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Tag: Melaye

  • Senate election: Melaye loses at Appeal Court

    Senate election: Melaye loses at Appeal Court

    Senator Dino Melaye, representing the Kogi West Senatorial District, lost at the Court of Appeal yesterday as the court upheld the appeal filed by Senator Smart Adeyemi against the decision of the Kogi State Legislative Election Tribunal.

    The tribunal led by Justice Akpan Ikpeme had on June 18 this year, dismissed Adeyemi’s petition on technical ground, holding that the petition was incompetent and abandoned on the ground that the petitioner was out of time in its response to the reply by one of the respondents.

    In a unanimous judgment yesterday, Justice Justice Mohammed Adume, who read the decision of the three-man bench, disagreed with tribunal that the petition was not filed within the 21 days frame allowed by law.

     The court  rejected the tribunal’s view  that the response of the petitioner to the reply of the defendant (Melaye) was filed seven days after being served with the reply as against the five days allowed by law.

    The appellate court rejected arguments by Melaye and  held that there was no affidavit evidence from the bailiff of the tribunal that the reply of Melaye to the petition was served on the petitioner on May 13 as held against the petitioner by the tribunal.

    “From the available record, the petitioner was reportedly served with the response of the defendant within 26 minutes the response was filed at the registry of the tribunal, but, for all intents and purposes, it is practically impossible for the petitioner to have been served with the response within 26 minutes, more so when the contact address of the petitioner is outside the tribunal premises in Lokoja.

    “It is against natural sequence of human events for a court process to have been served on recipient in just 26 minutes when the recipient is not within the court premises,” Justice Adume said.

    The court observed that deposition by one Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed on the services of the tribunal process on the petitioner was inconsistent and not logical and should not have been believed by the tribunal.

    “Findings of the tribunal that the service was effected within 26 minutes was not supported with affidavit by the tribunal’s bailiff. The tribunal was wrong in its hasty conclusion and in striking out the petition on technicality.

    “A tribunal has the duty to verify and evaluate evidence before it in order to arrive at a just conclusion. The tribunal was wrong in stopping the train while on its way to justice”, Justice Adume said.

     The court consequently ordered the tribunal to re-hear the petition promptly in line with the provision of the Constitution which stipulates 180 days from the date of filing.

  • Why I accompanied Toyin Saraki to EFCC —Melaye

    Why I accompanied Toyin Saraki to EFCC —Melaye

    Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) yesterday defended his decision to accompany the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, to honour  the invitation from  the anti-graft agency,the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying his action was motivated by the desire to establish the truth.

     Melaye, who had come under  a   barrage of criticisms from  Nigerians for  his action said  the EFCC invitation of Mrs Saraki  was “not a criminal indictment.”

    ”I will not abandon my friend because of a mere EFCC invitation. I also went there as a private investigator and an anti-corruption crusader to find out the extent of culpability of my sister and friend since she was not told the contents of the petition against her before her appearance before the EFCC,” he said in a statement entitled: “Stand up for what you believe in regardless of the popularity or acceptance of your belief”, in Abuja.

    He said: ”I was arrested 14 times in one year by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan because my desire for a country where my grandchildren  will dwell without problems.

    “ I cannot throw away my sacrifice of being beaten and my clothes torn on the floor of the House of Representatives because of fighting against corruption. I have come too far to compromise my stand on corruption and corrupt persons.

     “I make bold here to challenge anybody who will controvert the truth that I have never done any government contract. It is not criminal to do so, but he who must come to equity must come with clean hands. I have made sacrifices to the extent of escaping assignations. Will my fellow citizens forget all these too quickly on the altar of loyalty to friends, family and loved ones?

    “My loyalty to friends is not only when the going is good. I will be there even when the roads are rough.

     ”My definition for friendship is he or she who walks in when others are walking  out. If my father is invited by the EFCC, I will go there; if a prima face case is established against him, I will shout for his prosecution. So, my great people, I have no regret following my friend and sister to the EFCC. If you are my friend, you are my friend. I cannot control what my friends will do, but they remain my friends. I am not fighting corruption out of passion only, but because it is a Godly thing to do.”

