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  • Surulere gas fire: Victims count losses

    Following the recent gas fire explosion in Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, victims have been counting their losses. Many have also been calling on the government for assistance to get back on their feet. More importantly, it has again brought to the fore the need to readdress the surge in indiscriminate location of gas facilities across the country. Omolara Akintoye writes

    Where do I start from, with all my machines gone and nothing to work with? The fact that I bought most of these machines on credit makes this whole fire incident really hard to bear. I’ve been managing to pay back the loan; but now that all the machines are burnt, what do I tell the owners? They are already asking for their money”

    Those were the tearful words of Okoro Nnamdi, whose properties and work tools got consumed in a recent gas fire outbreak in a building on Babs Animashaun Street, Aguda, Surulere.

    The Surulere gas fire will go down as the most recent in what has become a regular occurrence across the country. Many would remember the inferno that claimed lives and property in Nasarawa late last year, when leaking gas from a gas plant at the centre of town got ignited by a spark from a vehicle exhaust pipe. That incident led to the death of over a score of people, including students, left many injured and about a dozen vehicles burnt. Many will also remember the January 2018 explosion at a gas facility in the Magodo area of Lagos that got Lagosians palpitating in fear for hours. That also claimed 10 human lives.

    It is perhaps for this reason that many are thankful for the most recent incident, as it claimed no life. But its effect was by no means negligible.

    Chukwura Ngozi, a caterer in one of the shops affected, expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost, but nevertheless lamented her loss. She enumerated goods she lost in the fire to include a microwave, freezers, a blender, mixers, bags of rice and other food items among others.

    Narrating the incident, Chukwura said, “It all started in the afternoon. I saw a thick smoke at the back of my shop. There was this man who moved into one of the shops within the compound two weeks ago and was selling gas; the fire started from his shop. As soon as I saw the smoke, I quickly asked my salesgirls to come out of the shop; we couldn’t bring out anything because they all got burnt. Thank God no life was lost, but the properties…. Only God knows how I can get them back.”

    Another person who suffered great loss in the gas inferno is Oluwasegun Alawoki, a power bike mechanic. The Nation met him at the site of his shop, now razed. He had come to gather what was left.

    “It was a sad experience,” he recalled, sadly.  “Five Tokunboh cars and four power bikes got burnt. As you can see, nothing is left. We even tried to put out the fire with many fire extinguishers, to no avail. Properties worth over N50 million got burnt in the inferno” he said.

    While Alawoki is calling on well meaning Nigerians for financial assistance, he is also calling on the government to ensure that gas owners don’t stay in residential areas any more, but properly situated gas stations. His words, “We are pleading with the government to allow us to continue using this place; you can see we are now back to square one; I can no longer fend for my family. I even have some debts to pay. Government should ensure that gas sellers don’t sell in residential areas anymore,” he said.

    Although the fire was contained within a couple of hours, the people affected will not forget in a hurry.

    The workshop has since been sealed off by Lagos State government. Speaking with Commander, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), CSO Omilani Temitope, who was on ground with other officials to monitor the movement of the people within the compound, said, “We have been here since the day the incident happened. As soon as we were alerted, we quickly alerted the appropriate agencies and they came down immediately. Our job here since then has been to give support security-wise, so that people will not take advantage of the situation to steal other people’s properties. We are only here to provide maximum security for residents. Don’t forget that it is not the whole of the mechanic workshop that got burnt, and we would not want anybody to come and carry what does not belong to them. So, we partner with the committee of the mechanic village to identify themselves before packing anything.”

    According to Omilani, the fire started from the gas shop inside the mini mechanic village and ignited every other shop in the vicinity.

    Speaking on why the place was sealed-off, even from those who resided within the compound, Omilani said, “You know once such a thing happens, government will have to seal-off the place for security reasons. Normally, people are not supposed to live within this compound but there is a man who built a house at the back and it’s unfortunate that they are using the same entrance with the mechanic village, and we have to lock all of them out. But on Saturday, the government decided to open only one entrance for the residents, pending the time the matter will be resolved amicably. Also it was directed that all the shop owners whose properties got burnt should pack the remains of their properties.”

