Nigeria’s former minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has restated the need to ensure a wholesome participation of women in politics and governance as it is key to the development of the nation and other sectors.
Some members of the Conference Planning Committee
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the just concluded inaugural conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), Ezekwesili who was also a former Vice president at the World Bank Africa Division also advocated for a policy that will ensure women especially in the legal are adequately represented and carried along in decision making, she also called on the men folk to take the advocacy for women inclusion fully and not just leave it to the women.
In his own address, the NBA President Mr Olumide Akpata congratulated the NBAWF for this giant stride and reassured of his commitment to ensuring gender equality in the NBA.
The inaugural virtual conference of the NBAWF was held in commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2021.
The event with its theme: “Pathway to Diversity: Challenging Blindspots and Powering up for inclusion” disclosed that the NBAWF will lead the charge for gender equality in leadership, board participation and governance.
It will also work towards gender diversity in the legal profession and achieving gender balance, the empowerment of young female lawyers for exploits as well as challenges the stereotypes in the legal profession which has over the past kept women in the background and not at the fore front.
In her welcome address the chairperson of the NBAWF Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN, charged participants to ensure gender equality in their diverse areas of practice. She also reiterated the commitment of the NBAWF to lead the cause for a gender parity society.
Chinyere Okorocha, Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee encouraged all to stand for gender equality as there is a great need to close the gap of inequality in the profession.
The extremely string conference further spurred participants to ensure gender equality in the profession.
The slogan “choose to challenge”, which is theme for the International Women’s Day 2021 was adequately discussed in the course of the conference and a free training for young female lawyers was held the next day in conjunction with the New York State Bar Women in Law.
An Abuja lawyer, Rahila Dauda has emerged the Pioneer Chairperson of Young Women in Politics Forum Abuja Chapter YWIPF).
At the Mentor- Mentee meeting of the Women in Politics Forum held on 26th March 2021 at Hotel Interconnect, Abuja, with support from ActionAid and GlobalCanada through the VWL Network, the newly commissioned Young Women in Politics Forum Abuja Chapter got its first set of executives.
They are to coordinate the activities of the forum, carry out its mandate and ensure a wholesome participation of young women in Politics. The new executives are:
Rahila Dauda Esq – Chairperson
Bushrah Balogun – Deputy Chairperson
Mary Musa – Secretary
Hafsat M. – Assistant Secretary
Deborah Igwo- John Mrs – PRO.
While inaugurating the new executives, Ebere Ifendu President and Founder of Women in Politics Forum congratulated the executives and assured them of WIPF’s commitment and determination to see that women in Nigeria become involved and engaged in the politics of their nation.
In her acceptance speech, the chairperson of the Young Women in Politics Forum, Ms Rahila Dauda Esq thanked Women in Politics Forum for this opportunity and assured her team mates of her readiness to carry the vision of WIPF and gets more young women to participate and become interested in politics.
The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), recently organised an empowerment programme for young women in politics in Abuja.
The event which proved to be thorough and inspiring was hosted with support from ActionAid and Global Canada through the VWL Network on the 17th and 26th of March 2021.
It was well attended by diverse young ladies from different background with a passion for good governance and politics in the country.
In the words of the President of Women in Politics Forum, Ebere Ifendu Esq, who was also the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party and the first woman in Nigeria to occupy such position, “the programme is an avenue to empower young women to see that they become interested in the politics and governance of their country.
Ebere Ifendu, President of Women in Politics Forum
“The idea is for them to be engaged in politics and get massively involved. It is also a forum to mentor young women in order for them to be well prepared for the political journey and also to network with other young people with the same passion.”
During the course of the programme which took place from the 26th and 27th of March 2021, the executives of the pioneer young women in politics forum Abuja chapter were elected and inaugurated.
This is in addition to the WIPF academy which has already kick started in Cross Rivers State, Benue State and Kogi State, and are doing exceptionally well.
Mentees
Also in attendance at the event were highly acclaimed politicians who were handy to enlighten the young politicians on having a successful political career , these were High Chief Peter Ameh, National Chairman of Progressives People Alliance (PPA); Ene Ede(Mama Gender) former Deputy Governor aspirant from Benue State; Barr Zainab Marwa who is the President and Founder of Aspire Women Forum and former aspirant for House of Representatives); Lois Auta, Founder Cedar Seeds Foundation and a former aspirant House of Representatives; Austin Aigbe Senior Program Officer CDD. The resource persons gave in depth analysis on winning elections in nigeria, communication skills of a politician, the importance of mentor-mentee relationship and the self development and confidence.
