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Tag: Olisa Agbakoba

  • ‘Restructuring possible without constitution amendment’

    National Intervention Movement Co-chairman Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) yesterday said the country can be restructured administratively pending constitution amendment.

    According to him, while restructuring, which he described as power transfer “from exclusive Federal list to concurrent state list”, will involve constitutional alteration, administrative devolution of powers could be deployed in the interim.

    He said it will involve administrative transfer of power from the centre to states pending constitutional power devolution.

    This, he said, will be a temporary measure before constitutional restructuring.

    “The Federal Government can administratively devolve powers to states by Executive Order,” Agbakoba said.

    The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, who chairs the Peoples Trust Party (PTP), spoke at a briefing in Lagos.

    Agbakoba, who also chairs the third force political parties, said restructuring should be top on the list of political agenda.

    “The Constitution requires that two-thirds of the 36 states, the Federal Government and the National Assembly participate in restructuring. That may take a bit of time.

    “There are things that can be done immediately through administrative restructuring. The Federal Government can make statutory transfers to the states.

    “For example, the President can receive money for a Federal road in Anambra and transfer the money to the state government to execute

    “There are so many things the Federal Government is doing. You see Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi and his power, works and housing counterpart Babatunde Fashola (SAN) everywhere, up and down. But there are commissioners of works.

    “The Federal Government can prepare the budgets, because under the Constitution, the Federal Government does roads. But if they budget for a particular road and it is touching two states – Lagos and Oyo for instance, you can call the governors and give them the money.

    “That way, you begin to free yourself from the challenges of a big federation. If we do this, we’ll see substantial change,” Agbakoba said.

    The SAN called for a national order, which he described as a stable arrangement of systems, as opposed to social chaos as seen in existing structures.

    “It is crucial to stabilise our national disunity. This is why restructure is vital. Examples of national order include: the treaty of Westphalia, the treaty of Vienna, the League of Nations, and Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) etc. In Nigeria, there is none. This is a big issue.

    “Without resolving issues around a stable national order, Nigeria will continue to be disunited. And we cannot move. This, therefore, is issue No.1 – the Big Issue,” he said.

    Tied to political devolution, Agbakoba said, is the notion of strengthening institutions.

    To him, the Federal Government is weak because it is made up of weak institutions.

    He suggested the adoption of Chapter 9 of the South African Constitution, so that institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, anti-graft agencies, Judiciary, Accountant General, among others, are assured to work free of interference.

    This, he believes, will limit impunity and improve independent action, as according to him, “strong institution is a critical big issue for good governance”.

    Agbakoba described the justice sector as dead, adding that legal failure has had massive impact on economic development.

    “The legal and justice sector has suffered institutional failure over the last three decades. Comprehensive and radical reform of the legal and justice sectors is overdue. The rule of law is vital to economic development. But lip service is paid to this vital process.

    “Investors, whether local and international, will not invest in a lawless country. We must give urgency to this sector and reverse legal failure. A speed of justice strategy will reduce delays.”

    On the way out, he called for new methods of dispute resolution, such as Alternative Dispute Resolution, small claims courts, traditional and customary arbitration, as well as a major centre for investment disputes resolution.

    He advocated the establishment of quasi-judicial sector-based administrative tribunals, following the UK example.

    Read also: Nigeria will get it right with restructuring, says OPC

    “In England there exist many administrative courts to cover telecommunications, taxation, transportation, insurance, education, financial services, trade, investments, etc.

    “The impact on Nigeria will be enormous as consideration may be given to devolving judicial power from Federation to state level,” he said.

    Agbakoba said the government must pay attention to the three critical policies of economic governance: monetary, fiscal and trade.

    On monetary policy, he called for a reduction of lending rates to single digit to encourage business growth. To him, borrowing at 20 per cent is crazy.

    On fiscal policy, Agbakoba advocated the expansion of money supply to meet expenditure and other needs –without which government cannot fund its money requirements.

     

  • Agbakoba urges strong fiscal policy in revamping economy

    Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, on Tuesday called for the introduction of a vibrant fiscal, trade and monetary policies to boost the country’s economy.

    He made the appeal while fielding questions from newsmen in Lagos, on “Practical Solutions to some of Nigeria’s Economic Challenges”.

    Agbakoba said that the first step in any ailing economy is a diagnosis of its main problems, before workable solutions are preferred.

    He noted that although Nigeria had experienced economic setbacks over the years, “there was no time to lament but to chart a clear economic policy direction, which will give value to the economy”.

    On monetary policy, Agbakoba underscored the need for harmonization between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Policy, and the Minister of Finance’s call for increased public spending on capital projects.

