The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Jonathan, PDP and 2015

    Jonathan, PDP and 2015

    Since the coming of President Goodluck Jonathan to power, most of his programmes and policies have engendered the anger of most Nigerians. This would not augur well for his party come next election in 2015.

    Starting with controversial fuel price increase in early part of 2011 and subsequent polices, his policies have been received with mixed feelings amongst the populace, most notably the recent state pardon granted his former boss, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, D.S.P.Alamieyesegha.

    Also, the ‘civil war’ going on within the party has polarised it along different interest groups which could send it to the oblivion. Nigerians who have to tolerate the party for this long have not seen any good from the party which considers itself the largest party in Africa.

    The President has not been given Nigerians the kind of leadership required. The citizens are very sceptical about government programmes and policies.

    We hope that as Nigerians look up to meeting the reality of good governance in 2015, they will not be denied this rare opportunity.

     

    Bala Nayashi

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • The Almajiri and girl-child school project

    The Almajiri and girl-child school project

    prior to the 2011 Presidential campaigns, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to ensure that the over 10million almajirai that are out of school across Nigeria, especially in the north, have access to quality basic education.

    After the election, he has proved that he can make a promise and go all the way to fulfil it.

    Last year, the President inaugurated the very first Almajiri school that was completed by the Federal Ministry of Education through one of its parastatals, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). This still did not convince some of the sceptics of the project that the government is determined to actualise the dream of ensuring that no almajiri is left on the street to beg, whilst other kids are acquiring basic education in addition to their other forms of religious education.

    The scepticism of the observers has served as the needed impetus for the Federal Government to quietly, but with the right determination execute the Almajiri school projects all over the nation. The bulk of the projects are domiciled in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), with the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, serving as the supervising minister.

    The Almajiri school projects are 100 in number, with majority of them located in North East, North West and North Central geo-political zones. A few are sited in South-West and South-South due to the influx of small percentages of Almajiri to those states from parts of the north.

    Out of the 100 schools, 70 have been completed and furnished, ready for hand-over to the respective states where they are located. The remaining 30percent of the schools have reached more than 90percent completion rate and are being furnished in readiness for hand-over to the state governments.

    The Vice President Namadi Sambo will commission one of the completed schools in Jigawa State on behalf of the President. This is a symbolic programme that will kick-start the general handing over of the schools in different parts of the country.

    The model one and model two Almajiri schools that have been completed by the Federal Government are architectural masterpieces that are meant to attract the pupils and their Islamic teachers and keep them in the schools. They are equipped with habitable hostels, quality classrooms and stocked with up-to-date basic education instructional materials.

    Experienced teachers will be posted to these schools. These teachers working with the Mallams are expected to impact both Islamic and Western education to these children. The curriculum has been specially designed to ensure that they receive the required training to be functional citizens who will contribute their quota to national development.

    Like the Almajiri schools, the Special Girl-Child Model Schools located in 16 states of the federation are being built to create access to basic education for disadvantaged less privileged. These schools are also ready for hand-over, asides the one located in Bayelsa State that is yet to be constructed. These special girl-child model schools will be operated with consideration for the religion and culture of the host states. This is to encourage parents to release their daughters to acquire basic education, with the knowledge that their respective religions and culture will be respected.

    The Almajiri and the girl-child constitute the highest percentage of out-of-school children in the country. Ensuring that they have access to basic education is a worthy achievement that should be applauded by all Nigerians.

    After the hand-over of these schools, the Federal Government will continue to support the states in running the schools via the provision of the needed instructional materials that will be used by the teachers and pupils.

    It is true that the current number of schools cannot accommodate the millions of out-of-school children in the respective locations. They are, however, meant to kick-start the process of ensuring that every one of them is accommodated in a classroom. This will be made possible if states, local councils and non-governmental organizations key into the project. For most of the states, they have already started constructing their own schools.

    The successful completion of these schools is a function of the dedicated supervision of project consultants, contractors and officials by the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

    The most important aspect of the completion of these schools is the fact that the Jonathan administration has succeeded where previous administrations failed.