  • Still on Melaye’s rant against judiciary

    After reading Phrank Shaibu’s article titled ‘Melaye’s slander against Judiciary’ recently published this newspaper, I realized that even though the article drew attention to some remarkable and thought provoking issues that underscores the need for the judiciary to critically examine the remarks made against it by  Senator  Dino Melaye, there was need to expand the discourse on whether or not the accusations of bribery levelled against the Appeal Court judges are of fair criticism and its likely consequences to our democracy.

    For any country that claims to observe the process of open justice, there is bound to be commentaries about court judgements. Indeed, this is why constructive, fair and unbiased criticisms are viewed as good for the purpose of advancing worthy debate on judicial matters like the matter under reference. Therefore, it is wise to  recommend that the judiciary accepts to conduct any scrutiny that may emerge from public opinions on this important issue, otherwise it will be regarded as discouraging objective discussions on its affairs.

    However, on an issue that is probably incompatible with the right to free speech as guaranteed by Human Rights, I wish not to assume the false impression of neutrality especially on a matter that purports without semblance of facts that some persons have been assigned to bribe judges. Indeed, such a wild allegation is not only outrageous but scandalous to the judiciary if it does not rest on factual basis.

    Specifically, the insinuation by Melaye that some persons are in the process of bribing the judges sitting on his case at the Court of Appeal  is scandalous. More so, the intemperate language employed by Senator Melaye against esteemed Justices  is unacceptable from a high ranking and knowledgeable personality like him in such an important matter.  One would have thought that any focused Senator and member of the highest law making organ of the legislative arm, ought to have understood the reasonability of exercising proper diligence if he desires to be critical of judges in a case that affects him. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the situation herein with Senator Melaye’s reckless remarks on an issue he is yet to present any fact to validate his accusations.

    What Melaye has imputed is that the chance of a fair trial on his case is minimal if the appeal court judges on the case are available to be bribed. Indeed, Senator Melaye has not only scandalized the court but implied that the judiciary can easily yield to political and economic pressures.  Regrettably, such cruel and unsubstantiated claims, if not properly addressed have the capacity to erase public confidence in the judiciary. His intimations that he is being hunted by Asiwaju Tinubu, his party’s National Leader because of the role he supposedly played in the emergence of a new Senate President in a controversial election is very irrelevant and does not in any way warrant the dragging of esteemed judges into the murky waters of politics. In fact, there is no defence for Senator Melaye to have put the reputation of judges into doubt and there is no objective basis for the allegations by him to be termed fair criticism without an iota of proof.

    Ordinarily, one would have expected that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would have grown in knowledge to appreciate that it is very unhealthy to make such accusations while his case is sub judice.  As such, the comments by the senator on purported corruption cannot be dismissed as trivial as it does appear as a well calculated attempt to dent the image of the judiciary.

    In county like this, where ‘Justice is not a cloistered virtue’ and judges deserve protection, the remarks by Melaye against the judges hearing his case cannot be left unchecked. Simply put, the protection of the rule of law is of public interest and protecting judges from irrational abuse is for the protection of their reputation.  As such, Melaye’s attempt to misrepresent and redefine the standards for the judiciary by advancing conjectures as truth to scandalize is repulsive and at best a blatant disrespect for the institution.

    The real essence of addressing these is to avoid erosion of public confidence in the administration of justice. In the absence of any verifiable claim, it is possible that Melaye intended to use his status as a license to denigrate the judiciary, intimidate judges and mislead the public. The real purpose of such is usually found in clumsy attempts by persons with shaky faith on the outcome of their cases. The truth is that politicians, use all the subterfuges in the statute books to frustrate the judicial process. Indeed, anything which creates a substantial risk that the course of justice in proceedings will be seriously prejudiced or impeded is best treated as a contempt of court.  This is where Senator Dino Melaye must be asked to show why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him before the commencement of the hearing of his case at the Appeal Court.

