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Tag: Judges

  • Kwara CJ to new judges: beware of corruption

    Kwara State Chief Judge Sulyman Kawu has warned the newly sworn-in magistrates and area court judges against corruption.

    Justice Kawu added that corruption can manifest in the form of bribery, graft, nepotism and favouritism.

    He said the penalties for bribery and other forms of corruption are damnation and hell fire in the hereafter.

    The chief judge said this yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital at the oath-taking ceremony of 15 magistrates and six area court judges.

    He said, “Let me assure you that the moment you start to take bribes, words will quickly spread that you have a price for the justice you administer in your court. The judge or magistrate who takes bribe will not only lose the respect of the members of the public and the giver of the bribe but will also have damnation and hell fire as his portion. In addition, such judge or magistrate will be liable to dismissal from service and prosecution in court.

    “I want to assure the newly sworn-in magistrates and area court judges that if you strive to abide by the dos and don’ts of your new offices, you will find peace, happiness and fulfillment and the sky will be the limit in your judicial career.”

    He continued: “Let me remind you that the judicial oath which you have all subscribed to this morning is not just another judicial ritual or a mere ceremony. It is, indeed a weighty and binding covenant between each one of you and God, and all of us present here, serve as witnesses to that covenant, about which you shall be questioned on the day of rendering of accounts.

    “As you take charge of your various courts, I urge you to take with you the fear of God to whom you have covenanted to do justice to all who may come before you, without fear of favour.”

     

  • Appointment of appellate judges

    Appointment of appellate judges

    Casting the net wide will infuse fresh perspectives to justice  

    The invitation extended to qualified lawyers to apply to be appointed either to the Court of Appeal or to the Supreme Court, by then acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, is a welcome departure from the existing procedure of appointing only sitting judges from the lower courts. Even though appointing sitting judges has its own advantages, the injection of qualified lawyers with requisite years of advocacy experience or from the academia, could infuse in the courts fresh perspective to appellate justice.

    In determining lawyers to be appointed to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, the criteria should be productivity, intelligence and experience. It does not bode well for the efficiency of our appellate courts, which are imbued with enormous responsibilities and powers, for such appointments to be based only on regular promotion of judges from the lower courts, or on quota system or other parochial criteria. Such approach could give room for the promotion of mainly judges who play by the rules, instead of advancing the course of justice.

    Indeed, in some other jurisdictions, eminent lawyers who have distinguished themselves in other fields of human endeavour get nominated to the Supreme Court, where they use their wealth of experience to advance legal jurisprudence. In the United States of America, Justice William Howard Taft was appointed to the Supreme Court (1921 to 1930) after he had served as the President of the country from 1909 to 1913. So, lawyers who have distinguished themselves in legal practice, academia or even at the high courts, should be encouraged to be nominated to the appellate courts.

    Perhaps the makers of our constitution realised the need to throw the net wide enough, to catch the best that are qualified to be appointed to either of the appellate courts. According to section 231(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended: “A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria or a Justice of the Supreme Court, unless he is qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years”.

    A similar provision is also made by section 238(3) of the constitution, with regards to the appointment of a Justice of the Court of Appeal: “A person shall not be qualified to hold the office of a Justice of the Court of Appeal unless he is qualified to practise as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than twelve years”.So, while by practice judges get elevated from the high court to the Court of Appeal and from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, it is clear from the two provisions quoted that qualified lawyers can also be brought from other fields to enrich the panels of the appellate courts.

    While we have not had a recent experience of lawyers getting appointed directly to the appeal courts, we had the experience of Justice Taslim Elias who became the Chief Justice after serving as the Attorney General of the Federation, during the regime of Gen Yakubu Gowon. Of course we are not advocating any arbitrary appointment of judges as could happen under a military regime, but our judiciary may gain from the infusion of carefully screened fresh blood, once in a while.

    In supporting the recent initiative of the new CJN, we are not unmindful of the genuine concerns expressed by a section of the public, as to whether such external appointments could dampen the moral of judges who hope to rise through the ranks from the high courts. For us, that worry is moderated by the size of the appellate courts, such that a few external appointments, instead of threatening career judges, would rather expose them to competition which should bring out the best in them. It will also enable the country to tap into the skills of lawyers who have distinguished themselves elsewhere, before opting to go to the bench.

    We restate that the guiding principle should be competence, integrity and productivity. While we could afford to play politics with executive and legislative appointments, the judiciary is too vital to the survival and success of a modern society to be toyed with. As Vice President Yemi Osinbajo noted about the powers of a judge at the swearing in of Justice Onnoghen as CJN, “It is the closest that man serves as Almighty God, having powers of lives, livelihoods and futures, having power to give and indeed to take away power, and authority ….”

    We hope the National Judicial Council (NJC) will select the best lawyers, to serve at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

  • You’re now in public eye, Ambode tells Judges

    You’re now in public eye, Ambode tells Judges

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday swore in three new jusges, charging them to dispense justice without fear or favour.

    At the ceremony witnessed by the judges’ family members and friends, among others, the governor reminded them that their “conduct and carriage will now be subjected to public scrutiny”.

    Sworn in were Justices Emmanuel Ogundare, Sherifat Solebo and Idowu Alakija.

    Ambode enjoined them to be of good conduct and character.

    The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to judicial reforms to make the state a pacesetter.

    He said: “Judicial reforms have not been stopped and the recommendations of the summit put together by the Ministry of Justice will be enforced.”

    Ambode described the event as another milestone in his administration’s quest to ease the people’s burden.

    “The Lagos State Judiciary is the most vibrant judiciary in the country and over the years, it has set a reputation for itself as a trailblazer through erudite judgements,” he said.

