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Tag: Minister of Justice

  • Akwa Ibom APC seeks tribunal’s relocation to Abuja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has asked the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to relocate all election tribunals from the state to Abuja.

    In a letter by the State Chairman, Ini Okopido, APC said the move became necessary in view of plots by the Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mike Igini, the state government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to perpetrate electoral fraud.

    Okopido said the trio were planning to destroy electoral materials needed to substantiate APC’s petition.

    The statement reads: “We observe with deep regrets that since Mr. Mike Igini superintended over the worst general elections ever conducted in Akwa Ibom State, the REC is now unveiling a grand scheme to thwart and create a chaotic environment to pave way for the pervasion of justice.

    “We have been reliably informed that the REC is now intimidating electoral officers, particularly, Collation Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs), by using hired assassins and PDP killer squad to forcefully coerce them to concoct and fabricate reports of violence, ballot paper snatching, to justify Igini’s clandestine activities days after the purported declaration of results.

    “This latest action has vindicated our stand that Igini is a biased umpire, heavily compromised by the Akwa Ibom State government to truncate the smooth conduct of credible elections.

    “We, therefore, reiterate that INEC under Igini cannot guarantee credibility and fair play as demonstrated with this plot hatched to frustrate the electoral process.”

    The party said relocating the election tribunal to Abuja would forestall a breakdown of law and order, and reiterated its call for Igini’s redeployment “to allow a level-playing ground” for all parties.

    But Igini debunked the allegations, saying: “On the allegation that the commission is destroying ballot papers needed to substantiate election petition at the tribunal, I challenge anyone to come forth with proof to show where and when such thing happened.”

    Igini said it was ridiculous for anyone to link him with electoral fraud, adding that he was just and unbiased in the elections, and did not play any role in determining who Akwa Ibom voters choose.

    “Mike Igini was not in any of the 298 polling units where elections held. I was not in any of the local government collation centres where the results were collated and announced.

    “The people of Akwa Ibom openly expressed their will on whom to govern them through the ballot, and that was what happened in the elections. The people have spoken. My job was only to supervise the elections,” he added.

  • Maina: Senate grills AGF in secret

    Maina: Senate grills AGF in secret

    Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, Tuesday appeared before Senate ad hoc Committee investigating re-appearance, reinstatement and promotion of former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Malami who was invited to explain his role in the controversial re-appearance and reinstatement of Maina as a director in the ministry of Interior, was questioned by members of the committee in camera.

    Anxious reporters who attempted to cover the investigative hearing were asked to leave the venue as the probe was not open for coverage.

    The sensitivity of the issues surrounding Maina’s surreptitious return might have informed the decision of the committee to hold its meeting in secret.

    The AGF was scheduled to appear before the committee on November 8 but he sought permission of the committee to appear Tuesday.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central) who asked reporters to leave after brief opening remarks, commended the AGF for appearing before the committee to make presentation on his alleged involvement in the return and reinstatement of Maina.

    Paulker explained that the committee was mandated by the Senate to carry out the investigation following a motion by Senator Isah Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central) under a matter of urgent public importance.

    He said, “The senate had mandated chairmen and vice chairmen of four committees to look into the matter and that is why we are here.

    “Prior to this time there have been information circulating in the media regarding this issue but we will not want to be guided by those information.

    “That is why we don’t want our meeting to be in public domain until we come up with our findings.’’

    He said that the resolution to look into the matter was not meant to “witch-hunting’ anybody.”

    Paulker said that the Senate was only carrying out its constitutional responsibility of ensuring good governance in the country.

    He said that the committee would be guided by the information gathered in the course of the investigation.

    Paulker said, “We will call the press at the end of the investigation. For now we will go into a close-door session so that we will not be swapping between I said this I did not say this.

    “Though Nigerian press is so matured, I am not saying they will misquote us.’’

    He assured that the committee would work to unravel the circumstances surrounding Maina’s secret reappearance and reinstatement.

    Apart from Senator Paulker, who is chairman Senate committee on Establishment, other members of the ad-hoc committee included, Senator David Umaru, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights, Senator Andy Uba, Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Senator Babajide Omoworare, Chairman Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance.

