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  • Why Buhari should intervene in Oshiomhole, Oyegun’s feud, by Kalu

    Senator-elect Abia North Constituency, Orji Uzor Kalu on Friday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the rift between former National Chairman of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie – Oyegun and the current chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Kalu said Buhari’s intervention has become imperative to avoid any drift in the ruling party.

    Speaking in an interview at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), on his way to Abuja, he said Buhari should call the feuding party chieftains to order to avoid further bickering capable of eroding the gains of the party’s victory in the last elections.

    While commending Buhari for prevailing on Senator Danjuma Goje to step down for Senator Ahmed Lawan as candidate for the Senate Presidency, Kalu said such rapprochement was critical to ensuring the party speaks with one voice on such a fundamental matter.

    He said: “What they are doing is part of democracy. Democracy must not agree and that is why it is democracy. Democracy is a collection of all opinions. But we have called on Mr. President based on the way he settled the Goje matter, for us to be able to call them. If President occasionally intervenes in this kind of issue, we will not be having problems. In PDP, there are bigger problems but they intervene and settle the matter. Before President will tell you, I don’t want to play politics but he is the chief politician. I think the President has started changing his mind to be able to intervene in cases like that. I am sure, we will sort out Oyegun and Oshiomhole’s problems by next week. I am sure Mr. President is already doing something on that matter. And I want to make it clear, people should not be misleading people by saying what the President did not say. I advise that Nigerians should not be misleading the public with what the president never said.”

    Kalu advised APC members to desist from using the name of Buhari to entrench their personal and selfish interest saying presently, many politicians were using the President’s name to pursue causes that Buhari has not endorsed.

    Kalu said his endorsement of Lawan as President of the Senate was driven by deep convictions about Lawan’s capacity to push for robust leadership that will deepen the political and economic space for the prosperity of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    He restated his clamour for the position of Deputy Senate President ceded to the South East Region, saying it was only Godly, moral and in the sense of equity, balance and justice to do that.

    Kalu clarified that it was not about self, but ensuring geopolitical balance.

    Read Also: President Buhari’s next cabinet

    On the Deputy Senate Presidency bid, Kalu said :” I am not only restating it but I am saying that it is the most Godly thing to do because I am ready to do that job to help both the Senate in lawmaking and help the executive to be able to bring stimulus that would fix the economy. I am interested in the economy because if we hit the economy right, the security will be addressed. I think a hungry man is an angry man. So we need to also be looking at candidates that have the capacity to do the work. And I have the capacity to do the work. I have the capacity of managing human beings and the Senate is about human management.

    On allegations that he was pursuing a personal agenda, Kalu said:” But what is wrong with personal bid. I am a Nigerian. Those that are bidding it, are they more capable than I am?. The important thing is the capacity to make life better for people like you. Capacity to help President Buhari achieve his economic goals. Capacity to work with the national adviser on the economy and work with the Central Bank of Nigeria because the economy is not doing totally well. We need to put it on track. There are some things we need to put where it supposed to be and the economy will have stimulus.

    ” My agenda is the economy to help the President and the National Assembly. The 109 members are the superior members of the National Assembly and they are the ones that have say. I also aspire to protect the interest of these members and work as a team all the time. ”

    He said there will be no rift between the legislature and executive arm of government.

    His words:” We are going to have a Senate that will work with the executive but we are not going to be rubber stamp. We are going to do what needs to be done for the Nigerian people. What should be just for the executive and what should be just be done for the legislators? So it is about fairness and equity. We are not just going to assume because President Buhari is of APC or our friend and say everything he says is ok. No. We have to ask questions and make clarifications and all the rest of them and be able to protect Nigerian people whose vote we are standing in the National Assembly.
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  • Theresa May quits as party leader

    British Prime Minister Theresa May steps down as leader of her Conservative Party on Friday, formally triggering the race for a successor who will try where she failed to deliver Brexit.

    May will remain prime minister until a new leader is chosen, likely in late July, but has relinquished control over the direction of Britain’s tortuous departure from the European Union.