    Asked if the shop owners would have relocating, Omilani said “Only the Lagos State government has the final say.”

    Sunday Nation also spoke with the landlord of the residential house located within the mechanic compound, Taoreed Babatunde Fashola. He said, “That fateful day, I was fast asleep when I heard people shouting. I peeped through the window and saw a thick smoke. I rushed out, only to discover that there was a fire outbreak.”

    According to Fashola, the house was built long before the mechanics came there; “but unfortunately we now share the same compound. We quickly informed the Fire Service when the incident happened. We were all directed to go out of the compound and the place was sealed off. We all slept outside for 3 days. It was a terrible experience.”

    He said the compound was opened on Saturday, three days after.

    Fashola said the man, whose gas shop led to the explosion, moved in only three weeks earlier.

    “I even queried those who gave him the shop but they could not say anything until this incident happened. Thank God no life was lost but for those who lost properties, the government should assist them financially because times are hard,” said Fashola.

    Following the gas explosions in Lagos this week, the issue of safety in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas subsector has again taken centre stage, with industry stakeholders expressing concerns over the existing safety gaps, as the drive to boost cooking gas consumption gains momentum.

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Mr. Bassey Essien, stressed the need for safety consciousness in the LPG sector. “We have to be safety conscious and put all the safety parameters in place; especially with the nature of the product, we need to be very safety conscious and create the awareness among the customers. We cannot play down on safety,” he said.

  • Killings: I’m the unhappiest leader in the world

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described himself as the unhappiest leader in the world on the account of killings across the nation, especially the northeast.

    He reassured Nigerians that ending banditry remains a key priority of his administration,

    According to him, he would do whatever it takes to ensure the country’s security system confronts these public enemies with merciless determination.

    Reacting to the recent spike in reported incidents of banditry and kidnappings in some parts of the country, Buhari condoled all those affected by the unfortunate events

    In a statement by the Senior Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “How can I be happy and indifferent to the senseless killings of my fellow citizens by bandits?

    “I am human and I understand the pains of the victims and their families who have been traumatized and impoverished by constant ransom demands by bandits,” the President said empathetically.

    Read also: Ending banditry remains key priority of my administration – Buhari

    “The politicisation of tragedy reveals the darkest sides of our primitive politics. Almost every week, I summon my security chiefs to get an update on the strategies being devised to defeat these mass murderers.

    “There is no issue that dominates my mind every 24 hours like security because, as an elected President, protecting the citizens of my country is one of the primary functions of my administration.

    “I constantly listen to our security personnel in order to understand their problems and needs, and I have never hesitated to attend to those needs in terms of motivating and equipping them to respond effectively to our security challenges.

    “It is therefore ridiculous to suggest that I am indifferent to these killings.

    “I have ordered rapid and robust deployment of troops to all the areas currently under attack from bandits and we are determined to tackle this challenge ferociously until these remorseless killers are crushed and utterly defeated,” the President said.

    President Buhari called on communities where banditry is active to support and cooperate with the security agencies, particularly the recently launched Operation Puff Adder to battle bandits and kidnappers.

    The President said it was regrettable that bandits have informants within some communities and utterly reprehensible that certain communities have signed protection deals with bandits at the expense of other communities, thereby creating complications and frustrating government’s intervention

    He appealed to communities to report suspicious movements of the bandits into their areas within the shortest available opportunity, especially considering the fact that intelligence is critical to detecting, frustrating, neutralising and defeating the criminals.

  • Niger senators back Lawan’s race for Senate President seat

    Serving and elected Senetors in Niger under the platform of the All Progressives  Congress ( APC), on Saturday endorsed Sen. Ahmed Lawan for the ninth senate president seat.

    The endorsement was contained in a statement issued in Minna and signed by three senators,  Mohammed Sani Musa – Niger East, Sabi Abdullahi – Niger North and  Senator-elect, Muhammad Bima-Enagi – Niger-south in Minna.

    According to them, Lawan has an impeccable character and undeniable wealth of experience as a lawmaker to drive the aspirations and vision of the 9th Senate towards achieving its mandate.