    Indeed, there is a correlation between mass literacy and peace in the society. As more Almajirai access quality basic education across the country, the more secured the nation will be as political mischief makers will have less hands to manipulate.

    By Simeon Nwakaudu,

    Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education (Media), Abuja.

  • Re : Curing Doyin Okupe’s ignorance

    Re : Curing Doyin Okupe’s ignorance

    •‘Curing Doyin Okupe’s ignorance’ is highly refreshing and really illuminating. However, it will be an exercise in futility, because no matter the genuine attempts to cure him, he will not be ready for the cure. The Yoruba elders says ‘eniti o ba sun l’anji, ki se eniti o bapiroro’. Needless to say more,

    Alhaji Adey Corsim, Oshodi, Lagos, 07057631041

    •On ‘Curing Doyin Okupe’s ignorance’ – a bold writer you are Mr. Segun Ayobolu. Keep it up, 08064121216

    •Your views in your column are insulting and have tribal undertone. Be a bit respectful to constituted authority, 08057126766

    •Uncle Segun, if not that somebody like Doyin Okupe is being paid with the tax payers’ money, I would have suggested that he should be totally ignored,

    Seye, Akure, 08033894418

    •My brother, on curing Okupe’s ignorance, you have stated the obvious and I think we will recommend APC to cure him. More grease to your elbow! May your ink never dry! Austin, 08037235843

    •Since the appointment of Dr.Doyin Okupe, we have been diametrically opposed to his style of engagement. If Okupe is discerning enough, he would have known that there is no hatchet job in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. If Okupe is logical in his reasoning, he should know that democracy is so called because it provides for dissenting views and virile opposition is the salt that garnishes the system. If Dr. Okupe wants a one party state, he should head for the Gambia and not where a true democrat like President Goodluck Jonathan presides. The likes of Doyin Okupe and Godsday Orubebe whose stock in trade is antediluvian style of sycophancy – grovelling servitude – has no business being close to a decent man like Dr.Goodluck Jonathan,

    T.S. Zimugan, CEO, Goodluck Jonathan Forum for Global Peace, 07030130419

    •Good job Segun. Your ‘Curing Doyin Okupe’s ignorance’ was a masterpiece and also a masterstroke sufficient enough to make this professional bootlicker and the other intellectual sycophants like Reuben Abati and Ahmed Gulak to better direct their energies to helping their benefactor find a more potent channel to address the stupendous problems that bedevil the nation rather than serving as ‘biting dogs’ to this colourless and bland regime, Nasir Umar, 07032524200

    •Segun, when did you become a megaphone of these frustrated leaders of the opposition? Why weeping more than the bereaved? Calling Mr President ‘a liability’! Your days are numbered, 07056844211

    •Ah Ah Segun! Why insulting an elder like that? Why not copy Simon Kolawole’s style? Remember you are working for your political Godfather. Ah Ah, too much, Mrs G. Etti, 08180202393

    •Okupe’s damnable propaganda ought not make anybody pass sleepless nights. From the nature of the administration he represents, we need no extra sensory perception to know that most of what he would often want to feed us with about the government are mere framed stories of doubtful veracity which lack every merit of conviction. Of course, I think the country still needs his likes to make the democracy what it ought to be for the common good of us all. The opposition sometimes go beyond bound to fire their own missile at the government if only to make it sit up and be accountable to the people. So too the government needs an attack dog like Okupe to keep the opposition on their feet for the much needed viable alternative to the huge disappointment the ruling PDP has become. In other words, disturbing though his mendacious reflex might be, it can still be of positive effect in strengthening our democracy if logically followed,

    Emmanuel Egwu, Enugu, 08037921541

    •Kudos to you on your write up or better still, reply to Doyin Okupe’s unguided remarks on two great leaders of the nation. You have spoken well. God will guide and protect all your family as you want to liberate us from the tyrants in our midst, H. F. A, Akure, 07061194600

    •Segun, let Doyin Okupe be. If you were in his shoes, you would do the same. Who would have ever thought that Dr. Reuben Abati would be defending actions of government? I beg let Okupe be!, Mike Onugha, 08036998738