    Brexit is still scheduled for October 31 but while her rivals thrash it out, the project remains stuck, with the only divorce plan agreed with Brussels stuck in parliament.

    May took office after the 20 16 referendum vote to leave the EU and has spent the past three years working on the plan, delaying Brexit twice to try to get it through.

    But she finally acknowledged defeat in a tearful resignation speech last month, the culmination of months of political turmoil that has slowly sapped all her authority.

    Eleven Conservative MPs are currently vying to replace her, including former foreign minister Boris Johnson, but some are expected to drop out before Monday’s deadline for nominations.

    Read Also; Poll shows Boris Johnson favourite to succeed Theresa May

    The winner will have only a few months to decide whether to try to salvage May’s plan, delay Brexit again – or sever ties with Britain’s closest trading partner with no agreement at all.

    They are under pressure from eurosceptic figurehead Nigel Farage, who has called for a “no deal” option and whose Brexit party topped European polls last month.

    His party made a strong showing in by-election for the British parliament in the eastern city of Peterborough on Thursday, but failed in its goal of winning its first MP.

    However, the pro-European Liberal Democrats, who want to reverse Brexit, also performed well in the European polls, highlighting how divided Britain remains over its future.

  • PDP governors set to pay N30,000 minimum wage

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have expressed their readiness to pay the N30,000 minimum wage recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, disclosed while speaking with newsmen at the end of the forum’s meeting which ended in the early hours of Friday in Abuja.

    Dickson said that the governors were ready to pay the new minimum wage in order to alleviate the plight of workers in PDP-controlled states.

    He called on President Buhari to expedite the process for the commencement of the payment of the new minimum wage by sending a bill to the incoming ninth National Assembly to review the revenue sharing formula of the country.

    “We are very eager as PDP governors to implement and pay the 30,000 naira minimum wage that the federal government announced.

    “We want to do so to alleviate the plight of the long suffering Nigeria workers who have been under-paid for long and the workers who are currently groaning in economic hardship as a result of what has gone wrong with the economy since the All Progressives Congress (APC) government took over.

    “So, we call on the federal government to expedite the process of presenting a bill to that effect.

    “Also we call for a review of the revenue sharing formula to accommodate a fresh Revenue Allocation Formula in the country,” he said.

    Dickson also said that no PDP governor was involved in the alleged diversion of local government money, adding that PDP states “do not indulge in such reprehensible conducts”.

    He called on the Federal Government to name the states involved in the act and the period covered.

    “We dealt with the allegation of alleged diversion of local government funds by state governments and we condemned it in very strong term.

    Read Also: Agbaje’s attack on Bode George unacceptable — Lagos PDP

    “We as governors on the platform of the PDP want to make it clear that no PDP governor is involved in this allegation of diverting local government funds for whatever purpose.

    “In our case, the reverse is the case. It is the state governments that have been supporting and subsidizing funding for the local government.

    “So we call on the federal government and agency in charge to name the state governments and tell us the date and the people who were in charged as the time when this diversion took place,” he said.

    Dickson, on behalf of the opposition governors, expressed concern over the alleged politicisation of security apparatus by the federal government, especially in states not controlled by APC.

    He said that such supported the growing call for the establishment of State Police as a response to the worsening security situation across the nation.

    “We believe also that this is the reason for the widespread insecurity.

    “So we will take some of this issues up when we interact with the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, by tomorrow or whenever we see him,” he stated.

    The forum condemned the shutdown and suspension of the operating licence of DAAR Communications Plc by the National Broadcasting Commission, describing it as an act of intolerance and repression against the media.

    “As you are aware DAAR Communications we understand has been closed down.

    “Our position is that due process must be followed. If there is any allegation of infraction, then due processes of the law should take place.

    “When you shut down news outlet when you harass and intimidate journalists, then you are shutting down Nigerians from speaking their minds. And in democracy, freedom of expression is cardinal component.

    “So we condemn what has taken place and we urge the federal government and its agency to forthwith, do what is right, that reopens the company and follow the due process of the law,” Dickson said.

    He called on all men of good conscience to condemn the act in what he described as a brazen act in defence of democracy.

