developments, including especially the continuing outrageous killings in the North Central zone of the country, I am proposing a restructuring of Nigeria into a true federation of eight federating units comprising the existing six geo-political zones plus a restored old Mid-West region and a newly created Middle Belt federating unit.”

Chief John Nnia Nwodo, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, posits that: “you can’t have true federation without justice.” He further submitted: “The cause of under development is the fact that we do not have a restructured nation. I hereby call on Nigerians not to vote for any leader who is not prepared to speak to the problems of this country through restructuring. We need a leader who is not biased, that is the qualification for true leader.”

Nwodo at another forum announced emphatically that Ndigbo will not fight any war again, but will partner with other ethnic groups with similar ideology, to continuously engage the authorities through diplomatic warfare, in ensuring that Nigeria is restructured into a true federation as envisioned by the founding fathers of the country.

As stated by Major General Zamani Lekwot, (rtd): “All hope is not lost if we could restructure the country urgently, check population explosion, empower the judiciary, empower the police force and other security agencies, and create community police to fight insecurity and check foreigners invading the country without control among others.”

Spokesperson for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, posits that the issue of restructuring would determine who Nigerians would vote for in 2019, noting that Afenifere would mobilise and champion the restructuring cause in the general elections.

Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Biu, said that it respects the views of Nigerians on any structure of government that will strengthen unity and peaceful coexistence for equitable development.

Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, former Director General, Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), gives more insight:-

“By 1966, when the army struck, Nigeria retained its federal structure and the parliamentary system of government. There were some peculiarities of the federal structure in place which made the regions very powerful. Devolution of power was such that each region controlled its resources to a large extent- to wit, North its groundnut, West its cocoa and East, its palm produce…

“With the military intervention began Nigeria’s romance with the unitary system of government… So by 1979, when the military returned power to civilian democracy, the constitution fundamentally altered the arrangement of devolution of powers…

“All subsequent constitutions followed to a large extent the pattern of the 1979 constitution, thereby throwing overboard the position of things as at 1960.

“… The question is, restructure from what to what? From states as federating units back to regions? To make the geo-political zones a component of our federation with constitutional recognitions or what?

“Second, is to agree in principle that there is need to restructure from what is the architectural blueprint that is currently prevalent. To restructure in the main is to change to a large extent what is currently in place…

“Areas of possible intervention are as follows: Federating Units: This presupposes an acceptance that Nigeria retains its federal status. The notion of confederation will not be entertained therein.

“The debate is that the states remain the federating unit for purposes of restructuring. This is without prejudice to states merging to become regions if they so desire, and geo-political zones also assuming a constitutional status without necessarily being the federating units. So ideally, the argument endorses states and state creation and de-emphasises regionalism and geopolitical zones as parameters for political restructuring.

“Devolution of Powers: Noticeable imbalance flowing from power sharing between the Federal (Central) Government and State governments is evident from a perusal of the legislative powers shared in the 1999 constitution.

“Whilst we have 68 items under the Exclusive Legislative list, there are just 8 items under the concurrent legislative list. Item 45 of the exclusive legislative list stipulates ‘Police and other Government, Security Services established by law.’

“Proponents of state Policing will naturally want this to move to the Residual list which will be controlled by the states. Other items that require serious interrogation for purposes of restructuring are: Item 48 – Prison, item 51 public holidays; item 39 – mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas. There are still a host of the 68 items that can be restructured in favour of the federating units.

“Judicial System: Many have also argued that our judicial system is over centralised. There is argument to return State Appellate Courts or even Supreme Court. It is still confounding why matters of land ownership and inheritance generally still come to Court of Appeal or Supreme Court when such matters can end at state or regional or geo-political zone Court of Appeal or Supreme Court as the case may be.

“The debate is that the states remain the federating unit for purposes of restructuring. This is without prejudice to states merging to become regions if they so desire, and geo-political zones also assuming a constitutional status without necessarily being the federating units.”

