Home Blog Page 964

World Bank Worker Crushed To Death By Angry Husband In Abuja

The incident occurred at Gwagwalada, Abuja on Friday, May 14, 2021 around 10pm.

Aman named Makanjuola Ayedun from Isanlu community, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State has reportedly crushed his wife, Mrs Nike Ayedun to death with a car. 

The incident occurred at Gwagwalada, Abuja on Friday, May 14, 2021 around 10pm.  

SaharaReporters learnt that Ayedun knocked down his wife, Nike, a staff member of World Bank office at Asokoro, Abuja while reversing his car. 

It was learnt that due to the speed, the car crossed an untarred road and crashed into a building where some things were destroyed.  

It was learnt that Ayedun wanted to flee when he realised that he had killed his wife, blaming the incident on brakes failure.

A source, however, told SaharaReporters that it was not an accident. 

According to the source who is close to the family, the man had always physically assaulted his wife.

“The whole issue started when Nike discovered that the safe box she had got for the purpose of saving money for her son, who demanded a huge birthday party, had been broken by her husband. She then confronted him about it. That was how the husband started beating her.

“After beating the hell out of her in the house, he collected her phone so that she could not call anyone. The man went outside and turned on his car’s engine while he came down to open gate. Nike ran to the gate demanding her phone. The husband said he would crush and kill her, and before she knew what was happening, the man knocked her down with full force while reversing the car,” the source said. 

The deceased was said to have two boys. 

She was also said to be the breadwinner of the family and her husband was not employed. 

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation has reportedly indicated interest in the case.

Meanwhile, the case has been transferred from Gwagwalada Police Command to FCT Police Command, Garki, Abuja. (SaharaReporters)

Others were accepted but I was rejected thrice at ritualists’ den – Nurse,18, abducted in Rivers state shares her story

An 18-year-old auxiliary nurse, Rachael David, who was recently abducted by suspected ritualists in Rivers state, has shared the chilling story of how she and some other victims were taken to a place she suspects to be a ritualist den but she was rejected thrice by the suspected ritualists.

In an interview with Punch, Racheal said she had gone to Okuru Junction, Port Harcourt, the state capital to buy something on Thursday, May 13, by 7am when she met a motorist who signaled to her, asking for direction to Bitter Leave Junction. She said while she was trying to describe the place to the man, she got hypnotized and abducted.

“I went to get something at Okuru Junction that Thursday morning before going to work. I didn’t get what I went to buy. While I was returning home, a driver blew the car horn to call my attention and I stopped.

A lady was at the back of the car. He asked me if I know any place called Bitter Leave Junction and I said yes. As I was trying to direct him, he said he couldn’t hear me clearly and told me to come closer.

He touched me and I didn’t know if I entered the car or not. By the time I regained consciousness, I was already in an unknown place. They had blindfolded me and tied my hands. I couldn’t tell the time of the day.” she said

She said she was taken to three different places suspected to be homes of ritual killers but they kept rejecting her.

“I was still rejected. After some hours, they took me and some victims somewhere blindfolded. One man asked them why they kept bringing me and told them to return me to where they picked me as fast as possible.

“Even though I couldn’t see what was going on in that place, it appears like a ritual killers’ den. I was the only person they rejected. I was rejected thrice. While I was in captivity, new victims were brought in. The abductors put me in the car and drove off. When we got to a spot along the road, they stopped, removed the blindfold and pushed me out of the car.”she said

Rachel said she managed to untie himself and later found out from passersby that she was at Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt.

“The kidnappers didn’t take away my phone so I quickly called my mum. I had fainted before they came. It was this morning (Saturday) when I woke up that I realised I am in the hospital” she said

Rachel’s older sister, Joy, said the family is grateful for her safe return. (Lindaikejisblog)

SERAP writes Lawan, Gbajabiamila over ‘fresh missing N4.1bn NASS funds’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N4.1 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in the 2016 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

SERAP said: “these allegations are not part of the disclosure by the Auditor-General in other audited reports that N4.4 billion of National Assembly money is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen.”

In the letter dated 15 May 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “As part of its legislative and oversight functions, the National Assembly has a key role to play in the fight against corruption in the country. But little can be achieved by the legislative body in the anti-corruption fight if the leadership and members do not first confront the spectre of alleged corruption and mismanagement within their ranks.”

SERAP is also urging Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila: “to identify the lawmakers and staff members suspected to be involved, and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to face prosecution, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and to ensure full recovery of any missing public funds.”