    •Thank you oh Segun. I beg help me tell Okupe that I live in Kaduna and I am still waiting for the buses they promised us after the fuel subsidy riots, Mrs Josephine Adam, 0803587483

    •Hi Segun, Please correct me if I am wrong. I could remember that this same Okupe served in Obasanjo’s government in the same capacity and he was hurriedly kicked out due to his misguided utterances on sensitive national issues at that time. His appointment by Jonathan was another shocker among others to me and many other Nigerians. Segun, it is in this kind of God-forsaken government people like Okupe can serve. Are you surprised?, MJ, Abuja, 08059615499

    •Are you a journalist or an ACN member? Your write up on curing Doyin Okupe’s ignorance shows you also need cure as a one sided journalist. I am not a politician but you were unfair in this write up in my opinion, 08023727952

    •Your article on Okupe was a masterpiece and educative. I doff my hat for you, 08065070202

    •Segun, you are highly unfair to Dr. Okupe. Do you remember how many times he was jobless before GEJ gave him one? You need to remember how the Ota farmer dumped him. Once bitten…He needs to bark more more than this to keep the job since he cannot practice medicine anywhere across the globe without sitting for medical exam afresh. He could be arrested if found with a syringe, Akinlayo A. State of Osun, 08055679465

    •Your illuminations on Doyin Okupe’s ignorance is a real yap and only the bitter truth. We all know that Okupe hasn’t been a truthful man. What a beautiful piece on the person of Dr.Doyin Okupe. Segun, you are too much. May God bless you, Dave, Rivers State, 07031923255

    •Good morning Mr. Segun. I read your article of yesterday. I really loved the way you put him and his Oga at the top to where they belong. More grease to your elbow, 07039044634

    •As far as a lot of Nigerians are concerned, Jonathan and Okupe are the real political liabilities,

    Tayo Agbaje, Abuja, 08067039566

    •Thank you for putting Dr. Okupe where he belongs. Uncle Segun, seems he has a very poor vision and can’t see his boss is the non-performer and the liability, 07033588160

    •Humm…Do you mean Doyin is over 60 years? Yet…!, 08033770486

    •Okupe should remember that major money meant for Lagos was withheld by OBJ even against court order. All effort was made to stop Tinubu from Abuja. Nigerians have such a short memory – pity, Ugwuoke, 08038928948

    •Mr Segun, remind Mr. President’s attack dog that the Asiwaju achieved all that you enumerated despite the unconstitutional, illegal and criminal withholding of revenue allocation to Lagos State Local Government Areas for close to three years! All these were achieved when daily newspapers were awash with nude pictures of legislators taking oath with their governor in Dr. Okupe’s home state, 08036492504

    •Me as a truck driver am better informed than this toothless ‘bull dog’, Okupe. Please never waste this page for such a man; there are better illuminations,

    Joe, Kaduna, 08032478812

    •Segun, the problem with you and your colleagues in your highly partisan newspaper is that you want Nigerians to see you and your paymasters as the best in everything you do and swallow all you write or say about others, including the brazen lies and insults on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the gospel truth but you don’t want others to air their views. Why are you crying wolf over Dr.Okupe’s statement about Buhari and Tinubu? Nigerians can’t continue to be deceived by pen politicians like you, 08083393134

    •You are not much better than Okupe in your sarcastic views. We want a balanced view not outright abuse,

    Martins Akpan, 08052305643

    •Yes, a thousand of anti-progress elements personified by the Okupes of this world can never cover the good deeds of truly patriotic progressives, 08020882416

    •Sege! You forgot to inform Okupe that Jagaban did those projects while the PDP government of OBJ withheld Lagos State Local Government funds in disregard of the Supreme Court Judgement, Johnny Edah, Lagos, 08023102195

    •I love the traditional way The Nation reports issues. Lately you guys have got yourselves entangled in politics. Now, all I read is Tambuwal versus Jonathan and the Presidency, 08054509110

    •My brother, I dole out my heart for your today’s article about DoyinOkupe’s ignorance. I am from the North but without you guys from the West, Nigeria could have been finished, 07038744339