“Unicameral or Bicameral legislature: Again, this is a decision Nigerians may want to take for purposes of restructuring. Do we go back to bicameral legislature at the state or regional level or do we retain the status quo.

“Political consideration: The idea of restructuring is certainly not likely to sit well with many Nigerians. Opposition is definitely coming from those who feel satisfied with the status quo and believe that any attempt to restructure will affect their interest negatively. But selfish interest should not be an overriding consideration in the issue of restructuring.

“The opinion expressed recently by the governors and leaders of the South-East is worth applauding. Their support for restructuring as against secession is commendable. But that does not negate the fact that the right to self-determination is recognised as a legitimate instrument under international law.

Though our 1999 constitution proclaims the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria state, it does not presuppose that in exercise of freedom of expression, people cannot agitate (non-violently) for self-determination.

“Action plans: The 2014 national conference report is an available specimen to kick-start the process of architectural overhauling. Basically, there must be an agreement on how to proceed.

In terms of devolution of powers, which items should devolve to the states and which should be retained at the centre? Secondly, are we all agreed on ‘’Resource Control’ by the federating units? Third, do we go back to regionalism, parliamentarianism or do we retain state structure (new states creation permissible) and also continue with presidentialism?

 What will be the role of referendum (if at all) in the process of restructuring? A lot of emphasis must be placed on local government status. The situation where local government are instruments of manipulation by state government is also a point to be seriously addressed for purposes of restructuring.

“May I invite the government of the day to set up a small committee to distil from the Confab report and submit to government for critical appraisal and assessment?   Alternatively is for government to re-submit the report to the National Assembly for further action.

“Again, government in its wisdom may decide to set up a panel specifically on restructuring. The panel will be charged with the modalities of working out the logistics or bases of restructuring.

A white paper flowing from this can then be handed over to government for onward transmission to the National Assembly. It is for the National Assembly to identify issues that require constitutional amendment, legislative promulgation whilst allowing issues that require administrative or executive imprimatur to be handled by the presidency.”Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) capped it all off with this caution: “My point is that the restructure advocacy in some parts of the country may be offending the sensibilities of others. Let us think of a kinder and subtle way to present the argument of restructuring. We need to fashion out a better communication strategy to communicate and dialogue with one another as a nation. This way, we can preach and spread the restructuring agenda, while strengthening our diversity.” L&S

Starting Point

Law & Society Magazine
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23
Starting Point

“I am pleased to see that we are now all agreed that the Federal system is, under present conditions, the only sure basis on which Nigeria will remain united. We must recognize our diversity and the peculiar conditions under which the different tribal communities live in this country.”

– Tafawa Balewa, 1957

“One of the monsters which menaced the public life of this country up to 14th January, this year (1966) is OPPORTUNISM with its attendant evils of jobbery, venality, corruption, and unabashed self-interest. … a truly public-spirited person should accept public office not for what he can get for himself — such as the profit and glamour of office — but for the opportunity which it offers him of serving his people to the best of his ability, by promoting their welfare and happiness.”

Chief Obafemi Awolowo in letter from prison to Major General John Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, March 28, 1966

“The reason agitations are going on in this country is because certain people feel they are marginalized, but I know that the whole country is marginalized because of bad governance and corruption.” 

Chief Frank Kokori, Former General Secretary, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (NUPENG)

“I therefore call on our governments and lawmakers to heed the growing warning signs of potential national disaster by agreeing to adopt a restructured true federalism which I believe will provide the best basis for the realisation of the Nigerian nation that we all desire.” 

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth

What is depression and why is it rising?

Law & Society Magazine
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16
What is depression and why is it rising?

It’s an illness that fills our news pages on an almost daily basis. Juliette Jowit asks what causes depression, who is susceptible and what the best treatment is

What is depression?

Depressed people don’t all shuffle around with a long face, or cry at any provocation. MentalHealth.gov, a US government website, defines it as “losing interest in important parts of life”. Symptoms include eating or …………………………Continue from this link

How to lower your electricity bill

Law & Society Magazine
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34
How to lower your electricity bill

In April 2016, I moved in to my current apartment. The apartment was still connected to an old meter and there was an outstanding payment of about N385,000.00 to be paid.

