The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Danbaba Suntai

  • Suntai packs out of Taraba Government House

    Suntai packs out of Taraba Government House

    The outgoing Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, has packed his personal effects out of the state Government House in Jalingo, preparatory to the swearing-in ceremony of the new governor on Friday.

    Suntai has been recuperating in Government House following the injuries he sustained in a plane crash on October 25, 2012.

    He started packing his belongings on Monday and continued that exercise on Tuesday.

    His wife, Hauwa, did a farewell party last week, with 30 women, strictly on invitation, in attendance.

    Suntai will be completing two terms of eight years on Friday without building his personal house.

    His deputy, Abubakar Sani Danladi, who has been ruling the state in acting capacity, bought a house for him in Jalingo where his belongings were packed to on Tuesday.

    The people of Taraba state have sought ‘special prayers’ for him and his successor (the Governor-elect) Darius Dickson Ishaku for a peaceful transition.

    The prayers, offered in churches, began on Sunday.

  • Danbaba Suntai voting

    Danbaba Suntai voting

    Danbaba Suntai
    Danbaba Suntai
  • Suntai, Umar urge court to reject appeal

    Suntai, Umar urge court to reject appeal

    Ailing Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy, Garba Umaru, have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss an appeal seeking to reverse the impeachment of former Deputy Governor Sani Danladi.

    The request is contained  in the respondents’ brief adopted yesterday by their lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN), in an appeal filed by Danladi.

    Danladi urged the court to set aside decisions of the Court of Appeal, Yola and the Taraba State High Court, which affirmed his impeachment.

    Danladi was impeached by the House of Assembly on October 4, 2012, on the grounds of gross misconduct.

    His lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that his impeachment did not follow due process.

    Danladi faulted the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge, J. Y. Tuktur, to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct against him.

    He also faulted the House for sitting and impeaching him when the late Isiaka Audu, who used to represent Kurmi Constituency, was yet to be replaced.

    Suntai and Umar urged the apex court to uphold the decisions of the two lower courts and dismiss the appeal.

    The Assembly; the Speaker, Istifanus Gbana, and the Attorney-General also urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

    Justice Walter Onnoghene fixed November 21 for judgment.

     

  • Suntai: Medical panel not a witch hunt – Ag Governor

    Suntai: Medical panel not a witch hunt – Ag Governor

    The Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, has said the medical panel set up to verify the state of health of Governor Danbaba Suntai, was not a witch hunt aimed at ditching the ailing governor.

    Umar spoke on Thursday at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, when he came to brief the party leadership on what he described as the “tense situation” on ground.

    Suntai has been in and out of hospitals within and outside the country in the last two years, as a result of complications arising from injuries he sustained in a plane crash on October 25, 2012.

    He piloted the crashed plane.

    Pressure is being mounted on the Acting governor by some powerful interests in the state, to hand over power to the ailing Suntai, who returned from another foreign medical trip few days ago.

    The situation had forced the state’s Executive Council to direct the state Assembly to set up a medical panel to ascertain the true state of the governor’s health.

    But a court in Jalingo, the state’s capital, had blocked the move, thereby throwing up a crisis of confidence and divided loyalty in the state’s local politics.

    Addressing the party leaders, the Acting governor said:  “As you must have by now noticed, we have once again stepped into a tensed situation occasioned by the second return of His Excellency, Governor Danbaba Suntai from a treatment abroad.

    “The insistence by a powerful bloc on the state that I hand over to my boss even against professional advice, is at the centre of the current impasse. This has forced the state’s Executive Council to request the state House of Assembly to set up a medical panel to verify the state of health of our beloved governor.

    “I have heard people say the motive behind the setting up of the panel is to remove the governor. This is not true. It is merely intended to determine if I can hand over to him or not.

    “As can be clearly seen over this period, the medical condition of Governor Suntai is improving. And we are waiting for the doctors to certify him to be fit to resume his duties.”

    Responding, the party leaders, led by the Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, tactically avoided making commitments on behalf of the party.

