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  • Lawyers,others bid Aturu farewell

    Lawyers,others bid Aturu farewell

    Eminent jurists and lawyers have bid activist-lawyer, the late Bamidele Aturu, farewell amid tributes.

    Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch, where Aturu belonged, last  Thursday, paid their last respects to a man they describe as a fallen hero.

    To them, Aturu was a true activist, and not one of those who made noise merely to be noticed.

    The programme, a valedictory court session, was billed for 9am. But by 8am, fully robed lawyers had filled the premises of the Ikeja branch Bar Centre, venue of the event.

    At 8.45a.m, motorcade and pall bearers conveying the remains of the legal giant drove into the compound accompanied by Bar leaders from the branch and Aturu’s family members.

    Chairman of the Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof. Chidi Odinkalu noted that Aturu’s pan-Nigerian outlook was deepened by his leadership of the student union movement.

    At the Adeyemi College of Education, in Ondo, where he obtained his first degree in Physics Education, Aturu was elected President of the Students Union and emerged as one of the leading young voices against military rule in Nigeria at a time when it was quite dangerous to do such things. Yet, in 1987, he graduated with a first class degree and as the best student from the college.

    Admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1995, Aturu did his tutelage under Prof. Itsejuwa Sagay (SAN), a former Dean of Law at two leading law faculties in University of Benin and Univrsity of Ife. Simultaneously, Aturu became one of the leaders of the United Action for Democracy (UAD), which led the resistance to the regime of General Sani Abacha.

    “He was an unrelenting advocate for open government and against corruption, on which matters he advised various entities, including the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation. When the advocacy for a freedom of information (FoI) law in Nigeria was flagging in 2009, Aturu used the moment of his 45th birthday in 2009 to launch a unique public lecture and policy dialogue series on law and development which re-energised the advocacy. He invested his time, resources and considerable wattage in advancing it. The adoption of a FoI Act in 2011 owed a lot to his quiet investment of time, intellect and money. At the news of BF’s death, one writer lamented: “Nigeria has lost one of its genuine saints.”

    “When the Department of State Security (DSS) branded the UAD, which he led, an enemy of the State for seeking to exercise the right to peaceful protest in 2003, Aturu responded with a public statement which, in hindsight, could well have been his epitaph: ‘We are not slaves. We are resolved to resist the undemocratic actions and practices of this regime no matter the degree of blackmail.’ He died doing just that,” Odinkalu said in his tribute.

    Immediate past chairman of NBA Ikeja branch,  Mr Monday Ubani, said Aturu’s death was the most traumatic and shocking news he ever heard. He recalled they were together in Abuja the week before he died, where he addressed newsmen over the de-registration of the Fresh Party, and never showed any signs of illness.

    “He  was  a genuine Nigerian who never fought because of political office. He was only out to protect the interest of the downtrodden. I can’t understand what kind of death that is,” Ubani said.

    A former NBA Ikorodu branch chairman, Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara said those who would will Aturu were many, especially the poor.

    “We should all find lessons in the life lived by our comrade. Can we truly say we have lived the true life? Can we say we have fought the cause of the poor and the oppressed? I said we should celebrate his life, but I must confess that I will miss him dearly as a true friend.

    “Bamidele Aturu, you have died as a prince and the heavens themselves announce your passage. Most importantly, you found peace with your God and we are assured  that you are resting in the bosom of Him you served with your skills, talents and life,” Ogbara said.

    Former NBA Ikeja branch chairman Mr. Dave Ajetumobi said Aturu left a great legacy behind.

    “Aturu was committed to the principles that Ikeja bar stands for: social justice. He was a sincere activist. He was into activism because of his love for the people and country, not for the fame and monetary reward that most so-called activists we see around these days are into. In private life, he remained what he claimed to be in public unlike others that are double faced. He was not moved by money, he was moved by compassion and love for God, counry and humanity. He treated people the way he wanted himself to be treated.

    “As chairman of Ikeja Bar, my Exco requested his assistance to handle on our behalf,  a case of a Court of  Appeal jurist who  was unfairly dismissed. It was pending  at the Court of Appeal, Abuja. We offered  to pay his air fare and lodging, but he rejected the offer. He handled the case pro bono. He also assisted the jurist with his fare.

