The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • N12.9b debt: Victory Park Estate is ours, says AMCON

    By Robert Egbe

    The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has said it is the legal owner of Victory Park Estate, Lekki, Lagos, following a N12,966,510,191 judgment debt it won in court.

    It said its ownership of the property was the outcome of the Federal High Court’s decision on October 3 2017, in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/744/17.

    The corporation’s lawyer, Jide Olasite told newsmen in Lagos that the judgment was affirmed at the appellate court in June following the Justices’ dismissal of an appeal filed by Rev Olajide Awosedo.

    He said any contrary claim is false, unless such person or persons had regularised their titles with AMCON.

    Olasite spoke following allegations that AMCON sealed and damaged the home of a businessman in the estate, Adedayo Shittu, in defiance of an Ikeja High Court order.

    Shittu had alleged that the judge made the order in suit LD/8418LMW/19 after dismissing a preliminary objection filed by Knight Rook Ltd, Mr Lanre Olaoluwa and AMCON.

    Read Also: AMCON’s debt to be N6.6tr by 2024

     

    He further claimed that Mr Olaoluwa, who is AMCON and Knight Rook’s Receiver-Manager, led the police and thugs to carry out the destruction.

    But addressing the allegations, Olasite and Olaoluwa, said Shittu’s claim to ownership was false, because AMCON, by virtue of the judgments, was the rightful owner.  It also took possession the property since June.

    They noted that Shittu, in compliance with the judgment, gave up possession of the property and acknowledged it in writing.

    Olasite said AMCON had appealed the injunction, and that “the application is awaiting hearing.

    “Olaoluwa was never there, Mr Olaoluwa’s involvement in the matter ended when the judgment of the Federal High Court was executed since June.”

    He agreed that an injunction was issued against AMCON concerning the property, but that AMCON had filed an appeal.

    AMCON said it is a victim of fraudulent activities and it is trying to prevent the loss of the N12.9 billion which is a judgment debt belonging to all Nigerians.

    Olasite said: “As of today, AMCON has a judgment which has been confirmed for the sum of N12.9bn.

    “This government came into power with a heightened priority concerning the recovery of AMCON’s debt because as of today, it amounts to over N5trn which is money that belongs to you and I.”

    AMCON added that it needed to set the record straight as a result of incessant falsehood, fabrications, and half-truths being bandied about.

    The institution called for the understanding and support of all Nigerians as it continues to engage with stakeholders in resolving the issues and realizing its debts.

    “The money must be obtained, if AMCON is removed today, it will not change the fact that the property belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria because the court has said so.

    “What can change it are the people engaging with AMCON to resolve the issue, they are victims but AMCON is a bigger victim,” Olasite added.

     

  • Don urges politicians to respect ballots

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    Law Professor at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Prof. Peter Umeadi, has urged politicians to respect the ballots cast by the electorates during elections because “it remains the only credible and acceptable way to transit power in a democracy.”

    Umeadi spoke when he paid a solidarity visit to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain, Senator Victor Umeh at his hometown in Agulu-uzoigbo, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Prof. Umeadi extolled Umeh “for his pioneer contributions in the establishment of APGA, followed by his sterling representation of Anambra Central Senatorial Zone in the last National Assembly.”

    He reminded the Senator that more of such was still required and expected of him.

    Read Also: Buhari to security agents: stop ballot box snatching

     

    The law teacher said the rule of law remains “the corner-stone for the development of our country, because every other indices for national development depend on it.”

    Responding, Umeh expressed happiness at the visit and recounted the history of APGA, saying that the party would benefit immensely from the wealth of knowledge and experience of Prof Peter Umeadi.

    Prof Umeadi was accompanied on the visit by two APGA chairmen from his ward in Nri and other party faithful.

     

  • Hate speech: Conduct public hearing before passing bill, says Tambuwal

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has urged the National Assembly to follow due process and conduct public hearing before passing the bill on hate speech.