Participants at the event
Participants at the event were equipped and empowered to come out and get involved in the decision making of their country. In the words of Awetu Hope Jetta who is also a participant: “This programme is indeed an exciting experience, my eyes got opened as to the importance of women getting involved in politics and also the need for adequate networking, kudos to Women in Politics Forum for this opportunity “
Rahila Dauda who is also the pioneer chairperson of the Young Women in Politics Forum Abuja Chapter had this to say. ” indeed there would not have been a better time to have this programme, I have learned, unlearned and improve my skills in this training, I cannot thank the organisers enough. Long live Women in Politics Forum, Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!”
With the spike in Gender Based Violence (GBV) and mental ill health in the country, the Young Lawyers mentoring and Pupillage Committee (YLF) of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch, (Unity Bar), Law & Society Magazine in conjunction with Media & Teens Network, a non-governmental organisation have called for GBV to be declared a crime against state.
Rising from a recent webinar amid the ‘two new pandemics”, the group observed that GBV affects mental health as the actions of the perpetrator negatively impacts and aggravates the mind of the victim.
It was also observed that the country is likely to witness more mental health problems on account of GBV if the situation continues unchecked.
The Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health (UD/MH) for instance holds that: “Good mental health means a thriving population, but mental health problems can impede people’s abilities to realize their potential, cope with stresses, work productively and fruitfully, and make contributions to their communities…”
As a response to the persistent question of GBV violence in Nigeria, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, was enacted in 2015. Meanwhile, the Rome Statute which promotes gender equality through accountability for sexual and gender-based crimes, contributes to accountability and redress for Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) through its catalytic effect at the national level.
This means that if a state ratifies the Statute and incorporates its far-reaching SGBV provisions into domestic legislation, these crimes can be prosecuted by national courts.
Setting the tone of the event with a link between mental health and GBV, the YLF Financial Secretary, Ms Juliet Isi-Ikhayere paved way for Chairperson of the NBA Abuja branch, Dr. Hauwa Shekarau who joined the conversation by reiterating that the Unity Bar has tolerance to GBV whatever form.
Hauwa Shekarau
Insisting that “GBV is a crime that affects all of us”, the first discussant, award winning poet, gender rights activist, legal practitioner and serial entrepreneur, Mr. Jude Ifesemen drew a distinction GBV and domestic abuse.
According to Ifesemen, “GBV is meted out because of the person’s gender while domestic abuse does not necessarily results to GBV. Gender Based Violence is not necessarily physical. If you deprive me what is mine because of my gender, it is a violence act.
Jude Ifesemen
“It also affects one’s mental health because, the actions of the perpetrator aggravates the human nature of the victim.”
Admitting that there is a lot of societal pressure on women, Ifesemen urged that everyone takes a stand on the question of GBV.
He added that: “While women may not be the target of gender based violence, the society needs to talk about it. There is also gender violence against a man when he is been exploited. There are so many demands on him. Sometimes the men become docile and depression sets in. Some sicknesses in Nigeria are mental health cases and nothing more.
“Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act, as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It affects every aspect of our lives and it is exacerbated by the way we treat one another. Gender Based Violence is real and damaging.”
Proffering some solutions to the GBV challenge, Ifesemen said:
“First, it’s important we try to build the confidence of people around us.
Next, encourage people to speak out, tell the perpetrator – I don’t want this. Be firm and assert your position.
Also, people should have the confidence to leave a bad decision. No man or woman is worthy of making you feel bad about yourself. Be bold to leave.”
Another discussant and Chairman of the YLF, Principal Partner Godwin Diugwu and Associates, Mr Godwin Diugwu made a case for stronger legislation that will check the cases of GBV in the society. Thereafter, he urged: “Every one of us should put hands together and see to it that GBV is reduced and tackled.”
