The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AGF

  • Boko Haram: Senator slams N5b suit on Defence Minister, AGF

    Boko Haram: Senator slams N5b suit on Defence Minister, AGF

    The embattled Senator Ahmed Khalifa Zanna has filed a N5billion suit against the Minister of Defence and three others for alleged libel and mental trauma when the Joint Task Force (JTF) claimed that a Boko Haram Commander, Shuaibu Mohammed Bama was arrested at his residence in Maiduguri.

    Other defendants are the Chief of Defence Staff, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the spokesman for the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa.

    Zanna, who is still being investigated by the State Security Service (SSS), deposed to a 19-point affidavit in support of the action in which he insisted that Bama was not arrested in his house.

    In the Writ of Summons filed by his counsel, Mr. Gbenga Olagundoye, the Senator is “claiming N5billion jointly and severally against the defendants (including aggravated damages) for libel.”

    The writ reads in part: “On or about the 19th of October 201, the 4th Defendant (Lt.Col. Sagir Musa) acting at all material time in the normal course of his duties as spokesperson of the Joint Task Force at a press conference attended by numerous representatives of the print and electronic media (both local and foreign) maliciously issued a written press statement which was distributed and disseminated to journalists and members of the public following defamatory words concerning the Plaintiff which the defendants knew to be false.”

    In his affidavit, the Senator said: “That I am aware of the facts stated above because my attention was drawn to the publication of the press statement in all newspapers, television and radio stations as well as the internet. I read the report in the newspapers and on the internet, viewed the report on all the television stations in Nigeria and listened to the same report on all the radio broadcast on the issue in Nigeria

    “Judging from the volume of phone calls and text messages that myself, my aides, my relatives, friends and well-wishers received on the issues, I sincerely believed that practically every Nigerian read the report of the press statement issued by the 4th Defendant

    “That the words referred and were understood to refer to me by the following particulars:

    “That I am the only serving Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has a house along Damboa Road GRA Maiduguri

    “That I am a member of the National Assembly and the Senator representing Borno Central Senatorial Zone in the Senate

    “That the facts in (a) and (b) above are widely known to Nigerians especially my friends, relations and associates and the entire population of Borno State and the Borno Central Senatorial Zone

    “That in their natural and ordinary meaning, the said words published concerning me, meant and were understood to mean that:

    “I harbored a wanted Boko Haram terror suspect in my house and therefore I am a supporter of the terrorists group Boko Haram

    “That the clear innuendo in the words complained of, bore and were understood to bear the meaning which I have just stated by the facts that pleading in the foregoing paragraph by way of innuendo with the following particulars:

    “That Boko Haram is a notorious terrorist group operating in Nigeria and who had been held responsible by the public for a series of terrorist activities, bombings and killings of both of civilians as well as military, police and other Para-military personnel

    “That it is generally believed by members of the public that the Boko Haram secretly receives materials aid and other support from some members of the society

    “That the publication complained of falsely portrayed me as one of the persons who aid and support the Boko Haram in their terrorist activities.”

     

  • Sacked Kogi Speaker, 12 others petition AGF

    Sacked Kogi Speaker, 12 others petition AGF

    Say: ‘We were impeached with fake mace’

     

    The sacked Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello and the 12 principal officers of the House who were removed recently have taken their battle for a return to office to the Federal Government.

    They are seeking the intervention of the central authorities in the crisis-torn assembly.

    The embattled lawmakers, in a petition to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) claimed that their purported impeachment was effected by those who removed them with a fake mace.

    The petitioners spoke of a “looming crisis engulfing Kogi State House of Assembly and by extension Kogi State.” They added: In line with the tradition of the Legislature, on 30th August, 2012, the State Assembly unanimously resolved to proceed on working recess to allow the various Standing Committees of the House to undertake a holistic appraisal of the year 2012 budget.

    “This is done routinely to prepare the Assembly for the laying and receipt of year 2013 Appropriation Bill which the Governor of Kogi State is expected to present late in the year.

    “To our surprise and dismay, 12 out of 25 members of the House broke into the Assembly with a fake maze where upon they were said to have issued a statement for the removal of all the seven (7) principal officers of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

    “It must be noted that though the members of the Assembly have the right to shorten their recess to reconvene, that can only be exercised by the Speaker of the House who shall issue an official proclamation in that regard. This I did not do to warrant them to sit at all.