    “Before the jurist came to us, he had approached some other activists who were very reluctant to help. That is Aturu for you!

    “Ikeja bar also saddled him with the responsiblity of organising Gani Fawehinmi Annual lectures for two  years, he did it successfully with humility. He took up many public interest litigations in courts, such as the subsidy case which led to a declaration against deregulation.

    “Some activist will only stop at arguing their cases incoherently in the media for fear of losing their government briefs,  Aturu was fearless.

    “He was involved in the evolution of the National Industrial Court to what it is today. We will miss his further contribution to the development of that court.

    ‘’He has written many books on different aspect of law. His intellectual prodigy will be sorely missed in the legal profession.

    “BF (as friends call him) would sneak  into NBA Ikeja  meetings, sit quietly and follow proceedings without razzmattaz. Some of our colleagues in human right circles are too big to identify with NBA, they only come around when they have problems or they apply for SAN! He was at the inauguration of Ikeja Bar new Exco on June 23,  2014.

    “BF was with us (NBA,  Ikeja) and other labour, civil society activists during the last fuel  subsidy protests on the streets of Lagos while many of his colleagues were struggling at media houses to be interviewed live.

    “He was a rare bred activist guided and motivated by the fear of God having  a sprinkling of Fawehinmistic doggedness and commitment! He loved not his life unto death,” Ajetumobi stated

     

     

     

  • ‘Paradise’ll be incomplete without Aturu’

    ‘Paradise’ll be incomplete without Aturu’

    The late Bamidele Aturu was a great reformer and believed in the equality of all humans, irrespective of caste, colour or religion.

    He was a man who believed in the universal ideals of morality and ethics. His life too was a continuous struggle to achieve “universal suffrage” for his people. Although his struggles were confined to Nigeria he held a world view that he incessantly toiled to implement in Nigeria. He saw Nigeria as a hotbed of rampant and insatiable corruption that must be redeemed at any cost.

    His life was so simple that he could almost be termed a Christian hermit, a Hindu sadu, a Buddhist monk or a Muslim dervish interchangeably. He lived to work and though he was a very loving husband and an extremely affectionate and caring father; the church and the office were his places of worship. Not too long ago he visited me at my home in Dubai and throughout most of his stay he continued to fast on a daily basis even though it was not Lent.

    He dreamed of the non-violent Ghandisation of Nigeria; he dreamed of the Martin Luther King dream for Nigeria; he dreamed of the Khumaynisation (the great Iranian revolutionary who brought Iran back from being the 51st State of the U.S. to being a truly independent nation) of Nigeria; he aspired to Mandelaise (the great anti-apartheid freedom fighter and father of modern South Africa) Nigeria.

    Together we witnessed Nigerian politicians, civil servants and judges squander untold wealth on the streets of London and Dubai, wealth that had clearly been gluttoned from the resources of Nigeria, wealth that was the natural birthright of every Nigerian man, woman and child. We both were irretrievably saddened by the sickly sights and our hearts bled. Maybe the accumulation of the struggle as the defender of the rights of the downtrodden and the sheer helplessness at the sight of these bandits took its toll on Bamidele. He was merely forty-nine and fit as a fiddle.

    Bamidele was truly a multi-faceted man and was far ahead of his time. The loss of such a magnanimous figure should and must be mourned by one and all in Nigeria. The government should honour him as a true emancipator and a champion of the people.

    I still stand in disbelief that Bamidele is no more, the good Christian that I knew has left us and I hold my hands up to Allah and say, “O’ Allah do not grant to me the Paradise that does not have Bamidele Aturu in it..”

     

    •Bukhari, the late Aturu’s associate and client, wrote from Dubai, United Arab Emirate

     

     

  • Photos of the week

    Photos of the week

  • Judges, lawyers hold valedictory session for Aturu

    Judges, lawyers hold valedictory session for Aturu

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held yesterday a special valedictory session in honour of the late lawyer and activist, Mr Bamidele Aturu.

    Aturu died on July 9 in Lagos after a brief illness.

    The valedictory programme, which held at the Bar Centre, GRA, Ikeja, was attended by senior members of the Bench and Bar and other sympathisers.