Godwin Diugwu
In addition, Moderator of the event, Co-Ordinator, Media & Teens Network and Editor-in-Chief, Law & Society Magazine, Lillian Okenwa, pointed out that:
“The stress you create for someone can snowball into so many things including mental imbalance. Children from violent relationships for instance witness violence in their homes and in most cases become violent. What that relationship has done is unleash more viciousness on the society, thereby creating an unending cycle. When children witness domestic violence, they are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence in the future. Checking GBV and mental health or ameliorating it in any form starts from how we treat people around us and those we meet every day. Legislations are important but this situation requires a human touch. We all have a part to play.”
The third discussant, Mimi Ayua, a Management Consultant, certified Mediator from ICMC, Senior Associate in O.J Onoja, SAN & Associates, certified Negotiator from the US Institute of Peace, and Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants delved into GBV in the legal profession and how it affects female lawyers.
“When you mention mental health, people think its mad people on the street, but mental health means mental wholeness, completeness. Some persons may look okay but underneath something is wrong. There are other types of GBV apart from the physical violence. For instance when a job discriminates based on your gender, it reduces a person’s self-esteem.
“Most offices think the female lawyer doesn’t have the capacity to handle the rigorous process of litigation. She finds it disturbing. If that female lawyer is not mentally strong to accept this, it will affect her and how she behaves.
“The legal profession needs to become aware of this challenges we have in our profession. It is a complex phenomenon that needs to be challenged and addressed fully.”
Wrapping up her thoughts, Mimi Ayua gave the following suggestions:
“We can have centres where survivors can get counselling. However, individuals must rise up, become self-aware and realise the things happening around us.
Mimi Ayua
“The family, especially parents should inculcate the rights values, into their children. Let them know that they are good enough, boost their self-confidence and above all live by example. Children see and internalize everything happening in the home. Finally, the NBA should do something about GBV in the profession. A lot of female lawyers are not finding it easy but the fear of backlashes and being victimized is holding them back from speaking out.
Adding to the conversation, Vice Chairperson, YLF Unity Bar, Rahila Dauda said: Mental health is fundamental to our collective and individual ability as humans to think, emote, and interact with each other. Survivors of GBV often internalize the verbal abuse from their partner. They may blame themselves for their situation, experience fear, as well as anger and resentment towards themselves. It is indeed a tragic situation.”
Indeed the devastating effects of Gender-Based Violence can cause women to experience various mental health disorders. “Many people”, according to Clinical Psychologist Robyn Travers, who works at the Department of Health’s Tara Psychiatric Hospital in Johannesburg, “who access services at psychiatric hospitals have in one way or another been impacted or affected by Gender-Based Violence (GBV).”
Travers confirmed that GBV can lead to women experiencing various psycho-social, economic and societal stressors. “The psychological impact of GBV can contribute towards adult victims experiencing depression, anxiety-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance-use disorders. Additionally, feelings of shame, anger, hopelessness and helplessness and suicidal urges may be prominent..
“Each women’s psychology is different and they may experience different symptoms and mental health conditions,” she said.
The registration exercise for theJoint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry has commenced.
Slated to take place 700 centres nationwide, candidates are this year required to register with their National Identity Number (NIN).
The full statement by the Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin reads:
The Governing Board of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) met at its Meeting of 22nd March 2021 and decided that:
i. For any person to be registered for UTME/DE, he/she must supply his/her National Identity Number (NIN). It is therefore mandatory for participation in the 2021 Registration Exercise
ii. Registration will take place in 700 centres across the country The list is available in all the state offices and JAMB’S website: www.jamb.gov.ng
iii. The approved schedule for Registration and examination are as follows a. Registration exercise will start on Thursday, 8th April to Saturday, 15th May, 2021.
Candidates are also to note that the registration for DE applicants would run concurrently with that of UTME candidates. There would be no extension of time for the sale of the UTME/DE application documents.
b. Optional Mock will be held on Friday, 30th April, 2021 (for those who indicate interest and registered before 24th of April, 2021
c. The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination would hold from Saturday, 5th to Saturday, 19th June, 2021
iiii. The venue of the examination will be at any of the centres in the candidate’s chosen examination town
v. The registration fee for the 2021 application documents is N3, 500 and N500 for the recommended Reading Text.
vi. Information regarding other registration processes and requirements would be made available on the Board’s website and advertised in the electronics and print media from 5th April, 2021. (Everyday)
The Delta State Government has asked the Federal Government to return the £4.2 million James Ibori loot being repatriated to Nigeria by the United Kingdom to the state.