    The Chief Judge, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, said the judges were selected on merit by the National Judicial Council (NJC), adding: “Six individuals were sent to the NJC for approval but three had their appointment as judges approved. I commend the Lagos State judiciary for its productivity. Each judge in Lagos High Court has approximately 500 cases in his docket, the Chief Judge of Ekiti recently told me that the whole of Ekiti State has only 400 cases in their High Court.

    “I urge Governor Ambode to give more room for persons to serve in the high court. Our Magistrates are currently ‘top heavy’ with some Magistrates serving for 20 years, I hope they will be rewarded accordingly. I commend you all for your hard work, please keep the flag flying,” she said.

    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Adeniji Kazeem said the judges’ coming would help with the speedy dispensation of justice.

    The judges, he said, have “robust knowledge of the law, the charisma and mien required for the bench.”

    Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Justice Alakija promised that they would discharge their duties effectively.

    “We shall abide by the law, the rules and code of conduct that govern the judiciary and shall contribute diligently to the growth of the judiciary,” she said.

  • Judges angry over corruption allegation

    The factional crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has taken a dramatic turn as Court of Appeal judges in Ado-Ekiti expressed anger over allegation of corruption against them.
    The William Ajayi-led executive, which was validated by the Federal High Court allegedly, wrote a petition against Justices Ahmad Belgore, Fatima Akinbami and Olujimi Lokulo-Sodipe.
    It accused them of being conscripted into a plot to arrest the judgment delivered on January 24.
    The January 19 petition was written by the Publicity Secretary, Dayo Owolabi.
    It accused the sacked Gboyega Oguntuase-led exco, loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose, of colluding with the judges to arrest the judgment.
    He predicated his action on an application at the Appeal Court praying the court to expunge the December 13 proceeding.
    At yesterday’s proceeding, the judges insisted that the author of the petition must appear in court or a warrant of arrest would be issued.
    The Oguntuase group filed a stay of execution of the high court judgment through its counsel, Mike Ozekhome, who showed the respondents’ counsel, Niran Owoseni, with a copy of the petition.
    Justice Belgore said: “Are you saying you were not aware of the contents of this letter?
    “We have our own names to protect. We could not have been party to any attempt to arrest the high court judgment.
    “We didn’t sit on January 19 because one of us was indisposed and we didn’t form quorum to sit.
    “Judiciary must not be destroyed , because if such happens the next stage is anarchy”.
    When asked on the whereabouts of the author of the petition, Owoseni said he (the writer) had travelled to Abuja.
    Justice Belgore said: “Ask him to come back or else, he will be arrested. We will issue bench warrant against him.”
    Owoseni refuted allegation that he had a pre-knowledge of the letter’s contents.
    He said: “I can’t be part of any conspiracy or connivance to destroy the judiciary.
    “I am a lawyer, I don’t know how politicians operate. If they had told me, I would have advised against it.
    “I am only seeing the letter for the first time. What I prepared for today is my notice of preliminary objection against the appeal.”
    Ozekhome expressed regrets on the manner politicians level accusations against judges
    The case was adjourned till tomorrow for Owolabi to appear in court.

  • Supreme, appeal courts to get judges, says Fed Govt

    •Minister extols Justice Belgore at 80

    The Supreme and Appeal Court are to get their full complement of judges to ensure quick dispensation of justice, Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed said on Saturday.

    He spoke in Abuja at the 80th birthday celebration of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore.

    Mohammed represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event, which was attended by Senate President Bukola Saraki and other dignitaries.

    In an interview with reporters, the minister said the three arms of government would reform the judiciary for optimal performance.

    “I want to say this is the new dawn of collaboration and co-operation with the executive and legislative arms of government.

    “On our own part as government, we will ensure that we give both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal the full complement of judges.

    “We will ensure that the Federal High Court is also adequately given enough judges to ensure that the quality of justice would be better and faster,’’ he said.

    The minister said the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, had initiated some reforms.

    He said the reforms were in line with the position of government to ensure the judiciary truly remains the last hope of the common man.

    Mohammed said the Acting CJN was working with government to put through some legislative and judicial proceedings aimed at faster delivery of justice.

    Speaking on the celebrator, the minister said he had known Belgore for over 30 years and described him as “a man who is very unique and who has a good knowledge of Nigeria’’.

    “One year, I travelled with him from Mecca to Medina and we were in the same car in the journey of about four hours.

    “Within the four hours, I learnt more about the history of Nigeria than I had learnt in any textbook.

    “When you see a man like that who was privileged to have served  Nigeria in many capacities  and who has mentored many people and he is still alive today, we can all tap from his wealth of experience,’’ he said.

    Born on January 17, 1937,  in Kwara State into royalty, Belgore’s early schooling was completed in Nigeria.

    He received his professional training at the Inns Court School of Law, London and the Society of the Inner Temple.

    He was called to the English and Nigeria Bar in 1964 and upon his return home, he was appointed a Magistrate on July 3, same year.

    Belgore was appointed into the Supreme Court bench in 1986 and he rose to the pinnacle of his career on June 12, 2006, with his appointment as CJN.

    He retired as CJN on January 17, 2007 when he attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.

  • ‘Why judges fall into temptation’

    ‘Why judges fall into temptation’

    Chief Gani Adetola-Kaseem (SAN) is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and a pioneer practitioner in Medical and Health Law. He is also a former Membership Officer of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Committee of the International Bar Association. In this interview with ADEBISI ONANUGA and ROBERT EGBE he speaks on corruption on the Bench and related issues.
     

    Do you agree that standards are falling in law practice? How can things be improved?

    The standard of legal practice or any professional practice for that matter is a standard of the society itself. So, I don’t want to make a blanket admission that there is a fall in the standard of the practice of law, because generally in our society, there is a fall in standards. Take any profession or business, ethical values have been lost. To that extent, what we find in legal practice could also be a reflection of this. When you talk of the number of practitioners in relation to the available areas of practice, by and large a lot needs to be done in terms of improving general standards in training, practice and everywhere else. And let me say this, in any skill, training does not start from the university. To correct the fall in the standard of education generally, you have to start from primary school.

