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Tag: fired

  • Why govt fired lead prosecutor in Supreme Court Justice’s trial, by AGF

    Why govt fired lead prosecutor in Supreme Court Justice’s trial, by AGF

    The Federal Government said yesterday that it fired Charles Adeogun-Phillips, the lead prosecutor in the trial of Supreme Court’s Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, for alleged conflict of interests.

    This is contrary to the claim by the former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) that he withdrew.

    Adeogun-Phillips led the prosecution team until February 9 when he announced his withdrawal from the case. He was silent on what informed his decision.

    He was the leader of ‘Team 16’of the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) saddled with the prosecution of the case involving Justice Ngwuta and three officials of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Registrar, Ahmed Gambo Saleh.

    Saleh, Muhammad Abdulrahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal (both officials of the Supreme Court’s Accounts Department) were charged with alleged diversion of about N2.2billion and acceptance of gratification from contractors engaged by the court.

    On February 7, the office of the AGF withdrew the nine-count charge, marked: CR/13/2016, filed against Saleh and others before the High Court of the Federal Capital territory (FCT) on November 3 last year. State’s lawyer, Mrs. Hajara Yusuf was silent on the reason behind the withdrawal.

    Subsequent media reports, quoting some sources close to Adeogun-Phillips, however attributed his sudden withdrawal from Justice Ngwuta’s trial to his disagreement with the office of the AGF over its decision to discontinue the trial of Saleh and others, which is believed to have involved the largest amount of money – N2.2b.

    But, the office of the AGF yesterday faulted such reports, claiming that the lawyer was sacked because he allegedly withheld information about his involvement in a case against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Salihu Isah, Media aide to the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said in a statement yesterday that it was wrong for the AGF to retain Adeogun-Phillips while he was representing a private interest against a government agency.

    Isah also faulted insinuation that the decision to discontinue Saleh and others’ trial had religious and ethnic undertone.

    He said the charge against the Supreme Court officials was withdrawn because Saleh had agreed to serve as prosecution witness in Justice Ngwuta’s trial, which resumes today.

    He said a letter disengaging Adeogun-Phillips sent to him on Februrary 6 was acknowledged on February 8.

    The letter partly reads: “Contrary to impressions given by Charles Adeogun-Philips, the lead prosecutor in the suit against Supreme Court judge, Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta in various reports, suggesting that he withdrew from the case on his own volition, the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) that engaged his services actually withdrew thefiat issued to him to prosecute the case over non-disclosure of conflict of interest and for other sundry reasons.

    “The reports in a section of the media last Friday that he left in protest due to last week Tuesday’s dropping of charges earlier instituted against the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Gambo Saleh and two other officials of the apex court, Muhammad Abdulrahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal which he is also handling for the Federal Government and withdrawn against his consent, cannot be relied upon.

    “The insinuation that the AGF withdrew the case against the three Supreme Court officials because they are Northerners is also unwarranted due to the fact that the dropping of the suit was done in good faith and in the context of plea bargaining to achieve greater goals in the prosecution of the other bigger cases that are ongoing against Justice Sylvester Ngwuta among others.

    “So, it is wicked and childish for anyone to allude undue colouration to an action taken in national interest and reduce it to a North/South thing with a view to confuse the discerning public.

    “This is not the first time such process will be entered into in law, especially so as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 allows plea bargaining in line with national interest.

    “And as a precedence, there was a time in the history of this nation that the allegations against Sergeant Rogers who was accused of killing Kudirat Abiola were stepped down for him to be used to testify against Major Hamza Al-Mustapha in the case between him and the Lagos state government over the killing of the wife of the acclaimed winner of the 1992 presidential election, late Chief M.K.O Abiola.

    “It has now clearly shown that, either corruption is fighting back or simply that some people want to be mischievous and to hoodwink and divert the attention of Nigerians from the core issues at stake.

    “Charles Adeosun-Philips is handling a brief in an ongoing suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which amounts to conflict of interest, which he failed to disclose when being engaged.