In the alternative, the state governor wants the returned loot used for projects that benefit Delta State indigenes in the state.
Said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on a television programme: ““We have made two suggestions; return the money directly to us or apply it directly to projects that we feel are of importance and are in Delta State so that Deltans can directly benefit from the repatriated funds and I don’t think anybody can fault that line (of thinking)”, he said.
He believes that since the money was stolen from the state, it would only be just to return the funds back to the state.
“I have spoken with the attorney-general of the federation. My attorney-general went to have a meeting with him. I think that we are working and we are likely to come on the same page. We have written a formal letter of protest to Mr President,” the Governor said on Wednesday during an appearance on Politics Today.
The protest by the state is in reaction to the decision of the Federal Government to spend the funds on federal projects.
Nigeria and the UK had signed a memorandum of understanding on March 9 for the repatriation of the funds stolen by Ibori, a former Delta State.
But the development became mired in controversy shortly after the MoU was signed when the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, revealed the money will be spent by the Federal Government.
The projects it will be spent on, he said, were the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road, and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Governor Okowa, however, expects the Federal Government to take a similar route as the UK Government by returning the money to the source it was pilfered from.
“In the same manner of the relationship created between the UK and Nigeria, we also expect that the Nigerian Government will do the same thing by being magnanimous to return the money back to the source, which is Delta State,” he said.
To guarantee that Deltans benefit from the repatriated loot, the governor said it had provided options to the Federal Government and made a compelling case for the state.
A day after the news of the planned return of the loot broke, the House of Representatives passed a resolution calling on the Federal Government to ensure that it was returned to Delta State.
Lawmakers passed the resolution after their colleagues from the state moved a motion of urgent public importance.
As far as they were concerned, the funds were stolen from the state and should be returned to it.
Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also backed the calls for the return of the funds to the state.
He commended the Federal Government for negotiating and pursuing the return of the loot to Nigeria but insisted that it be returned to the source.
“Since the money left the coffers of the Delta State Government, it has to be returned once it is recovered,” Falana said during an appearance on Politics Today.
The attorney-general of the federation, however, has a different argument.
“The major consideration relating to who is entitled to a fraction or perhaps the money in its entirety is a function of law and international diplomacy,” Mr. Malami told Channels TV of the Federal Government’s decision.
“All the processes associated with the recovery were consummated by the federal government and the federal government is, indeed, the victim of crime and not sub-national.”
Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, says the Ibori loot will be spent on, the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road, and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Ultimately, Governor Okowa believes President Muhammad Buhari will grant the state’s request as that is the right thing to do.
“I do believe that with the approach that we have undertaken it is unlikely that they will refuse the request. It is a strong appeal,” he said.
The governor rubbished claims that if the money is returned to Delta State “it will develop wings”.
“I don’t see how the money will develop wings anyway,” he said. “That is why we have directly put down projects – three projects where this money can be applied directly to such a manner that it is something you can investigate.”
Ambassador-Designate T.Y. Buratai, under whose tenure Intersociety says the Army derailed
By Emeka Umeagbalasi and Chidimma Udegbunam
What is presently called “Nigerian Army”, a major component of the Nigerian Armed Forces, appears to be speedily transforming into an ‘Ethnic Army or Militia’ and unless urgent steps are taken and transformative efforts made, the Nigerian Army will irreversibly end up as an ethno-religious conclave in this country.
History is replete with many instances: In former Yugoslavia, its national army (Yugoslavia People’s Army) under Slobodan Milosevic was sectionalized and used as oppressive and suppressive instruments against other ethnic groups and in the end, it lost its national identity and followership and became an ethnic army for the Serbs following the country’s 1991-2001 civil wars and was disbanded.
In former Zaire (Congo DRC) under Mobutu Sese Seko (1965-1997), its national army lost its nationality and followership and became an ethnic army for Bantu/Bangala tribe and was disbanded in 1997 following the emergence of Joseph Kabila (a rebel leader) as new leader.
In Rwanda under Gen Juvenal Habyarimana (1973-1994), the Army lost its national identity and followership and became an ethnic militia for Hutus and was disbanded in July 1994 after the genocide.
In Liberia, the Armed Forces of Liberia under Samuel Doe (1980-1990) lost its national identity and followership and became an ethnic army for Krahn Ethnic group during the Liberian civil wars and was disbanded in 1997.