The letter, read in part: “Ensuring the effective investigation of these fresh allegations, and full recovery of any missing public funds would strengthen the country’s accountability framework, and show that the National Assembly can discharge its constitutional responsibility of amplifying the voices of Nigerians. It will also show that the body is acting in the best interest of the people.”

“SERAP is concerned that allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions. Nigerians bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. The National Assembly therefore has a responsibility to curb it.”

“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2016, N4,144,706,602.68 of National Assembly money is missing, diverted or stolen. The National Assembly paid some contractors N417,312,538.79 without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount in question from the contractors.’”

“The National Assembly reportedly spent N625,000,000.00 through its Constitution Review Committee between March and June 2016 but without any document. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount from the Committee and furnish evidence of recovery for verification.’”

“The National Assembly also reportedly spent N66,713,355.08 as ‘personnel cost’ but ‘the payees in the Cashbook did not correspond with those in the Bank Statement’. The Auditor-General wants ‘the irregular expenditure recovered from the officer who approved the payments.’”

“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N116,162,522.60 to some contractors between April and June, 2016 without any document. The National Assembly deducted N56,985,568.55 from various contract payments in respect of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax but without any evidence of remittance.”

“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N126,264,320.00 as cash advances to 11 staff members between March and December, 2016 to procure goods and services but failed to remit the money.”

“The Senate reportedly paid N747,286,680.00 as personal advances to staff members between February and December, 2016 for various procurements and services but failed to retire the money. The Senate also deducted N118,625,057.48 as Withholding and Value Added Taxes but failed to show any evidence of remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”

“The Senate also spent N109,007,179.73 from the Capital Expenditure vote but without any document.”

“The House of Representatives reportedly deducted N821,564,296.48 from staff salaries but failed to remit the money to tax authorities. The House also paid N254,059,513.70 as advances to staff members to procure goods and services between January and December, 2016 but failed to retire the money.”

“The National Institute for Legislative Studies reportedly spent N375,867,000.00 to buy 11 motor vehicles in April 2016. But the Institute also paid the same contractor N36,610,000.00 in September 2016 under the same contract without approval.”

“The Institute also reportedly paid N10,927,768.80 to 7 members of staff who were redeployed from the National Assembly to provide specialized services but without details about the staff paid, and without any justification.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly approved N109,995,400.00 to train some officers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but spent N127,629,600.00 as Estacode Allowances to participants, and fees for two consultants engaged for the training. The Commission also spent N9,975,000.00 as course fees for 34 officers but it also paid a consultant N4,987,500.00 for the same course fees.”

“The Legislative Aides Section earned N12,274,587.77 as interests on Bank accounts in a commercial bank between January and December 2016 but failed to remit the money to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”

“The National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.”

“SERAP notes that the Auditor-General in the 2015, 2017 and 2018 reports documented that N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen.”

“Addressing the allegations would improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities, and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity.”

The letter was copied to Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); and chairmen of the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.

Credit:theconclaveng

Osinbajo gives scholarship to physically-challenged lady after drawing him with pencil

Undeterred by her limitations, Ms Abosede Okeowo, focuses on her artistic skills. Not only has she, by reason of her talent won recognitions, but now the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has offered her a United States Online scholarship to hone her art skills. The 27-year-old artist had presented a pencil portrait of Prof Osinbajo to him during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife in 2020.

Abosede Okeowo, an indigene of Otun Ekiti, Mobaland in Ekiti State suffered an illness when she was a child which resulted in her current state of health. She is a self-taught artist who, driven by passion, nurtured her talent in drawing to her current stage of expertise. She is known for making drawings of many dignitaries which has brought her to the limelight.

Bose first caught the attention of the Vice President when she drew a portrait of his wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo. She yet again enthralled Prof. Osinbajo with her skills when she drew and presented a lifelike portrait of him.

The Vice President was represented by a team led by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, accompanied by Dr. (Mrs) Ebi Awosika, Senior Technical Assistant to the Vice President on Community Engagement on the 8th of May 2021 at the Palace of Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, the Oore of Otun-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

In her remarks, Dr. Mrs Ebi Awosika described Abosede as a girl whose talent will take her to places to compete with people who are able bodied. Dr. Awosika also expressed gratitude to God for Abosede and stated that it was “just the beginning of greatness for the young artiste”, while presenting the talented artiste with a special wheelchair, laptop and a scholarship in Hyper-Realistic Portrait Course (a virtual course offered through an American online programme).