    Dickson congratulated the PDP over its impressive outing at the last General Elections, as well as all PDP returning and new Governors who emerged victorious in the last gubernatorial elections.

    “We equally and specially congratulate all our out-gone Governors who successfully and in golden colours concluded their second-term tenures in office.

    “We congratulate all our National Assembly Members both returning and incoming,” he added.

    He also commended the Judiciary for exhibiting uncommon courage and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities despite the difficult circumstances.

     

    NAN

  • FG revokes license of MKO Abiola’s Summit Oil

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has revoked five Oil Mining Licenses (OML) and one Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) belonging to five companies.

    In a public notice on Thursday by the regulatory body, the revocation was based on a presidential directive to “recover legacy debts” owed by the companies operating the licences.

    The five companies affected are: Pan Ocean Oil Corporation (OML 98); Allied Energy Resources Nigeria (OML 120 and 121); Express Petroleum and Gas Company (OML 108); Cavendish Petroleum Nigeria (OML 110) and Summit Oil International (OPL 206)

    Summit Oil is owned by the family of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

    Read Also: Canadian man opens safe locked for 40 years on first try

    Pan Ocean hopes to commence the production of oil and gas from OML-147 at Owa Aladima.

    OML 147 is one of the northern most development in the Niger Delta, and also the first to be on production among the 2007 bid rounds.

    The firm’s three projects which will be ready for unveiling at the technical start up taking place June 10, 2019, is expected to contribute significantly to Nigerian industrialisation and economic growth, on the highway one part and empowerment of the host and impacted communities.

    The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, had last February announced plans to recover the oil licenses of the companies indebted to it.

    He expressed worries that some of the companies have failed to make statutory remittances in spite of being in Joint Operatorship (JV) with the Federal Government, a development he said was denying it revenue running into billions of dollars. (NAN)

  • Ihedioha sets up committee to probe Okorocha’s administration

    Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha yesterday raised an eight-member panel to probe the regime of his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha.

    The committee, headed by Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, was mandated to beam its searchlight on financial dealings that transpired when Okorocha held the fort between May 29, 2011 and May 29, 2019.

    Read Also: Imo doctors suspend strike as Ihedioha wades in

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Chibuike  Onyeukwu, gave the panel’s terms of reference to include among others:

    • to ascertain and document the locations of and balances on all bank accounts operated by Imo State government, its Ministries, Departments and Agencies as at May 29, 2019;
    • to review all financial transactions and where necessary, a forensic audit with a view to ascertaining sources of funds and the application of same;
    • to review such disbursements/applications of state resources to ascertain the propriety of charges levied on accounts, interest payment on loans and deposits where applicable, authorisation, etc;
    • to review the operations of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) with a view to recommending appropriate strategies to reposition the agency for better performance and sustained growth and to conduct governance/financial reviews of key agencies of government with a view to; documenting all revenues generated or subventions/allocations between 2011 -2019.

    The committee also has a mandate to review the propriety of applications/disbursements of state resources between 2011 -2019.

    It has a mandate to recommending measures that would strengthen internal controls and enhance the performance of key government agencies

     

  • Six lawmakers shun valedictory session in Edo

    Six lawmakers of the Edo State House of Assembly Thursday shunned valedictory to mark the end of the 6th Assembly headed by Speaker Kabiru Adjoto.

    The lawmakers are Hon Chris Okaeben (Oredo West) Crosby Eribo (Egor) Gani Audu (Estako West 1) Henry Okhuarobo (Ikpoba-Okha) Victor Edoror (Esan Central) and Kingsley Ugabi (Estako East).

    A total of four Speakers presided over the 6th Assembly within four years

    They are Hon Victor Edoror, Elisabeth Ativie, Justin Okonoboh and Adjoto.

    Out of the 24 lawmakers, only seven lawmakers were re-elected to the 7th assembly.

    In his speech, Speaker Adjoto urged all the lawmakers not returning to the House to submit all Government properties in their possession as well as move out of the legislative quarters.

    He said the assembly witnessed huge turn around under his tenure.

    Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon Osaigbovo Iyoha, said the 6th Assembly passed a total of 71 bills and 191 resolutions.