  • Osinbajo’s panel meets in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo’s panel meets in Aso Rock

    The Presidential Investigative panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday night met behind closed doors at the State House, Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari last week Wednesday had set up a three man committee with membership including the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

    It was mandated to investigate allegations of violations of law and due process made against the suspended Secretary to the Government of Federation, Babachir David Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The panel is also investigating the money linked to the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke concerning the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The committee had grilled Oke on Monday for about 10 hours while Lawal appeared before the committee for about 2 hours on Tuesday.

    The Wednesday meeting, which started around 6.45p.m., only have members of the committee in attendance.

    It was not clear if Oke or Lawal will appear later before the Wednesday meeting comes to an end.

    It was also not certain if any private or other public officials have been linked to the investigation as it had vowed to invite anyone uncovered.

    A reliable source, who does not want his name in prints, however disclosed that the Wednesday meeting was to review what the panel has gathered from the investigation so far.

    The committee is expected to submit its report by next week.

    The meeting was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

     

  • FG files charge against Supreme Court Justice, Ngwuta

    FG files charge against Supreme Court Justice, Ngwuta

    The Federal Government has filed a six-count charge of money laundering and forgery against  corruption against Justice Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta of the Supreme Court.
    The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/232/2016 was filed on Tuesday before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
    Justice Ngwuta, whose age is put at 65 years, was one of the judicial officers recently arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
    He was alleged to have retained,  in his possession, N35, 358, 000.00 contrary to the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).
    The state also accused him Of unlawfully retaining, in his possession,  $319,596.00 (USD) and (GBP) 25, 915 all of which according to the prosecutors formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act contrary to the Money Laundering Act.
    The prosecutor said Ngwuta possessed four diplomatic passports, one official and two standard Nigerian passports, all in the name of the defendant.
    They further accused him of obtaining multiple passports contrary to Section 10 of the Immigration Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.
    Ngwuta was equally accused of making false statement to the passport office concerning his date of birth for the purpose of procuring an additional Diplomatic Passport for himself.
    The Supreme Court Justice was also alleged to have in his possession two valid diplomatic passports and thereby committed, an offence under Section 10 of the Immigration Act.
    The charge reads:

    Count one

    Statement of offence
    Money Laundering, contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act
    Particulars of offence
    Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult, ‘M’, 65 years, of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja, on or about the 8th day of October, 2016 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained in your possession the sum of thirty-five million, three hundred and fifty-eight thousand naira (NGN35,358,000.00) which sum forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).

    Count two

    Statement of offence
    Money laundering, contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act
    Particulars of offence
    Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult, ‘Mי, ‎65 years of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja, on or about the 8th day of October, 2016 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained in your possession the sum of three hundred and nineteen thousand five hundred and ninety-six United States of America ($319,596.00) dollars which sum forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended)

    Count three

    Statement of offence
    Money laundering, contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
    Particulars of offence
    Sylvester Nwali ta, adult, ‘M’, 65 years, of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja, on or about the 8th day of October, 2016 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained in your possession the sum of twenty-five thousand nine hundred and fifteen pounds sterling (GBP 25,915) which sum forms part of the proceeds act and you thereby committed an offence contrary section 15 (2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended).

    Court four

    Statement of offence
    Offences with respect to Passports contrary to Section 10 (a)(1) of the Immigration Act 2015 and punishable under Section 10 (1) of the Act.
    Particulars of offence
    Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult, M, 65 years, of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja,  FCT, on 8th October 2016 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had in your possession, two valid diplomatic passports and you thereby committed an offence contrary to  section 10 (1) (a) of the Immigration Act 2015.

    Count five

    Statement of offence
    ‎Offences with respect to Passports contrary to Section 10 (l) (a) of the immigration Act 2015 punishable under Section 10 (1) of the Act.
    Particulars of offence
    Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult ‘M’, 65 years, of No. 2 Yellow Houses Supreme Court Quarters, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District Abua, FCT, on 17 September 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, you knowingly made a false statement to the passport office concerning your date of birth for the purpose of procuring an additional diplomatic passport for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.

    Count six

    Statement of offence
    Offences with respect to Passports contrary to section 10 (1) (d) of the Immigration Act 2015 punishable under Section 10 (1) of the same Act.
    Particulars of offence
    Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult male, 65 years, of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, Off Shehu Way, Central District, Abuja, FCT, on September 17, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, you  submitted multiple application forms to one or more passport offices with the intention of obtaining multiple diplomatic passports for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 (1) (d) of the Immigration Act 2015 and Punishable under Section 10 (1) of the same Act.
  • Separation of Office of AGF from Minister of Justice still possible, says Ekweremadu

    Separation of Office of AGF from Minister of Justice still possible, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has said separation of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) from that of the minister of Justice, was still possible, if Nigerians desired it, to strengthen justice delivery.

