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Tag: FEMI FALANA

  • Halt legislative recklessness in Nasarawa, Falana tasks Jonathan

    Halt legislative recklessness in Nasarawa, Falana tasks Jonathan

    HUMAN rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to call members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to order over their moves to impeach the state governor, Tanko Al-Makura.

    Describing the ongoing attempts to remove Al-Makura by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-dominated House as part of an alleged agenda to turning Nigeria into a one-party state, Falana urged the president to immediately put a stop to what he called the “legislative recklessness in Nasarawa State.

    He said: “It is no longer a secret that the wave of impeachment sweeping across the nation is part of the planned manipulation of the 2015 general elections in favour of the ruling party. In the process, the dubious agenda of turning Nigeria into a one party state will be achieved.

    “In view of the potential danger which the trend portends for political stability in the country, the illegality which has characterised the ongoing impeachment of Governor Tanko Al-Makura must be halted by President Goodluck Jonathan forthwith.”

    Dismissing claims by the presidency and PDP that it had no hand in the gale of impeachment threats against opposition governors, Falana declared, “It is no longer sufficient to distance the Presidency from the legislative recklessness being exhibited with impunity by the legislators. If the Presidency is not involved in what have become recurrent illegalities, who stopped the Edo State Police Command from arresting four suspended legislators from conducting mock proceedings of the Edo State House of Assembly?

    “Why is the Edo State police command helpless when both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have ordered the suspended legislators to desist from treating court orders with disdain? In the case of Nasarawa State, who authorised the provision of the security personnel guiding the illegal meetings of the legislators outside the premises of the House of Assembly, the only venue where legitimate proceedings of the legislative body can be conducted?

    Citing a Supreme Court ruling on the impeachment of former Governor Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State conducted by PDP legislators in a hotel at Ibadan as illegal and unconstitutional, Falana wondered why President Jonathan, who as the Chief Security Officer of the country has not directed the security forces to stop what he called “the highly contemptuous impeachment proceedings being conducted by PDP legislators in Nasarawa State?

    While admitting that the legislature has the powers to impeach governors and deputy governors, Falana, however, added that the powers must be exercised in total compliance with the Constitution.

  • Nigeria has civil rule, not democracy, says Falana

    Nigeria has civil rule, not democracy, says Falana

    Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) said there was nothing to celebrate about the 15 years of the country’s democracy if 130 million Nigerians are living below poverty line. In this interview with Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Falana, who spoke on the intrigues at the on-going National Conference, warned that as long as government refused to change its tactics, the war against terrorism might remain a mirage. Excepts: 

    As  a delegate at the National Conference looking at how to reshape the country, do we have every reason to celebrate 15 years of our democracy?

    We are here especially to expand the democratic and consolidate civil rule and ensure that it translates to democracy. If democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people, you will agree with me that, we have not had the government for the people in the past 15 years but the government of the elite, which I call Elitocracy.

    This is a government whereby big guys in government have been able to smile to the bank whereas the masses of the people have continue to wallow in abject poverty. Out of the official figure of 170 million people, according to government official source, about 130 million are living within the poverty bracket. To those 130 million people, democracy remain a tantalizing reality that can never be actualized in term of how many people have been offered gainful employment in the last 15 years? Has the government been able to guarantee security of lives and property? Have we had any new major high way in the last 15 years? Not even a single expressway has been constructed in this country in the last 15 years. No new major hospital has been built in the country in the past 15 years, I stand to be corrected, I’m not aware of one. In that kind of a situation, we can’t say Nigeria has made a substantial progress in democracy. No doubt a number of people have become multi-millionaires, about 135 Nigerians now have their own private jets. But has that translated to any qualitative improvement in the lives of 130 million poverty-stricken people of huts country?

    The answer is No. Therefore, If we are talking about consolidating democracy, we have to build democracy first before consolidating it. What we have got so far, for the past 15 years is civil rule.

    With the mutual suspicion and unwilling postures of some delegates to drop some of their sensitive demands at the Conference, how do we then build the democracy.