    NBA Ikeja branch Chairman Yinka Farounbi described the late Aturu as a committed member of the branch who served in various capacities.

    He said the branch would immortalise the late Aturu with an annual programme, adding that his death was a big loss to the legal community.

    Farounbi said the event was historic because it was the first for any lawyer.

    Also, NBA Lagos branch Chairman Alex Mouka said the late Aturu was never afraid to speak up against any form of injustice.

  • ‘Aturu ‘ll be remembered for extraordinary things he did’

    ‘Aturu ‘ll be remembered for extraordinary things he did’

    As the shock of the death of legal luminary and rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, permeates the nooks and crannies of the country, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji,  said Aturu would be remembered for all the extraordinary things he did.

    Ikuforiji stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the home of the late lawyer at Agege yesterday.

    He said Aturu’s death is reverberating across the country because of “who he was, how he lived his short life and his accomplishments during that short sojourn on earth”.

    Describing the late Aturu as one of the rare gems that the country is blessed with, Ikuforiji said looking at the accolades the late rights activist received all over, “at the end of the day you will say he accomplished himself to a large extent.

    Signing on the condolence register, Ikuforiji said, “We just lost a gem, friend of the masses, a great patriot, rest in peace”.

  • Lawyers, social activists, others mourn Aturu

    Lawyers, social activists, others mourn Aturu

    Lawyers, social activists, oth
    ers sympathisers have been
    visiting the  residence/chambers of activist and Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, 49, who died last Wednesday to commiserate with his wife.

    Until his death, Aturu was a leading human rights, labour and pro-democracy activist.

    Among those who called at the deceased’s residence are the former Attorney-General of Ogun State, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN); eminent Professor of Law,  Itse Sagay; Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Prof. Tunde Babawale; Professor of Entomology,  Olukayode Bamgbose of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUAAB), Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon. Jubreel  Abdulkareem; Dirctor Centre for Free Speech, Richard Akinola;  activist, Wale  Ogunade; Coordinator, International Press Centre and former Lagos State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Arogundade and Segun Aka-Basorun.

    They paid tributes to the fallen lawyer.

     

    Femi Adesina

    President, The Nigerian Guild of Editor, Femi Adesina expressed  shock over the untimely death of the radical lawyer.  Adesina in Lagos described the deceased as an activist par excellence who sacrificed his all for justice to the oppressed an downtrodden in the society.

    He said the late lawyer will be remembered as a fearless activist who stood against military dictatorship and fought for the restoration of good governance and corrupt free society in the country.

    “He was an activist par excellence. Somebody who has been in the public glare since his university days and who kept faith in what he believed in to have just passed on like that is quite sad. It is even very sad because he passed on at the age of 49”.

    “He will be remembered for his landmark strides the country especially in standing up for the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed in the society.  He will also be remembered as an activist who voiced out his opinion against bad leadership and the entrenchment of good governance in Nigeria, His vital and incisive contributions to burning national issues can never be forgotten.

    “We pray that God will comfort his family and colleagues and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” he said.

     

    Mrs. Funke Adekoya(SAN)

    Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) described the death of rights activist, Mr. Bamidele Aturu as shocking and unbelievable.

    Adekoya said in a statement by Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, the Director of Publicity, Funke Adekoya Campaign Directorate, that Aturu’s passing is a huge loss to Nigerians.

    “I received with shock and disbelief the passing of Mr. Bamidele Aturu,” said Adekoya.

    “He was a foremost advocate for the rights of the common man.  Aturu has not been afraid to take a position on anything that affects the rights of the Nigerian citizen. He has stood steadfastly against any encroachment on people’s or citizens rights. It is a loss not just to the human rights community; it is a loss to the civil society organisations; it is a loss to the Nigeria people.”

     

    Dele Adesina (san)

    adesiona said: “I have just received with shock information that a shining light of our progressive bar in the person of Bamidele Francis Aturu  passed on in Lagos. I beseech all members of the Bar to remember his family in prayers. This loss is irreplaceable. I am short of words for now. May God console his family and the Nigerian Bar Association. Amen.”

     

    Augustine Alegeh(SAN)

    The sudden demise of our learned colleague Bamidele Aturu is shocking and sad. He was a vibrant lawyer who never wavered in his commitment to serve the oppressed. I join in praying for the repose of his soul and for God to comfort his family during this difficult time.