    You cannot put something on nothing. If children have a weak foundation at the primary level, you can’t expect much to be done at secondary level and if they manage to plod on till they get to the university, the weak foundation is there and will affect subsequent things. I’m not saying there’s no fall in the standard of legal practice or legal education but that the fall is a reflection of the falling standards in our society. Correcting this requires a holistic effort by everyone. Government has to be up and doing. It has practically abdicated its responsibility

    A lot has been said about the justice administration/dispensation slow process. What, from your experience, do you think is the way out?

    There are a lot of factors. First of all justice administration is a triangular thing, in fact it goes beyond that. If you take criminal cases as an example, it starts from the investigation stage. If a case is poorly investigated, you can’t expect any dramatic result at prosecution level. So, it doesn’t start and stop at the court. Number two is in relation to the number of cases in court. There are very few judges, whether at the Magistrates level, trial court, high court and so on. An average judge on a daily basis has on his list of cases between 30 and 40 cases. How many of those cases will he try? Even if it’s just to take each of those cases and adjourn it – allot five or 10 minutes to each case, mention it for adjournment. Multiply the time by 30 and see how many hours would have gone. By the time that is done, the judge is tired. So, there are fewer judges, courtrooms and facilities in relation to the number of cases that are on to the system. So, we need to improve our facilities in the courtrooms and then increase the number of judges. Someone told me sometime ago that in his court a judge had not less than 200 cases and more kept coming in on a daily basis, meaning more would be assigned to the judges.

    On average, the hardest working judge would hardly be able to try and deliver judgment in more than five cases in a month. It is not an easy thing to try an average case, whether civil or criminal, listen to it, take evidence, try it, conclude it and write judgment. At the end of the year, he completes 60 cases. If he has in a year 200 cases in his docket and before the end of that year another 100 is added, but he’s only able to finish 60, what should we expect? So, we need to have more courtrooms, more judges and more, better equipped facilities to facilitate quick administration of justice.

    Thirdly, people are waking up to this little by little, not all cases need to go for trial. The court rules are providing for this now such that even within the court system we find mediation centres. Some cases are remitted to mediation so they can be sorted out without recourse to trial. Quite a number of cases are settled that way. So, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) must be employed more. This can reduce decongestion in court.

    Some have suggested that specialisation would do the legal profession some good. What do you think about this? Is it workable in Nigeria?

    Specialisation is coming in bit by bit, people are buying into it. For example, labour and industrial relations matters have a specialised court, the National Industrial Court. People do a lot of practice in that area. But, generally speaking, we have a lot of societal issues. Also, the workload in some areas of practice is heavier than in others. For instance in medical health law related matters, one area where I do a lot of practice, how many lawyers are in this area of practice? How many cases are in court? How many people are enlightened to know that you can sue if you have issues concerning, for example, medical negligence? Nevertheless, specialisation is the way to go.

    Estate managers accuse lawyers of taking over their profession. What are your thoughts on this?

    That is property law, a very important aspect of law. Law is a versatile profession.

    Taking a property matter to court is one thing, but what about lawyer collecting rent on behalf of a property owner?

    If a lawyer is hired to manage a property for him why not? Your client is your client and he wants you to manage his property. You’ll take tenants, prepare agreements and so on and so forth. It is allowed. It is law practice. Estate managers have their own areas. There may be areas of convergence but there’s no conflict at all.

    It has been said that having law partnerships will increase the competitive advantage of Nigerian firms in a global market by having mega-firms. Is that the way to go?

    There’s no doubt about that. In other climes, we have partnerships of big firms employing 300, 500 lawyers, big partnerships. But that is a reflection of the level of development of the society. We must also note that unlike in other countries where practice is segmented, over here it is fused with lawyers practising both as barristers and solicitors. In the United Kingdom for instance, you’re either one or the other. So, talking about partnerships, there are a few firms here but they are not many.  It is a reflection of our societal level of development.

     How should the NJC address corruption allegations against judicial officers in the light of prosecution of some judges by law enforcement agencies?

    NJC’s role is not to prosecute crimes. NJC is a regulatory authority for judicial officers and handles a wide range of complaints against judicial officers, not necessarily of corruption but also of misconduct. Misconduct may not necessarily amount to corruption. If a judge is not sitting regularly or is fond of delaying trial, or judgment writing etc., these could amount to misconduct. If there are proven cases of corruption against judges, the NJC is not the right party to try judges. If in the course of its investigation of allegations of misconduct against a judge, it is found that there are elements of financial corruption or criminal conduct, what the NJC should do is to report the matter to the prosecuting authorities. The judge, apart from being disciplined, being removed from the judiciary, will also be recommended for prosecution.

    What would make a judge to want to take bribe in spite of the sacredness of the bench?

    Judicial officers are themselves members of the society. In years past, you hardly saw them mixing up in the society unlike these days when judges attend parties and things like that.  They were almost in seclusion up there so that they wouldn’t expose themselves to temptations of inducement and things like that. That was then. I hope that with time, things will change again. But talking about corruption, there are so many factors that may be responsible. By and large and in fairness to the system, I think the remuneration of judges has substantially increased compared to what it used to be some years ago. But the way out is, judges are also human beings, so if the remuneration of a judge is so poor, or if a judge has no good transport system to move around or has no roof over his head by the time he retires, the temptation is very strong to be corrupt.

    For example, if a doctor treats a patient, he becomes his friend and he continues to remember you like a god. But for every case a judge determines, whether criminal or civil, he makes an enemy because he would definitely pronounce against a party. The party against whom he pronounces would not look at him with favour and any opportunity he has to do anything against the judge, he would do it. If you have a judge, even after retirement, who has no means of transport of his own, even imagine a magistrate at the lower level of the judiciary ladder, if he has no means of transport, if he has to commute on public transport with others, imagine him commuting with a criminal or an accused person who has appeared before him, and is presently being tried now coming together in a public transport.