“This scholarship will help Ms Okeowo to realise her dreams and desire to own an establishment where she can teach others how to draw and help those who are physically challenged to also fulfill their life ambitions,” she added.

Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo, The Oore of Otun Ekiti, Paramount Ruler of Mobaland in Ekiti, who received the representative of the Vice President, expressed gratitude on behalf of Bosede Okeowo’s family, Otun Ekiti Community and the entire Mobaland to Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, and his Wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo for recognizing and making life meaningful for Bosede and her family.

Credit: Everyday

‘SIX YEARS OF EXCUSES, 22 YEARS OF LOCUSTS’

Inside Stuff With MARTINS OLOJA

‘Lawan and Gbajabiamila As Enemies Of Restructuring?’

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”― Robert F. Kennedy

The two presiding officers of Nigeria’s National Assembly, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives urgently need some master classes on some critical leadership issues including political communication and character building. They need to look beyond motivational books that fill most bookshops here. They need to study biographies of great and successful leaders. They need to know at this time that as leaders of the foremost representatives of the people, they should pursue some consistency that will make most people to believe that they can stand up for ideals and acts to improve the lot of the suffering people here and strike out injustice from any quarters. They need to inspire hope and demonstrate to the hungry and angry people in their country that they are indeed leaders and not dealers in a time of crisis and despair. They should cast the words of Robert F. Kennedy quoted above on a marble and put it in their offices and even their bedrooms. They need to be reflecting on such words as a guide every day.

As we continue to debate the relevance of democracy the ‘militricians’ decreed for us in 1999 –(22 years ago), our national assembly leaders should note that we are indeed in a perilous time when the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces could openly confess that he needs external help he has consistently rejected and even blamed his predecessor for. Our national assembly leaders should note as I declared here last week that when senior citizens are openly calling for coups and columnists are openly discussing coup plots and disintegration without considering the consequences to the polity, that is a warning signal to democracy. When respected men of God are beginning to tell their congregation that while they wait on God for salvation and solution they should prepare a ‘Plan B’, a self-help mechanism, our national assembly big men should note that the constitutional democracy that gives them the powers they wield is in some danger. And they should remember that the first casualty each time democracy suffers some reverses is the legislature at all levels. Who will weep for the fall of this Assembly, anyway?

That is why a recent report that President of the Senate Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila blasted southern governors over calls for restructuring’ is quite unfortunate. A rampaging spirit of error struck again and democracy has been diminished by such unguarded utterances of the top shots who should be guardian angels of our still-born democracy.

The two big men last Thursday lambasted South’s governors for last Tuesday’s Asaba declaration. At the Delta state capital, 17 governors called for the convocation of an “urgent national dialogue”, “bold steps to restructure the country”, “total ban on open grazing” and for President Muhammadu Buhari “to address the nation”. The bold declaration was curiously faulted by Lawan and Gbajabiamila. The strange criticism of the presiding officers of the federal legislature is a contrast to the backing the call got on Wednesday from senators from the South and members of the House of Representatives from the South.

Lawan accused the governors of retreating to regionalism to address a national issue that should be collectively decided upon. Gbajabiamila, in the same vein, said to end the security challenge, all must ‘imbibe the spirit of oneness, togetherness, unity and love.”
Lawan and Gbajabiamila spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after the prayer along with President Buhari. Lawan noted: “I believe that, as leaders, especially those of us who are elected, should not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing because, even if you are a governor, you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level, you have done it in your state as well…What you may accuse the Federal Government of, whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state. So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government levels work for the people.
“We should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together. The solutions to our challenges must come from us regardless of what level of government we are, whether at the federal, state or the local government level. I believe that Nigeria is going to come out of these challenges stronger…”.

Gbajabiamila said: “If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame for what is happening today…Whatever challenges we have, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve these issues we’re facing. We must imbibe that spirit of oneness, togetherness, unity and love that would take us through this.” This is another face of what I called oratory and sophistry of our leaders here the other day, which might not end banditry that has overwhelmed our country.