    Hon Iyoha explained that the bills affected Edo people lives positively.

    Read Also: Osun 7th Assembly: Timothy Owoye emerges Speaker

    Iyoha listed some of the bills to include the anti-CDA bill which proscribed activities of Community Development Association, the anti-cultism and cult related activities bill, violence against women and girl child bill and the Primary Health care bill.

    He said the 6th assembly had robust relationship with the executive arm because the state was working fine.

    His words, “Our greatest achievement was the law to proscribe activities of CDA. You know many people suffered loss of land and investors were scared to come to the state.

    “Governor Obaseki is working well. Under him, lawmakers were part of budget preparation process and drafting of executive bill. We cooperated with Obaseki because it made our jobs easier.”

  • Femi Ojo-Ade goes home

    The wisdom of the ancestors is unassailable. They warn us about the plight of a straight tree out in the forest. For, because of its quality, which makes it attractive to experts in the housing and furniture industry, it doesn’t enjoy longevity. And by profound analogical reasoning, they lament the paradoxical plight of straight human trees.

    And so, another straight human tree has fallen in the forest of culture and the academy. But who is the furniture and housing expert that needs Professor Femi Ojo-Ade at his prime, when we, earthlings need him most? And for what? Our ancestors know too well that we are planted here by the supreme gardener for his purpose. And when he visits his garden and sees a beautiful tree that he likes, he can cut it for his use, and no one can ask why. Kabiyesi Olodumare!

    Still, we ask, why? A gentleman to the core? A first-rate scholar? A loving husband of almost 50 years? A devoted father and grandfather? A compassionate benefactor of young and old? A cultural icon? An exemplar of humanity? Femi Ojo-Ade was all of these and much more. He gave of himself, his superior intellect, and his sense of decency to all who passed his way. What else can we ask of a human being? And yes, we acknowledge the fact that he was allowed to stay with us for 77 years. But why can’t he live for 100 years at the least?

    There are known evil doers who live much longer. This is what makes us humans. We are at the mercy of God’s purposive time for us for which we have no inside knowledge. And yes, evil doers may live much longer than morally upright human beings. However, we are not privileged to understand God’s plan.

    We are not alone in this lack of understanding. Even the Preacher expresses his frustration as is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7: 15: “In my vain life, I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man living long in his wickedness.” And Job, in his state of despondency asks, “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” But in all these, God is not unjust. As Job also realized, even the evil doers are judged harshly. “They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone.”

    Femi Ojo-Ade may have known. Unlike the wicked, he understood that he had no control of his time, and that everything was up to the one who sent him here: Riran la ran mi wa. Emi ko mo ran ra mi. Ase dowo eni to ran mi wa. Knowing this fact of our existence is requisite for living our lives in accordance with the ideals of excellence in thought and character. It was Ojo-Ade’s guide to life.

    Professor Femi Ojo-Ade, husband, father, teacher, scholar, cultural icon, was called home by his maker on March 19, 2019 and the world of scholarship and culture was shaken to its core. On May 4, family and friends gathered at the South Potomac Church in Maryland for a befitting memorial service. Former students and colleagues from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and St. Mary’s University, Maryland, and friends from Canada, Europe, and across the United States were in attendance. It was a glorious service that his memorable life richly deserved.

    Speakers at the service echoed two major themes, focusing on Ojo-Ade’s excellence in scholarship and outstanding consciousness of moral character, and these go to the heart of what we need to ascertain what a fulfilled life he led.

    On scholarship, speaker after speaker noted Ojo-Ade’s original contributions to scholarship in modern European languages, including French, in which he majored, and Spanish in which he did substantial research. He was the second Nigerian to attain the rank of full professor of French. He authored several books, including fiction and nonfiction, and contributed numerous articles to scholarly journals in his field. He was presented as a compassionate teacher who mentored his students, both undergraduates and graduates, to resounding success in their various fields.