    Even long after coming into retirement, he would have dealt with some people, convicted a lot of people, ruled against some people, now coming to meet with him in that situation. So, with all these things, there are a lot of things that could tempt a judge.

    What is the way out?

    This is why for the  independence of the judiciary, you need to increase facilities for judges. You must be able to provide a house for him to stay, provide a car and other facilities. All these things must be considered. Again if the remuneration of a judge is poor, at this time of the year for example, people are thinking of how to pay their children’s school fees. If a judge has like N50,000 in his account, and he has two or three children whose school fees must be paid, he needs about N200,000 and he hasn’t got it, would he not be susceptible to temptation? So, they must be fairly remunerated. Remuneration must always reflect these societal issues in the income of a judge. The type of job they do is such that as much as possible, we must attempt to remove them from temptation. Of course, a greedy person would always be a greedy person. Those are exception to note. If somebody wants to be a thief or decides not to be contented, he would never be contended. Pay him N10million a month, he would still do what he wants to do.  Those ones must be very few. But by and large, most of them would still do the right thing. 

    What areas of law reform should the Buhari administration work on?

    We have a lot of laws in our statute books that are not being implemented and executed. For example, we are talking about corruption. Before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) came in, the Criminal Code had provisions prohibiting corruption in the public service and everywhere. Corruption has always been a criminal offence. But how many people were prosecuted and convicted on the grounds of corruption before the EFCC Act came on? So, our problem is not the absence of laws. It is the will power to implement them.  I agree that there are some statutes in our law books that are archaic and I am familiar with so many of them. They are areas that ought to have been updated. You can imagine that we have some laws, even in procedural laws that are still talking in pounds, shillings and pence. Should that be in our statute books?  We dispensed of that currency almost 45 years ago. Those are things that shouldn’t take anybody too much time to do, that is if those who are responsible recognise the need for amendment and to do their job. A lot of our laws are archaic and they ought to be updated to be in line with modern times. By and large, we have laws, our problem is implementation and execution and the will power. Our entire process should not just be centred on making laws. Yes, we must make laws, we must update our laws, we must not rely on archaic systems, laws that have been used in other systems and reform is something that we now have to start carrying about. Laws that we inherited from our colonial masters some 60 years ago, for instance, we still have some of them in our statute books when they have dispensed of those laws many years ago.

    Those are areas in which some people should do their job and update them. There are also those laws in our statute books which have not been implemented either because those who are to do it do not know or do not have the will power to look into their implementation.

     International organisations continue to rate Nigeria high on the corruption index. Is the government losing the war against graft, especially when viewed against criticisms by the opposition that the war is one sided?

    There must be a start in anything. We are talking about a rot that has existed about 40 years or more and you want them to be corrected within two years? It is not possible. Children born about 40 years or 20 years ago or more, what they have come to meet is rot. The society has become rotten over the years. The standard we used to know is not what we have now.

    If you drive into your office now with a Hummer jeep, nobody will ask you any question. They would just congratulate you. That shouldn’t be so. But in those days, you could not even dress above your income let alone driving a car or buying a house or living in a house that you cannot account for. You would be asked questions automatically. You knew the system, you knew what the rules were. So, you could not do it because they would ask the right questions. If you dressed above your income, they would ask you what you had inherited. If you belong to that cadre of officers that ride bicycles, you must apply for a bicycle loan to buy one. If you are qualified for motorcycle advance, you apply for it to buy a motorcycle. If you are entitled for car advance, you apply and take it and drive it legitimately. When you don’t take salary advance either as a public servant or private worker, and you want to join people riding cars, you cannot do it because people would ask the right questions.

    But now, who asks anybody the right questions? People know your legitimate income and you are living above your income with impunity. You expect Buhari to come and correct that within two years. There must be a few issues like that that President Buhari must pay more attention to ensure the success of his administration. Those who are saying he is one sided have no point. I am not a politician. I have been working all my life. I have worked for over 50 years. I worked and studied law. I have worked in the private sector and in the public sector. I retired from the public service voluntarily over 30 years ago to start law practice. I know what I am talking about because I am talking with benefits of experience. So, at the political parties, at the federal level, PDP has been at the helms of affairs from the start of this political dispensation in 1999. They were there for 16 solid years.

    So if anything went wrong at the federal level, who else would be held responsible? Is it not PDP and those in their party? Anybody who was not in their party, can they question him about what he has not done? So, what is wrong in asking people who have benefitted illegally, illegitimately from our common resources what they have done?

    So, it is not an answer. If you are being questioned for illegitimate acquisition of wealth, it is not for you to say you are not the only one that did it, you answer your own first. So, there is a rot in the system and this thing has permeated the entire system. They are systemic failure and we must recognise that. It would take the Almighty God himself to pull us out of the rot. President Buhari is trying his best.

    Not even all those in his party supported him not to talk about those outside the party. Corruption has killed Nigeria. In fact, it has left us prostrate. Nigeria has no business being poor with our abundant resources that God has given us, natural resources and economic resources. But some people have kept us down there, enriching themselves privately. You can count those people on your finger tip. Is that a fair system? At this point in time, as far as I can see, President Buhari doesn’t really have many people to be compared with, that have that level of integrity that is proven to be above board. So, he is one person God has preserved for us for this purpose. The reform has started and we must all support him.

    Young lawyers often complain of bad treatment by senior lawyers and of poor salaries. How did you cope in the early days of your career? Has it always been rosy? What would be your advice to young lawyers?