You will recall here that on December 29, 2019, after my ‘ordination’ as a ‘Prophet of Hope’ for my country, I proclaimed in an article on Senator Lawan and Hon. Gbajabiamila (https://guardian.ng/opinion/weep-not-for-lawan-and-gbajabiamila/ that there would be a sound of freedom, among other things. Indeed to the glory of His name, there was freedom for some (un)lawful captives shortly after. I insist ‘Nigeria, our Nigeria, shall be free’ from years of locusts soon and very soon. Let all citizens say a loud ‘Amen’.

Then, I had looked into the seeds of time and seen that some of our leaders who are in one of the most important institutions in a democracy, the legislature, “need some words of life, some encouragement, lest they go astray”. I had then noted that if we continued to lament the tragic errors that they were beginning to pile up, we would all be the losers, after all.

As I advised then, ‘Let’s not condemn them. Let’s prevent some disasters from our national assembly. It’s like heaven falling, which no one can escape. So, let’s get together and counsel them. I mean here that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives are too important to be ignored by just lamenting about their character flaws at this time. They deserve our prayers and, of course, our counsel, whether they like it or not…’

I wrote specifically then: According to our Order of National Precedence, the President of the Senate is Number Three Citizen and Chairman of the Joint Session of the National Assembly while the Speaker is Number Four and Deputy Chairman of the Joint Session of the National Assembly, (not the Deputy President of the Senate). So, if Nigeria becomes a success or failure story tomorrow, they will certainly be part of the blame-sharing formulae. They are part of Nigeria’s leadership at this moment. But the constitution has provided for their separate responsibilities in different arms and how each of the (three) arms can function independently and how the combined effects of their actions can make or mar Nigeria. So, I am convinced that instead of condemning them at this stage, let’s tell them some inconvenient truths so that they can act in public interest. Reason: the two national leaders are beginning to make public statements that are already promoting the public perception that can destroy the 9thAssembly. So, they need some redemption songs, some words of hope, yes some words of wisdom so that they can work for some common good.

In the same vein today, Senator Lawan and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila need to know that they should transform by the renewing of their minds. They need to be advised by the Office of the Citizen that they do not need to tell us that the only office they need to serve is the office of the president who assisted them to be what they are. They should be told that the last two statements they (Lawan and Gbajabiamila) made concerning their relationship with the executive actually set the tone for the low esteem of the 9th Assembly. As I had noted here before: they need to know before they start blaming their reputation managers that there is power in the words that they use publicly. They need to be conscious of this too: their sycophantic relationship with the presidency has already damaged the image of the legislature in this dispensation. They should realise that the Office of the Citizen has already concluded that nothing good can come out of the 9th Assembly. That is why we need to tell them another bitter truth they would like to keep in the grave at this time: that they need an urgent damage control measure by the listening to what the people want them to do, notably restructuring of the federation to reflect federalism.

They should swallow their pride and vanity and work with the governors to restructure this failing country. The nation is in crisis and this is where the people will determine their relevance.

Leaders and managers need to know that in conflict management and peace building, we should freeze penchant for justification for our actions. Senator Lawan, our Senate President needs more than his doctorate degree to understand the implications of his claim published on November 22, 2019 that, “any request from President Muhammadu Buhari would make Nigeria a better place and such would be acted on expeditiously”. The president of the Senate had stated that when Professor Itse Sagay visited him specifically for senate confirmation of the then EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu who had then been acting since November 2015.

In the same vein, exactly a month after the public relations disaster by Senator Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Gbajabiamila too was quoted as saying that, “I wasn’t elected to fight the executive”. In fact, another version of the same statement was more offensive: “Better to be rubber stamp than fight executive arm of government”. Hon. Gbajabiamila spoke in this vein when he met with members of his constituency in Surulere Lagos where he distributed some ‘dividends of democracy’ he brought from Abuja including financial donations, cars, etc.

These were careless and reckless statements, which had then attracted condemnation.
Doubtless, they still do not know the weight and significance of the office they are occupying.

‘Leah Sharibu Clocks 18 (still) in the wilderness’

The ‘Princess of Resistance’, our ‘Hero of Faith’ clocked 18 in her fourth year in captivity at the weekend. She hails from Yobe state and so Senator Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, is her Senator. Let him speak up too on Leah Sharibu’s Christian life in a dark valley.