In Uganda under Tito Okello (July 1985-Jan 1986), the Ugandan National Army lost its national identity and followership and was disbanded in 1986 following the emergence of Yuweri Museveni (a rebel leader) as new leader.
The Armed Forces of Sierra Leone under Joseph Momoh (1985-1992) also lost its national identity and followership and was disbanded in 2001.
Our consistent mirroring of the present ‘Nigerian Army’ commanded by Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai (as he then was) since 2015 particularly its composition, command structure, operational conducts or activities including sectional soldiering and horrible human rights records such as alleged ethnic profiling, peacetime sectional killings, abductions, torture and sexual offenses including rape and related abuses, etc all glaringly point to the fact that the Army is losing its national identity and followership.
From the look of things, too, the Nigerian Army is losing regional acceptance and legitimacy especially among citizens of the Old Eastern, the Mid Western Nigeria and the Old Middle Belt who are mostly of Christian faith. The loss of regional acceptance and legitimacy by the Army is also gradually creeping into the Southwest, and as a matter of fact, the Army is on ‘borrowed or mechanical legitimacy’
Loss of national identity and regional acceptance and legitimacy by the army of any country is a serious problem and can lead to same being perceived by majority of the ethnic nationalities in such country as illegitimate and sectional army. This is easily the case particularly in a heterogeneous or multi ethnic and religious country and can further be fueled by citizens’ radicalism or resort to violent self help, with capacity of transforming such army from ‘army of all to an ethnic militia of an ethnic group’ in a situation of intra state armed conflict. Therefore, signs and triggers are in the air in Nigeria and unless urgent steps are taken to rescue and reform the Nigerian Army, it is likely to end up as an ethnic militia or army.
It saddens our heart therefore that despite being unable to quench the flames of insurgency in all the regions of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army is still talking tough and issuing threats of elimination to Nigerians particularly unarmed citizens and activists who are calling on their ethnic nationalities to rise in self defense of their persons and properties including territories and boundaries as clearly provided in Section 258 of the Criminal Code and Section 59-60 of the Penal Code-strengthened by Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (right to life) and; yet the same Nigerian Army is looking the other side concerning invasion of natural territories of other ethnic nationalities by armed local and imported jihadists, including Fulani herdsmen and Shuwa Arabs.
The same Nigerian Army is also threatening unarmed self-determination agitators with elimination but says nothing when a group of jihadists openly claimed responsibility for assassination attempt on the sitting Governor of Benue State, whom they are still threatening to kill or assassinate.
Today, the incompetence, partiality, conspiracy and complicity of the Nigerian Army has led to emergence of at least 20 main and splinter Muslim controlled and led insurgencies in the Northeast, Northwest and North-central. As at May 2015, the three regions played host to only Boko Haram, emerging jihadist Fulani herdsmen and “Zamfara Bandits”, but today, there are full blown Fulani Herdsmen and their imported counterparts including armed foreign Fulanis and Shuwa Arabs. There are also Boko Haram and its two splinter groups, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), Movement for Emancipation of Muslims in Black Africa or Ansaru. It is difficult to count but some of these groups and bandits have splintered into not less than 13 scattered in Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Benue and Niger States.
In the South, the government is also vicariously, if not directly, responsible for movement and violent settlement of militia men and their kidnapping units inside the forests, bushes and farmlands of the Southeast, South-south and lately Southwest.
Combined with violent crackdowns, ethnic profiling and hate soldiering by troops against mostly Christian citizens of Southeast and South-south who are defenseless and unarmed, the two regions are already bearing undeniable signs of new insurgencies with sophistication in shape and color.
In the Southwest and Old Middle Belt, the menaces of Fulani militia have already risen to maddening and intolerable proportions, and signs of radical self defense measures, including intractable insurgencies are all over the place. As a matter of fact, embryonic insurgencies are already rearing their ugly heads in Southeast, South-south, Southwest and Old Middle Belt Nigeria, capable of speedy transformation into full blown insurgencies; and only God knows where the Nigerian Army will get professionalism and capacity to withstand them.
The totality of these is an indication that Nigeria, an explosively populated country of over 200 million persons is steadily heading to the nadir of implosion and explosion.