     

    Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan(SAN)

    Former Attorney General, Edo State,  Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN) said the sudden death of Bamidele Aturu “is shocking, to say the least. He was a good lawyer that should have been a SAN. His was a credible voice that was never primed for self vending. He was honest to a fault and demonstrated uncommon courage whenever events called for it. His death is such a sad loss to a country that sorely needs honest discerning minds like that of the forgone Aturu. My heart goes out to his family”.

     

    Tayo Oyetibo (SAN)

    The premature death of Bamidele Aturu is a big loss to the Bar in particular and the nation in general. Aturu was very active in the human rights front as well as in the civil society. He was committed to the defence of the rights of workers in Nigeria and played a prominent role in the fight for the return to democratic governance in Nigeria. If he died from complications arising from high blood pressure, then lawyers in Nigeria should take a cue from the incident and pay close attention to their health.

     

    Monday Ubani

    His death is of monumental proportion to the human rights community in particular and to the country as a whole. He was a perfect gentleman, a  zealous patriot and a change agent. He has been in the forefront of the fight against corruption and ineptitude of Nigerian leadership over the years. These fights and the Nigerian pathetic situation may have taken a toll on his health.  His death is a cruel one and he will be greatly missed by many Nigerians young and old. We pray for the family for strength and absolute peace with God to bear this great loss. May his humble and gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

     

    Nurudeen Ogbara

    “Verily, with ALLAH alone is the knowledge of the Hour…”Qur’an 31:34.”To Allah we belong,and to HIM is our return.”Qur’an 2:156.I lost a brother,friend and comrade – Bamidele Francis Aturu. Kindly pray for him,his aged parents,wife and children.BF, RIP!

     

    Ikechukwu  Ikeji

    Activist, Ikechukwu Ikeji  said Aturu”was a colossus that bestrode the landscape of justice in Nigeria. He was an iroko among the trees of the forest of the battle for the soul of of a better Nigeria. He was a General in the human rights community. He tried his best to add impetus to the fight against injustice and oppression. He died too young, leaving us all with mouths agape. I feel saddened by this irreplaceable loss, I feel helpless and overwhelmed by the reality of the fruitlesslessness of our stressful existence, an existence that holds nothing but a deep question of what happens to us all in the hereafter. Aturu’s death is a reminder that we should all mend fences with ourselves and God so that, in the event we have any account to give after death, there will be no condemnation waiting for us. I feel for his family as I pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss while I pray for a repose of his soul.”

     

    Adegbamigbe Omole

    Former chairman, Nigerian Bar Associatin (NBA), Ikeja Adegbamigbe Omole said the death of Aturu “came to me as a rude shock I still cannot believe that BF is no more. I have known him for a period spanning over two decades when we met at Ife he had never looked sickly. He was a committed and an uncompromising activist defending the rights of the less privilege. He was a brilliant advocate always on the side of the truth. Now that the reality has done on us that BF has departed this sinful world we pray that the almighty God will give the family and the human rights community he left behind the fortitude to bear this great loss”.

     

     Tunde Babawale

    Babawale described the late Aturu as “a man of the people, committed advocate of social justice, relentless fighter of the oppressed, a brilliant, humble and caring individual. Adieu, Bamidele

    The news of the death of Bamidele Aturu came as a rude shock and unbelievable. The Legal profession, no doubt, has lost a rare breed that may be difficult to replace.  BF, as we fondly called him, was a very committed member of our branch, the NBA Ikeja Branch. He has served the branch in so many capacities. He was two years the Chairman of our Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture and he did so well – he spent his enormous time and money for the success of the programme and he used his Uncorrupted influences all over the federation to gather the who is who of this country to attend the event.

    BF was equally a consultant to our branch on legal issues and he has taken up an appeal at the Court Appeal, Abuja on behalf of the branch without taken a dime. Not only did he not charged us, he bore the flight and the hotel bills on his own.

    As for the NBA Ikeja Branch, which I currently lead, we will immortalise BF for his numerous contributions to the continuous growth of his worthy branch. He was our son and we are proud of him.