    Answering questions from journalists, Tambuwal said a public hearing on the bill will enable lawmakers aggregate the views of Nigerians.

    He said: “I’m not sure I have heard any governor come out to say he is in support of the death penalty for hate speech.

    “I believe that the National Assembly should hold a public hearing on that bill, so that due process of lawmaking is followed.

    “This is so that the views of Nigerians, not just the governors, will be well captured on that bill and they (National Assembly) should respect the views of Nigerians in whatever may be the direction of debate and the eventual passage or otherwise of that bill.”

    The Senate, had on Tuesday last week, introduced the hate speech bill, which among others, prescribed death by hanging as the maximum punishment for certain categories of offenders.

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Publicity Secretary, Kunle Edun, had cautioned the Senate to “tread carefully” with the bill.

    He had said, “We, therefore, strongly advise that the Senate should tread carefully on this bill.

    “Section 39(3) of the Constitution makes it mandatory that no law can abrogate the rights of Nigerians to exercise their right to freedom of speech, except if such a law can be reasonably justified in a democratic society.

    “Can a hate bill be reasonably justified in a democratic society?”

    Meanwhile, reacting to the judgment of Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal which affirmed his victory at the polls, Governor Tambuwal has called on members of the opposition to joined hands with him to run an all-inclusive government.

    A release signed Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor Muhammad Bello reads that: Tambuwal stated this shortly after the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto upheld his election as the duly elected governor of the state.

    Read Also: Hate speech bill: respect views of Nigerians, Governors tell NASS 

     

    The  release stated Justice Hussaini Muhtar, who read the lead judgement  on behalf of three other members of the panel, dismissed the six grounds of appeals filed by the gubernatorial candidate of APC and upheld the judgement of the electoral petitions tribunal.

    “The governor while dedicating his victory to God urged people of the state to intensify prayers for continuous peace and prosperity of the state.

    He also appealed to the people of the state to join hands with him in the project of its continuous building.

    The governor reminded the opposition that power belongs to God who gives it to whom he desires reminding them that “we have no other state but Sokoto, so the task of building it belongs to all of us.

    He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their support and sustained prayers for the success of his administration.

    The governor also pledged the commitment of the state to the implementation of the minimum wage and improved welfare of workers.

    “Various state governments have been engaging with their branches of the Nigeria Labour Congress, I’m sure it is a work in progress.

    “Before December, all the states must have finished working out the details on the issue of the minimum wage across the federation.

    “We are very much committed to the welfare and well-being of our workforce and therefore, we shall continue to ensure that we do our best on what needs to be done”, he said.

    In a related development, governors of the states of the federation have expressed their readiness to conclude negotiations with labour unions on the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage before the December 31 deadline.

    The governors spoke at the end of their seventh meeting in Abuja, which was presided over by the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF ), Governor Tambuwal.

    At the meeting, the governors said they are committed to working with the Independent Verification Agent to ensure that the APA process did not experience delay.

    The forum, among other resolutions, also expressed commitment to the initiative to advance value added activities in agriculture, access to finance and women economic development.

  • Lagos Judiciary Staff Union gets new executives

    By Adebisi Onanuga

    Lagos State Judiciary Staff from the five judicial divisions converged at the Ikeja High Court premises last week to elect new executives to run the affairs of  their union, the Lagos State Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN)  for the next four years.

    The campaign and  election for the positions were fought on two principal platforms, the  Omoluabi Team and the Pillars Team.

    At the end of the exercise which commenced at 3.00p.m. till about  7.45p.m.  Kehinde Shobowale of Pillars Team was declared the winner with 388 votes to become the new Chairman of JUSUN in the state.

    He narrowly defeated Mr Taofeek Gbadebo of the Omoluabi Team, who got 382 votes.

    Mrs Adenike Ogunnaike was elected the union’s Vice-Chairman; Adesanya Damilare, Assistant Secretary; while Mrs Olorunfunmilayo Oloyede emerged the Treasurer.