We, at Intersociety, hereby call for rescue and reformation of the present Nigerian Army. It is the moral duty of the Association of retired Generals or senior Army officers particularly those that left the Army from 1980s to 2014, to be assisted by other stakeholders to congregate as a matter of uttermost urgency so as to intervene and rescue the Army before it becomes extremely late or reaches the point of irreversibility.
▪︎ Umeagbalasi and Udegbunam are Board Chair; and Head, Campaign & Publicity International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law, otherwise known as Intersociety.
For minutes on end, a Federal High Court stood still on Thursday morning as machines whirred to the counting of $1.3 million cash tendered by the federal government as money recovered from the home of retired Air Commodore Umar Mohammed.
The huge foreign currency was admitted as exhibit after it was counted.
The exhibit was tendered during the continuation of trial of Commodore Mohammed for alleged fraud and money laundering charges brought against him by government.
At the resumed trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr Labaran Magaji, tendered the cash as exhibit along with various other currencies, with an explanation that they were recovered from the defendant.
However, the defence counsel, Dr Hassan Liman SAN, thereafter cross-examined the prosecution witness, Mr Stephen Olatubosun, through whom the exhibit was tendered.
The senior lawyer thereafter nformed the court of his client’s intention to file a no-case submission on the ground that a prima facie case has not been established against him.
Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo after listening to parties in the matter, ordered the Chief Registrar of the federal high court to deposit the foreign currency with the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, pending conclusion of the trial.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 27, for adoption of final addresses by the parties in the no-case submission motion.
The retired Air Chief is facing three counts charge of alleged money laundering, illegal possession of firearms, and classified documents without authority.
He was accused of receiving $1.3 million cash from one Worldwide Consortium PTY Ltd in 2016, through his company Easyjet Airlines, in violation of the Money Laundering Act 2011.
“…In a government of laws, existence of the government will be imperilled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. If government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself. It invites anarchy” – US Supreme Court Justice, Louis D Brandeis, 1856-1941, in the OLMSTEAD case, 1928.
The contempt with which Nigeria’s Federal Government treats the courts and judicial officers again came to the fore at the weekend with a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN restating that the duty of respect for the judiciary is unqualified.
Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN
Speaking at a recent public presentation of the book Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009: Practice, Forms And Precedents Vol. 1 And 2 by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, in Abuja, Agabi who noted that “there is little that the nation can do to compensate our judges for their sacrifices”, disclosed that despite being “the pride of the nation”, Nigeria’s judiciary has been hounded and treated with utter disrespect by the government.
Chief Ogwu James Onoja, Mrs. Nkoyo Onnoghen and Fmr. Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen at the event
Recalling the treatment meted out to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen who was brusquely removed from office and the trial of late Hon Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, JSC, Agabi stressed that no judiciary can thrive when continuously badgered by the State.
Commending the book which he described as “very crucial and important as it is part and parcel of the justice sector development”, Justice Onnoghen who also used the occasion to speak about his unjust removal from office stated that: “Nigeria as a democracy was founded on the rule of law, you cannot talk about rule of law without giving regards to the rights and privileges of the citizens… Where there is no means of enforcing these rights there will be anarchy, injustice.”
Mr. Jubril Okutepa, SAN, ChiefOnoja, SAN and Chief Chris Uche, SAN
Representative of the President Court of Appeal (PCA), Hon Justice Steven Jonah Adah, JCA, conveyed the PCA’s appreciation of the publication. “The book is an amazing work and the publishers did well. The rules used to be technical but this book has made it a lot easier. The Court of Appeal is interested in this type of development,” he said.
Mrs Rosemary Onoja and Chief Onoja, SAN
In the words of the book reviewer, Prof Offornze Dike Amucheazi, SAN, the book analyses and simplifies fundamental issues relating to procedures, proceedings jurisdictions and enforcement of fundamental rights in Nigeria. It is remarkable for its clarity, rigorous analysis and examination of complex issues involved in human rights
According to Amucheazi SAN, “Chief Onoja is a fine legal mind. He has the inestimable advantages of a committed scholar- fine and brilliant legal mind; the facility of language and the ability to raise and explore fundamental issues that other writers fail to consider.
Onoja, SAN
Likewise, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Dayo Apata SAN said: “The narratives in this book dwell on the core values of fundamental rights as contained in the FREP Rules. It gives an authoritative review of the virtual proceedings.