    Beyond these, Nigeria and Nigerians had lost one of the truest Human Right Activists this Country ever produced. BF could be the only man standing like Gani Fawehinmi. You will recall he declined the offer to serve in the CONFAB with the attendant lost of over N10million whereas some instigated protest(s) to be nominated. How many Nigerians can be that principled?

    The legal profession has  lost a rare breed that may be difficult to replace. His humility has no equal.

    Adieu “The Man Of The People”

     Prof. Sagay, who fought back tears when he visited wrote in the condolence register, “Nigerian light has gone. God knows better”.                                                                                                

    Prof. Bamgbose wrote, “God must have a reason for doing this. It is well.

     Ogunde(SAN) wrote, “Dele, this is a big loss your departure has brought. Till we meet in the bosom of the Lord.”

     Hon. Jubreel  Abdulkareem                                                                                                                  

     Hon. Jebreel wrote: “I pray to almighty Allah to forgive you and reward all your efforts, especially to have.”

     Wale Ogunade

    Activist Ogunade wrote: “You have done your bit. We shall keep the flag flying

  • Lagos Assembly mourns Aturu

    Lagos Assembly mourns Aturu

    Lagos State House of Assembly at its plenary on Thursaday  paid tribute to the late lawyer and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, who died Wednesday,  July 9, describing him as an uncommon personality that fought for  emancipation of the masses.

    Muyiwa Jimoh, representing Apapa, brought the news of Aturu’s death to his colleagues, saying: “Aturu was a pride not only to Nigeria, but also to Africa.  At the age of 19, he was a youth leader always at the forefront of fighting for the good of others.”

    The lawmaker said although the dogged fighter was an indigene of Akoko in Ondo State, he had lived all his life in Lagos, adding that “his death came as a rude shock to us. He died shortly after slumping last night.”

    He explained that Aturu’s recognition was far beyond Nigeria. “He was a member of the legal team of the International Labour Organization (ILO). I think with all these, he deserves tribute from this hallow chamber.”

    Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji  described the death of the frontline lawyer as a national calamity, saying: “The sudden demise of one of Nigeria’s brightest legal practitioners and a civil rights activist, Mr. Bamidele  Aturu , on  Wednesday, is indeed a national calamity. It is quite sad and highly unfortunate that our nation has yet again lost one of her best legal minds to the cold hands of death at a time when more of such minds are needed to help rescue our country from ruins.”

    He  further said: “It is not only sad, but highly unfortunate. It is on record for instance that  Bamidele Aturu plotted a very unique path of practice for himself since becoming a legal luminary, by always aligning with and fighting  for the poor masses of our country, free of charge.  One would have wished that such a great soul would be spared by the Almighty Creator to live long enough to be able to fight the course of the downtrodden in our country, for a longer period.”

    While lending his voice, Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu I, pointed out that the death of the activist became more saddening because “he did not live to eat the fruits of his labour having died at the age of 49.”

    Agunbiade explained that Aturu was to be distinguished among other activists because he was regarded as “gentle tiger” having fought wholeheartedly for the masses.

    While Deputy Whip, Rotimi Abiru, described the death as a great loss to the judiciary and the nation at large, adding that his exit would create a huge gap in the judicial system at this crucial time of our democratic practice.

    According to him, the late barrister was a dogged fighter, honest and professional to the core. “He was the voice of the voiceless and a man who always stood by the truth. The nation will miss him; the masses will miss him”, Abiru said.

    A minute silence was thereafter observed in his honour.

    …Okotie too

    The Chairman, Rev. Chris Okotie, the National Executive Committee and members of the Fresh Democratic Party  have commiserated with the wife, children and family of the upright, forthright and  human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Bamidele Aturu who died Wednesday, July 9.

    The described his death as  a big blow to the struggle for the entrenchment of rule of law in Nigeria.

    They said: “Aturu identified with and stood his good causes and was a champion of the oppressed. He was iconoclastic till his death.

    “We pray that the Lord will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

     

  • Rivers CJ’s suspension is judicial lawlessness, says Aturu

    Rivers CJ’s suspension is judicial lawlessness, says Aturu

    Lagos lawyer Mr Bamidele Aturu has said the suspension of the Rivers State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Peter Agumagu, by the National Judicial Council (NJC) amounts to judicial lawlessness.