    “The suit in question involves a bank executive, who is alleged to have laundered  $40m on behalf of former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke as part of the $153, 310, 000.00 she is alleged to have siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    “The EFCC is currently prosecuting the case before the Honourable Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos pursuant to Section 17 of the Advanced Fees Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 as well as Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria.

    “It would be recalled that the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) chaired by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) was inaugurated by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on May 27, 2016 at the Presidential Villa.

    ”It is charged with assisting the Attorney-General of the Federation in the exercise of his prosecutorial powers under Section 150 and 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; especially as it involves high profile criminal cases,” he said.

    Isah, who is also the Head of Communication and Public Affairs at the NPCC, said information about Adeogun-Philips’ sack was conveyed to him vide a letter titled, ‘Withdrawal of your name as a member of Team 16 of the National Prosecution Team handling charges No. FHC/ABJ/C/232/16-FRN vs Sylvester N. Ngwuta’ dated 6th February, 2017 and signed by the Special Assistant to the President on Research and Special Projects, who doubles as the NPCC Secretary, Sylvester O. Imhanobe.

    He said Adeogun-Philips acknowledged receipt of the letter through an email message dated February 8 where, according to Isah, he said: “Your letter of 6 February 2017, is received with great relief. I wish you and/or your colleagues at the NPCC, success in the continued prosecution of your ‘high profile’ cases.  With my very best wishes.”

    Isah said, in view of its experience with the Adeogun-Phillips’ case, the NPCC “plans to carry out a critical surgery on the present composition of the entire prosecution team to weed out those with question marks around them, because they had been informed before hands that anyone found wanting would be eased out since it is a continuous process.

    “Meanwhile, the other members of Team 16 of the NPCC comprising Hajara Yusuf, Dr. M. Lawal Yusufari and Ibrahim Waru remain intact as only its leader is affected.”

  • Why we fired Justice Yunusa, by NJC

    Why we fired Justice Yunusa, by NJC

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) admitted yesterday that it has recommended the compulsory retirement of two judges found guilty of misconduct.

    The admission by the NJC, in a statement, came after days of denial. Some of its members, and its Acting Director, Soji Oye, denied the development on Friday and Saturday.

    The judges are Justice Mohammed Nasiru Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos division and Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede of the High Court of Justice, Osun State.

    Justice Yunusa, who the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused of accepting financial gratification from some senior lawyers, was fired for wrongly assuming jurisdiction over some cases, including a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Senator Stella Odua.

    The NJC also hinged its decision, to recommend Justice Yunusa for retirement on its finding that the judge gave an order in the Odua case, restraining the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the EFCC and similar investigating agencies   from performing their statutory responsibilities when he lacked such powers.

    It said Justice Oloyede acted in a manner unbefitting of a judicial officer, when she wrote a petition against Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Deputy Governor, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, containing unsubstantiated allegations.

    The NJC said it  took the decision at its last meeting on July 15. It has requested President Mohammadu Buhari to compulsorily retire Justice Yunusa and asked Aregbesola to act in similar manner in relation to Justice Oloyede.

    Both judges have been suspended from office pending the approval of the recommendations by the President and the governor.

    The statement reads:

    “Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasiru Yunusa was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to President Muhammadu  Buhari, GCFR, pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the council following the allegations contained in the petitions written against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption that His Lordship granted Interim Orders and Perpetual Injunctions, restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, Independent Corruption practices and Related Offence Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, investigating and prosecuting some persons accused of corruption in  seven cases.

    The cases are: FHC\L\CS\1471\2015: between Simon John Adonimere & 3 Ors Vs. EFCC; FHC\L\CS\477\14: between FRN V Michael Adenuga; FHC\L\CS\1342\15: between Senator Stella Odua Vs. AG Federation, EFCC, ICPC & IGP; FHC\L\CS\1285\15: between Jyde Adelakun & Anor Vs. Chairman EFCC & another; FHC\L\CS\1455\: Dr Martins Oluwafemi Thomas Vs. EFCC; FHC\L\CS\1269\15: Hon Shamsudeen Abogu Vs. EFCC & others and FHC\L\CS\1012\15: between Hon. Etete Dauzia Loya Vs. EFCC