    I have gone through the reports of all the 20 Committees and I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that the recommendations are largely profound, some of them are even earth-shaking. What is worrisome for me however is the lack of political will on the part of the ruling class, political elite, the government of the day to see through the recommendations. As for me, at the end of the day, a new struggle would begin. Once the recommendations are popular, relevant and acceptable to the Nigerian people, a new struggle would have to begin for the implementation of those recommendations. I can not see the government welcoming us and accepting those recommendations because some those recommendations questioned the status quo, established values and settled positions with respect to enjoyment of privileges by government officials. For us now to insist that they should wipe out or dispense with  those privileges, it is going to be a struggle. Just yesterday (Wednesday), the position of the Committee on Religion was accepted that government should stop sponsoring of pilgrims to Jerusalem and Mecca every year. Those who benefit maximally are going to fight back. For political reasons, the government itself would not be comfortable, wondering whether these religious people would vote for them, or the beneficiaries of pilgrimages would vote for them. That is why a new struggle is going to begin. For instance, I have identified, in at least seven Committees that recommended that Chapter Two of the constitution be made justiciable. Those provisions have been there since 1979 but for the ruling class, the people should be satisfied with political and civil rights which are meaningless to them. For instance how do you talk of Freedom of expression to an illiterate, how would he express himself or Freedom of movement to a man who has no means of livelihood, how does he travel for leisure, holiday. That is why, like a Nigerian proverb says among the poverty-stricken people that ‘You rest the day you die’. Meaning there is no holiday for the poor.

    In essence, if we make Chapter Two justiciable, Right to work would be guaranteed, an able-bodied Nigerian that has no works should be able to get a stipend from the government at the end of the month. If you say every body should go to school in the country, if everybody who is sick can access medical health and facilities, the situation will never be the same in the country again. And that would force government officials to think, have sleepless nights on how to fund Social security system for the people of our country. I have no doubt that many of them would have their hairs turned grey in a couple of months.

    We have seen some delegates unwilling to take patriotic decisions on some national sensitive issues with potentials to move the country forward. How do we reconcile that sir?

    As I did say when we were debating the President’s inauguration speech, many of those who brought Nigeria to its knees are here, many of them have been in the system since the First Republic benefitting from the decadence of the system. It is therefor going take appreciable time to convince them, to make them see reason for change. You can not but expect the kind of discordant tones oozing out of the confab, but usually at the end of the day,  we have substantially allowed reason to prevail.

    What other steps do we take, in addition to the Conference to build this democracy?

    The media has a great role to play. In the interest of the society, the media has to go beyond the ephemeral policy of trying to join them if you can’t beat them. The media played a leading role in the fight against colonialism, and even greater role in the struggle against military dictatorships which culminated in the restoration of civil rule. Unfortunately, in consolidating civil rule, and pushing the frontiers of civil rule leading to genuine popular democracy, the media has been found wanting.

    Today, only the views of the elites are largely published, so a stranger to Nigeria might just think the masses are comfortable. Stories about grinding poverty, the violations of the rights of our people from across the country, the abandonment of principles by government officials are hardly published in the Nigerian media. Indeed now, unlike before when the media would pursue a corruption case until whoever was involved is pushed out of government, we have a lot of media houses now shoutingHosannah. You remember the days of ‘If you Taka me, I Daboh you’, that is no linger there because we must also be critical of those institutions that can institutionalize democracy-the judiciary. There is not much to write home about the Bar Association, because in the interpretation of the law, in the enforcement of the law, including obedience to court orders, the official bar and the private bar played significant roles. But if the judges are just there to sustain the status quo without interpreting the law in the interest of the people, in the interest of the rule of law, in the interest of democracy, it is difficult to have a politically stable society.

    Aside the media, what about the masses perceived to be incapable of sustaining the struggles?

    No, no, as Carl Max said, “In any historical epoch, the ideas of the ruling class are the dominant ideas”. Even in every homes, if the parents are irresponsible, how do you expect them to turn our good children. Nigerians are the easiest to rule in the world, I have never seen a more patient people anywhere. All manners of military dictators that takes over reign of power and the attitude of our people is, let’s give them a chance, until they all messed up themselves, one after the other. So, Nigerians are very patient, very trusting but have been betrayed time and time again. So you can not accuse the people of complacency, they also have to be mobilized  by the elite who may have committed class suicide by doing that.

    On security, what is the way forward?

    I condemn the abduction of the Chibok girls but with profound respect to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and this is where I have to appeal to the media to be more critical. I have to say that before reporting news emanating from the Defence Headquarters, you have to cross check and verify your facts first. For instance, the cover story yesterday (Tuesday last week) about the statement credited to the CDS that the girls have been located. This is the same Chief of Defence Staff who made a similar statement four weeks ago. At that time, he appealed to parents of the abducted girls to give them a chance, that in a matter of days the girls would be returned to their parents. Four weeks later, he made the same stamens and you are celebrating it.