    “There is no doubt that  Lawan has also demonstrated stability, reliability and fidelity towards ensuring sound and people-oriented legislation at the Senate as he demonstrated in the build-up to the 2019 general elections where despite the pressure from the opposition, remained resolute and committed towards promoting the good course of the Senate as the apex law-making organ in the country.

    “Sen. Lawan is one Nigerian who has remained detribalised, bi-partisan and accommodating to varying views as long as they are positive to the wellbeing of Nigerians.

    “He has demonstrated this in his support for legislations sponsored by lawmakers who might not have been in the same political parties with him at the floor of the senate.

    “Sen. Lawan will promote homogeneity of purpose at the 9th senate and foster unity amongst distinguished senators as well as other arms of government, in a manner that will add value to good governance in Nigeria.

    “Lawan is a man without any form of primordial sentiment. Even though each of us represents our various constituencies, his interest is in the development of Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole.

    “So, we believe he embodies outstanding qualities that are germane to the success of the 9th senate and the government as a whole. Therefore, we join our colleagues in endorsing his senate presidency ambition.

    ”  Lawan has the qualities and leadership skills to harmonise the 9th assembly and promote effective legislative processes that will enhance the qualities of laws for optimal political growth of the country.

    “We believe therefore that our party, the ruling APC’s decision to endorse Lawan for the presidency of the senate is a wise and timely decision that has great benefits not only for the party but for the next phase of governance as a whole in the country.

    “His display of honesty, sincerity of purpose, respect for divergent views, loyalty to and believe in party supremacy as well as proven experience in the business of lawmaking makes him the obvious choice for the legislature’s top job,” they said.(NAN)

  • NERC to begin mass metering on May 1

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will begin mass metering for electricity consumers by May 1, to bridge the metering gaps in the country.

    Dr Usman Arabi, NERC General Manager Public Affairs in a statement said the metering will be executed under the Meter Asset Providers(MAP) programme of the Federal Government.

    “The commission issued permits to MAPs on April 5, in accordance with section 4(3) of the MAP Regulations 2018, to MAPs that were successful in the procurements.

    “The procurement was conducted by Abuja Electricity Distribution  Company  Plc  AEDC  and  Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc (JEDC).

    “Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap.

    “AEDC has appointed  Mojec International Limited, Meron Consortium and Turbo Engineering Limited to provide 487,000, 213,000 and 200,000 meters, while JEDC has appointed Triple 7 and Mojec International Limited consortium to provide 500,000 meters.’’

    Arabi said customers of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Jos Electricity Distribution Company(JEDC) should expect meters to be installed in their premises within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs.

    He said the payment and installation of the meters within the time frame was in accordance with section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.

    “MAPs shall charge a maximum of N36,991.50 for single phase meters and N67,055.85 for three-phase meters.

    “These costs are inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life,’’Arabi said

    He said NERC  shall monitor closely the rollout plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.(NAN)

  • Conflict claims over 100,000 babies in Nigeria, other countries annually – Report

    At least 550,000 babies reportedly died as a result of armed conflict between 2013 and 2017 in the 10 worst-affected countries, according to a new report by an international nongovernmental organisation, Save the Children.

    The organisation said this is an average of over 100,000 every year.

    The countries include: Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Iraq, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia.

    Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, in a statement in Abuja, said these were the countries where children were hardest hit by conflict in 2017.

    Thorning-Schmidt said the infants succumbed to indirect effects of conflict and war such as hunger, damaged infrastructure and hospitals, a lack of access to health care and sanitation, and the denial of Sis.

    According to Thorning-Schmidt, the babies probably would not have died if they had not been living in areas affected by conflict.

    “Our report shows that the way today’s wars are being fought is causing more suffering for children. Almost one in five children are living in areas impacted by conflict- more than at any time in the past two decades. The number of children being killed or maimed has more than tripled, and we are seeing an alarming increase in the use of aid as a weapon of war.

    Read also: Ending banditry remains key priority of my administration – Buhari

    “It is shocking that in the 21st century we are going backwards on principles and moral standards that are so simple – children and civilians should never be targeted,” he said.