    This is all good. But what is even more impressive is how Ojo-Ade positively influenced his colleagues to attain excellence. My good friend, Professor Ropo Sekoni spoke of how, as a colleague, Ojo-Ade encouraged him to learn French and Spanish, which knowledge turned out to be invaluable assets as he applied for and received several research grants, based on his knowledge of these languages. So, while some scholars would go to great lengths to guide and protect their tuff from “intruders”, Ojo-Ade sought out colleagues to enter his academic space, enriching them and himself as a result. This is the quality of self-confidence.

    One of the most moving tributes was from a young man whom Professor Ojo-Ade only met by chance, but who ended up becoming a grateful member of his extended family. Dr. Tunde Olusesi recalled how he was introduced to Ojo-Ade in absentia as he was desperate for admission to the university in the 80s. Though he had performed well in JAMB, he was unfairly edged out of admission. After letting him know the truth concerning the unfairness of his treatment, Ojo-Ade advised him to attend another institution with a promise that he would help him get a transfer to Ife the following year. He kept this promise. The young man also kept his own end of the bargain as he ended with a First Class degree in English from Ife in the 80s. Today, Olusesi has Ph. D in Social Work. And he remains eternally grateful to his mentor and big daddy. That is one of the tributes that moves the heart. How a man could be so selfless in the pursuit of the good of others!

    Professor Ojo-Ade had served for some years as Head of the Department of Modern Languages at Ife by the time that I was appointed Head of Philosophy Department at the university. For his well-known friendliness and accessibility, he was the first HOD that I ran to for advice and he was generous with his time and thoughts on navigating departmental and faculty politics for which I am forever grateful. We left Ife about the same time in the late 80s but soon met again in Maryland. While he was a tenured professor at St. Mary’s University, I was a tenured professor at Howard University, serving as Chair of the Philosophy department. I leaned on him again for professional advice.

    In the diaspora phase of the struggle against military dictatorship in Nigeria, Ojo-Ade was one of the few scholars who not only encouraged us, but who also joined in our efforts, contributing to panel discussions, attending conferences, and participating in rallies. At St. Mary’s, he organized a symposium to which he invited us to speak on democratic struggles in Africa. In those days, his great sense of humor helped us to bear the stress that we faced from time to time.

    Like some other colleagues, Ojo-Ade could have ignored the efforts to combat the evil of dictatorship. He could have chosen to face his scholarship. But he was unselfish with his intellect, which he lent effectively to public affairs. Even after the struggle, he continued to encourage us to hold elected officials accountable. During the crisis over the withholding of Lagos State Local Government funds by the Obasanjo regime, I wrote a piece titled “Mocking the rule of law”. It was a critique of the regime’s spurning the Supreme Court ruling. Ojo-Ade was one of the first who sent me an email appreciating that piece. He was just like that.

    Professor Ojo-Ade left behind a loving family, his wife of 49 years, Mrs. Molara Ojo-Ade, his beautiful children and grandchildren. I am confident that they will carry on from where he stopped. As his life’s journey ends, and they stretch their hands to lay him to rest, he has fulfilled his mission on Mother Earth. He has exemplified the injunction of the ancestors: Ka rin gbede gbede, ka lee ku pelepele, komo eni lee fowo gbogboro gbe ni sin.

  • Buhari greets Pastor Kumuyi at 78

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Pastor William Kumuyi of Deeper Life Bible Church as he turns 78 years.

    Buhari in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, recalled his meeting with the respected cleric.

    The president said that he met Kumuyi at the State House, Abuja, last October, during which the latter shared deep insights about the country.

    Read Also:  Buhari meets Lawan, Goje in Aso Rock

    He also recalled that the cleric had used the opportunity to pray with him and for the entire country, particularly in respect of the then forthcoming general elections.

    He remarked that Kumuyi exuded divine wisdom and temperate nature at all times.

    The president prayed God to give Kumuyi long life and greater grace to serve God and humanity.

  • Afuye emerges Ekiti Assembly Speaker

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday, inaugurated the 6th Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    The new Assembly members elected the former Majority Leader, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, representing Ikere Constituency 1 as the Speaker.

    They also elected Mr. Hakeem Jamiu, representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 2 as the Deputy Speaker.

    The election was conducted by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Tola Esan.