    •Hello Segun, you will be doing yourself a great disservice if you think that Dr.Doyin Okupe was actually appointed to provide genuine information about the Jonathan administration. Personally I think what GEJ perceived Reuben Abati incapable of doing because of his media background, he appointed Doyin Okupe to do – lash out in reply to all the opposition’s comments about the administration; take on them person for person not issue for issue. Okupe is Jonathan’s ‘Mr information fix it’, Olumide Soyemi, Bariga, 08171704442

    •Engaging Doyin was a good judgenment, if for nothing to counter The Nation’s unobjective report on GEJ. Tinubu ruled for eight years; let GEJ do eight years before we compare notes, 08079519911

    •S-e-g-e! Just why did you desecrate Saturday’s must read back page with the dim wit called Okupe? You even added his photo. Aah!!! Don’t you think a man a man that even OBJ fired as a ‘reject’ should be found in a refuse dump? Are you surprised the ‘mugus’ in Abuja chose him to rubbish their non-existent image? As they say: ‘birds of the same feather’…PDP people have a peculiar ailment. They don’t see too good. So, how can people who can’t see good do good? That’s our cross in Nigeria presently. Someone even told me their over-hyped ‘SURE-P’ actually means ‘SURE-Poverty’. What else can one say for a ruling party that added a meagre 2000 MW to the national grid in 13 years after billions of dollars went the wrong directions? Nothing!,Olu, 08033013597

    •Hi Segun Ayobolu, I see you as an ignorant writer who has no sympathy for the likes of Doyi nOkupe who perhaps might be suffering from senility. How can he have the sense of objectivity and maturity you expect from him? Ha haa! 08035288185

    •Omo Sege, Fire on. Help me cure Doyin Okupe of this disease called ignorance once more. Thank you very much for that beautiful piece of work, Benjamin Albert, 08065623287

    •Mr Segun, you have said it all. Dr. Okupe is in urgent need of intensive medication for wilful ignorance in discharging his duty and you have helped him out by highlighting the numerous achievements of Tinubu. Keep the flag flying bro, Niyi Ogunmade, 08028437558

    Mr Ayo, keep on firing them. Crooks! 08037036314

    •Ayobolu, do I hear you say our dear Dr. Okupe is a loose cannon? Well, I imply he is a bull in a China shop, My regards, Osita, Owerri, 08064938959

    •I am an avid reader of The Nation newspaper, especially Saturday, Sunday and Monday editions. Having read today’s edition, I wish to appreciate you for your unwavering courage, boldness, diplomacy and educative write ups. Please keep on educating the likes of Dr. Okupe, Dr. Abati and Elder Orubebe to be sincere in their dealings, S. Fikara, Port Harcourt, 08061331045

    •Okupe who is eternally endowed with sabre rattlings and misconceptions can’t do better. His chicken will soon come home to roost. The party will soon be over in Abuja, Oladele Oseni, Ikorodu, 08038240713

    •Uncle Sege, I love your statement “I think I have said enough to cure Okupe of his wilful ignorance”. Do you really think Okupe is ignorant of Tinubu’s giant strides in Lagos? He is just a sponsored blackmailer using Federal Government funds to tarnish the image of opposition leaders. He told those blatant lies out of jealousy because he can never be Tinubu. He wants to become popular by blackmailing him. He has failed. My brother, don’t mind him, we are not blind and can never be deceived with their propaganda. How I wish Tinubuwere a Deltan; we could have been competing with Lagos. Cheers, Moses Efe, 08134745871

  • Baga massacre: The ugly story is just beginning

    The Baga, Borno State killings of April 16 and 17 in which an estimated 185 people were allegedly killed extrajudicially and thousands of houses torched by soldiers of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) may yet be the defining moment in the mishandled war against the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. This is not because Nigerians sympathise with the violent sect, or because they fail to appreciate the sacrifice being made by security forces combating terrorism, or because they are unduly emotional about the scale of material and human losses sustained by the sect’s militants. The point sorely missed by the government is that Nigerians expect the country’s security forces to conduct military operations in a manner consistent with the high principles and ethical standards that set the rest of the society apart from the brutal and despicable methods of the militants. In Baga two weeks ago, there is no proof that the security forces acted with decorum.