##

When Jesus Comes on Board

‘He got into one of the boats…belonging to Simon.’
Luke 5:3 NIV

One day Jesus ‘saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats…belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break’ (vv. 2-6 NIV). Are you sitting today where Peter sat? Your outlook is bleak, your nets are empty, you’ve tried everything you know and you’re ready to give up? It happens; you get to the place where you simply stop expecting anything good. You’ve experienced too many disappointments and you’re afraid to dream, reach, stretch, or broaden your horizons. Jesus knows how hard you’ve tried and today He’s inviting you to try again – this time with Him. Even though you’re wrestling with depression and tormenting memories, unemployment, addiction, financial failure, or sickness, the Lord of new beginnings wants to come on board. If you let Him, He will show you what to do. Now, what He says may not initially make sense to you. But if you’re willing to respond like Peter – ‘Because You say so, I will’ – you’re on the threshold of a miracle. Today, invite Jesus on board and watch how your situation changes.

Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 16-18, John 20

The Word for Today

JUSUN Strike: Young lawyers are suffering, provide palliatives – Abuja lawyer tells NBA

  • As Rajasthan High Court queries State Bar Council over Covid-19 Welfare for advocates

As the on-going strike of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN clocks a month, an Abuja based legal practitioner, Obi Chimezie Esq. has called on the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA to provide palliatives for junior lawyers.

This is even as a Rajasthan High Court in Northern India has asked the Bar Council of Rajasthan about the steps being taken for the welfare of advocates who are affected by COVID-19.

What Steps Taken For Welfare Of Advocates Hit By COVID? Rajasthan High Court Asks State Bar Council
Rajasthan High Court Jaipur Bench Credit: Livelaw.in

Hon. Justice Ashok Kumar Gaur posed this query while issuing notice on a petition seeking utilization of the advocates’ welfare fund for the relief of advocates affected by the pandemic. Indian lawyers like other citizens have been severely impacted by the virus. Only last Thursday, the Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana announced that Covid-19 has taken a toll on Indian judiciary, judges and court staff. Presently, 34 judicial officers and three High Court judges have passed away

The question now is- what is the NBA doing for Nigerian lawyers, particularly juniors that have consistently paid practicing fees and branch dues? Sequel to the on-going strike, there are startling revelations that law firms are laying off their workers. This is bearing in mind that the 2020 Covid-19 lock down equally took its toll on lawyers and they like other Nigerians are still struggling to have a fresh lease of life.

In India, the court issued notice to the Bar Council of Rajasthan, Rajasthan High Court Bar Association, the Bar Association Jaipur, and State Health Department. They are to appear on the next adjourned date which is May 20.

The writ petition was filed by Advocates Jagmeet Singh and Rupendra Suroliya, through Advocates Kapil Bardhar and Rajesh Kumawat, seeking appropriate
appropriate and judicious use of the Advocates Welfare Fund in view of the prevailing pandemic.

The petitioners pointed out that the State Bar Council has accumulated funds from its members under the head Advocates Welfare Fund.  They insist that the fund is a statutory fund and the amounts lying in it can be utilized for the welfare of advocates who are affected by COVID-19.

Here are their recommendations:

  1. Setting up dedicated funds towards the establishment of COVID-19 Helpline for the Advocates.
  • A Committee/Nodal officer at each District/City/Bar Association be appointed providing for Functioning of the Covid Helpline for Advocates.
  • To provide for Food/Ration for the Advocates/Members and their family members suffering from COVID-19 for the Quarantine period.
  • To provide for Basic Medicine Supply to its members and their family members suffering from COVID-19 for the Quarantine period.
  • Beds/ Ventilators /ICU /Rooms /Oxygen/ Remdesivir Injection etc., should be supplied and made available to COVID-19 positive members admitted in hospitals in hospitals in collaboration with either the State Government or the Private Hospitals in the State of Rajasthan at Nominal charges for its members for the Quarantine/Treatment period.
  • To provide for Ambulance Services for the Patients or in case of unfortunate event, provide for hearse at Nominal cost to the advocates.
  • Make arrangement of Facility for Testing for Coronavirus at dedicated Centre for its Members.
  • Allocation of funds for the Group life Insurance/Medical Insurance/Chiranjivi Yojna or any other Scheme of the State Government/Private Entities for members/Advocates.
  • Allocation of welfare Funds for its Members who are in financial need during the Covid-19 period on monthly/quarterly or any other period.
  1. Provide financial assistance for the treatment taken for the COVID-19 by the advocates.
  1. Provide Loan facilities at minimum interest rate in collaboration with the nationalised banks.
  1. To formulate schemes and plans for the Assistance to the advocates for Covid-19 treatment in advance for the upcoming third/fourth wave of COVID-19.
  2. To invite suggestions/recommendations/Feedback from the advocates for proper and warranted use of Advocates welfare fund in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
  1. To ensure the Compliance of the action taken by the Committee or the Nodal officer as appointed.