George Babalola, SAN, Toyin Aladegbami and Moses Ebute, SAN
“It is worthy to mention that this book has shown that it is valuable to the practicing lawyers such as those in the ministry of justice, Justices, the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and also private lawyers.
“The book chronicled a detailed account of fundamental rights practices and procedures. It will also serve an authoritative guide and its easy review will make it comprehensible to its users. It is an additional knowledge of our rights. I conclude by entrusting the book to fellow citizens as it will go a long way to make out laws accessible. I commend the author for this excellent work and I have no doubt that this book will achieve its aim.”
Staff of Bar and Bench Publishers
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho in his goodwill message remarked that the area of fundamental rights Enforcement is special as it relates to the rights of the under privileged. His lordship who further stated that the book will serve as an eye opener to the generality of the public added that it will be a worthy guide to enforcement agencies as “most violations come through the agencies.”
Lawyers of O.J Onoja, SAN & Associates
Also commending the work, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Hon Justice B.B Kanyip, who disclosed that he had previously worked on the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure (FREP) Rules said the Rules apply to the NICN but with some limitations.
Congratulating Onoja on the feat, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, remarked thus: “I thought I’m an authority in Fundamental Rights matters but when I got an advance copy of this book, I realised I didn’t know much about the proceedings. The book expanded my knowledge. This book will make our practice better. The book is timely and I just commend the author because the country is going through a state of disregard for the rule of law. May God heal our land.”
Acknowledging that the book came at a very good time in the country, Chief Onoja’s foster father, Engr. Joseph Makoju former Group Managing Director, Dangote Group of companies expressed appreciation to all dignitaries in the legal profession for supporting the author.
Lucius Nwosu, SAN, commended judges that have courageously stood for due process and rule of law in their judgements. Asserting that the book could not have come at a better time, he said: “I know what it means to have a fundamental right abused because of where I live. When I got the invitation to this launch, I was elated. I was elated because this country is eroding the principles of separation of power with the removal of the CJN. We have had constant meetings to check the abuses of the rights of law.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include the governor of Rivers State represented by Attorney General of Rivers State, Prof. Zaccheus Adangor, SAN; several Justices of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, FCT High Court and National Industrial Court of Nigeria; Chief Chris Uche, SAN, Mr. Jubril Okutepa, SAN, Vice- Chancellor of Nassarawa State University Keffi represented by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor Administration, Prof I. M. Haruna and many others.
With the official pronouncement of the Vatican last week that a union between a man and a man or between a woman and a woman in the name of “marriage” is a sin against God and therefore does not receive the blessing of the Catholic church, the Lesbianism, Gay, Bi-sexualism, Trangenderism, Queer behaviour, Intersex and others (LGBTQI+) ideological barbarism has suffered another major irreversible defeat. From time immemorial the teaching of Catholic church that marriage, as ordained by God and in consonance with the civil laws of many nations of the world, can only be contracted between a man and a woman, has remained unchanged and irrevocable. But prior to the pronouncement of the Vatican last week, there had been some quibbling in some quarters to the effect that with the emergence of Pope Francis coupled with the pressure from some left-wing Catholic clergy, journalists, and church reformers, the Catholic Church had somehow relaxed her Orthodoxy and doctrinal eloquence on marriage and therefore had reserved a place for LGBTQI+ people in the church.
But the Catholic Church has not relaxed her teaching on LGBTQ1+. Last week the Vatican came out strongly to unequivocally unambiguously reaffirm that it is illicit to impart blessings on sinful unions between persons of same sex because “God does not and cannot bless sin”. By finally hitting the nail on the head on the matter last week, the Catholic Church has reaffirmed her two-millennia teaching which is anchored on the teaching of Jesus Christ -“But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder”
But in their defence last week, the LGBTQI+ community expressed its anger against the Catholic Church for outlawing LGBTQ1+. It alleges that the aforesaid Vatican pronouncement outlawing LGBTQI+ is homophobic, anti-Christian, a violation of gay right and therefore null and void. Speaking to the media last week, one of the gay persons said, “the toothpaste is out of the tube, and it can’t be put back inside’, meaning that, despite the Vatican sledge hammer, the LGBTQI+ people are undeterred in their irreversible resolve to imbibe and live out their LGBTQI+ lifestyle no matter whose ox is gored. In rebutting the said defence, a certain spokesman of the Catholic Church was heard to say, “There will be no recognition of homosexual unions or marriages by the Catholic church. It is non-negotiable. End of story”. It will be recalled that within the first three days of his inauguration as the President of the United States, Biden wasted no time in opening the floodgates for all sorts of lesbians, homosexuals, beasts, queers, animals, transgenderists, beast-genderists and beast-sexualists, who had been banished by former President Trump, to come out from their banishment and start agitating for what they consider as their lost rights. At the moment President Biden has made LGBTQI+ the centre-piece of American foreign policy. He has threatened that Nigeria and other countries which are yet to legalize LGBTQI+ must hurry up and do so otherwise they will incur the wrath of the United State. Biden has also swiftly revoked the Trump-Pence administration policy and reinstated the corruptive Obama bathroom policy which states that male students who claim to be females, notwithstanding that they had not undergone any gender-reassignment surgery, should compulsorily shower together with girls in the same bathroom.