    From the above stated, it is doubtless, that Senator Melaye has done great disservice to our democracy because his remarks are definitely not made in good faith. His attempt to hide behind the appearance of the Senate leadership saga to accuse the judiciary of corruption is sad. Fortunately, this vital issue as raised by Phrank Shaibu’s Op-Ed under reference has provoked the debate as to whether a criminal offence is applicable or not to the senator. The powerful public interest in this issue demands that the judiciary speak out because if this issue is not handled properly, other politicians or persons will act in the same manner.

    The role of the judiciary to protect itself from those falsely accusing it cannot be over emphasized especially when it comes from a member of the legislature. The disparaging remarks against the judiciary should be questioned and not allowed to stand as facts because his remarks hardly reflect any truth. Indeed, the naked  truth is that Melaye in as much as he may have wished to embarrass Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Smart Adeyemi, the man in contest against his electoral victory in court, he should not be allowed to find comfort in using an opportunsitic platform to advance his falsehood which he thought would have attracted the sympathy of the public and by so doing, intimidate the judges sitting on his case.

    The silence of the judiciary in the circumstance, is stifling public debate. I had hoped that the judiciary would have taken the issue up and responded swiftly but to my great shock, no comment has been officially issued. Conversely, Melaye’s silence since his remarks were made public is like a man that would say ‘ I have stated precisely what I wished to convey, no regrets’ . Sadly, his lack of remorse and no form of apology certainly increases the risk of diminishing public confidence in the judiciary.

    There is no better time for the judiciary to ascertain the facts or the falsehood behind  Melaye’s allegations than now that hearing has not commenced in the case involving the senator at  the Appeal Court. Otherwise, if these are not addressed, objectivity in the case before the Appeal Court judges in the Smart Adeyemi vs Senator Melaye case would be  impossible.

    It is high time the judiciary addressed this embarrassment by Melaye; the ends of justice would not be met if Melaye is not cautioned or penalised.

    Abdullahi Esq writes from Kogi State

     

  • Melaye’s campaign of blackmail

    SIR: The senator representing Kogi West at the National Assembly Dino Melaye recently embarked on a campaign of blackmail against the APC leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Senator Smart Adeyemi and former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke on his on-going case at Appeal Court.

    The exercise is nothing more than an attempt to court a public sympathy. When the Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Lokoja, challenging his election into the Senate struck out the case, it was on technical grounds. Obviously, he knew that his case was standing on a shaky ground.

    The allegation by Melaye that Asiwaju Tinubu was supporting Senator Adeyemi to get a favorable judgment at the Appeal Court merely reveals the character of Melaye.  Senator Adeyemi has said severally that he does not even have the phone number of Asiwaju Tinubu and moreover the latter is not known to a member of the panel of judges.

    All of these may well be part of Melaye’s desperation to be in good books of Senate President Bukola Saraki perhaps with a view to secure a juicy committee post at the senate.

    We implore Melaye to face his case at Appeal Court and stop blackmailing his opponent and other notable Nigerians to achieve his personal other selfish interests. We know the Appeal Court would study all the facts on the ground as the case demands and do justice to whoever won the election and the rightful candidate made to claim his mandate as given by the good people of Kogi West Senatorial District.

     

    •   Bala Nayashi,

       Lokoja, Kogi State

  • Melaye’s slander against judiciary

    When a weighty scandalous press release is made by a party to a case before the appellate court on allegations against the judges of such an important branch of the judiciary, it would be very unwise and most unfair to leave such well publicized accusations uninvestigated or suppressed. Indeed, it really does not matter whether the allegations are true or false because such remarks coming from a party to the case if left uninvestigated have the potency to attract disaffection of the general public on the likely ruling by the accused judges. As such, it is of extreme importance to alert the reading public that deconstructing and addressing the recent allegations made by Senator Dino Melaye against the judiciary is not only vital for ensuring the promotion of an equitable society but important to assuring that our collective quest for a vibrant democratic society is on course.