    Read Also: Reps move for Judiciary reforms

     

    Others are the Public relation Officer (PRO), Jide Awesu; Financial Secretary, Adeleke Olaoluwa; Assistant Financial Secretary, Onabajo Damilola;Organizing Secretary, Olododo Joseph; Auditor, Folorunsho Kehinde and Legal Adviser, Ali Emmanuel.

    Addressing the judiciary staff at the event, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Aloba, praised the peaceful conduct of the election.

    The chief judge, who was represented by Mr Sanusi Kamar, Director of Finance and Human Resources of the Lagos State Judiciary, pledged support for staff of the Lagos State Judiciary.

    He urged them to work hard and pursue excellence in their various fields, promising that their welfare would remain important to the judiciary.

    In his acceptance speech, the new JUSUN Chairman, Shobowale, promised not to let down the judiciary.

    Shobowale said that he would work hard to deliver all his electoral promises.

     

  • ‘How Federal Competition, Consumer Protection Act can succeed’

    By Chiamaka Onwuchekwa

    LAWYERS have warned that unless the Federal Competition, Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) is amended, it will continue to hamper the growth of the oil and gas industry or restrict expansion plans of participants in the industry.

    Kadijah Yusuf and Folashade Oluyadi (both senior associates at Olaniwun Ajayi), Jonathan Aluju, Managing Associate at Olaniwun Ajayi and Marc Israel, Partner White & Case LLP made the call in Lagos.

    They spoke at a forum organised by Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (Seplat), in partnership with Olaniwun Ajayi LP and London-based, White & Case Law LLP.

    They identitified critical factors necessary for the successful implementation of FCCPA in the oil and gas industry.

    The Act, which is a codified set of rules signed into law in January 2019, established the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal.

    It was enacted for the promotion of competition in the Nigerian markets at all levels to eliminate monopolies, prohibit abuse of a dominant market position and to penalise other unethical restrictive trade and business practices.

    Delivering the opening address at the forum organised by Seplat, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Austin Avuru, stressed Seplat’s strong regard for compliance and strict adherence to Corporate Governance ethos in the industry.

    According to him, Seplat remains very concerned about its current and future business environment in the country and will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to advocate for good laws that will positively impact businesses, especially in the oil and gas industry.

    Avuru said: “As an organisation, Seplat is at the forefront of understanding, practising and advocating proper compliance and corporate governance principles. In these areas, we lead from the front line.

    “We have put together this event to draw attention to the gaps in this Act, with a view to getting stakeholders to accommodate the peculiarities of the oil and gas industry in future reviews of the Act.”

    General Counsel at Seplat, Dr. Mirian Kachikwu expressed optimism that continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders will not only address grey areas in the FCCPA, but also inform possible amendments as may be relevant for businesses in the country, especially in the oil and gas space.

    Read Also: NCC reassures customers of protection

     

    Kachikwu said: “Seplat organised this policy dialogue to create ample awareness and enlighten key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector about the challenges that the new law could have on the smooth operation of the industry. The goal is to work with the regulator and government to shed light on grey areas.”

    In his key note address,  the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, said: “The oil and gas industry in Nigeria is peculiar in many respects, both in terms of the legal and regulatory framework. The industry is particularly sensitive therefore if players in the industry notify of the need to make changes to a clause in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to work together to effect the necessary change.”

    In the oil and gas industry, the FCCPA provides guidelines on the maximum amount of funds that can be raised by oil and gas companies; how collaborative bidding should be done and other important matters that directly affect the oil and gas industry. In particular, the Act stipulates that the FCCP Commission’s oversight over mergers extends to Joint Ventures, which are critical to the oil and gas sector.

    It was attended by Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, President, Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), representatives of companies including Shell Petroleum Exploration and Production Company, Platform Petroleum, Oando, First E&P, Petrobras Nigeria, among others.