    On the war against terror, my view is that, are you not surprised that we fought the civil war for three years, exactly 30 months and heroes were produced on both sides. But since this battle on terrorism started, no heroes have been produced. That in itself question the commitment of the government to fight terrorism. On a yearly basis, not less than N3 trillion has been released by government to fight terror but unfortunately and painfully we are not getting value for that money. We are told now that we are not having vital equipment to fight the war, that our soldiers are not adequately equipped, not adequately trained, with low morale, not motivated, how do you win any war in an atmosphere of frustration. Our own media must help us. We don’t have to depend on the international media to let us know that despite the imposition of state of emergency in the three North East States, the people are not secure. To me that requires a change  of tactics in fighting the war. We all know that in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, when a soldier is killed in battle, the family members are informed before the name is published. The soldier that lost his or life for service  to the fatherland is given a hero’s burial. Here, the media simply report that x number of solders were killed, they have no name. We lost about a thousand soldiers in Liberia and Sierra Leone, no media house ever published the name of any of  them. So when the soldiers are given the impression that their lives seems inconsequential, why would they lay their lives for the fatherland? Don’t be surprised to know that family members of soldiers killed in battle were chased out of where they were quartered by government as soon as their loved ones were killed in combat. These are some of the problems.

    Nigerian soldiers are a global force to reckon with in international peace keeping operations around the world. Nigerian soldiers were instrumental to the restoration of peace and democracy in Liberia and Sierra Leone, how come the same Nigerian soldiers can not defeat the rag-tag group of Boko Haram?

  • Falana: Fed Govt should probe N3tr Defence budget

    Falana: Fed Govt should probe N3tr Defence budget

    Lagos lawyer and member of the National Conference, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has said the conference should adopt a resolution mandating the Federal Government to investigate the over N3 trillion voted for Defence in the last three years.

    Falana spoke against the backdrop of a prayer by another conference member, Mr. Eddy Eragba, that delegates adopt a motion to praise foreign countries for backing Nigeria’s search for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

    Eragba recalled that before the conference dissolved into committees, it was informed that all but eight of the Chibok girls had been rescued by security agents.

    The delegate said the information prompted the conference to adopt a motion commending the security agents for a job well done.

    He said it had been discovered that the conference acted in error.

    Eragba prayed the conference to urge security agencies to rescue the innocent girls.

    The delegate also said the conference should praise foreign nations that assisted the country to search and rescue the kidnapped girls.

    Another member, Goddy Uwazuruike, seconded the prayer.

    He said foreign countries assisting Nigeria in the search and rescue of the abducted girls deserved commendation.

    Falana disagreed.

    The frontline lawyer noted that the Constitution frowns at the presence of foreign forces in the country.

    He explained that instead of hailing the foreigners, the delegates should ask President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the over N3 trillion budgeted for Defence in the last three years.

    Another member, Chief Mike Ahamba, cautioned that the impression must not be created that security agents battling to curtail the activities of Boko Haram were not doing anything.

    The delegate noted that the fight against insurgency was not easy, especially since the security agents were not fighting a sectoral war.

    He recalled that some the security agents had died in the line of duty and, therefore, deserved to be encouraged.

    Ahamba described guerilla warfare as one of the most difficult wars to fight “since the person walking with you could be your enemy”.

    The delegate noted that foreign countries, which were assisting Nigeria in the battle against Boko Haram should be praised because terrorism is a cross-border problem.

    The conference chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), noted that if three weeks ago the conference knew that only eight girls had been rescued and later discovered that there were over 200 girls in the sect’s captivity, the conference should encourage those working to rescue the girls to do more.

     

     

  • Why govt can’t trade abducted girls with prisoners, by Falana

    Why govt can’t trade abducted girls with prisoners, by Falana

    Lagos Lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has said the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State, should not be exchanged for the sect’s prisoners.

    The exchange is among the demands of the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a new video released yesterday to the public.

    Falana said the abducted girls are not prisoners of war, adding that they were illegally abducted from their school.

    The frontline lawyer addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja after a meeting with some protesting women.

    He said arrangements were being made to enable parents identify the missing girls in the video.

    The protest to rescue the girls will move to the home of Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima today for the governor’s answers on the abducted girls.

    The campaign team is expected to meet at the Roman Catholic Church, Asokoro, at 3pm today and a procession will be led to the governor’s lodge by a former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Mr Falana and some women’s leaders.

    The women said they would start a vigil, if the girls were not released before tomorrow, a month after their abduction in captive.

    Falana said: “It is very disturbing that these criminals called Boko Haram members are demanding that these girls be exchanged for prisoners.

    “This is terrible because our girls are not prisoners of war. They were illegally abducted and they are not Nigerian soldiers. So, there is no basis for the demand.

    “On the video: what we have tried to do is to get the parents of these abducted girls to see if they can identify their daughters in the video. Arrangements are being made to do that.

    “What is important is that the global pressure is paying off and that is why this cowardly organisation has come out to assure the world that the children are safe and that they have not killed them.”

    The activist dismissed the need to obtain a police permit before any protest.

    He assured the women of legal support in their demand to rescue the schoolgirls.