    “Secondly, the removal of the Speaker and his Deputy requires two-thirds majority of the total members of the Assembly which when translated into the situation of the Kogi State House of Assembly with 25 members is 17 members.

    “However, only 12 members sat to carry out the purported removal of the principal officers. Kindly find attached a copy of the resolution of 13 members that passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the House.”

     

  • AGF worried over declining ethical standards at the Bar

    •Challenges lawyers on debate over forthcoming amendments to 1999 Constitution

     

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) yesterday regretted the growing number of misconduct among lawyers.
    He asked the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to deal with erring lawyers.
    But Adoke, who made the observation in his address at the commencement and inauguration of the newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (SAN) at the Supreme Court in Abuja , restated the need to reclaim the legal profession from corrupt elements.
    He said: “Permit me to use this auspicious occasion to draw attention to some of the challenges facing our profession, chiefly amongst which is the declining ethical standards and discipline at the Bar. It is a matter of deep regret that lawyers including some Senior Advocates routinely engage in unwholesome practices unbecoming of members of this noble profession.”
    “Today, lawyers are accused of deliberately misleading clients on the strengths of their cases with a view to appropriating unearned professional fees; tempering with clients’ money; criticizing Judges in the media even where it is clear that they have not read their judgments in order to determine the reasoning of the Court and commenting on matters that are sub judice. These are matters that were completely unheard in the profession some few years back and where such misconduct was reported, it drew condemnation and appropriate sanctions.”
    “You will recall that at our recently concluded Bar Conference, I stressed the need for us to reclaim our profession and to show the bad eggs amongst us the way out of the profession. I wish to reiterate that call again and to urge the leadership of the Bar to put the issue of professional ethics and discipline on the front banner.
    “We must reinvigorate the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to deal with the growing number of cases of misconduct that have been referred to it. I similarly call on the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee to ensure that those elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continually remain worthy of the rank.
    “The LPPC should not shy away from reviewing its appointment to weed out those who have proved to be un-deserving of the rank. This is the only way the Bar can remain relevant and command the respect of the larger public.
    The AGF said the Federal Government is proud of the profound judgments of the Supreme Court.
    Adoke added: “Let me congratulate My Lord, Hon. Justice Mariam Alooma Mukhtar on her well-deserved appointment as Nigeria ’s 11th indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria and by the Special grace of God, the first female to occupy that exalted position. I wish her a very rewarding tenure.”
    “May I also congratulate my Lords Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for the profound judgments and rich jurisprudence that has emanated from this Court. We are all very proud of the work of the Supreme Court and stability its judgments have engendered in the polity.
    “The relatively high number of disputes submitted to the court for adjudication is indicative of the degree of public confidence that the Court commands amongst Court Users and Legal Practitioners. As we mark the commencement of the 2012/2013 Legal Year, I join other stakeholders in the justice sector in wishing the Court greater successes in the years ahead.”
    He charged the newly-inaugurated Senior Advocates of Nigeria to live up to their rating.
    Adoke said: “To the newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria, this honour is no doubt a benefiting recognition of your hard work and contributions to the legal profession. The uniqueness of today’s occasion will undoubtedly evoke different emotions from the diverse groups that are gathered here to witness it. For the newly appointed Senior Advocates, today marks a defining moment in their careers, second only perhaps to the thrill and excitement of being called to the Bar. For their families, friends and associates, it is a day to shower encomiums, celebrate their virtues and careers; for the senior Silks in our midst, this day evokes a feeling of nostalgia as they recall, with fond memories, their admittance into the Inner Bar.
    “My Lords, for the generality of the members of our noble profession, today is a day to be inspired and to draw useful lessons from the honour being bestowed on our new Senior Advocates.
    “It is a day to remind them of the greater responsibilities thrust upon their shoulders to be worthy ambassadors of our profession. I commend the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, for the high level of scrutiny, credibility and harmony that attended the process that produced these worthy recipients.”
    “Today’s ceremony affords us yet another opportunity to reflect on the true significance of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
    “In popular discourse within and outside the profession, there is a palpable feeling/perception that the rank is a passport to fame, personal riches and comfort. To others, the rank is a licence to command fat fees, open doors and prominence bordering sometimes on arrogance.
    It is a matter of regret that these negative perceptions of the rank have engendered resentment from our colleagues who are yet to be similarly recognised and honoured.”