The Nation Newspaper

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  • Why state of origin should be abolished, by Mark

    Why state of origin should be abolished, by Mark

    Senate President David Mark has said the country must shift from state of origin and embrace state of residence.

    He said the enthronement of state of residence would cement inter-personal relations.

    Mark spoke to reporters in Quebec, Canada, yesterday after the opening of the 127th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, with the theme: “Citizenship, identity, linguistic and cultural diversity in a globalised world.”

    The Senate President said one of the issues that would be addressed at the constitution review is a shift from state of origin to state of residence.

    “You are resident in a place for 20 years and still, they don’t take you as part and parcel of that place.

    “I think it’s a difficult task but in my opinion, I think if we have an open mind and we approach it from a nationalist perspective, rather than a small, clannish perspective, I think we would get it right.

    “Let’s forget the business of state of origin and go to state of residence.

    “Once you are resident in a place and you perform your civic responsibilities for the period, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t benefit, provided of course you don’t claim dual residency.

    The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, said Nigeria should embrace principles that would enhance unity and progress.

    The Governor-General, David Johnston, inaugurated the conference.

    Johnston, who represented The Queen, traced the history of the union.

    He said the IPU was born at a meeting between French and English parliamentarians in 1888.

     

  • Chief magistrate enters witness box on theft charges against judiciary workers

    A Lagos Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Sherifat Iyabode Sonaike entered the witness box  as a prosecution witness in an ongoing fraud case against two workers of the Lagos State judiciary,  Mrs Bukola Adeosun and Mrs Funmilayo Kazeem

    Mrs Adeosun and Mrs Kazeem were arraigned before a Lagos State High Court by the government for perpetrating fraud while working as cashiers in the Probate section of the Lagos judiciary between the year 2007 and 2008

    At the resumed trial of the defendants before Justice Lateefa Okunnu, Magistrate Sonaike who presides over an Ibeju Lekki court, stated that she got wind of the fraud on October 24, 2008 while serving as the Head of Probate of the Lagos state judiciary both at the Ikeja and Igbosere court premises.

    According to her, another staff, Alhaja Sanusi who was the direct supervisor of the defendants came to inform her that they found anomalities in a file that Adreosun whose main job  is to move files from one office to the other worked on.

    Magistrate Sonaike explained that a treasury cash receipt found in one of the files on October 24 was post dated to October 28, an act  which she said does not conform with usual  practice.

    She explained  that when confronted, the defendant first denied knowledge of the act but later confessed to committing the crime.

    The magistrate said a close scrutiny of files found on the defendant’s desk revealed that there were so many anomalities.

    “I moved all files in her desk to my office and noticed many anomalities in them and so many receipts in her handwriting. I took the files home to look through and discovered that contrary to the laid down procedure, the receipts were not carbonized.

    “Some receipts booklets were missing and the amount recorded on some was different from what was recorded in the court records.

    “So I made a formal report and the Chief Registrar was instructed to inform the police through a petition and she was later arrested” she said.

    Magistrate Sonaike added that she does not know when the second defendant, Mrs. Kazeem was arrested as her name never came up until the police started investigations and the first defendant named her as an accomplice.

    Hearing in the matter will continue today.

  • Uduaghan celebrates birthday with flood victims

    Uduaghan celebrates birthday with flood victims

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday celebrated his 58th Birthday with flood victims in the state.

    He said he was happy to see them looking radiant and healthy.

    Uduaghan said: “It is difficult to believe that you are flood victims. I am happy that you are looking so well. I am here to celebrate my birthday with you and to assure you that I want your happiness and will always care for you.

    “There are some people who do not have the comfort of their beds to sleep on, clothes to put on or any material to boast of, those are the people I want to mark my birthday with.

    “The best gift anyone can give me is to provide relief materials at any of the rehabilitation camps.”

    Uduaghan said he was celebrating his birthday with the victims to put smiles on their faces and give them a sense of belonging.

    He visited all the relief camps in the state.

    At each of the camps, children and adults sang happy birthday songs and cut cakes with the governor, who was accompanied by his wife.

    The victims, who previously wore long faces, were gaily dressed and danced with enthusiasm.

    More relief materials were donated to the camps by concerned citizens in the state.

    The governor assured the victims that the materials would be evenly distributed.

    He thanked all individuals, groups and organisations that have been assisting the victims.

     

  • Ayu not ACN member, says Waku

    •‘Don’t drag party’s name into his politics’

    Senator Joseph Waku has denied a report which said former Senate President in the aborted Third Republic, Dr Iyorhcia Ayu, is a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The report had said Ayu was planning to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a telephone chat with The Nation from Abuja, Waku said Ayu had never been a member of ACN, adding that he could not defect from a party he did not belong to.