    Falana said: “As far back as December 2007, we won that battle against colonial policy of asking for a police permit to protest in Nigeria and we cannot go back. So, I have come to assure the protesters that the law is behind them and on their side. But if anybody comes to disturb them, they should let me know so that we can take appropriate actions under the law. This is because their cause is just and they have been very peaceful in demanding that the criminals bring back our girls unconditionally.

    “So, the pressure will have to be intensified so that the world can make a case. We can make an example of this situation so that we are not going to succumb to the intimidation of criminals. Those who have committed crimes against humanity have to be brought to book.”

    So, it is illegal and immoral to use innocent children to bargain with the government of Nigeria.

    “The protest has to go on all over the world and leaders have to join to protest so that these criminals can know that a violation of any child anywhere around the world is a violation of the right of the entire world. I am sure in a matter of days. These criminals will release these girls.”

     

  • Falana: Why govt cant trade girls with prisoners

    Falana: Why govt cant trade girls with prisoners

    Lagos Lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday that the over 200 abducted girls should not be exchanged with Boko Haram’s prisoners as demanded by the sect.

    He said the abducted girls were not prisoners of war, adding that they were abducted from their school.

    Falana spoke to reporters in Abuja after meeting with protesting women.

    He said arrangements were being made to assist parents identify the missing girls in the video released.

    The protest to rescue the kidnapped girls will move to Borno State Governor’s Lodge  today.

    The campaign team is expected to meet at the Roman Catholic Church, Asokoro by 3pm. A procession will be led to the Governor’s Lodge by a former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, Falana and others.

    The women said they would embark on a vigil if the girls were not released before Wednesday to mark one month of the girls in captivity.

    Falana said: “It is very disturbing that these criminals called Boko Haram sect are demanding that these girls be exchanged for prisoners.

    “This is terrible because our girls are not prisoners of war; they were illegally abducted, and they are not Nigerian soldiers; so, there is no basis for the demand.

    “The video; what we have tried to do is to get the parents of these abducted girls to see if they can identify their daughters in the video; arrangements are being made to do that.

    “What is important is that the global pressure is paying off and that is why this cowardly organisation has come out to assure the world that the children are safe and that they have not killed them.”

    Falana dismissed the need to obtain a police permit before any protest, assuring the women of legal support in their demands for the government to rescue the girls.

    “As far back as December 2007, we won that battle against the colonial policy of asking for police permit to protest in Nigeria and we cannot go back. So, I have come to assure the protesters that the law is behind them .

    “So the pressure will have to be intensified so that the world can make a case. We can make an example of this situation so that we are not going to succumb to the intimidation of criminals; those who have committed crimes against humanity have to be brought to book. They cannot – and it is illegal and immoral to – use innocent children to bargain with the government of Nigeria.

    “The protest has to go on all over the world and leaders have to join to protest so that these criminals can know that a violation of any child anywhere around the world is a violation of the right of the entire world. I am sure in a matter of days these criminals will release these girls.”

    He criticised the government for the poor handling of the matter, adding that the government needs to reassure Nigerians of their safety.

    “The Nigerian government’s way of handling this is very disappointing, particularly for the parents of the abducted girls. I can imagine the agony they must have been sentenced to in the last weeks in particular when some highly-placed individuals in the society attempted to give the impression that these girls might not be missing after all and for me, that is the unkindest of them all.

    “How a gang of criminals would have collaborated with parents to have their children abducted and I ask, to make what point? So, I think the government will have to go the extra mile of assuring Nigerians that the security of lives and welfare of our citizens – in line with Section 14 of the Constitution – is paramount and that never again will the government of Nigeria play with the life of any individual in this country.”

    A former House of Representatives member, Dino Malaye, described the police disruption of the protest as “brutality”, adding that they were unstable in their behaviour.

    He said: “What happened yesterday is what I call police brutality. The police were very unstable; the gathering here is not only stable but peaceful. There have been protests in the United Kingdom, United States, and China, the first lady of America protested.

    “I am a father and one of them could have been my daughter, so we are here to see that we are with this people and will continue to pressurise government to do that which is needful and we will continue to see that the battle is of no retreat, no surrender and we cannot be intimidated by the police.”

    One of the parents of the abducted girls, Mr. Hosea Tsambido, said he had not seen the new video released by the sect.

    The emotionally distraught father said he was sure he could identify his daughter when he had access to the released video.

    “I have not seen the video. Arrangements are being made to make sure we have access to the video. All I want is to see my girl returned to me safe and sound.”

  • Falana to Jonathan: ignore calls to remove northeast governors

    Falana to Jonathan: ignore calls to remove northeast governors

    Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has criticised Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clarke, for allegedly calling for the removal of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states’ governors over Boko Haram insurgency.