  • Ogun CJ to the Bar, Bench: Live a worthy life

    By Adebisi Onanuga

     

    Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has enjoined  members of the bar and bench to live a worthy life and emulate the late Justice Solomon Olufunso Sodeke (rtd), who she said served the state diligently and best of his knowledge while alive.

    Justice  Dipeolu gave this admonition at a special court session in honour of late Justice  Sodeke (rtd), held at new High Court Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta.

    She described  Justice Sodeke as “a jurist per excellence” and “a man of integrity” whose commitment to the administration of justice  was second to none.

    The chief Judge noted that the state judiciary and the legal profession as a whole, has indeed lost a great legal mind, an invaluable gem and jurist.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that this erudite legal icon lived a life worthy of emulation and I enjoin everyone here present to weep not at his demise but rather celebrate his life and the worthy legacies he left behind”, Justice Dipeolu said.

    She added that Justice Sodeke was “ a role model, an incorruptible Judge and a gentleman per excellence”, stressing, “ his Lordship was a very thorough Judge who would not leave a stone unturned.

    “I will personally miss his amiable and radiating personae, his life was a gift to the legal profession particularly to the state judiciary and indeed to humanity. Also, his Lordship’s dexterity and knowledge of law was obvious to all, and was especially evident in his judgment”, Dipeolu added

    The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (BOSAN)represented by Sola  Ojutalayo (SAN) remarked that death was a path all mortals must trudge whether voluntarily or involuntarily; it is a visitor we must all receive at a point in our existence willingly or unwillingly’’.

    Read Also: Ogun Judiciary to go digital, says Abiodun

     

    He said the late Justice Sodeke was a thorough bred judicial officer who was forged in the crucibles of private practice and public service, saying that he also excelled on the Bench where he dispensed justice with discernible ease and uncanny erudition.

    He recalled that Justice Sodeke presided over various matters with finesse and candor; without fear of the power that be or favour of associates and friends even at a time when access to justice was mere political slogan on the lips of tyrants who held the reins of power under military rule of that era.

    “Even though His Lordship has left this sinful world, his legacies will continue to speak for him. These legacies are his good name, his integrity, transparency, good nature, good deeds and his children amongst others”, Ojutalayo said

    Also, Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly said that the late Justice was “urbane in outlook, princely in carriage, regal in communication, diligent in the discharge of his enormous responsibilities and truly decorous and honourable in conduct and disposition”.

    He added that His Lordship was indeed a perfect gentleman who would be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to have crossed his path, urging the members of the Bar and Bench to emulate or take a cue from the late jurist.

     

  • Suenu chieftaincy family takes over Abebe village on court order

    By Adebisi Onanuga

    The Suenu Chieftaincy family of Lagos, has taken possession of a  large portion of Abebe Village lands, Iganmu, measuring about 6.531 acres, within Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State.

    The take-over followed a consent judgment by Justice Abdulfattah Lawal of the Lagos State High Court on July 10, 2017 in suit number LD/1170GCMW/2015.

    The judgment was based on an agreement between the Suenu Chieftaincy family and its primary tenant, United African Company (UAC).

    Suenu Chieftaincy Family represented by Chief Omogbolahan A. N. Durosimi, Qudus O. Suenu, Shakirudeen Yussuf  Samisideen O. Ogungbadero and Mohammed M. Durosimi had through a Writ of Summons dated September 23, 2015 filed against U.A.C. Nigeria Plc and Registrar of Title, Lagos State, contested ownership of the large expanse of land of Iganmu Village.

    Parties were involved in an out of court settlement on the matter in dispute which gave rise to the agreement and subsequent consent judgment of the court.

    Sequel to the January 24, 2017 terms of settlement between the parties, Justice Lawal in his judgment delivered July 10, 2017 but signed on July 12, 2019.