    A statement by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, said Ekweremadu spoke at the weekend while fielding questions from reporters during a tour of the construction site of the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.

    It said Ekweremadu hailed the Bar leadership, under Mr. Augustine Alegeh, for continuing with the project, started by his predecessor.

    It quoted Ekweremadu as saying that the proposal to separate the two offices did not see the light of the day, because the Fourth Alteration Bill was not assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The statement said the Senate deputy president noted that although he believed in the idea, it was a decision for Nigerians and lawmakers to make.

  • Alleged Forgery: APC Scandinavia reprove Senate over AGF

    Alleged Forgery: APC Scandinavia reprove Senate over AGF

    The Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavia, Mr Ayoola Lawal has advised the leadership of the Senate to desist from apportioning baseless faults on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) over its alleged forgery case.

    Lawal, who made this known in a recent press statement, noted the Minister of Justice is merely doing his executive duty by calling the attention of the judiciary to what he perceived was not in tandem with national policy of the President Buhari-led administration.

    According to him, if the Senate leadership is convinced that it did not forge the Senate rule as accused, at should stop raising dust over the matter and simply defend itself before the law court.

    “I tell you the truth, the attitude of the Senate to the matter raised by the AGF over forgery of Senate rule indicates that there is skeleton in the senate’s cupboard, which it cannot defend,” he said.

    Referring to the AGF’s response to the senate leadership on Friday, Lawal said: “I agree that claims by the Senate that the charge of forgery against Saraki, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu and two others, amounted to an abuse of the principle of separation of powers.”

    Charged with the Senate president and the deputy Senate president are former Clerk of the National Assembly Salisu Maikasuwa and Clerk of the Senate Bernard Efeturi.

    “Yes, this is democracy, and as the AGF has said, the senate president and his deputy have no immunity from trial. Forgery of Senate rules cannot be described as an internal affair of the Senate, never!“ he stressed.

    He then urge the AGF to continue with his rightful duty as Nigerians are fully in support of his actions, saying: “Impunity must stop at all levels and everyone accused should face the full weight of the law, if found truly guilty by the court.”
    We all deserve a better life for ourselves and generation unborn. I strongly believe that with the tenacity of Mr. President to fight indiscipline and corruption irrespective of whose ox is gored and support from majority of Nigerians, Nigeria will be great again.

  • FG promises to address causes of insurgency, militancy

    FG promises to address causes of insurgency, militancy

    Federal government Tuesday said it was working unearth the root causes of insurgency and agitation in parts of the country with a view to addressing them.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) gave this assurance Tuesday  while addressing aggrieved lawyers, who were in his office to protest what they termed the menace of Boko Haram.

    Malami said the Fed Government was considering constituting a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate how insurgency found its way into the country.

    About 100 lawyers under the umbrella body of Lawyers United for Equality and Human Rights Advocacy (LUEHRA) protested to the office of the AGF to demand the investigation and prosecution of person found to have been sponsoring insurgency in the country.

    Malami was represented by the Director in charge of General Services in the Ministry, Mrs. Lola Uket. She assured the protesting lawyers that the minister will act on their demands.

    “You have made your demands and I am sure the minister will act and act very fast to meet your demands. All will be addressed. I believe you gave a time frame in your demand and I am sure they will all be met.

    “Your demands have not been met before now not because of negligence on the part of the minister but because of certain circumstances.

    “Let us be patient with them because they are also learned men like you. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt that something will be done,”she said‎.

    The lawyers in their position paper asked the minister to ensure the investigation and prosecution of sponsors of the Islamic Terrorist group, Boko Haram and ensure their prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    In the paper, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, a senior advocate, the lawyers asked the FG to avoid the grave mistake of government in the past that led to the intermittent resurrection of Niger Delta militancy.

    The group’s leader, Samson Esekhaigbe and Publicity Secretary, Nnena Okereke said recent frightening developments in the country were capable of causing serious political upheavals.

    Esekhaigbe said the developments were pointers to the fact that the top politicians in Borno State who created Boko Haram are still in touch with their “foot soldiers”.