  • Taraba Assembly raises panel to investigate Suntai’s health

    Taraba Assembly raises panel to investigate Suntai’s health

    The stage seems to be set for the determination of the fate of Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State as chief executive officer of the state.

    The State House of Assembly yesterday constituted  a five-man medical team to investigate his  “true state of health” following  the  October 25, 2012 plane crash involving him and some of his personal aides.

    Suntai has been in and out of hospitals in Nigeria, Germany , United States of America  and the United Kingdom since then, and unable to resume work.

    He is just back from a medical trip abroad.

    His political associates say he is physically and mentally well to return to his post but other Tarabans do not share the view.

    The state is sharply divided about his state of health with some suggesting that his deputy, Alhaji  Garba Umar should assume the office  substantively.

    Umar is hardly allowed to see Suntai by the governor’s supporters.

    However, House Speaker  Josiah Sabo Kente, said in a statement yesterday in Jalingo that the  medical panel was constituted   following a unanimous demand by members of the state’s executive council.

    The commissioners and advisers had, before Suntai’s return from the  United Kingdom last week, written  to the lawmakers to constitute a medical panel to ascertain the “mental and physical condition of the governor” with a view to determining  whether he is capable of steering the affairs of the state.

    The move is seen by many as a step to drop the ailing governor for Umar ahead of the PDP’s governorship primaries.

    Umar has indicated interest to run for the 2015 governorship poll and his posters have flooded the state.

    The five-man medial panel has Prof. B.B Shehu as Chairman, with Dr. Inusa Samaila, Prof. Peter Alabi, Dr. Shehu Sule and Dr. Ahmed Kara as members.

    Kara is personal physician to the governor.

    The Speaker said: “consequent upon the receipt of the resolution by the Taraba State Executive Council after its meeting on September 10, 2014, evoking the provision of section 189 (1) (b) and 189 (4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requested me to appoint a medical panel to verify  the health condition of Governor Danbaba Suntai, I hereby constitute the medical team.”

    Suntai’s camp says the Speaker’s decision is an illegality since the commissioners and advisers appointed by Umar and the issue of the governor’s health were being challenged in court.

    Suntai, who was seen by President Goodluck Jonathan last Tuesday, has remained in Abuja and it is not clear when he would be coming to Jalingo -the Taraba state capital.

    Umar has not seen his principal since his (Suntai’s) return.

  • I didn’t return because of PDP primaries – Suntai

    I didn’t return because of PDP primaries – Suntai

    Taraba State governor, Danbaba Suntai , said on Thursday he did not return into the country because of the forth coming Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship primaries, as being speculated.

    Suntai, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa, noted that “series of publications were being circulated by individuals and faceless groups on his return which were not considered as freedom of speech.”

    He said the clarification became necessary because the people of Taraba State deserve “good conducts” from their politicians.

    The governor on Saturday returned from the United Kingdom after weeks of further treatment of the injuries he sustained when his plane crashed near Yola, Adamawa state on August 25, 2012.

    It was rumored that he “rushed” back to the country because of the PDP governorship primaries, after which he would return abroad for medical attention.

    But the governor said he is not contesting the governorship primary or any election.

    “It has become pertinent to call on such individuals and groups to keep Governor Danbaba Suntai out of their political permutations and mischief.

    “Suntai secured the mandate of the good people of Taraba State twice and has performed admirably well. He is not contesting for any election,” the release said.

    He also spoke on why his deputy, Garba Umar, was not allowed to see him at the airport upon his return, warning politicians to desist from sowing seeds of discord.

    “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) handles all security issues at the airports and also permissions for non-airport staff to be on the tarmac at any point in time.

    “It is therefore, misinforming for an individual and faceless groups to apportion blame on certain personalities as being responsible for Garba Umar’s inability to see the governor at the airport.

    “Umar is better placed than any Taraba person to see Governor Suntai in Abuja or anywhere.

    “Umar approved the arrangement and paid for the aircraft that brought the governor to Abuja. The details of the flight were known to him (Umar). He knew when the plane took off and when it was going to land.”