    Aturu said spoke yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, at a public lecture organised by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Law Students Society.

    He said: “I still call on the NJC to withdraw that query that it issued to Agumagu because that query was offensive, uncalled and an attempt to intimidate. I think a body of eminent jurists should not be behaving like that.

    “My position is that although the High Court judge was wrong to have said the State Judicial Service Commission could recommend a person for appointment as the CJ of Rivers State, the NJC, which is a body of eminent lawyers and jurist aught to have appealed that decision because the NJC was party to that case.

    “If the NJC does not appeal and it is now using its weight to suspend Agumagu, issuing him query, the NJC is abusing its office. That is trampling on the rule of law. I think that is wrong, because if the NJC does that, it is going to create a reign of judicial anarchy and lawlessness. I think it was very disappointing.

    “My position is clear: the decision of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt suggesting that the State Judiciary Service Commission has the constitutional power to make recommendations on who becomes the Chief Judge of River State is wrong in law. This is because the law is clear that the State Judicial Service Commission can only advise the National Judicial Council on who can be appointed.

    “So, that aspect of the decision is wrong. But the aspect of the decision that says all you require to become a Chief Judge is just to be a practicing lawyer for ten years is correct. But there is a problem between the NJC and the state governor on the question whether the NJC can recommend or the state judicial service commission.”

    Also, a retired Chief Justice of Nigerian (CJN) Justice Dahiru Musdapher said different characters have been finding their way into the Nigerian Judiciary.

    On Tuesday, a former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, accused judges of aiding corruption.

    He said corruption had destroyed the nation’s judicial system.

    Salami said: “The problem of corruption in the Judiciary is real and has eaten deep into the system. It must, however, be noted that it is not every judicial officer that is corruption and dishonourable. There are some who are clearly identifiable as corrupt but they are protected by the system. There are those who lack courage and their timidity is exploited to pervert the course of justice.”

    Justice Musdapher, who was the chairman of yesterday’s occasion, said: “In those days, people did not even ask to be appointed judges. The mere fact that you asked to be appointed a judge disqualified you.

    “That was the situation that was going on then, and that was even in the military regime. But things have changed so bad. All kinds of people find their way into becoming judges.

    “Like I said, the legal practice itself – either on the Bench or outside – must be done with the sense of decency and justice. That is what is done everywhere.

    “It is not every matter that a lawyer must win a case. It is not. You were not there when the methods were taking place, when A or B did this or that. You were not there. All you have to do is put in the method before the judge and put the judge to do it honestly and properly so that anybody who is sitting in the court will know that justice is being done. “But things are different now. Let us start making progress in this matter. Let us start thinking inwards, doing what is decent and good about us and promote it all the time. Let us not always think of what is obtained in Europe. Let us start thinking inwards.”

  • It’s desecration of rule of law, says Aturu

    It’s desecration of rule of law, says Aturu

    Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu has described the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by President Goodluck Jonathan as a desecration of the rule of law.

    In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday and titled “Purported. Suspension of CBN Governor: An offensive illegality”, Aturu also described the suspension of the governor of the apex bank as the height of of illegality ever committed by any sitting President in Nigeria to date.

    “It is unsurpassed in its blatant illegality and immorality”, he further stated, adding that the decision was a reflection of the desperation that has gripped the presidency and its allies in the wake of the troubling allegations made by the Governor of the Bank that public officials in the NNPC are looting the country blind in the name of subsidy payments.

    The activist observed that the allegation made by the embattled CBN governor has not been coherently answered by the Corporation or by the Government.

    “So, as far as the law goes, the purported suspension of the Governor is unwarranted. Section 11 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 clearly lists the instances when the Governor or any of his Deputies can cease to remain in office.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, none of such instances include suspension by the President. The only mention of the word ‘suspension’ is in section 11(1)(d) and that relates to the removal of the Governor when he or she is disqualified or suspended from practicing his or her profession in Nigeria.

    “Of course, the illegal suspension of the Governor is not from a professional body and is not at all contemplated by the law”, he noted.

    The activist pointed out that the only occasion the President can recommend the removal of the Governor or exercise any disciplinary control over him is under section 11(1)(f) and that recommendation must be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate before he can be removed.