    He said: “To the best of my knowledge, Dr Ayu has been a dormant PDP member. Let him just say he is now looking for relevance and they (his supporters) are organising a reception for him to be readmitted into the party and gain more popularity.”

    Waku said Ayu had been a member of the PDP, adding that if he wants to reunite with the party, he should not drag ACN’s name into it.

     

  • Nigerian High Commission in Canada ‘broke’

    Nigerian High Commission in Canada ‘broke’

    Officials of the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, are owed two months salary, it was learnt yesterday.

    A source said the situation was so critical that the High Commissioner, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, flew to Nigeria last week to meet ministry officials.

    The source said besides funds for salaries, the High Commission lacked cash to pay electricity and telephone bills.

    He said most of the officials use their credit cards to do what should ordinarily be done with the Commission’s funds.

    The source said the non-Nigerian workers are not taking the situation lightly.

    Some of them, he said, are complaining openly.

    He said most of them thought the matter would be resolved with Maduekwe’s trip to country.

    The situation is the same in Geneva, Switzerland.

    The embassy officials in Geneva, he said, have lost the chance of enjoying any credit facility “because they know as a Nigerian you will default in payment.”

    According to him, what Nigerian embassy officials do is to use Ghanaians as go-between to access credit.

    He wondered why foreign affairs officials would not be paid when their counterparts in Nigeria receive their salary regularly.

    “Nobody has been able to tell us what the problem is. We expected Maduekwe to sort out the problem during his trip to the country as I speak with you nothing has been heard.

    “We also expect Maduekwe, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, to know how to source money to run the Commission.

    “The situation is not funny. We call on the Federal Government to do something about this precarious situation.”

     

  • 80, 000 Nigerians die yearly from cancer

    Ten Nigerians die every hour from cancer, the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), Mass Medical Mission (MMM), has said

    According to NCPP, 80,000 people die yearly from the disease, with 100,000 new cases diagnosed.

    The Lead Coordinator, Port Harcourt Cancer Centre, Dr Kin Egwuonwu, who spoke at a briefing in Lagos, said NCPP was building the first cancer institute in Nigeria in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He said the reason for choosing the Southsouth was because of the environmental hazard in the region.

    Egwuonwu said the project is the first cancer centre to be built in West Africa, adding that $63 million was needed to complete the project.

    “The centre will be of great benefit to cancer patients in Nigeria and across West Africa,” he said.

    He urged Nigerians and corporate bodies to assist NCPP financially, adding that poor cancer patients should be considered because they don’t have money to travel abroad for treatment.

    Egwuonwu urged all Nigerians to stand up to attack cancer and never forget that the disease is a great killer.

    Coordinator, Lagos State NCPP, said cancer is the number one killer across the world, saying: “One-third of the disease can be cured while some can be prevented.”

    Dr Nzelu said early detection is important. Cancer can be prevented by self-examination, clinic test examination, and can be reduced when a mother breastfeeds her child for at least one and a half years, he added.

  • REC:governors too powerful

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River State, Mr. Mike Igini, has said governors have become too powerful such that whoever they want occupies any position in their states.

    Igini spoke at a constitution review parley in Calabar, the state capital.

    He said governors thwart electoral processes by the way they impose their desires and personal decisions on the system.

    “Governors do not respect electoral rules. There are situations where our governors alone decide what happens at elections. They decide who should be elected at local government elections.

    “They decide who should go as members of the House of Representatives or who should be a Senator, thereby thwarting the electoral processes.”

    He said the excessive power of governors should be checked in the on-going constitutional review.

    Igini warned against the inauguration of state police, saying governors would unduly influence them to their own benefit.

    He advised that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be properly strengthened through appointment of men of transparent dispositions who earn the trust of Nigerians.

    He also urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials of to work harder.

     

  • Boko Haram: Anambra community buries father, daughter, apprentice

    Boko Haram: Anambra community buries father, daughter, apprentice

    Umunnachi, a community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State was in tears yesterday.

    The residents were burying 65-year-old Basil Okonkwo Azodo, his daughter, Ifeoma, and his apprentice, 21-year-old Sunday Ezechukwu.

    They were killed by suspected Boko Haram members in Bauchi State.

    Ezechukwu hailed from Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Suspected members of the sect had killed Azodo’s first son, 31-year-old Christian Nnaemeka Okonkwo, on April 18, last year.

    The father, daughter and apprentice were killed on October 14.

    Residents of Mgbuke village in Umunnachi broke down in tears yesterday as the caskets bearing the bodies of the deceased were being conveyed to the church for a service.

    The widow and mother of the deceased, Virginia, was inconsolable. She looked lost in the tragedy that had befallen her.

    A funeral service was conducted by the Vicar of Saint Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Umunnavhi, Rev. John Manafa. He was assisted by Azodo’s brother, Rev. Fred Uche.