    Falana urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore Clark’s call for the removal of the governors.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, the frontline lawyer noted that it was illegal and unconstitutional for the elder statesman to call for the removal of the governors.

    Though he admitted that Chief Clark wielded enormous influence at the Presidency, Falana said his call for the removal of the governors was diversionary and without legal backing.

    He said: “There is nothing like partial declaration of a state of emergency in the 1999 Constitution; what Section 305 (c) of the Constitution contemplates is the recourse to ‘extraordinary measures to restore peace’ and security, where there is a breakdown of public order and public safety. This, in effect, means that all democratic institutions should be suspended to permit the military exercise full control until peace and order return.”

    Falana said Section 305 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country, does not make any provision – expressly or impliedly – for the removal of elected democratic structures.

    “In other words, the power of the President to take ‘extraordinary measures to restore peace and security’ under a state of emergency does not include the removal of elected public officers or the dissolution of democratic structures,” he said.

    The frontline lawyer stressed that governors could not be held “vicariously liable” for the inability of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to stem the rising wave of insurgency in the country.

    Falana said: “It is submitted that the adoption of ‘extraordinary measures’ should not be construed outside the ambit of the power of the President to deploy the Armed Forces and the police to restore public peace whenever there has been a breakdown of law and order in the whole country or any part thereof. In the process, the fundamental rights of all persons in the affected areas, save the right to life, may be infringed upon in the interest of defence, public safety and public order.

    “To that extent, Section 45 (2) of the Constitution provides that ‘an Act of the National Assembly shall not be invalidated by reason only that it provides for the taking, during periods of emergency, of measures that derogate from the provisions of Section 33 or 35 of this Constitution; but no such measures shall be taken in pursuance of any such Act during any period of emergency save to the extent that those measures are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of emergency’.

    “‘Provided that nothing in this section shall authorise any derogation from the provisions of Section 33 of this Constitution, except in respect of death resulting from acts of war or authorise any derogation from the provisions of Section 36 (8) of this Constitution’.”

    The lawyer said since Clark could not refer to any law or decided case to justify his stand, the Ijaw leader was merely advising President Jonathan to follow the “bad example” of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who suspended former Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye and Ekiti State Acting Governor for six months in violation of the Constitution.

    He described the Obasanjo era as a period of “executive recklessness” which has been consigned to the dustbin of history.

  • Why I dumped law for music–Femi Falana’s son

    Why I dumped law for music–Femi Falana’s son

    Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, is the son of renowned lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, SAN. The United Kingdom-trained lawyer has, however, abandoned his wig and gown to start a career in music. His two singles, High Class and Currency, are evident of his desire to etch his name in the minds of music aficionados. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, he talks about his journey into music and other interesting issues. 

    COULD you tell me a little about yourself? I was born into a family of three-I have two sisters. My stage name is falz, but my friends and admirers call me Falz TheBahdGuy. I went to St. Leo’s Catholic Primary School, Lagos and later Olashore International School, Osun State. I had my university education at the University of Reading, United Kingdom. Then, I came back and attended the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, where I qualified as a Barrister. So, by implication, I’m a qualified barrister and top musician.

    Why would a lawyer abandon his wig and gown for music?

    Music is something I have always been passionate about since I was in the secondary school. Back then, we formed a music group and we were always performing around schools and the neighborhood. It was from that moment that I made up my mind on doing music.

    At what point did you decide to go professional as a musician?

    That was in 2009. I had recorded a mix tape by then, which was entitled Shakara. That was how I was introduced to the industry as a professional artiste. I have been able to put out about five other singles since then.

    A lot of people would have expected you to follow in your father’s footsteps…

    That was my initial decision. Looking at his life, how much he has achieved and the kind of name he has made for himself, I sincerely wanted to follow in his footsteps. But along the line, I just developed the love for music and music stole my heart; so, I decided to follow my heart.

    At the moment, what are you working on?

    I just released a video for my latest single, Currency. It is a danceable and very club-friendly song. People are really enjoying it; it’s making wave everywhere.

    So, what genre of music are you into?

    My genre of music is special. I call it ‘What’s up music.’ I don’t think any artiste at the moment is doing what I’m doing. It’s a mixture of contemporary sound-hip hop, R&B and Fuji. All these are what make my music interesting. I also embellish it with ‘old school’ sound and funny lyrics.

    Looking at the competitive nature of the Nigerian music scene, what new thing are you bringing to the table to sell yourself?

    My music is very unique. The infusion of comic lyrics, which people can easily relate to, with a lot of ‘old school’ jam and the contemporary hip-hop, is what makes my brand of music very unique. It is very different from what any other artiste out there does.

    Does your law background have any impact on your music?