    According to Aturu, “the law is indubitably clear that the express mention of one thing is the exclusion of the other. In other words, if the law had intended that the President exercises the power of suspension over the Governor of the Central Bank, it would have expressly stated so, particularly as the same law provides for the removal of the Governor based on his suspension from professional practice.

    The activist enunciated, “for the avoidance of any doubt, the entire provision of section 11 of the CBN Act goes thus:

    Cessation of Cbn Gov Office

    11. Disqualification and cessation of appointment.

    (1) A person shall not remain a Governor, Deputy Governor or Director of the Bank if he is (a) a member of any Federal or State legislative house; or

    (b) a Director, officer or employee of any bank licensed under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act.

    (2) The Governor, Deputy Governor or Director shall cease to hold office in the Bank if he-

    (a) becomes of unsound mind or, owing to ill-health, is incapable of carrying out his duties;

    (b) is convicted of any criminal offence by a court of competent jurisdiction except for traffic offences or contempt proceedings arising in connection with the execution or intended execution of any power or duty conferred under this Act or the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act;

    (c) is guilty of a serious misconduct in relation to his duties under this Act ;

    (d) is disqualified or suspended from practising his profession in Nigeria by order of a competent authority made in respect of him personally;

    (e) becomes bankrupt;

    (f) is removed by the President:

    Provided that the removal of the Governor shall be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed.

    (3) The Governor or any Deputy Governor may resign his Office by giving at least three months’ notice in writing to the President of his intention to do so and any Director may similarly resign by giving at least one months’ notice in writing to the President of his intention to do so.

    (4) If the Governor, any Deputy Governor or Director of the Bank dies, resigns or otherwise vacates his Office before the expiry of the term for which he has been appointed, there shall be appointed a fit and proper person to take his place on the Board for the unexpired period of the term of appointment in the first instance if the vacancy is that of-

    (a) the Governor or a Deputy Governor, the appointment shall be made in the manner prescribed by section 8 (1) and (2) of this Act; and

    (b) any Director, the appointment shall be made in the manner prescribed by section 10 (1) and (2) of this Act.

    He therefore described the purported removal of the Governor of the Central Bank as a continuation of the many illegalities perpetrated by the present administration.

    “From Salami to the serial acts of infamy imposed on the people of Rivers State and now to Sanusi, one can say without any fear of equivocation that the cup of illegalities of this administration is full”, adding, “If we don’t act now, we don’t know whose turn it would be next”.

    Aturu emphasised the need for Nigerians to challenge the desecration of the laws of our country by those who were supposed to be the Chief custodian.

    “The Senate must view the so-called suspension of the Governor for what it is: a naked usurpation of its powers and privileges. There is no room for illegal removal of the Governor through the back door.

    He remarked that the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) now has an opportunity to redeem whatever is left of its image by demanding that the Attorney General of the Federation who is deemed to be privy to this embarrassing decision step aside or is declared persona non grata.

    “The people and in particular the civil society must ensure that this latest rape of our laws does not stand”, he stressed.

  • Aturu to FG: Implement pact with ASUU

    Aturu to FG: Implement pact with ASUU

    Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, has said that the only way to rescue higher education in Nigeria is for the Federal Government to begin the immediate implementation of the pact it voluntarily reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

    He said that unless the agreement is respected, higher education is doomed in Nigeria.

    Aturu made the declaration in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday titled: “Implementation of FGN-ASUU agreement-the only way to save higher education in Nigeria.”

    “We may have to return to the suggestion made by Prof. Wole Soyinka many years ago that we should close down all the universities and declare a state of emergency.

    “When the sage first made that suggestion it looked unrealistic and alarmist. Now, it is clear that we are pretending to have higher education.

    “What takes place in our dilapidated universities is little better than kindergarten education, if we must be honest with ourselves,” he noted.

    Aturu remarked that it was unacceptable that government should attempt to bully ASUU to accept its offers.

    He observed that the expenditure profile of the government and politicians does not show that government is unable to meet the financial requirements of the agreement.

    He pointed out that in a country where politicians buy private jets at will and send their children to private primary schools overseas, only the politicians would believe the lie that government cannot afford to fund higher education in the manner requested by ASUU-FG agreement.