    It was not rosy all the time. But people must learn to crawl before they can walk. There must be a start in everything. The economic circumstances of the country has beaten very hard on everybody. This thing about senior lawyers, you can only pay from the resources available to you.  You cannot go and borrow money from the bank to pay junior lawyers. The economic situation also determines what a senior lawyer can pay a junior lawyer. It affects their ability to pay young lawyers fair wages. I know that there are some lawyers who don’t pay more than N30,000. In those days, when you have small practices, they would just tell you to come along, use my office, do something, take on your own brief and so on. That used to be the pattern. There was no formal employment arrangement. In my own case, I didn’t have, I didn’t start that way. I worked in the private sector and in the public sector. I was working and reading at the same time and trained to become a lawyer on part time basis. When I finished, I still worked in the public service before I retired. By the time I retired, I left as an under-secretary. I was a very senior public officer by the time I retired. So, I wasn’t just a young graduate. Talking about experience, the first place I worked in my life was a lawyer’s chamber and I know that in those days, they don’t take them on on salary arrangements. They have to make good of their own practice and use facilities of their seniors. Times are changing. You cannot look at that time and say that system must continue. You need to encourage young ones and there is also population explosion among lawyers. Now, we used to have only one law school between 1962 and 1999. During my own time, it was the Lagos Law School and it used to produce about 500 lawyers every year. But now there are five campuses and each of the campuses produces over 1,000 every year. So every year, there are about 5,000 lawyers that are turned out, yet there is an economic recession, yet they must work somewhere. So, it is affecting ability to be fully employed and to be fairly remunerated and so on and so forth. That was why I say we must all work very hard to improve the country and pray very hard for God to bring back the glory of Nigeria.

    Do you remember your first day in court? What was it like?

    Naturally, when a lawyer comes to the court the first time, they don’t move a motion. In my own case, when I was working, I was going to court to watch proceedings. Then I came out with a brief of mine, which by the grace of God, I handled excellently. Up till today, I still have relationship with those clients. 

  • How’ll trial of Saraki, Dasuki, judges, others end

    How’ll trial of Saraki, Dasuki, judges, others end

    The courts are expected to be busy this year. In his New Year’s speech, President Muhammadu Buhari restated his administration’s commitment to fight corruption. Several high-profile cases are in court. Will they be concluded this year? ERIC IKHILAE, ADEBISI ONANUGA, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and ROBERT EGBE highlight some of the cases which are of public interest.

    FOR the courts, 2016 ended on a busy note. There was a deluge of high-profile criminal cases because of the Federal Government’s resolve to prosecute suspected corrupt public officers. Hearing in the cases continues this year. How will they end?

    In his New Year’s speech, President Muhammadu Buhari vowed not to relent in his fight against corruption.

    He said: “Our determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken. This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government.

    “It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise to capsize mid-stream.”

    Some of the impending cases are:

     

    Saraki’s trial at CCT

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will resume proceedings in the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki on January 11. He is facing a 13-count charge of false assets declaration. The case has witnessed  various delays since the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) filed the charge on September 14, 2015.

    Though Saraki took his plea on September 22, 2015, the prosecution has been unable to move beyond calling its first witness. After months of delays, with Saraki challenging almost every step taken by the tribunal, its jurisdiction and the composition, trial eventually commenced last April 5 with the prosecution calling its first witness, Michael Wetkas.

    The prosecution wasted no time as Wetkas concluded his evidence-in-chief on April 18 (within three adjournments). But it took the defence 14 adjournments, spanning over seven months to cross-examine the first prosecution witness.

    The defence team, comprising of senior lawyers like Kanu Agabi (SAN), Joseph Daudu (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Paul Usoro (SAN), Mahmud Magaji (SAN), among others, cross-examined Wetkas between April 18 and November 8, last year.

    When the defence announced its conclusion of what the prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) described as the longest cross-examination in the history of the nation’s criminal jurisprudence, the tribunal also stunned all when it adjourned further proceedings from November 8 to January 11.

     

    Judges in the dock

    Legal fireworks are expected to commence when proceedings open early this year in the cases involving Justice Sylvester Ngwuta (of the Supreme Court), Justice Adeniyi Ademola (of the Federal High Court) and his wife, Olabolwale

    Justice Ngwuta was arraigned before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja on November 21 on a 16-count charge bordering on allegations of corrupt enrichment, violations of money laundering laws, passport fraud and attempt to obstruct justice. The prosecution is expected to open its case on January 18.

    Justice Ademola and his wife, Olabowale were arraigned last December 13 before Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on an 11-count charge of conspiracy and receipt of gratification. The case has been adjourned to January 18 for the commencement of trial.

     

    Dasuki and others

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, is currently facing three charges. In the first case, he is charged with money laundering and illegal possession of firearms. The former NSA was arraigned on the charge before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja on September 1, 2015.

    Proceedings in the case is expected to commence afresh before another judge at the resumption of the Federal High Court this month. This is because Justice Ademola is being tried for alleged corrupt practices.

    In another charge, Dasuki was arraigned with ex-Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, a former Director of Finance at the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, a former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir Bafarawa and their company, Dalhatu Investment Limited for allegedly stealing about N9.2billion from the office of the NSA.

    Both charges are now pending before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The prosecution is expected to open its case when proceedings resumes on January 25.

     

     Oronsaye and others

    The former Head of Service of the Federation (HOS), Stephen Oransanye is being tried in two separate courts on two charges. He is standing trial alone before Justice Olasumbo Goodlcuk of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He was arraigned on March 15, 2016.

    Oronsaye, who was the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force (PCFATF) under President Goodluck Jonathan, is among others charged with criminal breach of trust for allegedly converting about N382.9million belonging to the PCFATF to his personal use while he headed it between 2013 and 2015.

    He is expected to open his defence or make a no-case submission when proceedings resume mid-January.

     

     Metuh

    The former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh is facing trial in two courts. He is being tried with his company, Destra Investments Ltd, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/05/2016

    They were charged with breach of trust, corruption and money laundering, offences contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.

    They were arraigned last January 15. He is expected to continue with his defence when proceedings resume before Justice Abang early this year.