    “During deliberations, council found that Hon. Justice Yunusa assumed jurisdiction in Federal High Court, Lagos in Suit FHC\L\CS\1342\15 wherein the infringement of the applicant’s right occurred in Abuja, contrary to Section 46 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended)

    “His Lordship contravened Rule 3. 1 of the code of conduct for judicial officers in Suit FHC\L\CS\1445\15 by claiming ignorance of the provisions of the Money Laundering Act when he made an order stopping EFCC from conducting investigation into a money laundering case involving $2.2m  against the applicant.

    “Hon. Justice Yunusa’s decision restraining the anti-graft agencies from carrying out their statutory functions in the first six cases mentioned earlier is contrary to the judgment of the Court of Appeal in A.G Anambra State Vs. UBA, which His Lordship quoted, but did not apply in his rulings,” it said.

    On the allegations levelled against Justice Oloyede in a petition by Osun Civil Societies Coalition, the NJC said its facts finding committee assigned to investigate the petition found, among others, that the judge “failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office and impartiality and independence of the Judiciary when she wrote  a petition against the Osun State Governor and his Deputy to the members of the state House of Assembly and circulated same to 36 persons/organisations.

    “The petition was said to contain political statements, unsubstantiated allegations and accusations aimed at deriding, demeaning and undermining the Government of Osun State, the person and character of the Governor (as one who is cruel, a liar and a traitor), his Deputy and aides.

    “The petition contained statements calculated to incite the residents of Osun State against the State Government and its elected officers.

    “Justice Oloyede crossed the fundamental right of freedom of speech and created a negative perception of the Nigerian Judiciary to the public.

    “The allegations against the Hon. Judge constitute a misconduct, contrary to Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and Rules 1 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “In the meantime, the National Judicial Council, in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, has suspended Hon. Justice M. N. Yunusa and Hon Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede from Office pending the approval of the recommendation of the Council for their compulsory retirement by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola of Osun State respectively,” it said.

  • Guns were fired at Bayelsa APC primary, says Oshiomhole

    Guns were fired at Bayelsa APC primary, says Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary was marred by violence, as guns were fired at the Samson Siasia Stadium venue.

    Oshiomhole addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja after submitting the report of his committee to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The governor said some people used AK-47 and pump action rifles with live ammunition during the primary.

    On what happened during the primary, he said: “I was only a steward of the party. Seven of us were empanelled by the party to conduct the primary. We have reported back and we have signed a report by five of us. I have presented that report formally to the party, detailing all the issues as we know them. That is how far I can go.

    “But the decision on what the party will do with the report belongs to the party. It is not for me, as a steward, to tell the master what to do with the report. But we have reported, giving them a signed document, which was signed by members of the committee.”

    On his experience during the primary, Oshiomhole said: “I really don’t want to go back to those issues because these were not issues that transpired in the bedroom. I do think that one day we will get to the point where even the media must defend our democratic space. This thing happened in a stadium. I have been anxious to see an independent report. Gunshots were fired; AK-47 rifles were recovered with pump action guns and live ammunition. These were not actions that transpired in a bedroom. “I am not the issue and I don’t want to be the issue. There are issues that are important to me. I didn’t go there as a governor but as a party member who had been given a national assignment by the party. For me, that is a great honour. I have done that job along with my colleagues to the best of my ability. I have reported with the fear of God the truth as I know it. This has been signed by other members of the committee and I have forwarded the report. That is what is important at this stage. As far as I am concerned, this is still an internal affair of the APC.”

    On the comment by former Governor Timipre Sylva, the Edo State governor said: “That is democracy. Are you surprised that my views are disputed by one aspirant? It should not surprise you.”

    On the allegation that former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Timi Alaibe facilitated his transportation to Yenagoa on the day of the primary, Oshiomhole said: “Part of the challenge of leadership is that you have to have some capacity to accommodate all kinds of things. But I leave that to you. If you think that I am so helpless that I needed the help of someone…

    “Again, talking about the media, there are things that a vigorous media can deal with. If they had said Comrade Adams is a he-goat and you come to ask me: ‘Comrade, they said you are a he goat.’