    Also, the Country Director of the organisation, Ben Foot, at the launch of Stop the War on Children campaign in Abuja, said that Save the Children analysis showed that the situation was getting worse.

    He said: “Our analysis clearly shows the situation is getting worse for children and the world is allowing this travesty to happen.

    “Everyday children come under attack because armed groups and military groups disregard international laws and treaties. From the use of chemical weapons to rape as a weapon of war, war crimes are being committed with impunity.”

    The organisation called on the international community not to tolerate and hold accountable perpetrators who break the rule of war, urging independent bodies to probe and analyse all violations of humanitarian laws, human rights especially children rights.

  • Nigeria, others begin battle for WJC slots in Ghana

    Nigeria will be aiming to have a glorious return to the global stage at junior level as the battle for the African slots at the ITTF World Junior Championships (WJC) begins on April 7 at the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships in Ghana.

    Already, a record entry has been confirmed for the continental showpiece holding at the Sports Emporium in Bukom, Accra as Nigeria contends with the likes of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroun, Congo DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Mauritius, Eritrea, Burundi, Benin Republic, Togo, South Africa, Angola, Libya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire and host – Ghana.

    The African tournament also serves as the platform to select the African Cadet team for the World Cadet Challenge holding in October in Poland, while the WJC will be hosted by Thailand in December.

    Defending champion – Egypt will be aiming to hold on to their titles in all the events but the return of another continent’s superpower – Nigeria may pose a threat to the North African ambition.

    For the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, this is indeed a record entry. “It seems we are going to have historical event with the highest level of entries since 2001, with 180 players representing about 20 countries listed for the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships. We look forward to an exciting tournament in a cordial and friendly atmosphere in the beautiful country of Ghana,” El-Salhy said.

    To affirm its readiness for the competition, Nigeria has showed its class at the ITTF World Junior Circuit after dominating the event to emerge as the best team of the tournament last week.

    Ghana will also be relying on the skills of 11-year-old Ibrahim Gado Nuhu who claimed the sole gold medal won by Ghana at the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

    Already, all the teams are in Accra for the one-week battle as players and teams compete in events like team, singles and doubles in the junior and cadet categories.

    The top three teams in the junior team event will qualify for the World Junior Championship holding later in the year in Thailand while the best five players in the boys and girls cadet singles will form the African Cadet Team to the World Cadet Challenge in Poland later in the year.

  • No regrets losing senatorial election —Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday said God’s kindness made it possible for him to break the second term jinx and record many unprecedented feats, saying he had no reason to regret over his senatorial election loss.

    The governor said this while addressing guests at a thanksgiving service to mark the 60th birthday of his wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, held at the Government House, Ibadan.

    On hand to rejoice with the state’s first family were the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; Wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; her Imo State counterpart, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha; wife of Ogun State Governor-elect, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; and wife of the immediate past governor of Osun State, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, among other dignitaries.

    Having ruled for eight uninterrupted years, which marked the first in the history of the state, the governor said that God had been merciful and kind to him to use him to rewrite the history of the state for good.

    Ajimobi said that he, therefore, had no reason to regret or worry over his failed senatorial bid and his unsuccessful attempt to hand over to a successor from his party, the All Progressives Congress.

    He said: “God has been kind to me for making it possible for me to break the second term jinx, and in the last eight years, it is on record that we recorded so many unprecedented feats for which posterity and history makers will be kind to us.

    “If you consider the key performance index, we have done well. It is true that I would have loved to go to the Senate. It is also true that I would have loved to hand over to a successor from my party. But God said no, and who are we to query Him? For what He has done for us, we have many reasons to thank Him.

    “As individuals, if we can think deeply on a daily basis, we will know that God has been kind to us. I’m the 27th governor of this state and unarguably the longest serving in the history of Oyo State.

    “So, I want people to be happy for us because God has used us to do many things in this state. I therefore want to say to our supporters again that there is no cause for regrets. They should stop ruing or brooding over our questionable loss in the last election.”

    Extolling the virtues of his wife of 39 years, the governor described her as an embodiment of Godliness and epitome of pure love.