    Maybe not directly, but there will always be qualities that will be of help. My profession has made me very disciplined and that is kudos to my music.

    Where do you intend taking your music career to?

    I intend going beyond the boundary of this country. I want to win international awards, I want to perform around the globe and I want to achieve international superstardom.

    Are there people in the industry you see as threats?

    No. No one is doing my kind of music. I am unique in what I do, so I don’t see anybody as my competitor. I just admire Tuface’s ability to remain relevant after many years; I also like Wizkid, Olamide and lots of others that are doing very well. But I’m not looking up to anybody as a role model.

    As a handsome and talented young act, how do you cope with female admirers?

    I’ve realized the importance of discipline, so I chose not to be distracted. At the moment, I’m just focused on making good music, so that there will be more and more female admirers (laughs). At the moment, I don’t even have a girlfriend; I’m very single. This is simply because I realized that I have to give all my attention to music; I find it difficult to sustain a relationship considering my busy schedules. All I am after now is how to make good music.

    So how do you cope with sexual urges?

    I’m a grown man and I think every grown man should be able to control that.

    How does it feel being the only son of a celebrated lawyer and human rights activist?

    It’s interesting, yet it comes with lots of responsibilities. You have to live with a name someone else actually made and you have to be able to surpass people’s expectations of you. I think I am challenged by that.

    If you are to collaborate with anybody for a song, who will that be?

    I will like to work with Wizkid and Olamide because they are talented.

    When are you dropping your debut album?

    My debut album will be out in a few weeks’ time. It is titled What’s up, guy? I have already completed it. I am looking at 15 tracks. The album is going to showcase a lot about my style as an artiste. There is going to be a lot of versatility shown and people can appreciate different sides of me as an artiste and an entertainer. Also, there are various artistes who collaborated with me to make the various blends of music people can enjoy.

    What is the source of your inspiration?

    It comes from my environment and from things happening around me. I personally don’t indulge in any substance. I pick on issues that can make great topics and I blend them into danceable and meaningful music. I don’t smoke, but I only drink occasionally.

    Most of the people who don’t smoke and drink are always deeply into women…

    (Laughs)I don’t know about that oh! I cannot say I’m deeply into women.

    So, what will you describe as your vices?

    I procrastinate a lot, but I am currently working on it.

    What is your philosophy of life?

    I believe there is a reason for everything that happens.

    Why the nickname Falz, the Bad Guy?

    (Laughs) Falz is a nickname my friends gave me back in school. It’s a short form of my last name ‘Falana’. It is not spelt ‘Bad Guy,’ but BAHDguy, which is an acronym for ‘Brilliant and Highly Distinct Guy (BAHDguy). It stands for something positive, not negative.

    What kind of woman always tickles your fancy?

    I like light-skinned women! I like beautiful women. I’m not too particular about boobs and asses.

    If you were to date anybody in the entertainment industry, who would that be?

    That would be Chidinma.

    Why Chidinma?

    (Laughs) she is very cute and petite. She will be a nice person. I admire her so much. She is my kind of woman.

    Are you at the moment already dating her?

    No.

  • Charity? My name is Charity!

    Charity? My name is Charity!

    Ha, this Charity must be a lucky man or woman, the way some National Conference (NC) delegates are pledging to push their windfall his or her way!

    Lagos lawyer, distinguished Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) and eminent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has promised he would donate his NC allowance to Charity.

    That just reminds Hardball of the imperative of being Charity (ah, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest?); also reminiscent of the exploits of the crafty tortoise in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

    The old crook in the folklore christened himself ‘All of You’ and grabbed all the refreshments in the skies; leaving his benefactors, who donated feathers for his make-shift wings, in the lurch. Well, he ended up with a cracked back! But Hardball won’t be like that, after becoming Charity and enjoying NC lollies.

    But the imperative to be Charity became even more imperative when another Senior Advocate, the Apapa Jigijigi (that is his traditional title) himself, Chief Mike Ozekhome, was trenchant on his determination to locate Charity and dash (apologies to President Goodluck Jonathan) him or her his allowances.

    The learned silk said should he give up the lolly, he had no guarantee the money would return to the treasury, since it had already been appropriated. For all you know, the cash could just develop wings and fly away. Besides, the SAN declared he would do the spendthrift Federal Government no good by further enriching it. So — that’s where Charity gets lucky — he would rather give all to Charity!

    So, folks, any good suggestions how Hardball can become Charity? For your pains, let me enter this solemn pledge. If I become Charity, I won’t chop alone. Charity means loving and sharing. I intend to live up to the billing of my name. So folks, I’ll share the almost N10m lollies with you.

    Then, since as Charity I would be burying my snout in Nigeria’s munificence, and I am not even an NC delegate, I will try my best, as long as I live, to sort out the Nigerian problem.