    “Incidentally, we have gone through some tension in the last few years. You know that there was a time that I was going to Ekiti State and my chopper was stopped at the Benin Airport; I was denied the right to fly because the powers that be at that time did not want me to go to Ekiti. So, if you find from your research that this was the first time I had to use a chopper, then you can draw your conclusion. But as  an Igbo proverb says: ‘If you are bathing in a local bathroom and a mad man collects your cloth and starts running, you get out of the bathroom naked and start running after him; people would call both of you mad men.’

    “If there is one mad man already running, don’t insist that I join him. If they say that I am so wretched that I need an applicant aspirant, that someone who wants to be a governor is the one who has to support a sitting governor, I leave that to their judgment. I think there are more national issues for us to engage in… But don’t forget: even at this point, Sylva is my brother and will remain my brother…”

     

     

  • Amokachi wants Obuh fired

    Amokachi wants Obuh fired

    A fresh crisis has rocked FC Ifeanyi Ubah after coach Daniel Amokachi demanded the dismissal of the club’s technical director John Obuh, insisting he has a replacement for the former Flying Eagles handler.

    There has been no love lost since ex-Eagles assistant coach Amokachi replaced Obuh as coach of the Nnewi club and the hostility between the two coaches has now taken a new dimension with Amokachi’s insistence Obuh be fired.

    AfricanFootball.com has specially learnt Amokachi is uncomfortable with Obuh’s presence at the club and even believes he is sabotaging his efforts to ensure the big-spending club finish in the top-three bracket this season so as to play international football next year.

    “It’s a major crisis and this has been worsened by the fact that the club owner Ifeanyi Ubah is away in the United States of America. The chairman of the club is now in the middle of this personality clash,” a top source informed AfricanFootball.com.

    “Daniel (Amokachi) has already succeeded in chasing out the assistant coach he met at the club and now he wants to see the back of Obuh.”

    IfeanyiUbah crashed to a humiliating 4-0 loss at Enyimba on Wednesday and they are now 10th on the table with 38 points, 14 points adrift of leaders Enyimba.

  • ‘Keshi fired out of love’

    ‘Keshi fired out of love’

    NFF president Amaju Pinnick has explained the rationale behind the sacking of Stephen Keshi.

    The new NFF board showed Keshi the exit on Thursday morning as national team coach, despite his side’s 3-1 home win against Sudan that kept the Super Eagles in the running to defend their African title.

    Pinnick said the decision not to renew the contract of the former Nigerian international was in the best interest of the nation.

    “Does it sound right for us to say that the Eagles played for Keshi and not for the country? So if a new coach comes in now, what would they do? We took the decision in the best interest of the nation.

    “We also saw a lot of things that had happened in the past as there were issues that bordered on security because it was from the beginning of our game against Sudan that a hero in Keshi was booed.

    “We took this decision to save Keshi and let him know that he’s a hero and should remain a hero,” Pinnick said on Friday morning.

    The NFF supremo also added that Keshi and his assistants would be paid all their outstanding entitlements within two weeks.

    Meanwhile, unanimous approval was given for a consortium of coaches, led by Amodu, to lead Nigeria in their remaining qualifying matches against Congo and South Africa “after which an expatriate coach will be appointed”.

    Amodu’s re-appointment comes four years after he was sacked and stopped from leading the country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This will be his fifth stint with the Eagles having first taken charge of the team in 1994.

    The 56-year-old will be assisted by El Kanemi Warriors coach Salisu Yusuf, who worked under Samson Siasia both with the Flying Eagles and Super Eagles, and Gbenga Ogunbote of Sharks.

    Their immediate task is to secure a win against Congo in Pointe Noire to stay in the reckoning for a place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in January.

    Nigeria have four points after three matches while Congo are second on seven points. Group leaders South Africa travel to Nigeria for the final qualifying game next month.