    Ajimobi added that her wife’s generosity, philanthropic gestures and warmth had endeared her to people from every stratum of the society who daily describe her in glowing terms and honorifics.

    Recalling the story of how they met at a Lagos bank 40 years ago, the governor said it was love at first sight and that he had the inkling that she would be his wife on their first date.

    Ajimobi said: “The love I have for my wife is because she is an epitome of pure love; she’s always giving without expecting anything in return; she’s very loving, accommodating, caring, generous, and she has the rare gift of keeping old and new friends, including school mates of over 40 years.

    “Flori, you are an embodiment of Godliness; you are the snow in my winter; you are the USP (unique Selling Point) of my brand; you are my masterpiece of nature. Ever since we met, you have been making high deposit of love, care and Godliness in my life’s bank account; you have been making huge deposit in my emotional bank account. I love you today, and I will always love you.”

  • Buhari vindicated by Onnoghen’s resignation —APC  

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that the resignation of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has vindicated the action taken against him by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the party’s earlier call for his resignation.

    Justice Onnoghen’s resignation came a few hours after the National Judicial Council reportedly recommended him to President Buhari for retirement with full benefits.

    The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, told newsmen in his office that the resignation of the suspended CJN should have been the first step for him to take when it became obvious that he made the mistake of not properly declaring his assets as required by law.

    He said with the CJN standing trial for non-declaration of assets and the previous trial of the Senate President for the same purpose, it is gradually becoming clear to public office holders that there is nobody above the law in the country.

    Onilu said a time is coming when a President who misbehaves will also be docked for wrongdoing, stressing that all those who criticised the President for obeying the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal will now realise that their action was not in the interest of the country.

    Onilu said: “The issue we have in this country is that many people, especially those who have been part of the impunity of the past, are struggling badly to adjust to the reality of rule of law.

    “There is so much struggle to allow the past. It is not good enough for us as a country to allow it go. All of us must rise and face the future; a future of promise and a future of change, so that we can move to the ‘Next Level’.

    “When this happened, the PDP and some of their allies in the civil societies read the barometer of politics, and we do know that until we rise above sentiments, no matter what part of the divide you find yourself, we must realise that this is an issue that has to do with our country. That is the only way we can progress.

    “We knew right from the beginning that the allegations against the former Chief Justice of Nigeria were too serious to be swept under the carpet, and we know that the President does not act on frivolities.

    “He must have done his background checks and must have gotten good information to have taken the action he took, especially when there was basis for the action that can be legally proven.

    “Those lawyers, so-called Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who had over the years dipped their hands along with some of these judicial officers into the till of this country, continued to lampoon the President, lampoon the APC and blame this government that is doing its best to right several of the wrongs that we have been used to.

    “We were actually the one trying to deepen democracy. And this party rose in the defence of the President because we understand what the President was doing and that he meant well, and we know the real purpose that drives his actions.

    “Now, events have proven the President right. Events have proven the party, APC, right. Events have proven those Nigerians who believe Nigeria first and any other things after – events have proven them right.

    “We all can only be hiding behind one finger. Otherwise, we knew Nigerians, reasonable Nigerians, knew from the word go that those allegations were not cooked up, and if they were real, the next thing for the CJN to have done was to have stepped aside.

    “If he had done that, the question of he wouldn’t be the only one, why him, should not have arisen. There is nowhere in the world where judgment is passed on every sinner at once.

    “It is not every armed robber you can catch the same day. And even some of you know the slow pace of justice may not catch up with them immediately.

    “But we must continue to see evidence that we are moving towards that sanity and that we are making progressive efforts and sending strong signals to people who think this country must continue as long as they are comfortable and the rest of Nigerians are suffering.

    “We must send that signal to them that it is not going to be business as usual.

    “Now, you have seen the head of National Assembly, Senate President, in the dock. Now, you have seen the CJN in the dock. So, one day, we will see a President that also misbehaves in the dock, which now shows that nobody is above the law and that we are all equal before the law.

    “So, anybody who finds himself in any position should now begin to look closely at his own actions, knowing full well that today may protect him but tomorrow may expose him.”