 

This wasn’t revealed to me before I made payment for the rent, as usual (that’s how they all do)

This became a worry and an absolute headache.

 

I asked the landlord why it was so and she made me understand that the apartment was not in use for 5years.

 

I asked how come it wasn’t reported to NEPA so they’d stop the billing, she gave me a copy of the letter she wrote to them

So I took the matter up, wrote several mails to Eko electricity company and the matter was on for 11months, note that in the space of this 11 months, I never got a monthly bill lesser than 24,000.00

 

You want to ask if I have a factory in my apartment? No I don’t.

So it extended from wanting the company to zerorize the ridiculous outstanding balance in the billing account to fighting and contesting the outrageous billing system which do not in any way represent my true electricity consumption and wanting a Prepaid Meter

 

The battle began.

After several exchange of mails between myself and Eko Electric and no solution was forthcoming, I moved the matter to NERC, the regulatory body for all electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

 

I filed a petition against Ekedp and the undertaking in charge of my area.

Lo and behold, after three days from the petition submission to NERC, I got a call from the marketing manager for my area pleading for me to make myself available to allow them come to my house and take inventory of the electrical appliances I use.

 

NERC is working yeah? Right.

A staff of the Ekedp came to take the inventory and at the end of the computations, we calculated and multiplied each appliance by the estimated units they consume per day and multiplied by 31days.

 

Recall I said I never got a bill less than 24k in a month?

Then we arrived at a figure that even the Eko electric staff who came to take the inventory opened his mouth and couldn’t close it.

 

What I should be billed based on having 24hour light per day(which is not even possible) in 31 days was 4,800.00

 

I almost ran mad.

I took a copy of the report, scanned it and attached it to my next petition to NERC.

 

At this point, the marketing manager attached to my undertaking had started calling and begging me to stop the petitions.

 

That they could all get sacked if matters gets escalated further.

Then in September 2017, after all the troubles and how I never got tired if pursuing the issue, I got a mail from Eko electricity to come with some required documents in order to fill a form for a PREPAID METER.

 

I went there and did as they requested

 

At Last.

On 27 November 2017, I was on leave.

I was at my gate then this Alfa looking guy was parading and trying to see house number on the fence. My instinct told me to ask if he was asking for Ayo, then he said yes

 

He was the prepaid meter installer, he was with my new prepaid meter

I also recall that before the whole issue started, I was discouraged severally that I can never be given prepaid meter due to the outstanding balance on the billing account, I paid no mind to all the people that said that and went ahead with my case.

I got the Prepaid meter for FREE. After a week, bill was brought and boom, outstanding balance has been cleared from 385,000.00 to zero balance.

 

How did I achieve this?

I mean I didn’t pay a dime to anyone and I never for once bribed my way in all my dealings.

I achieved this simply because;

 

  1. I knew my right.
  2. I wouldn’t settle for mediocrity
  3. I never stopped pushing even after several months and it seemed unachievable
  4. I was ready to take the matter up anywhere
  5. I was informed.

Now imagine how many people are out there who don’t even know how to go about such tedious and draining process.

 

I learnt that a lot of people even paid as much as 40k to get the prepaid meter. Something that’s supposed to be free.

Since the prepaid meter was installed in November 27 2017, I have not exhausted the 303 units that came with it which is calculated to be 7,200.00

 

And I still have 140units left to use.

 

That’s over four (4) months now

Do you now see why these people will never allow dream of every homes having a prepaid meter become a reality?

 

Because such development will block all holes where the electricity distribution corrupt members of staff perpetrate their fraudulent activities and corruption from.

They know that they will be forced to give light more in order to generate revenue and will not be able to charge people outrageously as they are currently doing and remitting the proceeds of their criminal act to their pockets.

 

Stand up and Fight for what is your right.

Prepaid meter is your right, fight for it to the letter.