     

  • Suntai’s doctor absent at trial

    Suntai’s doctor absent at trial

    Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai’s doctor was absent  yesterday as the Medical and Dental Tribunal resumed sitting on a petition against him.

    Dr. Zakari Aliyu, who was the Chief Medical Director at the Taraba State Specialist Hospital, is on trial for divulging information on the governor’s health, which was published by the media.

    According to the charge sheet, Aliyu conducted himself “infamously in a respect contrary to Rule 44 of the code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria 2008 edition and punishable under Section 16(1)(a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M8 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

    The tribunal has the status of a high court as its judgment can only be appealed at the Court of Appeal.

    Aliyu, who was absent at the first sitting, in a letter to the tribunal requested that his matter be postponed.

    The former Chief Medical Director, who has relocated to the United States (US), explained that the nature of his work made it difficult for him to appear before the tribunal.

    He therefore requested the tribunal to pick a new date for him to appear.

    Expressing regret, the doctor said he was in the country on the day of the last sitting but the tribunal did not sit because of the public holiday declared by the Federal Government for the World Economic Forum (WEF).

    His absence, he said, was because he could not get another international permit within a short period.

    Shortly after reading his letter which was accepted by the  tribunal, his lawyers announced their withdrawal from the case.

    Aliyu’s counsel, led by Bulus Solomon, said they would prefer that subsequently he (Aliyu) be served directly.

    Though, it was not known if he (Aliyu) has appointed a new counsel, the tribunal  turned down the application.

    It said since the lawyers have access to him, they will  remain the only source through which the notice paper will be served on him.

    Other doctors standing trial are Temitope Gabriel Onile, Nzurumike Charles Nnanna, Danmusa Ademu Ochala, and  Omotayo Oluwadamilola Akinro.

    Onile, Nnanna and Ochala are facing one count charge of negligence of duty. Onile and Nnanna are consultant Obsterician and Gynaecologists at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.

    Ochala is the Head of Department, Consultant and Senior medical Officer at the Centre.

    They were alleged to have failed to pick their calls to attend to manage a patient, Mrs. Eleojo Justina Colins (deceased) who was under their care and required urgent surgical intervention until the patient died on January 28 ,2012.”

  • Suntai leaves for medical checkup in London

    Suntai leaves for medical checkup in London

    Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai will today leave for London, United Kingdom, for medical checkup.

    The governor was flown from Jalingo to Abuja in a Skyjet plane marked ZS-KBS yesterday afternoon.

    With him  were Chief Detail Joel Danladi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) Tino Dangana, Chief of Staff Aminu Jika, brother Babangida and other trusted loyalists.

    Suntai’s Chief Press Secretary Hassan Mijinyawa told The Nation that the governor will spend two weeks before returning home.

    “My doctors said I will spend two weeks for the check up. But you know that depends on the outcome of things and their decision,” the governor said.

    Suntai answered reporters’ questions as he alighted from the vehicle that brought him to the airport.

    He asked the people to continue to pray for him.

    “Prayer is the most important thing I need now. The people have stood by me since the day I had this accident.

    “They should continue in their prayers; their prayers have helped me tremendously.” .

    The governor asked Tarabans to shun violence and live together in peace.

    Suntai, a pilot, was injured on October 25, 2012 when a plane he flew crashed in Yola, Adamawa State.

    He returned to the state on August 25 last year, after a 10-month medical trip abroad and wrote a letter to the House of Assembly to resume office the following day.

    But Deputy Governor Garba Umar and 16 of the 24 lawmakers in the Assembly, including the late Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, rejected the letter.

    They said the governor was not yet fit to perform his duties.

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fact-finding committee, headed by Senator Hope Uzodima and the Assembly ceded the running of the state to Umar, who has been acting.

  • Suntai’s aide, others get N2.5m damages

    Suntai’s aide, others get N2.5m damages

    •’Police chief violated citizens’rights’

    JUSTICE Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, yesterday awarded the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Danbaba Suntai on Media and Publicity, Silvanus Giwa and four others N2.5 million as compensation

    This followed a violation of their rights by former Commissioner of Police Jubril Adeniji.