  • Dismissed Inspector charged with Kolade Johnson’s murder remanded

    An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded till May 6, a dismissed Police Inspector, Olalekan Ogunyemi, charged with murdering a football fan, Kolade Johnson.

    Magistrate A.O. Salawu remanded Ogunyemi at Ikoyi Prisons, pending advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The court’s order was sequel to an application by the police.

    Ogunyemi, 45, of No. 17, Alhaji Ede Street, Igando, was docked on a one-count charge of murder.

    Prosecuting Inspector Kehinde Olatunde told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 31, at about 5:10pm, at Onipetesi Estate, Idi-Mangoro, Lagos.

    Read also: Yet again, the cops killed Kolade!

    He alleged that Ogunyemi, who served in the Anti-Cultism Unit of Lagos State Police Command, shot Johnson, a 36-year-old father of one, to death, with his Ak47 rifle.

    The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Olatunde informed the court that he had a remand application order by the police to remand the defendant for the next 30 days.

    Kolade Johnson

    The plea of the defendant was not taken by the court because magistrates’ courts don’t have jurisdiction to try a charge of murder.

    But the defendant’s counsel, Sola Adeyemi, opposed the 30-day remand request.

    Adeyemi prayed the court to instead remand the defendant for the next 14 days.

    In a bench ruling, Magistrate Salawu upheld the prosecutor’s application and adjourned till May 6.

  • Onnoghen: The man, the judge, the end

    WALTER Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, born December 22, 1950, started his career as a pupil state counsel between 1978 and 1979.

    He left public service to join the firm of Effiom Ekong & Company (1979 till 1988).

    He later became the Principal Partner at Walter Onnoghen & Associates, Calabar from 1988 to 1989.

    Soon after, he began a career on the Bench. As High Court judge of Cross Rivers State, he was made the Chairman of the state Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal, a post he held for three years between 1990 and 1993.

    In 1998, he served as the Chairman, Failed Bank Tribunal, Ibadan Zone.

    Onnoghen was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1998 from where he served until 2005 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

    In February 2016, Onnoghen led a seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court who reviewed and upheld the death sentence of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a. Rev. King of the Christian Praying Assembly.

    In 2007, Justice Onnoghen played a huge role in the 2007 elections which saw the late Umaru Yar’adua becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He had a dissenting judgment that annulled the presidential election. His position was, however, a minority judgment.

    Appointment as CJN Onnoghen’s confirmation as CJN was dogged by controversy following its protracted nature. The National Judicial Council (NJC) on October 10, 2016 recommended him to President Muhammadu Buhari, being the most senior at the Supreme Court after the retirement of Mohammed Mahmud.

    It took until February 7, 2017 for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to transmit Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for confirmation as substantive CJN.

    He was confirmed by the Senate on March 1, 2017 and sworn in on March 7, 2017.

    His trial

    Onnoghen made unwanted history as the first CJN to be suspended and docked.

    Onnoghen’s trial started when a petition was filed by the civil rights group the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI) at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    It was alleged that he owned “sundry accounts primarily funded through cash deposits made by himself up to as recently as 10 August 2016, which appear to have been run in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials.”

    The trial commenced on January 14 but Onnoghen was absent. It was then adjourned to the following week because Onnoghen faulted the summons procedure.

    The next hearing was slated for January 22 but he failed to show up in court again. Following his absence again, President Buhari suspended him on January 26 and appointed Tanko Ibrahim as Acting CJN.

    Onnoghen’s office was thereafter sealed by the police, which sparked outrage from lawyers and politicians.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar described Onnoghen’s suspension as “dictatorship taken too far”, but Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, accused those criticising President Buhari over Onnoghen’s suspension as hypocrites.

    In the course of the saga, different courts gave orders of injunction against his arrest and prosecution, most of which were subsisting before the CCT order that led to his suspension.

    Following Onnoghen’s suspension on January 25, the United States issued a statement on the development, with Osinbajo saying he was not aware of the former CJN’s planned prosecution.