    The court  held: “by virtue of terms of settlement dated 24, January, 2017, the claimant and the first defendant agreed to settle the issue raised in the suit on the conditions stipulated in said terms and which terms were pronounced upon by this Honourable Court as the judgement of the Court on 10th July, 2017”.

    Read Also: Assets forfeiture: Court orders govt to notify Maina’s father, others

     

    The Suenu Chieftaincy Family on September 23, 2019, based on Justice Lawal’s judgment on the land,  in a motion ex-parte, approached Justice M. O. Obadina’s Court for the enforcement of the judgment.

    In granting the ex-parte motion by the claimants, Justice Obadina held: “upon the application dated 23rd day of  September, 2019, coming before this honourable court to be heard on behalf of the claimants/judgment creditors/applicants.

    “And upon reading the affidavit in support of the motion of Samisideen Olaseni Ogungbadero, Secretary to Suenu Chieftaincy Family, sworn to and filed at the High Court Registry, on 26th day of September, 2019 and after hearing G. C. Nwosu of counsel to the judgment creditors/applicants.

    “It is hereby ordered as prayed, leave is granted, the applicants to execute the judgment of the Honourable Court delivered in this suit on 13th March, 2017.

    “Order is granted issuing warrant of execution of the said judgment”.

    Speaking to the journalists prior to the execution the judgement on Tuesday, the Judgment Executor, Otunba Tomori Williams, who narrated how Suenu Chieftaincy family became the owner of the land in the 19th Century and which was given to them by Olooto Royal Family.

    Williams also related how the part of the land was leased to U.A.C upon approaching the family in 1947 and 1952 adding,  “after sometimes UAC which had been having unhindered possession till today, stopped, failed and refused to pay the statutory leasehold agreement to Suenu Chieftaincy family”.

    Williams stated that  the failure and refusal of UAC to pay statutory leasehold agreement on the land, forced Suenu Chieftaincy family to approach the court and instituted the suit.

    He said said UAC entered out-of-court settlement with the family and agreement eventually reached became the consent judgment of the court which he was empowered to execute.

    He also stated: “the said property in question is not a subject of any other litigation. The Suenu Chieftaincy Family has had  unhindered possession of the land through the people they leased it to, primarily, UAC, Nigerian Properties Company and others as at date”.

  • NHRC vows to check SGBV scourge

    By Robert Egbe

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has pledged to increase Nigerians’ access to its services to check the scourge of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

    NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu spoke in Lagos, at the just-concluded public sitting of the special investigation panel on SGBV.

    The panel was constituted following complaints received on April 26, 2019, alleging that armed security personnel led by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), under the auspices of the FCT Joint Task Force, illegally raided night clubs and the streets of Abuja.

    Read Also: 818m women suffer gender based violence globally

     

    Victims of the raid made several allegations of rape and sexual harassment, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment against the raiders.

    The NHRC boss said the SIP sittings which will hold in the six geo- political zones will enable all victims of all SGBV in the country to be heard.

    “We therefore urge other victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence to forward their complaints to the panel”, Ojukwu said.

    According to him, the public sitting will check the SGBV scourge in Nigeria and increase access to  the Commissionthe services.

     

  • ‘Why council heads must follow the constitution’

    By Adebisi Onanuga

    Heads of local government administration in Lagos State have been urged to take advantage of the Constitution and other relevant laws in the discharge of their functions to ensure optimal service delivery.

    Permanent Secretary, Local Government Establishments, Training and Pension Office, Abiodun Osi-Efa gave the advice at the opening of a two-day workshop on Project Management organized for  Council Managers, Council Treasurers and Council Engineers in collaboration with Fatoo Limited.

    “I expect them to restrict themselves to those provisions in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the extant laws as they apply to local government administration.

    “We have those that are concurrent and those that are residual. We are trying to iron all of those things out and we know that, with time, those in charge at the legislative arm of the various levels of government, they would be able to handle that”, he said.