    On Tuesday, the military top brass presented their preliminary report on the Baga debacle to President Goodluck Jonathan. Their findings were consistent with the account they tendered a few days after news of the firefight with Boko Haram militants reached the public. Though that account had been questioned in many quarters locally and internationally, and the casualty figures disputed, the military felt no need to alter their conclusions which indicated that fewer than 40 people died in the encounter and not more than 200 houses were burnt. But a rights group, the Human Rights Watch (HRW), on Wednesday released satellite images of Baga before and after the clash showing that more than 2,000 houses were torched or destroyed. Coming barely a day after the military high command and the National Emergency Management Agency (NAMA) presented their reports indicating that there were fewer than 1000 houses in Baga, this is a potentially devastating embarrassment.

    Responding to the military’s report, the president had inexplicably failed to distance himself from the controversy and uncertainties. He had suggested that there was a lot of misinformation being peddled about the clash, and added, without proof, that the high death toll released by community leaders could not be substantiated. He spoke too soon. Now, it is expected that the military will have to react to the HRW satellite images, for it is suspected that MJTF is engaged in an unwholesome cover-up of crimes against humanity. By refusing to dissociate themselves from the unlawful killings in Baga, the military top brass may be staking their own reputations and careers on the actions of their subordinates. If independent investigators discover that a massacre did in fact take place, it is hard to see the officers who presented the preliminary report to the president being exculpated. In addition, even the president may end up looking bad in the estimation of the people for appearing to back the report and for casting doubt on independent accounts of the killings. Dr Jonathan must be reminded that he is president of both the security forces and the murdered innocent civilians of Baga.

    If it is finally determined that crimes against humanity were actually committed in Baga, many careers will be flushed down the drain. The Jonathan government itself may not go unscathed for failing to appreciate the need to sustain civilised standards in the war against domestic terror. The point must be reiterated at all times that it is wholly unacceptable to sacrifice innocent lives in place of a few escaping terrorists. If more than 180 people were killed in Baga and thousands of houses burnt, that certainly goes beyond collateral damage. The killings would be callous and deliberate, and no amount of desperation in the war against terror could justify that mayhem. In fact, for many years, community leaders in the Northeast had alleged that security forces engaged in extra-judicial killings. Unfortunately, they were ignored and ridiculed. Now, they may have proof.

    But the country will wait for the National Assembly investigation, the president’s own inquiry, and any other panel set up to look into the Baga killings before drawing conclusions. Investigators must, therefore, be given unfettered access to the town to take a census of the destroyed buildings and interview witnesses. They must not be hindered. The HRW has presented its own scientific proof. Let that proof be undermined by more scientific proofs, if the military can generate any.

  • MTN should attend to problem of poor services

    SIR: That MTN is one of the fastest growing telecommunications in the world. But what is of concern to its Nigerian subscribers is how its network has plummeted down the quality line in recent months. The heart-ache and disappointment caused by its erroneous network service to Nigerians in recent months is in no small measure, particularly during the yuletide. The importance of communication and information to life and business cannot be over-emphasised and MTN being one of the service providers has failed Nigerians.

    One can no longer rely on getting a call through at a particular point in time; even the so called MTN Fastlink is a slowlink in disguise because the web surfs at snail’s pace.

    Acknowledged, MTN announced in the media, pleading for the patience of its customers on the grounds that it was carrying-out some maintenance work on its facilities; but how long do we wait for an improved network quality?

    A lot of Nigerians trying to tie-up some end-of-the-year deals were let down by the network. The fact that MTN having reached the 100million-mark subscriber milestone in the world telecommunications market ‘owes’ part of that population to Nigerians and as such, Nigerians, as all others, deserve the best telecommunication service possible.

    While MTN’s sound financial investment, strong corporate governance and corporate social responsibility is relatively commendable, those can be said to be of little significance as it affects directly only on a few.