    In a press release, Senator Dino Melaye, representating Kogi West Senatorial District at the Senate accused some persons of providing support to one Senator Smart Adeyemi who is currently contesting his electoral triumph at the Court of Appeal. Specifically, Senator Melaye in the press release is quoted to have told journalists in Abuja that ‘the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  had contacted the immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to take over the legal battle on behalf of Adeyemi’.  Furthermore, in the same press briefing, Senator Melaye was reported to have disclosed that “on the request of Tinubu, Adeyemi had forwarded details of the suit to Adoke, asking him to look for a judge in the Court of Appeal that would offer assistance’.

    Even though, Asiwaju Tinubu has publicly denied the allegations as “kitchen of malicious lies”, this does not bury the naked allegation of corruption by Melaye against the judiciary.

    Hitherto, my position had been that any person that makes derogatory statements against the judiciary without evidence and thoughts of the backlash consequences may be deficient in ability to apply his mind seriously to vital issues.  However, this particular incident is very different because the very fact that the referenced remarks are quoted to have emanated from Melaye, a member of the upper legislative House of Nigeria provides no excuse for ignorance or that the Senator is unaware of the implications of using malicious and slanderous remarks to rubbish the image of the judiciary.

    As much as the views herein do not in any way advance the belief that the judiciary should be immune from objective and rational criticisms, it is however important to recognise that when criticisms against the judiciary are not backed with any credible evidence, it does amount to unfair and unreasonable condemnation.  Also, when criticisms are based on apparent twist of facts made in a manner which is intended to lower the esteem of the judiciary and destroy public confidence, it cannot be said to be objective.

    Succinctly put, Senator Melaye’s efforts to discredit the judiciary is a significant embarrassment to the nation and it demands that the judiciary should defend itself as soon as possible in order to sustain its reputation for proper administration of justice and the majesty of law.

    On the other hand, ordinarily, now that Senator Melaye has accused the presiding judges on his case at the Appellate court of partiality, the likely recommendation would have been to change the judges but accuser’s inability to neither make any categorical statement on which of the judges that is directly involved in this purported corrupt act nor provide evidence to that effect raises great doubt on the credibility of his claims.  Indeed, without evidence, any rambling or generalization on such a sensitive issue relating to litigation can be regarded as motives to lie. Specifically, from Melaye’s inappropriate action of rushing to the press without any proof to substantiate his allegations, he comes across as a man that is desperate and thinks he can engage blackmail and aggression to make judges bend on his case. Such a dubious and tragic endeavour by Melaye to discredit or intimidate the Appeal court judges is worrisome, his employment of falsehood to embarrass the judiciary as a driving force to twist the minds of the public is unacceptable and effort to make his case invoke disrepute for the Nigerian judiciary is considered utterly malicious. All these combined, certainly amounts to perverting and obstructing justice.

    For avoidance of doubt, any unwarranted embarrassment of the Appellate court of Nigeria is a significant national disgrace. As such, the issues raised by Senator Melaye must be taken seriously and condemned where necessary. Luckily, there is no gapping crack in Nigeria’s judiciary that permits individuals to raise irrelevant accusations against a noble body like the Judges of the appeal court. Indeed, any shot to nastily tarnish the image of the Judiciary at such a time that Nigeria craves for change must not be permitted and it will be unthinkable to imagine that the judiciary would watch and allow such falsehoods spread without a fair reply or challenge, as it presently seems.

    For now, to any objective mind that has closely followed this matter, it would not be difficult to understand that even with the deafening and unholy silence of the Judiciary on this issue, the saving grace for the esteemed Nigerian judges may rest on two strong pillars; lack of credible evidence and the staggering integrity of Senator Melaye, the man accusing the judiciary of corruption. First, that Melaye’s remarks are not accompanied with any shred of evidence, suggests that the reasonable and safe assumption herein would be to regard his comments as dishonorable and reckless, perhaps, his intention is not far from bringing the Appeal court judges on his case into disrepute even before the commencement of the trial. Such a deliberate attempt to interfere with the due course of justice or proper administration of law through disrespect of the judges and falsehood, if not for some watchful eyes, would have shaken the confidence of the general public which the judiciary ought to serve as its last hope for justice. Indeed, this is roundly condemnable and an obvious contempt of court.