In Nigeria, the Judiciary Staff Union embarked on the industrial action since April 6, 2021 demanding financial autonomy for the nation’s judiciary in compliance with the Constitution and a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which affirmed the relevant constitutional provisions in a January 2014 judgment.

The action has vicariously taken a toll on many lawyers leading to an Abuja based legal practitioner, Obi Chimezie Esq., asking the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA to provide palliatives for junior lawyers.

Obi Chimezie who expressed concern that “people are languishing in jails and Police stations, yet everywhere is calm as if nothing is seriously wrong”, maintained that only intense pressure on state governors will save the day.

Read the full statement:

With the impact of this JUSUN strike on lawyers generally and the junior lawyers especially, the NBA should consider palliative measures to cushion the negative impact of the strike on these juniors.

Many of them are out of funds and are hardly surviving; with no visible hope in sight. The Governors are unshaken. The press and the people are not mounting enough pressure which JUSUN expected. The NBA ordered a Monday protest which was obeyed and complied with only once and rested.

People are languishing in jails and Police stations, yet everywhere is calm as if nothing is seriously wrong. Since my little 16 years in the profession, I’ve not seen anything like this. We should rise up and do something. The people are looking up to us to do something about the situation and we cannot disappoint them. To disappoint the people’s expectation is to disappoint ourselves. We can no longer pretend that the situation will fix itself. We can mount the pressure, visibly. NBA President’s call should be enforced and lawyers should come out en masse to join this pressure. JUSUN have taken the bold step, let’s mount the pressure and get the press to do their part, otherwise, this Government of Governors may just ignore the whole thing and look away.

Meanwhile, the small CAC space where some of these juniors make some fast bucks have become an almost no-go-area as the whole processes of operations are not working. From CAC network failures to Remita payment issues to incompetent staff especially at the ICT dept where many of the staff do not even know how to solve the simplest of problems.

One would have thought that adequate training will be given to those staff before forcing the entire operations to online services.

From experience, it is clear that full information of over 70% of registered companies in Nigeria are yet to be updated in the post-incorporation portal, yet the Commission have announced that the public should go to the post-incorporation portal to do everything with the exception of just a negligible few processes.

This is to say the least, very appalling as they are killing businesses and forcing companies to lose businesses and fund.

The NBA-CAC Committee should please go beyond asking us to fill Forms for complaints. Let them demand physical desks at the Commission where people can come and lay their complaints and get solutions, as many complaints sent to the designated emails receive nonreponse beyond acknowledgement of receipt.

Many lawyers are suffering oo…

The process of conducting Legal Search at the Commission seem to be the worst. Upon successful application, the system provides you with less than 30% of the company information, then the Commission expects you to write to them complaining of missing information, then they’ll designate a staff to update the company information and after a week or more, you will need to check back for the updated information. Imagine the impact of the delay on businesses and external solicitors who are engaged by financial institutions to render such services.

Please let’s not wait until lawyers carry gun and get to the news before we know that lawyer is suffering.

#LetsSaveTheLawyer

Obi Chimezie Esq.

Additional reports from livelaw.in

Appeal Court Sets Aside Conviction of Companies Allegedly Linked to Patience Jonathan

The Court of Appeal over the weekend held that the convictions of four companies allegedly linked to former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan breached the fair hearing provisions of the constitution and consequently set it aside.

The Court during the session convened via Zoom on Friday 14th May, 2021 delivered series of pending judgments amongst which was the appeal against the conviction of four companies said to be linked with Dr. Waripamo Owei Dudafa, an aide to former president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The EFCC had speculated that the companies were holding funds allegedly belonging to Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the former president. So, the commission had arrested and charged Dr. Dudafa, Mr. Amajuoyi Briggs, a lawyer who was the secretary to all the companies, Demola Bolodeoku, a bank official and the companies to court in a 15-count charge.

But the appellate court held that the convictions of the four companies were void having being done in gross disregard of statutory and constitutional provisions.

In a determined move, the EFCC brought certain individuals to court who had confessed that they knew nothing about the companies. They were later allegedly schooled by the commission and trumped up to plead guilty on behalf of the companies so that the monies standing to the credit of the companies could be taken. Counsel challenged their pleas of guilt at the trial court which challenge was refused. Chief Ozekhome, SAN further challenged the convictions made pursuant to the pleas but the Federal High Court refused to set it aside.