    I must say it is high time MTN took appropriate measures in improving the all-round quality of their network in earnest so as to regain the satisfaction and quench the displeasure of its Nigerian subscribers. I do not need to remind the authorities of this telecom company that every product or service must be different and better in some unique ways to succeed in a competitive marketplace. More so, it is known that successful businesses have an obsession with customer service and MTN should not be an exception. Notably, the 19 year-old company has been successful partly as a result of this; nonetheless, an improvement is vital. Every good business is in the business of customer satisfaction, and the customer is always right.

    • Ajayi Bright (Brightsy)

    Lagos

  • 2015: When change becomes inevitable

    SIR: In 2008, the same year America’s first black president got elected into office, Global Language Monitor proclaimed change the number one word around the globe. It certainly was no co-incidence as Barack Obama went on to win the US presidential election, riding on his gospel of change. The world and not just America had seen him as a refreshing departure from the norm. An epitome of what change stood for, when considering that a black man had never directed the affairs of the world’s most powerful nation.

    The concept of change is timeless. Simple as it comes across, the idea of change continues to drive the exploits of visionaries in the fields of politics, economy, science and business. By preaching change, and themselves being changed, the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Isaac Newton, Richard Branson, and Steve Jobs have led successful revolutions and birthed life-transforming inventions.

    Yet change as a theme remains exploited for all the wrong reasons in an environment like ours. Since military rule made way for democracy, the music of change has taken a different rhythm. Today, change is only a promise – most of the time a half-fulfilled promise. It is what the politician and his allies promise the electorate until they get to power. Under the current dispensation, change has gone from being a sincere claim to being a glossy, flowery expression. Many had been swept off their feet by promises of transformation, breath of fresh air, and more business-like ones like the 7 – point agenda. Essentially, change has become the politician’s manifesto, though it does not always translate into promise delivered when he gets into office.

    That is why for many neutrals, the coming of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is good news. And Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was right in some sense to describe the coalition as a positive storm. But this development only represents a portion of the change we all want to see.

    A more competitive political climate is sure to put our leaders on their toes. Nigeria has been rated closely behind emerging economic powers like China, Russia, India and South Africa only for our potentials; what the world knows we can become. We need purposeful leadership to live up to this potential.

    As the wrangling and political realignments gradually lead up to 2015, we must realise that the power to make the change they seek lies in their hands. Contrary to popular belief that a mega opposition party is all that is needed; this change, if we must find it, will require a proactive, well-informed, dedicated army of patriots consistently fighting in unison the cause of transparency and good governance. There is so much idle talk in the traditional and fast rising new media. These discussions involving the young, private citizens and former occupants of government positions have so far yielded no positive results.

    There is a need for all that energy we expend on idle rants to be channelled into positive action. There should be a coming together of those who love this country genuinely. Not those who seek to pursue selfish desires. We need to develop non-partisan forums where young people can hold leaders to their word, and do that constructively too. We should be engaging in meaningful brainstorms on how to chart a new course for the country. We need beacons, youthful, vivacious people who are passionate about change to lead the way.

    According to Martin Luther King Jr., “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. We must straighten our backs and work for our freedom for a man cannot ride you unless your back is bent.”

    We can set a positive revolution in motion. But 2015 will only mark the beginning of the change we seek if we begin the struggle now.

     

    • Oshagbemi Oluwatosin

    Lagos, Nigeria

  • Justice Talba: Beyond NJC’s axe

    Justice Talba: Beyond NJC’s axe

    SIR: The decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to suspend Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the Federal High Court over his judgement on the Police Pension Fund case where he handed a two-year imprisonment term or option of N750, 000 to the convicted thief, John Yakubu Yusuf, appears to have received wild commendations and jubilation across the country. But I hold an alternative view. I do know as a fact that the country is almost being sunk by the endemic nature of corruption. It is also an open secret that the total extermination of this malaise is the sure way of promoting both good governance and economic integrity in this part of climes. But one does not tackle a problem by merely addressing the surface without taking care of the root. It is on this premise that I’m not too much fascinated by the decision of the council.