    Consequently, such defamatory statements and scurrilous attacks without substantiation require no further affirmative proof that Melaye’s remarks are calculated to  obstruct the proper administration of law.  As such, in the face of these realities, Melaye’s comments are best considered as deliberate ill-motivated intent and firmly calculated attempt to lower the good image of the judiciary. This is where the judiciary should demand from Melaye ample evidence to prove his allegations because these contemptuous remarks pose a substantial risk that the course of justice can easily be perverted in Nigeria through corruption.  Fortunately, issues relating to law of contempt are well settled in the Nigerian constitution.

    The second momentary comfort for the judiciary on comments made against it may emerge from the assessment of the character of the man behind the accusation. Without fear of digression, the character of Melaye, the person making these controversial allegations is highly questionable. Indeed, a brief google search of published stories on Melaye’s personality clearly shows that majority of views about him affirm that he has a long history of telling lies, amplifying irrelevant issues,  fighting, battery of opposite sex and making up stories. It is difficult to believe that such a man of known confrontational style and controversial behaviour will uphold truth when it may not serve his purpose and may even fight in a law court to sustain his falsehood as he did at the National Assembly in public glare. Also, Senator Melaye’s attitude problem is compounded by the fact that his repeated allegations against many people even as a self-appointed anti-corruption crusader have been mostly at odds with the truth as he is variously recorded to have an apparent desire to engage in false claims that are usually discredited when properly investigated by the authorities.

    The Nigerian judiciary has suffered so much in the hands of  skewed critics and Melaye’s grave mischief and  dubious intent  to use disparaging comments, dishonesty,  deceit and misrepresentation  to portray Nigerian judges as corrupt is an opportunity for the Nigerian judiciary to set an example that nobody no matter how highly placed can scandalize it unjustly.

    ‘The Nigerian judiciary has suffered so much in the hands of  skewed critics and Melaye’s grave mischief and  dubious intent  to use disparaging comments, dishonesty,  deceit and misrepresentation  to portray Nigerian judges as corrupt is an opportunity for the Nigerian judiciary to set an example that nobody no matter how highly placed can scandalize it unjustly’

    • Shaibu a public affiars analyst writes from Abuja

     

     

  • Oil barons didn’t bankroll Saraki’s emergence, says Melaye

    Oil barons didn’t bankroll Saraki’s emergence, says Melaye

    Senators of Like Minds, a group of senators who spearheaded the emergence of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as Senate President, yesterday said the country’s oil barons had no hand in the emergence of Saraki.

    The senators also said that Saraki’s antecedent was enough testimony to show that he would support the anti-corruption mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the group, Senator Dino Melaye, in Abuja.

    Melaye said it was obvious that Saraki is determined and focused to achieve the Senate’s legislative agenda as well as committed to support Buhari to deliver on his promises to Nigerians.

    The Kogi West senator added that his statement was informed by a report that “the election of Saraki as the Senate President of the 8th Senate was facilitated by Nigerians associated with dubious claims in the infamous oil subsidy.”

    He also said that it was not correct to say that the emergence of Saraki was aimed at sabotaging the anti-corruption posture of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    He noted that it was equally wrong to link what happened on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly on June 9 to some unnamed ex-ministers of the immediate past administration.

    The statement reads in part: “We make bold to state that in the 7th Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki was Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee, which exposed the fraud and mismanagement in the oil sector.

    “Until Saraki’s motion on the floor of the Senate, no one was in the picture of the rot in the sector.

    “Therefore, surely, Senator Saraki will be the last person the oil baron will want to see as Senate President.

    “In that position, Saraki did not only lead his colleagues in exposing the rot in the scheme, but made very strong recommendations on how the system could be reformed and made corrupt- free.”

