- Gadzama, SAN urges minister to allow the rule of law to prevail
“[C]onsidering that the matter is already subjudice, it may be prudent to allow the ongoing court actions initiated by the disgruntled members to proceed unhindered, permitting the court to adjudicate on the issues and bring a definitive resolution to the dispute.” —J.K Gadzama
Following the appointment of Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, as Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, law teacher and rights lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu has called on the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mazi Afam Osigwe to address what he described as ” the brazen accessorization of judicial officers by @GovWike.”
Odinkalu in a series of tweets said: “The @NigBarAssoc under @afamosigwe has a duty to address the brazen accessorization of judicial officers by @GovWike, & @njcNig is failing manifestly in its duty to address the impunity of judges who violate clear provisions of the judicial Code of Conduct of 2016.”
Again, he pointed out that: “The presence of FCT Minister @GovWike & @CourtOfAppealNG president, Monica Dongban Mensem at that event in IBB Golf Club in Abuja yesterday was judicial malpractice & influence peddling. Wike knew he was not supposed to be there. There are cases in court.
This is coming on the heels of a letter to the minister by Chief Joseph K. Gadzama urging him to rescind his claims over the golf course and allow the rule of law to prevail, considering that matters concerning the affairs of the golf club are currently in court.
“As a private club since 2011, it is essential that the constitution is adhered to, particularly to resolving the current crisis and ensuring the club’s long-term success… [C]onsidering that the matter is already subjudice, it may be prudent to allow the ongoing court actions initiated by the disgruntled members to proceed unhindered, permitting the court to adjudicate on the issues and bring a definitive resolution to the dispute.”
The minister inaugurated the board on Friday at his official residence in the Life Camp area of the nation’s capital city.
Other members appointed to the board are Olusegun Runsewe, Grace Ihonvbere, S.l. Ameh, Hamid Abbo, Victor Adedipe, Patrick Chidolue and Ikokwu.
Dongban-Mensem replaces I.B.M. Haruna as chair of the board.
Wike tasked the board with reviving the club.
“Let me on behalf of the FCT administration thank members of the board of trustees that was inaugurated this afternoon for responding to the call,” the minister said.
“There has been crisis at the IBB Golf Club and as the owner of that golf course, we cannot fold our hands and see things deteriorate.
“So, for us to have a board of trustees that could be led by the president of the court of appeal, you know that we are not joking at all. We will do everything we can to give the club the necessary support.”
Wike also clarified that the golf course belongs to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
“You must know that we are still the owners of the golf course. It is not privatised. Some of you have held the view that because government gave you C of O, it means that the property belongs to you. No. government has set up agencies and universities,” he added.
“Government give them C of O just to protect the property. But that does not mean that because we gave you C of O as University of Abuja, the government does not own the University of Abuja. This is not correct.
“Even us in FCT, we own Abuja Investment Company, we give them land, we give them C of O, but that does not mean that the agency does not belong to us. It still belongs to us.”
During her remarks, Dongban-Mensem assured the minister that the board would deliver on its assignment.
“We know that we’ve been given a tall order to watch over the club and it is not a mean assignment. The importance attached to the club by the government is proper and we shall not disappoint or take for granted the confidence reposed in us,” she said.
“We shall try our best to ensure that all frayed nerves are calmed.
“I appeal to my colleagues on the board to cooperate so that we can work as a body to uphold the confidence that has been reposed in us.
“I also appeal to our outgoing chairman and other members of the board to stay with us and guide us. Let’s work together as a team.”