In a well-considered judgment however, the Court of Appeal set aside the conviction of Transocean Property & Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development & Investment Ltd, Pluto Property & Investment Company Ltd and Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd made by Hon. Justice Babs Kuewumi on the 2nd day of November, 2016.

The convictions of the four companies were held to be a nullity having being done in gross disregard of statutory and constitutional provisions. At the Federal High Court, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN led a team of lawyers to challenge the convictions of the companies and sought that the convictions be set aside. The trial court per Babs Kuewumi refused to set aside the conviction. That decision was appealed by the counsel.

In the four briefs settled by Ige Asemudara Esq., the Appellants in the different but related appeals contended that the circumstances of the conviction of the companies being a nullity, is one in which the court could set aside its own decision. Hence, it was urged on the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal and set aside the conviction. The court of Appeal agreed and set aside the conviction of the four companies especially in view of the fact that the validity of the plea of guilt which was challenged by the Appellant was still yet to be determined before the convictions were made. The court held that the convictions of the four companies breached the fair hearing provisions of the constitution. The lead judgement was read by Hon. Justice C. N. Uwa, Justices Tunde Awotoye and Abundaga agreed with the lead judgment.

The counsel present at the Zoom meeting were Ige Asemudara Esq for the Appellant (all the companies) with him were Ejieke Onuoha and Azubuike Solomon Akpe while Rotimi Oyedepo with A. O. Mohammed appeared for the Respondent.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧t?

𝔅𝔶 𝔇𝔯 𝔘𝔤𝔬𝔧𝔦 𝔈𝔤𝔟𝔲𝔧𝔬

Buhari’s aura has dimmed. Our Lion looks castrated.

Once tall, rigid, and fearless. He is now slow and timid. The Lion we had run to for protection now watches wild goats eat palm fronds on our head. Even with the fangs of the Presidency, our bold lion now lets hyenas feast on our Cubs. When he roars, we hear a whimper, the one who chased the wild dogs of Maitatsine into oblivion. Why does he watch our slow dismemberment?

Our Lion looks castrated. If the gods are not to blame, how did our Lion become a lame squirrel? He had sworn he wouldn’t let corruption kill us. Let us say corruption is a ghost. But how can’t a General trained to protect by killing our enemies, watch bandits and terrorists desecrate our sacred educational temples, slaughter the young and the old?

The devil has gone footloose.

We pampered the bandits in Zamfara and Katsina and incentivised organised crime. We let Sheik Gumi trivialise terrorism and sow seeds of discord in the Military. He even suggested the bandits were only asking for a piece of their denied national pie in ransoms. But had our lion not become drowsy and allowed Cockroaches to grow teeth, who would have bothered with the apparent drunkenness of Gumi.

After waiting in vain for a Military onslaught to scorch the scourge, Governors started cuddling terrorists. Schools in the north, out of caution, complied with the philosophy of Boko haram and shut down. We should hide our faces in shame. The ransoms we paid have instigated a bloom of evil. More groups have joined the gold rush. Who would have believed? But if we didn’t pay ransoms, how would we have collected 300 corpses of young School Children of Kankara?

We had thought a General would contain all such nuisance. We didn’t know a General could give written warnings to terrorists, let alone issue twenty such sissy notices in a single week. We are now surfeited with bafflement. They have beat their drums of war and taken the sleep of women and children but our lion can’t be startled.

In Niger State, a certain Community has taxed members and paid bandits for a slice of peace. Nobody knows when their payment would expire and if the bandits in Niger would renew the agreement, and at what fee? Niger, perhaps, has the fastest- growing terrorism industry in the world. Somewhere in Borno, some people had tried a brigade of prayer warriors. Now our politicians are openly begging for foreign mercenaries.

My grandmother used to describe certain absurdities as humorous evil. Under the watch of the great lion, a bunch of armed robbers, you can call them unknown gunmen, sourced and found the audacity to visit a governor’s home at 9:00 am on a Saturday. They killed police officers and burnt the house. When President Obasanjo allowed one funny chap in Anambra to kidnap a sitting Governor, we said we had reached the depth. But perhaps, just perhaps, we could soon have a situation where a sitting President could be negotiating with some unknown gunmen to release a sitting Governor kidnapped from a government house. These things would have made a blatantly preposterous Nollywood script six months ago.