     

    Badeh and his predecessor

    Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Alex Badeh is standing trial with a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited on a 10-count charge marked: marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/46/2016, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja

    They are charged with breach of trust and corruption. Badeh was said to have committed the offences while serving as the Chief of Air Staff in 2013.

    There is also the case involving Badeh’s predecessor, Air Chief Marshal Mohammed Diko Umar (rtd), who is being tried on a seven-count charge of corruption involving about N7.382billion. It alleged that Umar removed the money from the account of the Nigerian Air Force while he was the Chief of Air Staff.

     

     Ex-governors

    Former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako is standing trial with his son, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, two of his ex-aides, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba; and five companies – Blue Opal Nigeria Limited, Serore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Towers Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited.

    They were arraigned on July 8, 2015 on a 37-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/293/2015, before Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 37- count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

    The case has since been reassigned to Justice Okon Abang with the death in mid-2016 of Justice Chukwu. Trial has started before the judge, with the prosecution calling a number of witnesses.

    Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, is being tried on a 27-count charge of money laundering, abuse of public office and receiving N1.35 billion kick-back from a government contractor. The money was allegedly paid into accounts controlled by the governor and his sons

    Trial had progressed before Justice Adeniyi Ademola until the judge’s arrest and consequent prosecution. The case is expected to be assigned to another judge.

    The trial of former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye will resume before Justice Olubukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gudu this month. He is expected to continue with his defence.

    Trial is expected to resume in the case involving former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam and the state’s ex-Finance Commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia after some delays. They were arraigned before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of Federal High Court, Abuja on November 10, 2015 on charges of money laundering and breach of trust.

    Former Governor of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame is expected to open his defence at the resumption of the court in January. He is being tried before Justice Bukola Banjoko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gudu.

    Nyame is charged with “criminal breach of trust,” punishable under Section 315 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and “mmisappropriation of public funds,” punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

    Trial is expected to commence afresh before a new judge when the Federal High Court resumes business in January in the case involving former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim.

    He is to open his defence before Justice Adeniyi Ademola when the judge was arrested and is currently being prosecuted for corruption related offences.

    Ohakim was arraigned on July 8, 2015 on a three-count charge, to which he pleaded not guilty. He is accused of making a cash payment to the tune of $2, 290,000.00 (about N270,000,-000.00) , for the purchase of a property at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No.60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

    The amount is above the threshold approved for an individual going by the provisions of Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.

     

    Kalu

    The EFCC re-arraigned former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu at the Federal High Court in Lagos along with Udeh Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited on 34 counts of diverting N3.2billion Abia funds. They were first re-arraigned on September 27 before Justice Anwuri Chikere of the court’s Abuja division after the case got to the Supreme Court on interlocutory appeal following Kalu’s first arraignment in 2007. Kalu and his co-accused allegedly diverted about N3.2billion from the Abia’s treasury while he was the governor.

    The trial will resume on March 6 before Justice Idris.

     

    Ladoja

    Eight years after he was first arraigned, former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja, was re-arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly converting N4.7billion from the state treasury to his personal use. The EFCC charged him along with Waheed Akanbi before Justice Mohammed Idris on eight counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

     

     Ex-ministers

    Former Minister of Interior, Abba Patrick Moro and others are being tried on an 11-count charge before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Fedeeral High Court, Abuja. They are being prosecuted in respect of the botched March 15, 2014 National Immigration Services (NIS) recruitment exercise, were charged with obtaining money by false pretences, procurement fraud and money laundering.

    They are accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The prosecution is expected to continue its case when the court resumes in January.

    The prosecution is also expected to call more witnesses in the trial of former Defence Minister and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Mohamed Bello was arraigned with his son, Abba and a company, Bam Projects and Properties.

    They were arraigned on January 5, 2016 on a four-count charge of money laundering before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Bello, his son and BAM are, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2015ý, accused of receiving N300m from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Mohammed Dasuki on March 17, 2015 for political campaign under pretext that it was meant for a housing project named “Safe Houses”.

     

    Patience Jonathan

    Wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, has claimed the money in the companies’ accounts is hers. She is praying the court to unfreeze the accounts to enable her have access to her funds. The case comes up before Mohammed Idris on January 18.

    In late November, other accounts belonging to her, with about N9billion, were frozen by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola. The case is also expected to make headlines this year.

    A case that will also attract attention when a date is fixed for hearing is the one filed by the first lady’s supporters against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on her alleged $15million.

    The suit was filed at the Federal High Court by the Union of Niger Delta Youth Organisation for Equity, Justice and Good Governance, which sued for themselves and on behalf of Mrs Jonathan.

    The plaintiffs claimed that the organisation is using online, print and electronic media to publish unfounded and malicious allegations that she allegedly stole $15m (US) and ought to be prosecuted.

     

    SERAP’s suit on budget

    padding

    The suit filed by SERAP asking the court to compel EFCC to investigate and prosecute the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and others over budget padding, will generate public concern when hearing commences in the matter in the new year.

     

    Fani-Kayode/Nenadi Usman

    Trial of former Aviation Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and former Minister of State for Finance  Senator Nenadi Usman will resume on January 16 before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos. They were arraigned by the EFCC on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion. They pleaded not guilty.

     

    Ex-NIMASA chiefs

    Four former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) workers were charged for corruption-related offences. One of them, Temisan Omatseye, was convicted for contract splitting and is on appeal after being granted a post-conviction bail. His appeal will come up for hearing this year.

    The trial of another former NIMASA Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi, who is facing over five separate fraud and theft charges both at the Federal High Court and Lagos State High court, is expected to be concluded this year.

     

    Tompolo

    A former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) was arraigned in absentia in no fewer than two charges along with Akpobolokemi.