    A look at the NJC’s decision on the matter shows that Justice Talba failed to exercise his discretion both judicially and judiciously. The council chaired by no-nonsense CJN, Hon. Justice Mariam Mukhtar, GCON, also found out that the judgement of the embattled Judge was “unreasonable”. Thus it decided to suspend him for a period of 12 months without pay. But truth is that when Justice Talba returns, hopefully next year, those obsolete laws under which he applied his discretion to sentence the pension thief would still be there; nothing concrete would have changed!

    Again, it is quite instructive that the council spotted out the laxity on the part of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the case. It is, indeed, worrisome that the anti-crime outfit decided to sacrifice social justice on the altar of time factor in this case. Through the dubious concept of plea-bargain, the commission surreptitious substituted the 10-count charge initially brought against the convict (under Section 315 of Penal Code with more stiffer punishments) to a three-count charge under section 309 of the same Penal Code which carries lesser punishment. The implication was that the judge was allowed to apply his discretion, hence the controversial award of option of fine of N750, 000 in lieu of the two years imprisonment, which the convict, who stole the whooping sum of N23billion, wasted no time in accepting.

    The crimson truth is that the suspension of the judge does not really mean much on eradication of the cancerous corruption in our land, so long as our anti-corruption laws remain they way they are. We need no soothsayers to remind us that our extant laws on criminal justice are completely out of sinc with the realities on ground, and therefore, need review. These laws are not just obsolete, they are grossly inadequate to meet the society’s expectations of a corrupt free society. Those who petitioned against the judge could have done better by taking a step further to challenge our lawmakers to look into the law that gave rise to the judgement.

    This is equally an opportunity to determine the continued existence of the fraudulent concept of plea-bargain in our criminal justice system, with the aim of determining how far the concept has strengthened our fight against corruption. Do we will still desire this concept that seems to have encouraged our public office holders to continue to embezzle public fund? Is the concept in tandem with our criminal justice system’s principle of crime and punishment? Do we still need to retain those laws that merely provide a slap on the wrist sort of punishments to those who are stealing us raw in this country? Without answers to these critical questions, we will soon discover that the NJC’s decision on Justice Talba is only but an effort in futility, as far as the issue of fight against corruption in Nigeria is concerned.

     

    • Barrister Okoro Gabriel,

    Lagos

     

  • Hardball on discipline of judges

    Hardball on discipline of judges

    SIR: Hardball got my attention when he wrote a piece titled “Discipline of Judges: CJN must proceed with caution” on April 29. I write after an acatalectic illumination of the said piece to express my vehement disapproval of the phrase “CJN must proceed with caution”. If I may ask, what caution does the CJN need? I believe priests at the temple of justice like Caesar’s wife should live above board. Unfortunately we find ourselves in a nation where a few of them live below board. As they deliberately choose to ignore the Shakespearean dictum which says “the better part of valour is discretion in which better part I have saved my life”. Of a truth, the dynamics of crime in our society points to the indispensability of social jurisprudence. Therefore, judges owe God and man a duty to dispense justice to all manner of persons regardless who or what they are. But we have a situation where a man goes to jail for stealing a piece of meat at the market, while another goes home a free man after looting public funds worth billions of naira. Just the other day we were told by a judge that James Ibori ought to be an angel but a British Judge later told us that the man is nothing but a common criminal. Sad as it is many have also died waiting for justice while others now resort to jungle justice to settle disputes because they now see the court as a land of Manama in view of needless and abysmal delay in court process. These anomalies in the judicial system negate the clear principles of democracy. In view of the foregoing, the CJN acted in good faith to sanction some erring judges and Hardball says she should proceed with caution. I think the only thing she need is to proceed with uncommon and indefatigable determination to flush out those who trade justice in the name of discretion. The judiciary must rid itself of corruption if the war against corruption in Nigeria is to be won. I therefore concur with Hardball when he wrote that “by all means the judiciary should be purged.” Ipso facto, the recent disciplinary action against those indicted judges remains a Justa causa. I concede to the factum juridcum that most verdict rest on the oasis of discretion. But I think judges should learn how to exercise their discretion judiciously and judicially. Nigerians should not see the abuse of discretion by judges as mere peccadilloes but grave and unforgiveable crime that should attract punishment from man and God. The CJN has done well and more is also expected from her. Just as I wish to place on record that the war against corruption in Nigeria rest in the Judiciary.