    Unlike the Lamido Adamawa, who just declared a Cameroonian enclave, named Adamawa State of Cameroun, where he can escape to and continue holding court should Nigeria go kaput, it would be Nigeria or nothing. So, I will mobilise my people, that means all of you folks who will share in my good fortune as Charity, to weigh in on the NC to fix our country.

    As Gen. Mahammadu Buhari said in his military head of state days, Nigeria is our country. We must stay here and salvage it together.

    But all these I will do only and only if you show me, Hardball, how to become Charity. To me and to you, my fellow common man, that sum is just too tantalising to let go of.

    Let me also plead with other delegates to address their minds to the Apapa Jigijigi argument. It is no use further enriching the over-rich Federal Government, or even the over-rich NC delegates. The common man needs those millions.

    As your Charity, I represent the common man. So, be charitable. Help Hardball become Charity.

  • Court includes Kutigi, Akinyemi, Azinge in suit against conference

    Court includes Kutigi, Akinyemi, Azinge in suit against conference

    Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday included former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Idris Kutigi and two others as parties in a suit challenging the legitimacy of the National Conference inaugurated on Monday by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The judge’s decision was upon an application by rights activist Tunji Abayomi.

    Abayomi, who filed the suit, sought the court’s permission to amend his processes to reflect the names of Kutigi (conference chairman), Prof Bolaji Akinyemi (Vice Chairman) and Mrs Valerie Azinge (Secretary) as defendants in the suit on the ground that they were necessary parties.

    Defendants’ lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) who is also a participant at the conference, did not oppose Abayomi’s application.

    The judge subsequently included the three as defendants and ordered service of court documents on them. Their inclusion now brings to seven defendants in the suit.

    Others are Jonathan, the Senate, its President, House of Representatives and its Speaker.

    Abayomi is by the suit, seeking to stop the national conference on the ground that the President lacked the powers to convoke or convene a national conference without a law from the National Assembly empowering him to do so.

    The activist, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/ 167/204 asked the court to determine whether a national conference can be convened by the President and/or government of Nigeria without a law made by the National Assembly enabling them to do so.

    In a supporting affidavit, Abayomi stated that the Federal Government has planned to spend billions of public money to fund the conference despite the absence of any law enabling the President to convoke the conference.

    He added that the Federal Government was bent on spending such amount despite the limited power invested in the President to use money to execute law.

    Yesterday, Abayomi withdrew his application for interlocutory injunction, with which he had sought to restrain the Federal Government from going ahead with the conference on the ground that if the government was not restrained, billions of tax payers money will be spent unconstitutionally.

    With his withdrawal of the application, which the judge consequently struck out, the coast is now clear for the hearing of the substantive suit.

    Upon the agreement by the two lawyers, Justice Abdulkafarati adjourned to March 31 for mention.

     

     

  • Amaechi urges action against corruption

    Amaechi urges action against corruption

    •Straw: opposition vital in democracy

    A former British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said yesterday that it is stupid to marginalise political opponents. He insisted that a strong opposition is essential in a democracy.

    Straw noted that widespread corruption and democracy were incompatible, saying with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria would be better administered. Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be put on their toes, he added.

    Straw reiterated that there is apprehension in Nigeria over the 2015 elections, declaring that there is a long way to go in the country, to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

    A former Prime Minister of Ireland, John Bruton, also stated that there must be no preferential treatment or favouritism in the fight against corruption. To him, every country in the world is searching for good governance, which he described as a process.

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), maintained that Nigeria is a bit helpless and slightly hopeless, with corruption being celebrated. Citizens’ action is needed, he added.

    A frontline human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Nigeria was not more corrupt than many Western countries, while accusing Britain and the United States as causing part of the problem of terrorism.

    The eminent personalities and others spoke yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt at an International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance. Prof. Steve Chan of the University of London was the moderator.

    Bruton spoke on “The Dynamics of Contention Within the Realities of State Building: Debasing their Essence and Limitation,” while Straw’s paper was titled: “Democracy, Nationhood and Citizenship Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities in the Global Order.”

    The former British foreign secretary said: “Emphasis must be placed on social justice and equality. The wealth of the nation must not be in the hands of a few persons. Corruption must be tackled frontally. There is high level of inequality in Nigeria and the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few persons.

    “Elections must be free, fair and credible. We must have trust in the ballot box to sustain democracy. There is a long way to go in Nigeria in conducting free, fair and credible elections.

    “Opposition party can bring about change, but it is a tough and thankless task. It is stupid to marginalise the opponents. In a democracy, nothing lasts forever. A strong democracy must listen to the opponents and opposition’s views must be heard. Strong opposition will keep the government on its toes.