    EFCC, on March 22, arraigned Tompolo in absentia over N34billion fraud after he failed to turn up despite being declared wanted. He was said to be “at large”. EFCC, in the 40-count charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said they allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use, adding that the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.  Other charges of stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering involving about N22.7billion are still pending against Tompolo before Justice Buba.

    The case will come up on Junuary 30 before Justice Buba.

     

    Adegboruwa

    The EFCC arraigned activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa at the Federal High Court for allegedly dealing in a seized property. The commission said Adegboruwa and Jonathan Udeagbala, said to be at large, allegedly conspired on August 13, 2013 to lease a property at House 105, NICON Town Estate, Lekki, which EFCC said was a “subject of interim orders of attachment made by Justice Christopher Balogun of the Lagos State High Court” on June 18, 2012. But, On September 22, Justice Ayisat Opesanwo of the Lagos State High Court vacated the interim order of forfeiture.

    The case is adjourned to January 31.

     

    Amosu

    The EFCC arraigned a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd) on June 29 along with a former Chief of Accounts and Budgeting at the Nigeria Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo at the Federal High Court in Lagos. EFCC accused them and some companies of converting N21billion from the Nigeria Air Force on March 5, 2014 in Lagos. They pleaded not guilty. The trial will resume on January 25.

     

    Dudafa

    The trial of a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, will resume before Justice Babs Kuewumi on January 23. He was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged money laundering. He is facing two separate charges. In the case before Justice Kuewumi, he was arraigned with some companies, which pleaded guilty on September 15 to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5billion).

     

    NAMA MD

    Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director/Chief Executive Ibrahim Abdulsalam was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 7 for allegedly stealing N2.8billion. He was arraigned along with Nnamdi Udoh (said to be at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Invesment Ltd and Multeng Travels and Tours Ltd on 21-count charge. They pleaded not guilty.

     

    Titi Abubakar

    Also in the news was the case by EFCC on how Mrs Aminat Titi Abubakar, wife of former Nigeria’s Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was defrauded of N918 million by some business partners including a former governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Nsikakabasi Akpan Jacobs before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja. The EFCC arraigned Jacobs, Abdulmalik Ibrahim and Dana Motors on a 15-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of properties belong to THA Shipping Maritime Services Limited, a firm in which she had vested interest.

     

    Fred Ajudua

    The trial of a Lagos socialite and lawyer, Fred Ajudua who allegedly duped former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Ishaya Bamaiyi right inside Kirikiri Prisons made headlines throughout  the year and will continue to make headlines next year. Ajudua is scheduled to be re-arraigned for allegedly defrauding General Bamaiyi of $1 million. He is to face a fresh 28-count charge before the court presided by Justice Josephine Oyefeso.

     

    Rickey Tarfa

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rickey Tarfa, was arraigned for alleged obstruction of justice. The EFCC said he prevented the arrest of his clients who are suspects in another matter. He was also accused of bribing a judge, an allegation he denied.

     

    Ofili-Ajumogobia/Obla

    The trial of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court will resume on January 9.  The EFCC accused her of collecting N5million gratification from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Godwin Obla.

    She and Obla were arraigned on a 30-count charge at the Lagos High Court for allegedly conspiring to pervert the course of justice last May 21. EFCC said Obla transferred N5million to Nigel & Colive Ltd, a company the judge is a sole signatory to. The judge and Obla pleaded not guilty.

  • Corruption: EFCC moves to arraign 5 more judges

    Corruption: EFCC moves to arraign 5 more judges

    •Seizes CP’s passport over N1.9b contract •Embattled CP warned before, says police source •Cases before troubled judges to be reassigned

    All is set for the trial of at least five more judges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The commission has concluded investigation on the judges.
    There were indications that cases being handled by the judges before their travails might be reassigned.
    The details were being worked out by the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court (NIC).
    Also, it was learnt that the EFCC has seized the passport of a Commissioner of Police, Mr. Victor Onofiok who has been detained in connection with alleged N1.9billion fraud.
    According to investigation, out of the six judges under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), only Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia was arraigned last week.
    The others awaiting conclusion of investigation and trial are Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa; Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa; Musa Haruna Kurya; Agbadu James Fishim; and Uwani Abba Aji.
    A top source at the commission, who spoke in confidence last night, said: “We have concluded investigation on all the judges implicated in some bribery scandals. We are already preferring charges against them.
    “Five of them will soon be arraigned in court. In fact, some of the lawyers who abetted such bribe offers had been interrogated too with evidence extracted from them. Two of the lawyers are presently on trial.”
    Responding to a question, the source added: “Relevant desks are vetting the charges against these judges for filing.”
    The EFCC had filed 27 charges against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rickey Tarfa for allegedly bribing two judges with N2,335,000.
    The affected judges are Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa and Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira.
    It has also listed eight witnesses against the embattled SAN. But another SAN, Dr. Joseph Nwobike is also in trouble for giving N1,050,000 bribe to the same judges.
    All the charges were filed against the two SANs by an Assistant Detective Commander, Mr. G.O. Adebola before the Lagos State High Court. The SANs are presently on trial in Lagos. The latest lawyer on trial is Godwin Obla (SAN) who was arraigned last week with Justice Ajumogobia.
    Findings however confirmed that the cases before the troubled judges will be reassigned to their colleagues in order to protect the interest of litigants.
    It was learnt that the leadership of the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court had been working on the details.
    Another source said: “In line with the directive of the National Judicial Council, the judges have stayed away from sitting but they are still receiving salaries pending the outcome of their trial.
    “The only challenge facing the leadership of the Federal High Court and the NIC is how to manage the cases these judges had been handling. There is no way litigants can wait till the trial of these judges is concluded before getting justice.
    “We may reassign their cases to other judges. But some of these cases might start afresh especially those at the judgment stage.”
    Meanwhile, the EFCC has seized the passport of the detained Commissioner of Police, Onofiok.
    The suspect, who is the CP for Works Department at the Force Headquarters, was detained in connection with an ongoing investigation for alleged N1.9billion fraud.
    A source in EFCC said: “The travelling passport of the CP has been seized. Detectives are also screening some accounts belonging to him and some of the slush companies linked to the CP.
    “The companies include: Dutse Allah Construction Ventures; Nne-Edak Technical Ventures; Puristic Adherent Company; Quality Watch Construction Company and Faksene International.”
    A police source said: “Some senior and junior police officers were not surprised about the arrest of the CP Works because he had been warned before against some of his conduct in office.
    “We hope the EFCC will do a thorough job like the case with the ex-IGP Tafa Balogun.”