The Presidency is in a dithering mode. The picture of a Scarecrow filled with air, fluttering in the wind, bobbing its head and watching some wild birds, accustomed to its impotence, defy its flailing hands, devour precious crops.

Direct death threats have been issued to Governors and traditional rulers, and nothing happened. Oh, sorry, somebody jumped out of the Presidency to remind a bemused public that those crimes are not Federal crimes. You need not laugh. Perhaps that’s why the Federal Attorney General is aloof. The Chief Law Officer of a Nation sliding into anarchy. The foreign affairs Minister is too urbane, too suave, to attend to threats against the country coming from foreign lands. So who would blame State Governors who have become Chickens? The rumours that some State governments have begun paying protection monies to organised crime groups masquerading as freedom fighters might, after all, not be unthinkable.

If the government thinks the chaos is the handiwork of its political opponents, it has not fought like a School Child from whom a cookie is being snatched. By the standards of African Cabals and Kitchen Cabinets, this Buhari cabal must be the most spineless. Even for self-interested reasons, why can’t they bring in muscular effort to protect their government against worms and pests.

“Shoot on sight everybody found with assault weapons.” That was the President’s last whimper. Since then, an entire State Police Command and Prisons have been sacked and burnt by hoodlums. A Governor’s house burnt. But all he has done is issue warning criminals not to mess around with him. Is he now desperate to be seen as a born-again democrat? Our fate is bleak.

Who would have thought that we would see a respected legal luminary, who bears no animosity towards the resident, come on a national TV and advise the president to hand over to a military regime stylishly? And he said with all the patriotism an 83-year-old man could conjure. Nearly a week after he made the strange plea, nearly a week after a National Security Council resumed a frantic meeting, nothing, no practical reassuring changes have been effected.

The aura of the Lion is what keeps his adversaries away. That aura is built by his conquests, muscularity, roars, mien and alertness. That aura deters the forest and saves him a thousand fights. The glory of our lion is fading. Not because he has tried to bite and failed to tear and crush. But because he has picked his teeth and watched goats eat palm fronds on our heads. So even scrawny hyenas are gathering and nibbling at him, on the tail. His time is running out. Our last hopes are crumbling. His legacy is in peril. We are in shambles.

We know the goats eating palm fronds on our heads will grow canines. When the Palm fronds are finished, they might chew our heads and tear us apart. Yet we hope. Because what would it take the Lion to whom the gods had given all our fangs to ruse and pounce.

Schools are shut in the north. Police Stations are sitting chicks for hawks in the East. And now some University Students in Okigwe have been abducted. At first sight of violence, we didn’t put our foot down. Perhaps, we had left it to our Lion. He deterred and deterred and whined about Cattle right of way. He didn’t fume against people marching the forests with AK 47, massacring whole villages in reprisals for Cattle. We legitimised Militias when we made ordinary citizens feel helpless and hopeless.

Today all our Chickens are coming home to roost. We have been on the brink many times. Siddon-look looks dangerous. Many Rural Communities in the North are now desolate. The Southeast is slipping. Fatwas are flying round. Anambra governorship election, due in a few months, is in clear jeopardy.

Our last hopes are crumbling . Who can rouse the President?

Madrid court asks European Court of Justice to find out if FIFA & UEFA broke EU law over ESL

UEFA on Wednesday announced it had appointed disciplinary inspectors to conduct an investigation into whether Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona had violated UEFA’s legal framework.

A Madrid court has asked the European Court of Justice to establish if FIFA and UEFA are breaching EU competition law by preventing clubs from creating a breakaway European Super League.

The commercial court in Madrid has also asked Europe’s top court if FIFA and UEFA are able to impose restrictions or penalties on clubs who remain part of the planned competition.

The Super League was announced last month by 12 founding clubs but collapsed less than 48 hours after it was launched following an outcry by fans, governments, players and managers.

Nine clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid – officially withdrew and accepted financial penalties from UEFA for their part in the process.

Each of the clubs also signed a commitment declaration with the continental governing body last week.

However, three of the founders – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus – have not distanced themselves from the project.

UEFA on Wednesday announced it had appointed disciplinary inspectors to conduct an investigation into whether the three clubs had violated UEFA’s legal framework.

Continue reading

1...963964965...1,465Page 964 of 1,465

TIPS

Load more