     

    • Godfrey Ogbaisi Ehi

    Benin-city

  • Mainstreet Bank and my ATM woes

    Mainstreet Bank and my ATM woes

    SIR: I attempted to withdraw the sum of 40,000 naira from Diamond Bank branch Ikorodu on November 20, 2012. Only N20,000 was released while N40000 was debited into my account Acct no 5002599647.I traveled out of the country, came back in January after which I complained verbally, and filled three dispute forms at my branch, Ojuelegba and also Ikorodu and Calabar branches. Till date, nothing has been done.

    I got the highest insult when I was told in my branch that it was confirmed I withdrew the money. I have written my branch manager and copied the managing director without any response. The so-called customer care hotline 014622706 was never picked after several attempts. This is a 21-year old account and it amazes me that the bank could be irresponsibly silent on this issue.

    It goes beyond the amount involved. I am, by his grace, not a pauper and wouldn’t lose sleep over this amount. I will advise the bank to pay the money back into my account immediately or at least, prove that I withdrew the money. I have had enough of this irresponsibility. Even with that, they have already lost a customer!

    • Olusegun Akintunde Ige

    Lagos

     

  • Rivers State PDP crisis and history’s lessons

    While this columnist was painting a picture of the political war ravaging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State on Tuesday, 27 members of the state House of Assembly were on the same day obtaining a court injunction to restrain the Felix Obuah-led PDP state executive from acting on the suspension it slammed on the legislators loyal to the governor of the state. Mr Obuah had with the help of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja supplanted Chief Godspower Ake as the state PDP chairman and got himself installed. Judging from some of his statements and immediate actions since his installation about two weeks ago, Obuah seems eager to do the bidding of President Goodluck Jonathan who has been at daggers drawn with Governor Rotimi Amaechi since 2010.

    Nigerian leaders, it is clear, rarely learn from history. No state governor could cross the path of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when he was president without the full weight of the law and state power being brought down upon the intrepid upstart. Some of the out-of-favour governors dethroned in those giddy years were Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State, and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State. In the end, such ruthless use of state power did not profit Obasanjo, nor did it raise his status as a continental leader. If anything, it only underscored his pettiness and diminished him in the estimation of the world. Is Jonathan careful not to tread the same path? Is he allowing his anger to get the better of him?

    The sacking of Ake as chairman of the Rivers PDP was done by an Abuja court. Shortly after, however, the Amaechi faction got a Rivers State High Court of concurrent jurisdiction to reverse the decision. The stage for a crisis seems set. But this will not be the first time the judiciary would be drawn into controversial judicial interventions. To the dismay of many Nigerians, under Obasanjo, such controversial interventions were many, most of them recklessly and directly instigated by the government of the day, or at least bearing his imprimatur. Recall that in 2003, Justice Wilson Egbo-Egbo of the Federal High Court in Abuja also removed Dr Chris Ngige from office as Governor of Anambra through the instrumentality of an ex parte order. An Anambra High Court shortly after reversed that decision and precipitated a crisis leading to the abduction of the governor and a constitutional crisis that engulfed the police and the judiciary. Are we going down that chute again?

    Not only did such interventions lower the judiciary in the view of Nigerians, they also unsettled the polity and established a weak foundation for democracy. We still bear the scars of those reckless years.

    Now, much worse, it is also evident that Rivers State is being destabilised in the same way Ogun under Gbenga Daniel, Plateau under Dariye, Oyo under Ladoja, and Ekiti under Ayo Fayose were weakened and subverted. It does appear that Nigerian leaders are not too restrained in the use of power, nor intelligent in appreciating its limitations and ramifications. Indeed, for lacking the restraint and intelligence in the use of power, the Western Region was destabilised in the 1960s, leading to the collapse of the First Republic. Surely, of all the weaknesses Nigerian leaders exhibit, learning the lessons of history should not be among their fatal flaws, for at no cost history offers copious lessons to the discerning.