    On way forward for local government administration in the state, Osi-Efa said plans are on-going to take full advantage of the return of autonomy of council administration by the federal government.

    “We are looking at how the autonomy will play out  and at the end of the day, we will be able to reposition the councils and  officials we have at the local government council level in order  to enhance their performance”, he said.

    He remarked that so far, the heads of local government councils have performed creditably well.

    He said the training programme will help to bridge the gap between council management and the grassroot adding, “that is why we brought them together believing that a couple of things will be learnt by them from this workshop. Because there is always room for improvement, they would be able to apply some of these things they have learnt to their workplace, their staff and of course, their performance will improve”.

    Co-Director of Fatoo Limited and facilitator of the workshop, Engr Femi Odunukan said the programme was organized to ensure that things get better at the local government level.

    Pointing out that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very passionate about building capacity and developing the grassroot.

    Read Also: ‘Change of constitution will help Nigeria to work’

     

    “It was identified that there is opportunity to add value to what they are doing. By re-enforcing and refreshing them on project management, they can no do things better.

    “We look at local government administration in different part of the world, we look at local government councils in United Kingdom (UK), Canada for instance, we look at  what they are doing and we look  at Oshodi local government Is doing. We compare them, and it was clear to everybody that our population is so large, and that in other countries, they have small population in local government  areas and they have been able to manage them effectively. Clearly, the only way to get better is to get a workforce that is well trained  and well equipped to work better and do things better.

    We look at project management, the risk, the value and procurement,  we identified the product that we need, we identified the scope of work and because of the fact that we need to get value, we ensure that what we are delivering is what will add value to the lives of the people”, he said.

    Kola Akomolede, another Director of Fatoo Limited said the takeaway from the programme is for everybody to realize the need to participate actively in things happening around them.

    “A lot depends on us as a people and we should collaborate to make things better in Nigeria. Those foreign countries we travel to always are only attractive to us because in those places,  people play their respective role to make things work and their society better”, he observed.

     

     

     

     

  • Ndukwe, Ekeh, others for firm’s annual lecture

    By John Austin Unachukwu

    The Chairman of MTN board, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and his Zinox Technologies Ltd and konga.com counterpart, Sir Leo Stan Ekeh, are among dignitaries expected at this year’s Alliance Law Firm annual lecture series and business luncheon holding today at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Lagos.

    Alliance Law Firm’s Managing Partner, Uche Val Obi said the lecture brings together stakeholders from across the world to discuss critical and topical themes central to the socio- economic development and industrial growth of Nigeria.

    It is also part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme aimed at giving back to society.

    The theme for this year’s lecture is “Leveraging technology to develop and rebrand Nigeria”.

    The keynote speaker is Sir Ekeh while Dr. Ndukwe will chair the event.

    The panel of discussants includes:  Managing Director/CEO of Ecobank Mr. Patrick Akinwutan; Ms. Chantelle Abdul, Dr. Andrew Nevin,  Dr. Segun Aina, Ms. Linda Ikeji and Dr. Umar B. Bindir.

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    Obi said: “The theme is considered topical considering the disruptive and pivotal place of technology in Nigeria’s quest for economic advancement, nation building and positive image profiling.

    “We have gone to great lengths to assemble a stellar faculty and top executive audience in order to do justice to the theme.

    “The firm will also use the occasion to unveil its Doing Business In Nigeria Guide manual which has been described as the most friendly handbook for start-ups, foreign and established businesses wishing to operate seamlessly in Nigeria.

    “In doing this, the firm leveraged its advisory experiences and role as notable contributor to the IMF/World Bank Doing Business publications.

    “This event doubles as a Business Luncheon which allows participants meet friends and associates, and network as we approach the end of year.

    Expected invitees include top executives of  Telecoms, Technology, Banks, Oil and Gas, Maritime, Hospitality, Exchanges, Issuing Houses, Conglomerates, business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy makers.”