    Rev. Manafa said nothing can happen without the knowledge of God.

    The cleric noted that God had prepared the way for the victims.

    He said: “My only regret is not that these people died but because of those who will go to Hell because of them. The most important thing is where we go when we die.

    “But we have to be very careful about what we do or say in life. Instead of crying for the deceased, we should pray for the repose of their souls. Let us stop crying like a people without hope.”

    The Transition Chairman of Dunukofia Local Government Area Onochie Okagbue said Azodo was a man of the people.

    He said: “From what is happening here today, you can see that the man was a man of the people. He never wronged anybody. He was a man of peace. This is a great loss.”

    The deceased’s first daughter, Mrs Blessing Ezemanari, told The Nation that it was as if the family had come to the end of the world.

    She said the family was mourning the killing of the first son when the trio was killed on October 14.

    Mrs Ezemanari said her father was arranging to relocate to Anambra when he was killed.

  • INEC declares Mimiko winner with 260,199 votes

    INEC declares Mimiko winner with 260,199 votes

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko was yesterday returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election.

    According to INEC Returning Officer Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) got 260,199 votes to defeat 12 other candidates. Chief Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 155,961 votes. Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) scored 143,512. Of the 1,638,950 registered voters, 645,597 were accredited; 624,659 votes were cast; 594,244 were valid and 30,415 were rejected.

    Daramola, who announced the results at 1.15pm, said Mimiko, having scored the highest valid votes, met the requirement of the law and “is hereby returned as the winner of the election held on October 20.”

    LP won in 13 local government areas, ACN won in three and PDP won in two local governments.

    Other parties that contested the election are ACNP, which scored 1,806; ANPP -1461, APS – 751, BNPP – 2949, CAP – 735, CPL – 1931, NCP – 823, NSDP – 1103, PDC – 21,361 and PPA – 1,652.

    Prof. Daramola described the process as “successful”, but with some “minor” hiccups.

    He said there were few incidents of ballot snatching.

    “There were few inconveniences here and there.

    “It was a great experience for me because, for once, we conducted an election that can be seen by all to be very transparent and fair. The INEC office did a wonderful job. They did what they needed to do and everything went on smoothly, apart from some few hiccups of logistics and ballot box hijacking, especially in the Ilaje area.

    “In spite of all that, we discovered that the cancellation we had, was within our allowable limit. So, we still had a good election, by all standards.

    “My message to INEC is that this assignment can be made less tedious through the deployment of ICT –Information and Communication Technology.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner Akin Orebiyi expressed satisfaction on the outcome.

    “We are relieved after a successful conduct of the governorship election in Ondo State. We must recognise those who contributed to the success. The real heroes of this election are the people on the streets, the voters, who came out en-masse; who also withstood the sun, spent hours at the polling units to exercise their right.

    “In spite of the little delay here and there, they still exercised tremendous patience and understanding and they did not resort to self-help or violence of any kind, in a bid to exercise their voting right. They are the real heroes of democracy.

    “We equally observed the maturity displayed by the politicians. For once, we see politicians, who are ready to listen to explanation of INEC. You also see politicians, who on the day of election, did not resort to self-help or other fraudulent means to obtain power. We also give commendation to them.”

    The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, P. I. Leha, praised the conduct of all the security personnel deployed for the election.

    The city of Akure went agog as the result of the election was announced. Many residents trooped onto the street shouting Mimiko’s name and thanking God for the outcome of the election.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Mimiko on his victory.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said in a statement yesterday that the president also praised the dutiful, patriotic and law-abiding electorate.

    Abati said the President also gave kudos to INEC personnel and security agencies who ensured that the election was “peacefully and successfully conducted”.

    The conduct, he stressed, was in keeping with President Jonathan’s administration’s commitment to making elections in Nigeria progressively better organised and more credible’.

    “As Governor Mimiko looks forward to the commencement of his second term in office, the President urges him to be prepared to work even harder to justify the fresh mandate given to him by the people of Ondo State who voted for his re-election on Saturday,’’ Abati added.

    He said President Jonathan assured Mimiko that the Federal Government would continue to engage constructively and positively with the Ondo State government in collaborative efforts to achieve faster socio-economic development and better living conditions for people in the state and in all other parts of Nigeria.

    The Peoples Democratic Party also congratulated Mimiko on his victory.

    In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP also congratulated the party’s candidate, Olusola Oke; the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the polls and urged them to learn from any observed loopholes so as to continue improving in future elections.

    The party said it was happy that Mimiko of the Labour Party and not Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the Action Congress of Nigeria won.

    Senate President David Mark and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu congratulated Mimiko.

    Mark and Ekweremadu in separate statements in Abuja described the re-election of Mimiko as the “peoples’ verdict and democracy in action.”