    Giwa, a former Channels Television reporter, sued Adeniji for his illegal arrest and detention with four of his friends on September 28 last year in Jalingo.

    Giwa and his friends were holding a valedictory session for their friend, Hamidu Ali, who was travelling to Mecca the following day.

    The trip was aborted because of their arrest.

    Since then, Giwa and his friends had been visiting the police command daily without being told their crime.

    Adeniji, who was recently redeployed from Taraba, said he arrested the plaintiff for “conspiracy and unlawful assembly.”

    It was gathered that Adeniji acted on the orders of the Acting Governor, Garba Umar.

    But Umar denied through his Chief Press Secretary, Kefas Sule, that he had a hand in Giwa’s arrest and detention.

    Justice Okorowo yesterday described the act as a “violation of the rights of the applicants.”

    The other applicants are Elhamid Ali Ibrahim, Philip Kamishi, Elkabir Eldio and Anderi Imbred.

    The judge said he felt sad that the police continued to trample on the rights of citizens.

    The applicants’ counsel, Ibrahim Effiong, urged the court to declare that the arrest and detention was a violation of their rights.

    Justice Okorowo ruled that the applicants were not only assaulted by the police, but were also “dehumanised and degraded.”

    He said: “The police have no basis for the arrest and detention of the five applicants.

    “The respondent (Adeniji) has no justification whatsoever to restrict the movement of the applicants – they have the rights as citizens to meet anywhere. Their arrest and detention is illegal.

    “The applicants are entitled to damages.”

     

  • Tension over moves to declare Suntai incapacitated

    Tension over moves to declare Suntai incapacitated

    Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai may be declared incapacitated, it was learnt yesterday.

    Some godfathers and Suntai’s loyalists, who were jolted by the plans, are making moves to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ask the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, to stop the exercise.

    They fear the move may cause ethno-religious violence in the state.

    It was gathered that stakeholders, who were fed up with the hide-and-seek game on Suntai’s health, were prevailing on the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly to declare Suntai incapacitated.

    The stakeholders, it was learnt, were angered by the photograph of Suntai allegedly posing with a Christmas cake, which he purportedly cut.

    They said since incapacitation of a president or a governor was a constitutional matter, the Executive Council and the House of Assembly should follow the law.

    A medical panel may be raised later in the month to give its verdict on the governor’s health.

    A source said: “The constitutional process to declare Governor Danbaba Suntai incapacitated may start early this month. If all goes well with the plan, Suntai would be impeached by early next year and Acting Governor Garba Umar sworn in.

    “I think a memo to kick-start the process is in its draft stage. The memo may ask that a medical team be established as allowed by the 1999 Constitution.”

    The medical team is to be made up of five doctors, one of which would be the governor’s physician.

    According to the 1999 Constitution, the House is saddled with the responsibility of constituting the team.

    An earlier move to set up the team was frustrated when the former Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Njiwah, declined to raise such a memo. It reportedly led to a frosty relationship between Njiwah and the Acting Governor, Garba Umar.

    Njiwah, who was relieved of his appointment based on alleged corrupt practices, is challenging his sack in court.

    A source added: “I think the moves to remove Suntai might have been as a result of the situation in the state which does not enable the acting governor to be in charge.

    “Now that the acting governor has constituted his own exco and with a simple majority in the House, Suntai may be thrown out.

    “There are fears that the Speaker, Josiah Kente, is a pro-Umar member, which may make Suntai’s fate a fait accompli.”

    But the governor’s loyalists said they had not been pretending on the recovery of the governor.

    A source in the camp said raising a medical team would be prejudicial to the matter before the Court of Appeal where the governor is awaiting a ruling on his letter of resumption, which the Assembly rejected.

    “If they believe in the rule of law, they should allow the Court of Appeal to decide. Resort to self-help will not help those behind this plot,”the source said.

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We are not pretending that the governor is recovering. Even former Governor Jolly Nyame testified to it last week.

    “We are in Abuja to draw the attention of the Presidency and the PDP to a political decision that can plunge the state into a crisis.”