    Afuye was nominated as Speaker by the member representing Ado Constituency 2, Mrs. Kemi Famuagun-Balogun.

    The nomination was seconded by the member representing Ilejemeje Constituency, Mr. Tope Ogunleye.

    Jamiu was nominated as the Deputy Speaker Mr. Abiodun Fawekun, representing Ado/Osi Constituency 1 and the nomination was seconded by the member representing Ekiti Southwest 1, Constituency.

    Member representing Ikole Constituency 1, Mr. Gboyega Aribisogan, who is a returning member, retained his position as the Majority Leader.

    The office of the Deputy Majority Leader went to Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu, representing Ekiti West Constituency 1.

    Read Also: Fayemi assents to 8 bills as 5th Ekiti Assembly ends

    Member representing Emure Constituency, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba emerged as the Chief Whip with the position of the Deputy Chief Whip going to the member representing Ilejemeje Constituency, Mr. Tope Ogunleye.

    Afuye, a lawyer, was first elected into the Assembly in 2007 where served as House Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Action Congress (AC) Leader and Majority Leader.

    At the end of the tenure in 2011, Afuye moved to the executive arm where he served under Fayemi as Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation and later as Commissioner for Regional Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs.

  • Acting CJN Muhammad justifies suspension of Onnoghen

    Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has justified President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of erstwhile CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen upon the January 25, 2019 ex-parte order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    Muhammad argued: “Any public officer found guilty of the breach or violation of code of conduct can be ordered to vacate the office he is holding as the consequence of the breach or violation of the code of conduct.”

    He contended that President Buhari did no wrong by relying on the CCT order to suspend Onnoghen.

    Justice Muhammad stated he committed no offence by submitting himself to be sworn in acting capacity following the order of the CCT and to prevent the vacuum that would have been created by Onnoghen’s suspension.

    The Acting CJN made public his positions on Onnoghen’s suspension and eventual conviction, in his response to a suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Incorporated Trustees of Malcom Omirhobo Foundation.

    The reliefs sought by the plaintiff include a declaration that Justice Muhammad “is not a proper and fit person to be recommended by the 2nd defendant (the Federal Judicial Service Commission) to the 1st defendant (the NJC) and by the 1st defendant to the 5th defendant (Buhari) for appointment to the Office of the CJN”.

    The plaintiff argued that, by accepting to be sworn in as the Acting CJN, while Onnoghen was lawfully suspended, Justice Muhammad “conducted himself in a manner that cast doubt of confidence in his integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary and having made himself a tool used in the violation of the Constitution of Nigeria”.

    Listed as defendants to the suit are the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), Justice Muhammad, the Federal Government, Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Senate.

    In a counter-affidavit filed for him by his team of lawyers led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Justice Muhammad insisted that President Buhari breached no law or procedure in suspending Onnoghen based on an ex-parte order by the CCT.

    The acting CJN, who noted that Onnoghen has since resigned after his suspension, argued that neither him, not the President did any wrong in their handling of the Onnoghen case.

    Justice Muhammad added: “The 5th defendant (the President) has the power to remove or suspend any person occupying the office of the Chief of Nigeria being the appointing authority.

    “As at January 25, 2019 the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal also directed the 5th defendant to swear in the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “It was pursuant to the said order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal that the 5th defendant appointed the 3rd defendant as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “In the circumstance, I know as a fact there was no need for a recommendation of the 2nd defendant (FJSC) to the 1st defendant (NJC) or of the 1st defendant to the 5th defendant (Buhari) before the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria could be suspended from office.

    Read Also; Buhari, AGF to court: Onnoghen resigned after NJC’s recommendation

    “There was also no need for the 5th defendant to approach the 7th defendant for support by majority of two-third votes, before the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria could be suspended from office.

    “The 5th defendant followed due process of law in the appointment of the 3rd defendant as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria”, adding that “there has not been any negative impact on the Nigerian Judiciary as there is renewed belief by the common man in the Judiciary as his last hope.”

    When the case was mentioned on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed parties to file all necessary processes and adjourned till June 7, 2019 for hearing.