    The Senate President in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, noted that election is a game and urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory.

    He urged him to carry everybody along and to see the “new mandate as a challenge to greater service delivery to the people.”

    He added: “The majority of the electorate in Ondo state has spoken through the ballot.

    “As the governor and leader of the state, you owe them a duty to ensure that the citizens of the state reap the dividends of their investment (votes). You have a track record of performance. I am sure you will deliver.”

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal also congratulated Mimiko.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal noted that Mimiko’s victory was a manifestation of the people’s trust in his leadership abilities.

    He said the Governor should at all times bear in mind the trust and confidence freely given to him by the populace and should make him re-dedicate himself to the service of the people of the state.

    The Speaker implored the governor to rise above partisan consideration and carry along all people in the task of building the state.

    While urging those who have grievances on the outcome of the election to pursue their cases according to law, Tambuwal said they should accept the result in good fate and cooperate with the winner in the interest of the people.

    He pledged the cooperation of the House of Representatives to the new Governor, saying the lawmakers will work with all persons and interest groups to deepen democracy in the country.

  • Plot to stop Salami’s recall thickens

    Plot to stop Salami’s recall thickens

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) may urge President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the recall of Court of Appeal President Isa Ayo Salami. He will, thereafter, go on retirement, sources said yesterday.

    The Federal Government is sticking to the August 18, 2011 letter from the NJC, which recommended that Justice Salami should either go on suspension or retirement.

    Our correspondent learnt that the NJC, last Thursday, decided to resolve the crisis in the Appellate Court “to move forward”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “In line with the exercise of its powers, as in sections 153, 158 (1) and paragraph 21 (9) of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution and Section 238 (5), the NJC actually decided to recall Justice Salami but he will thereafter proceed on retirement.

    “Justice Salami is expected to withdraw all the suits in court against either the NJC or the government before these decisions can be effected.

    “But the NJC Chairman, Justice Maryam Aloma-Mukhtar, is expected to discuss with President Goodluck Jonathan these options. This is the case because NJC wrote the President last year, recommending either the suspension or retirement of Justice Salami.

    It was learnt that Justice Mukhtar could not discuss the resolutions of the NJC with Justice Salami as expected last Friday.

    Another source, however, said: “Actually, Justice Salami was at the CJN office, but he could not have an audience with Justice Aloma-Mukhtar because she was trying to clear her desk to travel out of the country the same day.

    “But Justice Salami will be briefed on the options after the Sallah break.

    “I think the NJC is trying to resolve the matter amicably without any conflict with the Executive.”

    A senior government official, who pleaded not to be named, said the government’s position is for Justice Salami to proceed on retirement. “The government may not be disposed to his reinstatement,” he said, adding:

    “That is a grey area which the NJC and the Executive would have to address. Do not forget that the same NJC asked the President to suspend or retire Justice Salami. That letter is still subsisting whether it was an error on the part of NJC or not.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that some anti-Salami forces might file a suit today before a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop either the NJC or the Federal Government from recalling the PCA.

    It was learnt that the plot to stop Justice Salami from coming back to office was hatched last Thursday immediately the NJC’s decisions got leaked.

    It was gathered that some counsel have been engaged to stop Justice Salami, until he attains the statutory retirement age next year.

    “The anti-Salami forces have not given up. They have sharply disagreed with the NJC. They want Salami retired instead of being recalled,” a source, who also pleaded not to be named, said.

    “The suit will be filed on Monday. The essence is to put fresh legal hurdles before Justice Salami so that the NJC and the President will not take subjudicial actions,” he said.

    Justice Salami was suspended from office by the NJC on August 18, 2011.

    Although the NJC later reversed itself, issues surrounding the reinstatement of Justice Salami attracted a spate of litigations.

    The last of such cases was on October 2 when the NJC said President Goodluck Jonathan has no disciplinary power over any Justice of the Court of Appeal or its President.

    The Council also claimed that the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, cannot be reappointed after three months without its consent or approval.

    The NJC made the submission in a written address submitted to the court through its counsel, Usman Isa Kana and Co.

    The council is one of the defendants (3rd in particular) in a matter filed before a Federal High Court by 11 plaintiffs for themselves and on behalf of registered Trustees of the Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration.

    The plaintiffs are Mr. Jitobo Akanike; Mr. Idris Musa; Mr. Allens Agbabiaka; Mr. Ibrahim Bawa; Princewill Akpakpan; Mr. Obruche Ayeteni; Mr. Nosa Ihaza; Mr. Timothy Odumosu; Mr. Stewart Salomi; Engr. Egogo Lawrence; and Maxwell Adeniran.

    Through its lawyer, Usman Isa Kana, the NJC told a Federal High Court that President Jonathan has no disciplinary power over any Justice of the Court of Appeal or its President.