  • Sagay Committee blames judges for delaying corruption cases 

    Sagay Committee blames judges for delaying corruption cases 

    The Presidential Advisory Commission Against Corruption (PACAC), headed by Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), Tuesday blamed judges for the delay of high profile corruption cases in court.

    Its Executive Secretary Prof Bolaji Owasanoye said if judges strictly complied with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, high profile cases would be more quickly determined.

    He spoke in Lagos during PACAC’s interactive session with the media and civil society organisations (CSOs).

    According to him, rather than being firm, some judges indulge lawyers who are out to delay cases for their clients by abusing the court process.

    Owasanoye said: “If you do a thorough analysis of the all the high profile cases that are hanging in court, they are not hanging because investigation was poor. It is because the suspects are manipulating the court system.

    “If you accuse me of corruption and I have a good defence, why should I want the case to go on for 10 years? I should be the one insisting on no adjournment. I would want my case quickly concluded so I can clear my name, but that’s not what you get.

    “So while there’s need for thorough investigation, we should understand that the reason corruption fight is slow is because of the high tolerance of the courts of the shenanigans of lawyers.

    “Once the judges stamp their foot and say: ‘I’ll not entertain an adjournment, this case must proceed,’ you will see a changes. We’ve seen those situations in this country before. We need to get the narrative right.”

    Owasanoye said corruption was thriving because Nigerians had become tolerant of it, adding the government cannot fight corruption without the public’s support.

    “For as long as we tolerate corruption, it’ll continue to thrive. We need to show our revulsion for corruption,” he said.

    Owasanoye said banks were part of the problem as they now help some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to hide funds which ought to be in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    “They do this in the name of private banking. It is a violation of the law and attack on the government,” he said.

    Prof Sagay said those who complain of rights violation when they are arrested over corruption allegations ignore the fact that the rights of millions of Nigerians have been violated through graft.

    “There are social, economic and cultural rights. Each time billions of naira is looted, people’s rights to education, health, and social services are violated,” he said.

    Sagay urged Nigerians to join the fight against corruption as the consequences affect everyone.

    The eminent professor of law urged CSOs to do more to help rid the country of corruption.

    “CSOS of today have gone to sleep. For this fight to be effective, we need their support,” he said.

    He also urge labour leaders to join the battle and avoid being compromised.

  • Still on DSS, judges and the anti-graft war

    SIR: It is now fashionable for all manners of people to denounce the Federal Government’s ongoing war on corruption. Lawyers, laymen and even street hawkers seem to have something to say on the way the war against corruption and how its beneficiaries are being prosecuted.

    But none of the frontiers of the battle has generated as much frenzy as the arrest of judges by the DSS. The ‘leader’ of the campaign against the DSS action is no other than Rivers State Governor, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

    Lawyers have been killed in the most bestial and gruesome manners – some like Ken Atsuwaete, when handling sensitive cases, including election petitions – yet lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) maintained a disturbing silence. But the arrest of judges for alleged corruption, which we all must abhor, has brought out all manners of condemnations. How do you posit this hypocrisy of the NBA and other interest groups!

    No doubt, Nigeria cannot continue to live like this! We must accept that change is the only constant in life and we must swallow this bitter pill.

    In each era in all societies, some persons are thrown up as agents of change. President Buhari and All Progressive Congress in Nigeria personify this today. From the sickening, baleful and topsy-turvy state of the nation before President Buhari came on board, only heaven knows what would have been the fate of our dear country today.  God graciously brought Buhari to rescue us from the debris of corruption, lawlessness, hopelessness, insecurity, poverty and the brotherhood of vultures riddling and hovering over our country and collective patrimony.

    It is indeed an irony that agents of these saboteurs and their cronies who brought us to this awful and shameful state now indulge in exasperating polemics, tirade and pedestrian claims of political intolerance, persecution, witch-hunting and all sorts of balderdash.

    Those who stole a nation’s commonwealth with impunity, impoverished and oppressed the people, subjected them to unending sorrow and even sent many to untimely graves through wicked actions and inactions, think they will go in peace? Nay, they and their collaborators, be they judges, lawyers or whatever, must face the music for their actions.

    Rather than go on sober reflection and restitution, the evil vultures are regrouping in numbers using all manners of barmy and untoward tricks to bamboozle the people; selling them dummies to portray the government in bad light in other to thwart the good effort of Buhari and his god-sent team.

    With the mind-boggling level of revelations in corruption cases, from the amount stolen to the high calibre of persons involved, there is no better time than now to deal decisively with this cancerous corruption and its agents, before it kills our country. This evil must be tamed.

    Those entrusted with the position of trust that betray the trust must be told that it is time for account rendering.  All the whining and unsubstantiated claims of witch-hunting are peripheral as far as the good people of this country are concerned.

    For those running from court to court in search of reprieve, you must know that no amount spent to procure court injunctions, smear campaign lies, denial or shenanigans against Buhari’s person and this government can save you. It is better to stop chasing shadows and running from pillar to post and accept the reality of judgement day that is upon you – you cannot fight change.

    More than ever before, government should be encouraged to continue to wield the sledgehammer on the camaraderie of vultures feasting on our collective patrimony.

     

    • Lanre Atere,

    United Kingdom.