  • Dino Melaye declares senatorial ambition

    Dino Melaye declares senatorial ambition

    Former House of Representatives’ member Dino Melaye declared yesterday his ambition to vie for the Kogi West Senatorial District seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Making the declaration at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State, Melaye said the APC would sweep the polls at all levels.

    He accused Senator Smart Adeyemi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represents the district, of ineptitude, pledging to provide better representation for the people.

    According to Melaye, the people of Kogi West have been denied quality representation in the last eight years under the PDP.

    He said: “We have suffered for so long. Adeyemi has not attracted a single federal structure to the district. A senator from Ebonyi State has attracted the construction of a dam worth over N1.3 billion to his place, not just money from his pocket, but real federal presence.

    “I am saying that we are tired of the PDP and that the person representing us at the Senate lacks basic legislative capacity. In the history of democracy in this state, Dino Melaye has the highest number of motions.

    “I am not going to be a senator who will just go in and fill the gap. I have also said that silence in the face of injustice, which has been our lot in Nigeria, is a crime.”

    Responding to a question about the zoning arrangement in the senatorial district, he said it was not applicable to the APC.

    Melaye said: “APC is a new party and it will be sacrilegious to use the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) clock to tell the APC’s time. As I am talking to you, the PDP is going to choose its presidential loser from the South, while the APC will choose its presidential victor from the North. So are we using the PDP’s clock? APC is a new party and it is after this election that our rotation will start.”

    He urged the electorate to support the APC, saying the party holds the key to genuine change.

  • Melaye lambasts Fani-Kayode for comments on Boko Haram sponsors

    Melaye lambasts Fani-Kayode for comments on Boko Haram sponsors

    •Falana urges Fed Govt to prosecute Boko Haram sponsors

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, has accused a former Aviation Minister, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, of making hasty comments on alleged Boko Haram sponsors.

    The activist said Fani-Kayode’s accusation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with alleged connection with the sect was hasty, indecent and unconscionable.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Melaye said: “Mr. Fani-Kayode’s stout defence of an alleged Boko Haram sponsor, as identified by the Goodluck Jonathan administration-appointed negotiator, Stephen Davis, and his attempt to continue pointing fingers at my party, the APC, is hasty, indecent and unconscionable.

    “The last time I checked, Mr. Fani-Kayode was not a duly-constituted independent commission of enquiry to investigate the allegations by the negotiator. One, therefore, wonders how he could so quickly exonerate any of those who were fingered by Dr. Davis purely on the basis of sheer sentiments as well as unbridled hatred for the APC.

    “What Mr. Fani-Kayode’s desperate moves have shown is that the earth-shaking revelation by President Jonathan’s negotiator has unnerved his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the administration. It has shown the veracity of the saying that when you point one finger at someone, four others are pointing at you.

    “The sponsors of Boko Haram are right within the PDP, as alleged by Dr.

    Davis, who named former Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and ‘a former Chief of Army Staff, who retired in January, rightly sacked by the President’. This has corroborated what the President had said that Boko Haram is right within his administration.

    “What one would expect from a government that is keen on finding the true sponsors of Boko Haram and ending the insurgency – instead of playing politics with it – is to support an independent enquiry into the allegation, instead of rushing to shoot it down and casting aspersion on the man who made the revelation on an international television station.

    “In the rush to discredit Dr. Davis, the Jonathan administration and its attack dogs have forgotten that the President himself appointed the Australian to negotiate the release of the Chibok schoolgirls, who were abducted by Boko Haram. They have forgotten that if at all the negotiator has any sympathy, it would be for President Jonathan, who appointed him.

    “I am glad that the truth about Boko Haram’s sponsors has finally come out. I advise the Jonathan administration to look inwards, instead of unleashing attack dogs on Dr. Davis and sending spin doctors, some of who will do anything to evade justice over the allegation they face on their own, to the media to try to change the narratives.

    “Those who planted Modu Sheriff in the APC, so that they could label the party a Boko Haram sponsor, knew what they were doing. They knew his antecedents. And when the APC decided to frustrate Modu Sheriff and his likes out of the party, they should simply have embraced him and accepted that they had finally been hoisted by their own petard.