    Even the Senate weighed in, challenging Onnoghen’s suspension at the Supreme Court. Onnoghen sued the Federal Government over his suspension but lost his bid to stop his trial at the CCT, which ordered his arrest, forcing him to appear for his arraignment, which took place on February 15.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on February 7, said it traced $30,000 paid to Onnoghen’s account by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

    The CCT, on March 29, dismissed Onnoghen’s no-case submission, following which he opened his defence, calling only one witness. He closed his defence on April 3.

    After NJC recommended him for retirement, Onnoghen tendered his resignation before the President could act on the recommendation.

     

    The case against Onnoghen

    The NJC reached the decision to suspend Onnoghen after reviewing damning evidence by EFCC against him, argued by two brilliant prosecuting counsel Ekene Iheanacho and Rotimi Oyedepo.

    They argued successfully that Onnoghen violated the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

    He was accused of infidelity to the Constitution and violation of other laws prohibiting economic and financial related offences.

    EFCC said he could not prove the legitimate source or origin of the sum of $1,716,000.00 found in his account.

    “The respondent, who never declared having $1,716,000.00 in his asset declaration form as cash in hand, wanted this honourable Panel to believe that he accumulated the said sum in his house and only deposited them in the bank between 2009 and 2016 in cash.

    “My lords, the respondent also attempted to suggest to the Honourable Panel that the $1,716,000.00 cash deposit was earned by him upon his part-time appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    REad also: Onnoghen’s resignation: Buhari is vindicated, says APC

    “My lords, this explanation, with due respect, is laughable in that the Respondent was appointed on the 22nd day of November, 2012.

    “On the face of the appointment letter, it is clear that the Respondent is entitled to the 5,000 GBP and 22,000 Dalasis which is payable per session to be determined by the Chief Justice of Gambia in line with the Rules of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    “The respondent failed to show this panel that consequent upon his appointment in November, 2012 and the assumption of that office in 2013 the number of sessions he sat as a member of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

    “The respondent also failed to state how much he earned from Gambia, how he was paid whether cash or through his account. What is clear is that if the respondent is to earn any fee from Gambia it will be GBP and not USD. What is in issue is the USD paid in exhibit P4C.”

    EFCC also questioned a Mercedes Benz GL 450 worth N7, 000,000.00 from Mr. Joe Agi (SAN) to Onnoghen in 2009.

    The commission said the SAN also made a cash deposit of $30,000.00 on June 29, 2009 to His Lordship’s account.

    “The respondent failed to show this Honourable Panel how he paid for the vehicle from his lawful earnings.

    “As a matter of fact, the respondent was confronted with all his account before this honourable panel during cross examination to prove how and the source of the money he purportedly gave to Joe Agi, SAN, as purchase price of the vehicle but couldn’t as there is no such payment.

    “Our findings and humble submission is that these defence shows clearly that the respondent is fully aware that by virtue of his appointment as a Judicial Officer, the receipt of car gift worth N7,000,000.00 and $30,000 from a practicing legal practitioner is clearly misconduct under the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

    “We therefore urge my lords to find in our favour that the respondent received the car gift and the sum of $30,000.00 from the DW2, a practising lawyer who had appeared, appearing and may still appear before him.”

    EFCC also said Onnoghen received pecuniary gifts from practising lawyers, namely Ogunsanya Adewunmi (N250,000), Paul Usoro, SAN,          (N350,000), Emeka Etiaba (SAN) (N250,000), Onyechi Ikpeasu (SAN) (N300,000), and Eze Duru Iheoma (SAN) (N100,000).

    Although Onnoghen said the cash gifts were given to him during his daughter’s wedding, and that the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers does not forbid judges from accepting gifts that are cultural, EFCC said Onnoghen was under the obligation to avoid situations which might reasonably give rise to the suspicion of or appearance of favouritism or partiality with individual members of the legal profession who practice regularly in court where the respondent presides.

    “My lords, by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, members of the public expect a high standard of conduct from a Judge who, at all time, must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities both in his professional and private life.

    “It is, therefore, our humble submission that in view of the evidence before this Honourable Panel, the petitioner has established the breach of the Code of Conducts for Judicial Officers against the Respondent and we urge my lords to so hold,” EFCC said.