    “We are afraid that the senseless killings by this animalistic bunch will not stop unless their sponsors are identified, tried in our local courts or dragged to the International Criminal Court at The Hague and accordingly imprisoned for facilitating heinous crimes against humanity. This is the only way that enduring peace would return to the North and Nigeria in general.

    “A situation whereby no less than 10,000 persons have been killed in various brutal activities spearheaded by the group is alarming”.

    The lawyers said it is their duty as a group of refined legal minds to fight and preserve Nigeria- the country that gave every Nigerian a home and heritage.

    The group condoled with those who lost their loved ones to insurgencies and insisted that the time to end Boko Haram is now otherwise the innocent blood spilt over the years will hunt us.

    The group is an umbrella body of pro-democracy, concerned and patriotic Nigerian lawyers committed to true democratic principles bringing to cognizance equity, fairness and respect for human rights and the rule of law in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

  • FG plans massive review of electoral laws

    FG plans massive review of electoral laws

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) said on Tuesday that the Federal Government will soon unveil plans for a major reform of the nation’s electoral laws.
    The AGF said this yesterday in Abuja while speaking at a stakeholders forum organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, led by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).
     “This administration intends to carry out a comprehensive legal reform to address the challenges posed by some of our outdated electoral laws. My top priority as Attorney General of the Federation is to lay a solid foundation for a sustainable reform of the judicial sector where rule of law takes pre-eminence over and above rule of man.
    “We have also identified as top priority, the amendment of the Electoral Act and other laws in order to empower INEC and other similar bodies to deal with perpetrators of serious offences. We cannot rule out the possibility of the imposition of sanctions to restrain those found guilty of electoral violence from participating in the electoral process,” Malami said.
    Malami noted that the establishment of Electoral Mobile Court is equally a major electoral reform being considered by the President Buhari government, stressing that some of the gaps in the electoral laws have manifested in the recent decisions of the Supreme Court on some of the election petitions.
    “Also of concern to this administration are the increasing levels of electoral violence as seen in some of the recent held elections. It is my expectation that this stakeholders’ forum will come up with suggestions and proffer solutions to several of the challenges posed to the achievement of credible elections in Nigeria.
    “I have begun consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly and the judiciary to identify key laws and priority areas for reform. “Our priority areas will be clearly outlined in our justice sector reform that we will propose to the National Assembly and align it with their agenda in order to achieve reform within the tenure of this administration and in record time.
    “Taking from the gains of the 2015 general election, it will be important for us as a country to entrench a culture of democratic values that will strengthen our nation,” Malami said.
    He insisted that elections in the country must be conducted in a transparent and democratic manner as to be a source of inspiration to the African continent and show us as worthy example to be emulated by all.
    In this regard, it is our plan to ensure that our elections are competitive, inclusive, free and fair, for all to see”, adding that; “a democracy thrives and endures when the laws guiding the conduct of elections are well known and the citizenry are well informed of it.”
    Malami disclosed that the governing party as well as opposition parties must enjoy a level playing ground, so that competitive elections can be organised and all parties and candidates enjoy all of the democratic rights and freedoms contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) including the rights of freedom of speech, assembly, and movement.
    He explained that the nation’s democracy can only work and deliver accountable government, where elected officials see themselves as servants of the people who must subject themselves to credible periodic elections.
    In her opening remark, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Hajiya Aisha Dukku recalled that even though Nigeria conducted one of the most successful and credible polls in 2015, which represented a milestone; there is still room for a lot of improvements in the nation’s electoral process.
    She explained that this will ensure that the gains made in previous elections are consolidated, hinting that, “just before the elections, several amendments aimed at improving the legal framework were proposed, but the National Assembly could not complete the amendments process before the elections were conducted.”
    “The bills seeking to amend the Constitution and the Electoral Act were passed and forwarded to the President for assent only few days before the elections. It was also unfortunate that the country waited until the last months of the 7th Assembly to pass these amendments” she regretted.
    Also speaking, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu revealed that as at the last count, his Commission has conducted about 50 elections after the 2015 general polls, saying that sixty more elections would be held this weekend.
    He said sixty-eight of the elections will be held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls, while one State House of Assembly seat will be contested for in Osun state due to the death of its former occupant.
    The INEC boss commended the Situation Room for hosting over sixty civil society groups sharing ideas and experiences on election matters and proffering solutions.