    “Winner takes all can be damaging. Those who feel disenfranchised may resort to violence. Widespread corruption and democracy are incompatible.”

    Straw also stated that the elected representatives must be accountable to their people, thereby promoting good governance.

    The ex-Prime Minister of Ireland said: “One of the most important ingredients of democracy is free speech, which is available in Nigeria today. Nigerian government should make efforts to attract to return home, Nigerian professionals who are doing well all over the world, through good governance.

    “Without independent judiciary, you cannot have strong democracy. The rule of law and Independent Public Prosecuting Service are also essential. Justice must not be selective. Prosecution of crimes must be equal.

    “When you are defeated in an election, learn to be a good loser and congratulate the winner. There is need for tolerance and party discipline. Politicians should be close to their constituencies. Economic conditions must be improved upon and inequality reduced in the society.”

    Amaechi said: “When I was at the University of Port Harcourt, we would not hear of stolen $20 billion and the school would not close down. There would be no lecture. We would summon an emergency Students’ Union meeting. The next morning, you would see students on the streets of Port Harcourt, protesting against the stealing of the $20 billion.

    “Now, you have students’ leader who has siren with police escorts and imagining that he is a governor. He is already identifying himself with those who are stealing money, because he wants to come and steal money.

    “What are the students of the UNIPORT, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt and other universities doing about the challenges we are facing? That is what is called citizens’ action. I am 48 now. I should not be part of the citizens’ action. Except if the situation is so bad that I will be part of the people who will be on the streets to protest. At their age, we held this country to ransom, while I was in the university.

    “Now, students clap for leaders who come to their campuses with Jaguar cars. When I was there, if you came with Jaguar car, you would go back with motorcycle.

    “The country is a bit helpless and slightly hopeless, because you need to have a statesman leader. A weak man, but capable leader can establish strong institutions through his ideas. There is a difference between a strong leader and a capable leader. The system will fish out a corrupt judge, not the government in power. You can be in PDP, you can be in APC, the system will fish you out and throw you into jail. The moment the first person goes to jail, the second person goes to jail, the third person goes to jail, everybody will change.

    “In Nigeria, we celebrate corruption. The highest we do is to transfer them from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Labour or we remove them and the persons will continue with politics. So that when the next government comes into power, Nigerians and the government would forget that the persons were removed in the last administration. The person would be given Minister of Finance. In that case, nobody would ask him about corruption again or may be given Minister of Petroleum, but they would prosecute those talking about corruption.

    “The Constitution is very clear about how to remove a governor. The Constitution says by impeachment, through the court or you serve out your tenure, but in this era of suspension, the governor can be removed from office by suspension. We thought it was impossible to remove the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi), but he was suspended. The ingredient of democracy is freedom of speech. Nigeria is in a civilian regime, not democracy.”

    Falana also lauded Amaechi for promoting the cross-fertilisation of ideas in Rivers State, through the international conference.

    “We have the best expression of strong opposition in Rivers State, viz-a-viz the people in Abuja. Governor Amaechi has succeeded because for the first time, in about 14 years, issue of governance, good schools that can be compared with those in Europe and America; good hospitals; good roads, among others, are being given to the people.

    “Those who are fighting Governor Amaechi do not appreciate that there is a difference between having a government that promises to deliver and never delivered for 14 years, and one that promises to deliver and delivering, in terms of good governance.

    “On corruption, Nigerians shamelessly ranked 144 in the index of corrupt nations, but it takes two to tango. I have had a running battle with the British Government and Western Governments. Nigeria is not more corrupt than many Western countries, but in the ranking of the Transparency International (TI), it is only the victims of corruption, countries that are allowed by the West to loot their treasuries and move to the vaults of the Western banks, that are ranked as corrupt.

    “I wrote to the British Prime Minister, when a governor was convicted in Nigeria and the judge descended on the former governor, but what of the financial institutions in Britain? What of your banks that warehouse the loot of the governor? The bulk of the money stolen from Nigeria is taken to the West, through capital flight. You can block it there.

    “The United States, last week, released $458 million of the wealth stolen by Abacha. Abacha died in 1998. I am going to demand of the Obama’s government to give us the interest, because the money had been in their banks.

     

    Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, described election as the pillar of democracy and must be free, fair and credible, while the rule of law is critical, noting that without an activist judiciary, Amaechi would not have been governor, through the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court on October 25, 2007.

    Mamora, a former Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, said: “You cannot have good governance and strong democracy, without virile opposition. The opposition’s voice was drowned in Nigeria, until the birth of the APC.

    In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte said Nigerians were still in search of good governance, which he said the people believed in.

    Karibi-Whyte added that good governance would not discriminate, with the benefits to flow to everybody, which he said the people wanted from their leaders.