 

If you believe that your monthly electricity bill do not represent your consumption, make a case.

 

If you’re in Lagos, Ikeja Electricity company and Eko electricity company are there for you.

 

If they fail, involve NERC.

That will be all, for now.

Due to popular demand, these are the email addresses you can forward your complaints to –

Ikeja Electricity Distribution – [email protected]

Eko Electricity Distribution – [email protected]

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission – [email protected]

 

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A comprehensive outlook of the sex for grades drama

Law & Society Magazine
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0
A comprehensive outlook of the sex for grades drama

I remember very proudly when I finally gained admission after several attempts of writing JAMB. Almost 3 years prior to gaining admission, I had my WASSCE grades but I could not seem to get through with JAMB. I recall my grandmother walking up to me one night, while I was reading, and telling me that she believed in me and when the time was just right, I was going to get into the university. I did, one year after she passed on. My journey of preparing and waiting for admission, as was my family tradition, was communal. Everyone was a part of everything, except going with you for examinations. They prayed with you, hoped with you and were for some reason assured that you will breakthrough soon. It was a taboo to suggest that you wanted to do a diploma or needed help with “PROCESSING” your admission. That precious day, after printing my JAMB Result from a cybercafé, at the bottom there was a place written “ADMISSION STATUS: ADMITTED”. This meant that I finally got in. So, we waited a few more days and went to check if my name was on the list. Yes, it was. I scored 219 and was getting in on the indigene 210 cut off point. I can remember the joy in my home that week.

Amidst the celebration, my uncle, Bobby reached out to me and said “I want you to know, that if you decide that you want to graduate with a first class, it is very possible. I hear the stories about lecturers victimizing students, but I want you to know that you can go through school without being victimized. Whatever you do, do not miss classes, do not forget to submit your assignments on time or miss a test. Do not, have reason to go to a lecturer to ask for a favour or consideration. You have to work hard. We do not have the money to sort. Read and you will make the grades you work for.” Those words of advice stuck with me, through trying times. Everyone needs an Uncle Bobby.

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Why No Women Should Be Left Behind From The Commission Of The Status Of Women (CSW)

Law & Society Magazine
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Why No Women Should Be Left Behind From The Commission Of The Status Of Women (CSW)

From March 12th to 23rd 2018, thousands of women from every corner of the globe, braved the blizzards and cold in New York to be part of big decisions about rights of women and girls in rural areas. For two weeks, representatives of United Nations Member States, civil society organisations and United Nations agencies partook in the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at United Nations Headquarters, with the priority theme: “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls’.

CSW is a Commission of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established in 1946 and dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. While progress are discussed, gaps are highlighted in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Platform For Action( BPFA) as well as emerging issues that affects gender equality and empowerment of women and girls all over the globe . It is the largest gathering of all UN Member State and other stakeholders that is focused on the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

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LOOTERS LIST AND THE SUBJUDICE RULE: THE NEED TO CAUTION COMMENTS-BY OLIVER OMOREDIA

Law & Society Magazine
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LOOTERS LIST AND THE SUBJUDICE RULE: THE NEED TO CAUTION COMMENTS-BY OLIVER OMOREDIA

The President Muhammadu Buhari (APC)-led Federal Government on Friday published the names of persons who under the Goodluck Jonathan (PDP)-led administration had allegedly looted the treasury of the country. The list which contained six names of high-profile members of the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) was published in response to the taunting of the Federal Government by the PDP that it makes true allegations of “looting” by publishing the names of persons it claims have looted.

While some have criticized the list for containing only six names despite the high premium the Buhari-led administration claims to be placing on the anti-corruption war, others have criticized the list for containing no names of members of the present APC administration. The PDP has in response to the list debunked the allegations and named its own “list of looters” containing names of high profile members of the APC. This write-up, while trying as best as possible to avoid the politics of the issue, considers the list published by the federal government and advises on the need for caution in commentaries on matters pending before the courts.