    “Enough of the distracting finger-pointing by the likes of the loquacious and truth-twisting Mr. Fani-Kayode. The cat has been let out of the bag!”

    Also, Lagos lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to prosecute those sponsoring Boko Haram insurgents.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Falana advised the government to refer those linked with the insurgency to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution.

    The frontline lawyer said the allegations against them were too weighty to be ignored.

    He said: “In view of the gravity of the allegations of crimes against humanity committed by the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect, President Goodluck Jonathan should refer the suspects to the Special Prosecutor of the international Criminal Court.

    “Any local investigation conducted by the Federal Government, in the circumstance, may be manipulated by vested political interests.”

    Falana recalled that the international negotiator, Rev. Stephen Davies, who President Jonathan engaged for dialogue with the Boko Haram sect for the release of the abducted 275 Chibok schoolgirls, revealed the identities of the sponsors of the terrorist organisation.

    He said: “In a well publicised televised interview in London last week, the international negotiator said a former Borno State governor, a former Chief of Army Staff and a former top official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) provided funds and other logistics to the nihilist body for the terrorist attacks which have claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people in the country.”

    Falana noted that the disclosure was backed with some detailed accounts, which confirmed some information with Nigeria’s security forces.

    The lawyer also recalled that the Ambassador Usman Galtimari Committee on Insurgency in the Northeast, which was set up in 2011 by President Jonathan, recommended the prosecution of “some politicians, who sponsored, funded and used the militia groups that later metamorphosed into Boko Haram”.

    He said: “In a White Paper issued on the report of the committee, the Federal Government accepted the recommendation and directed ‘the National Security Adviser (NSA) to coordinate the investigation of the kingpins and sponsors to unravel the individuals and groups that are involved’.

    “Although the White Paper was published in May 2012, the directive of the Federal Government has not been carried out up till now because the individuals involved are said to be connected to the Presidency…”

  • Police can’t stop Chibok protests – Court

    Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gudu, Abuja, on Wednesday held that the Nigeria Police Force lacks the powers to stop rallies for abducted students of Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Borno State.

    Justice Abubakar Talba, in a judgment declared that the Public Order Act, Cap 382 Laws of Nigeria 1990, which the police purportedly relied on, “does not authorize policemen to disrupt rallies or procession on the abduction.”

    The judgment was on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by rights activist and former House of Representatives member, Dino Melaye, challenging the disruption of the May 9 rally in Abuja.

    The judge declared unconstitutional the assault on Melaye by policemen on May 9.

    The suit marked: CV/1521/14 and in which the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, FCT Command were listed was not defended by the respondents.

    The judge held that since the respondents failed to file any counter process to the one filed by Melaye, it was an admission of the allegations made against them by the applicant.

    He consequently ordered the IGP and CP, FCT to “tender a written apology to the applicant as provided for under Section 35(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    The judge also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further “harassing, molesting, intimidating, abducting, arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant in respect of peaceful rallies or procession in Abuja or any part of Nigeria.”

     

  • Outrage over police stoppage of Melaye’s FoI colloquium

    Outrage over police stoppage of Melaye’s FoI colloquium

    Torrents of condemnations have continued to trail Tuesday’s stoppage of a colloquium on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011, organised by the Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network, Dino Melaye, in Abuja.

    The police barricaded the Nicon Luxury Hotel venue of the event on Tuesday, thereby preventing speakers – both national and international – and participants from entering.

    The colloquium, with the theme: Demystifying the Complexities – Empowering the People, was expected to discuss the essence of liberty in information dissemination to a democracy.

    Scores of Nigerians described the disruption of the colloquium as the height of impunity and executive recklessness.

    Others wondered where the ship of the Nigerian state was headed with the brazen rape on democratic freedom of association, speech and peaceful assembly by the police, which allegedly acted on the orders of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar.

    Former Governor of the old Kaduna State and Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being responsible for the action.

    Besides Musa, other dignitaries barred from attending the event included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.