Since Biden issued the aforesaid threat, many Nigerians have been faulting him on that. For instance, two weeks ago, a group of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) based in Lagos described Biden’s open threat as a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. In their words, “Nigeria is a sovereign nation. We have a right as a sovereign nation to decide for ourselves the kind of laws we can enact for ourselves and for our own good. We should reject anything which compromises our territorial sovereignty. No foreign country has a right to interfere in the way we run our country or enact our laws. If the U.S. or any other country is bent on stopping to give us financial assistance simply because we have declared LGBTQ1+ illegal in Nigeria, that country can go ahead and do so. LGBTQ1+ is against our culture and tradition and against our beliefs. Only marriage contracted between a man and a woman either under Islamic law, Customary law and Marriage Act is recognized as valid in Nigeria”.
Having carefully evaluated the forgoing arguments as well as weighed them on the scale of justice, I think the first thing to say is that the LGBTQ1+ people are human beings created by God. By virtue of this, they are ontologically good human beings. We should love them as ontologically good human beings but we shall not love the LGBTQ1+ ailment they are suffering from. In this context, we must not ostracize them or discriminate against LGBTQ1+ people. Rather than ostracize or discriminate against them, we should volunteer to take them to the hospital for therapy and rehabilitation. Nobody is born a lesbian or a homosexual. There is no gay trait in any human gene. Neither is LGBTQ1+ inherited from one’s parents. To date, there is no empirical medical study that proves that LGBTQ1+ is inherent in some people let alone in all peoples. Even animals in the bush do not indulge in same-sex copulation. The simple ultimate truth is that LGBTQ1+ is an acquired barbaric aberration. Being an acquired barbaric habit, it can be given up some day. Some LGBTQ1+ people have been recovered through therapy and rehabilitation to start living normal lives. As U.S President, Obama decreed June as gay Pride Month. Can you imagine? Pride in what? Pride in being queer?. In many cultures, including my village, queer people are sick people who are under medication. LGBTQ1+ is incompatible with Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It is also incompatible with African regional instruments such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights domesticated in Nigeria and applied by the Nigerian Supreme Court in the case of Abacha V Fawehinmi.
Therefore, outlawing of LGBTQ1+ is not a derogation from international legal obligation because there is no known domestic or international law which obliges nations of the world to refrain from enacting laws against LGBTQ1+. Even though some nations have legalized LGBTQ1+, other nations are not obliged to join in their madness. No “international Supreme Court” can force a sovereign State to legalize LGBTQ1+. The binding nature of international law is a matter of consent of sovereign States. In other words, international law binds upon consent not by imposition. As far back as June 29 2016 the prestigious European Court of Human Rights sitting in Strasbourg, France delivered a historic and unimpeachable judgment that LGBTQ1+ is not a human right. The court, which is the highest court in Europe, held that “marriages” entered into by people of same-sex cannot be considered as marriage. As important as this judgment is, the liberal media such as pro-gay CNN or pro-gay BBC and others refused to report it.
It is obvious that the new Western Cultural Revolution has turned right into a dynamic and subjective process of change that allows for contradictory choice. Hence choice or license has become an absolute principle and a new point of reference of human rights. This has resulted, according to Marguerite A. Peeters in her seminal work: The Globalization of the Western Cultural Revolution, in the deconstruction of the anthropological structure of man and woman leading to the negation of reality and LGBTQ1+ barbarism. (Thisdaylive)
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