It is an elementary point that under law and our constitution, a person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until his guilt is proven. This is the essential theme of our criminal prosecution enshrined in Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended). It is therefore only a competent court that can pronounce the guilt of a person accused of an offence, and the courts in so doing must be allowed to reach a just conclusion independent of public sentiments from the court of public opinion.

 

Our criminal procedural laws, as imported from England, seem to slightly permit “suspects” or names of persons alleged to have committed offences to be published and the fact of the allegation may be subject to “fair comment” before the person is charged to court. Indeed, in DANIEL v. FRN (2013) LPELR-22148(CA), the court disagreed that extensive media publication before the trial of a case infringed on a Defendant’s right to fair hearing and a fair trial. However, when the matter becomes pending before the courts, continued commentary on the culpability or otherwise of a party in the case offends the subjudice rule and may, under some circumstances, be contempt of the proceedings of the court.

Looting of the national treasury is a serious offence which cannot be established save by a court of law.Whena matter has proceeded to and is before the courts, parties must refrain from commentary on the matter. In the UK case of R v. Socialist Worker (1975) QB 637, the attempts at publication of names of an accused when the courts had warned against same earned the publisher terms of imprisonment for contempt.

In Nigeria, while the publication of  names of “alleged looters” may not particularly offend our laws or  be complete grounds for action in defamation, the publication of names of those who have been charged to court, including statement of how much they allegedly stole, is no doubt an act which impedes the duty of the court in independently reaching a conclusion  on the guilt of a person whose case pends before it and whose guilt is yet to be determined. There is therefore a serious need for caution, particularly as more comments may continue to generate on the said list. Such persons as Olisa Metuh and the former National Security Adviser who are already before competent courts should not have been published on a list that indirectly confirms them as “looters” when the court is yet exercising jurisdiction to determine the issue.

 

Indeed, this action by the Federal Government could greatly prejudice the right of the named persons to justice and was exactly what the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, cautioned against in his press briefing on 11th of January this year when he said, and I quote:

“The CJN wishes to remind the public that it is Contempt of Court for anyone to discuss any matter pending in any Court of Law in the country. The punishment for Contempt may include a term of imprisonment,”.

“In respect of criminal proceedings, it is forbidden for parties, their counsel or newspaper commentators to freely offer opinions in respect of matters pending in court, including any situation where a conviction has been entered but the convict’s appeal is pending at the appellate court.

‘We must not allow ‘trial by newspaper’ or ‘trial by television or trial by any medium other than the courts of law.’ I think that anything in the nature of prejudgment of a case or of specific issues in it is objectionable not only because of its possible effect on that particular case but, also, because of its side effects which may be far reaching.

“Responsible ‘mass media’ will do their best to be fair, but there will also be ill-informed, slapdash or prejudiced attempts to influence the public.

“If people are led to think that it is easy to find the truth, disrespect for the processes of the law could follow and, if mass media are allowed to judge, unpopular people and unpopular causes will fare very badly.

“Most cases of prejudging of issues fall within the existing authorities on contempt. I do not think that the freedom of the press would suffer, and I think that the law would be clearer and easier to apply in practice if it is made a general rule that it is not permissible to prejudge issues in pending cases.”See. http://sunnewsonline.com/cjn-warns-against-comments-on-pending-court-cases/

The CJN’s admonition is clear and incisive of this issue. The Federal Government is no doubt a party in all criminal trials it has initiated in courts against some named in the “alleged looters list” and the publication of the list has no effect other than to taking the cases already pending before courts to the court of public opinion for adjudication. Even though some may argue it was the opposition who “asked for it”, there is need for caution to intervene to avoid further and more full-blown commentaries on the issue.

IN CONCLUSION

It is the duty of the Government and all in society to preserve the machinery for the determination of rights and the preservation of justice: the courts. Judges do not possess adjudicatory authority because they are muscular men of strength, rather possess this authority because the society abides by their direction and respect their determination of rights and obligations as conferred upon them by our laws. The rule against subjudice acts or comments seeks to preserve this authority and if the other arms of government who should aid in ensuring the respect for the judiciary continue to recklessly engage in acts that derogate from its respect, the role of judiciary in ensuring of justice may become an illusionary concept and the rule of law; a theory we only read in law books. The Federal Government must therefore exercise caution and restraint in leading discuss on matters already under the adjudicatory authority of its own courts.

 

Oliver Omoredia Esq.

Associate Obiagwu & Obiagwu LLP

08100193573, [email protected]

Recall Sacked Married Women Or Face…, PGI Tells Glo

Law & Society Magazine
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Recall Sacked Married Women Or Face…, PGI Tells Glo
By Ipole Ogbeche
Procative Gender Initiative (PGI) has asked the management of Glo Nigeria to recall the about 90 women sacked from its employ because of their matrimonial status or face legal action as well as total boycott of the network by women across the country.
National Coordinator of PGI, Bar. Esther Uzoma, in a press statement in Abuja on Wednesday frowned at the “obnoxious discrimination based on gender,’ stressing that it was a sad development for the marriage institution as it the action violates the 1999 constitution as amended as well as the Banjul Charter on human and peoples rights.
“Glo has desecrated the 1999 constitution as amended and the The Banjul charter of the African Union which are clear on discrimination. For the avoidance of doubt, the Charter in chapter 1 article 1 says; ‘every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of kind such as race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
“Similar Article 15 of the Charter is explicit on equitable work and pay.
“Also, section 42 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended expressly notes: (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-
“(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
“(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic
groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.
“We at PGI at not only shocked by the recent development in Glo, a major network provider in Nigeria, but find it appalling at the obnoxious discrimination based on gender.
“It is in the interest of Glo Nigeria to begin the process of the recall of the about 90 women who were unjustifiably dismissed for being married. At a time when there is the urgency to strengthen family ties through the marriage institution a leading company in the country will be sacking women over their marital status of being married is a sad development for the marriage institution,” Uzoma said.
According to the PGI coordinator, it was an unfortunate and worrying turn of events in Nigeria that at a time other parts of the civilised world were closing the gender gap, a front line communications company was working hard to widen the divide.
“Let me state without equivocation that if this matter is not redressed urgently, then we will mobilise all married women and those who believe in equity and equality to stop using the services of Glo. Without a doubt, married women across Nigeria are contributing immensely to the growth of the company and to know wake up one morning to sack your staff simply because they are married is abominable.
“If I may ask, are the married women incapable of carrying out their functions effectively? Is Glo saying it is not an equal opportunity employer? Is Glo insinuating by this development that women in its employ are used for other purposes which are unlawful and illegal?
“We need answers to these vexatious questions. While we wait for the company to do so in the next 72 hours, we call on the ministries of communications and justice as well as the National Assembly to direct that this anti-people, anti-women, a Ku Klux Clan-like policy be rescinded with immediate effect.”

2019: No alternative to President Buhari?

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2019: No alternative to President Buhari?

To be clear, President Muhammadu Buhari has the inalienable right to gun for a second term if he so wishes but he must run on his records, not emotional blackmail and banalities. It is left for Nigerians to decide his fate at the ballot.

But to say that there is no alternative is not only a fallacy but an egregious insult to Nigerians.

Unless, of course, our idea of the president Nigeria deserves in 2019 is someone who is clueless and incapable of the mental rigours that 21st century governance demands, someone who is aloof and whose idea of leadership is to enjoy the accouterments of office without corresponding responsibility, a man adept at using state power in settling old scores. I stand to be corrected, no Nigerian leader can do better than President Buhari on these scores.

We die, literally, the day we stop dreaming. If Nigeria is to progress, there must be a shift in leadership paradigm. We don’t need messiahs. We need men who have the grit, intellect and emotional integrity to excel.

We must change the narrative by overhauling the defective leadership recruitment process with an alternative to a possible Buhari candidacy.

Read more: http://www.thenicheng.com/2019-no-alternative-president-buhari/

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