    “Note that the CBN increased the MPR by 200 basis point, from 12 per cent to 14 per cent, to combat inflation and stimulate growth.

    “The MPR is the anchor rate at which the CBN in performing its role as lender of last resort lends to Deposit Money Banks, to boost the level of liquidity in the banking system.

    “If the apex bank intends to increase the level of liquidity in the economy, it reduces the MPR, but increases it when it intends to tighten money supply and by tightening MPR, it has unfortunately, tightened lending,” he said.

    According to Agbakoba, the banking sector requires strengthening, and must be empowered to lend.

    “I recommend that money from the Treasury Single Account should go back to the banks at single digit rates, and that bank’s recommended lending rates should not exceed five per cent.

    “I feel that the CBN should focus on productive value of the economy and not the numerical value of the Naira; the recent devaluation of the Naira by introduction of a floating Naira exchange rate has not yielded positive results as we see the Naira spiralling downward,” he said.

    He said that in preferring a solution to this, government’s monetary policy will be required to move from strict monetarism of the “Mitton Friedman School of thought to the Keynesian Model”.

    Agbakoba expressed optimism that the nation can recover from recession, and also recommended as a start, the need for a presidential proclamation at the National Assembly, switching from austerity policy to growth policy.

    He said this would instill hope and form the basis for a way forward.

    NAN

  • Igbo endorse Atiku/Obi ticket

    Igbo leaders comprising elders, traditional and religious leaders as well as women groups, yesterday endorsed the joint presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

    In a five-point resolution issued at the end of the summit with the theme “Ndigbo 2019 and Beyond” held in Enugu, the leaders said that the position was based on the restructuring agenda put on the table by Atiku/Obi, which four zones of the country had agreed on.

    The resolution was read by Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).

    It states inter alia: “The Igbo people of Nigeria held a 1 day non-partisan and inclusive Summit convened by Elders, Traditional and Religious leaders on Wednesday 14th November 2018 to consider Ndigbo’s place in the polity especially in light of the forthcoming 2019 elections.

    “The summit deliberated on the State of Ndigbo in Nigeria today especially after years of exclusion from the center.  This country has never been so divided as it is today.  We Igbos have always yearned for a level playing field with justice, equity and fairness.

    Read Also: Search of Atiku’s plane routine, says Fed Govt

    “The Summit recognized the nomination of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi Former Governor of Anambra State as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP and fully endorses this nomination.  It was acknowledged that this nomination puts Ndigbo back in the center of governance.  It is therefore important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/Obi ticket.

    “We identify with the Atiku/ Peter Obi ticket on the restructuring agenda as has been reiterated by 4 zones of the country namely: South South, South West, North Central and South East.  We believe that as long as the federating units remain weak the center will continue to be weak.  We equally move to appreciate the position of the Atiku/Obi ticket in promoting national unity.

    “In conclusion, the Summit reiterated that the time is now for Ndigbo to mobilize and organize effectively to realize the Atiku/Obi ticket.  We are not campaigning against anybody, we are simply campaigning for our very survival.  Igbo votes must count wherever Ndigbo live in Nigeria.”

  • 2019: Those who hijacked APC failed to manage it well – Ikimi

     PDP led CUPP sets up four committees to solidify agreement

    Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tom Ikimi has blamed some forces within the All Progressive Party (APC) for the crisis being witnessed in the ruling party.

    Ikimi noted that those who hijacked the party had failed to manage the fairs of the party very well, hence the crisis.

    This is as the PDP led Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) sets up four committees to solidify the agreement signed by the 39 member-coalition. The committees are : Contact and Mobilization; Blue print and manifestos; Strategy and Planning; and Medial and Publicity.

    The coalition was set up on the 9th of July as an alternative vehicle by the political parties to wrestle power from the ruling APC.

    Ikimi is the chairman of the 23 member committee of Blueprint and manifesto, which includes Babaginda Aliyu, Olisa Agbakoba, Olu Agunloye.

    Mallam Bolaji Abdulllahi, who recent resigned from his position as the spokesperson of the ruling party was announced as the head of the Media and Publicity committee, which includes Kazeem Afegbua, Kola Ologbondiyan etc.

    The Strategy and Planning committee is headed by Kawu Baraje of the RAPC and it also includes Prof. Rufai Akali, while the Contact and Mobilization committee have as members Ibrahim Kazaure, Senator Dino Melaye and others.

    Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of the committees, Ikimi said “I was involved in the merger arrangement that produced the All Progress Congress (APC) unfortunately, some people who hijack the arrangement could not manage it and that is why we are seeing the demise of APC now.”

    Speaking on the setting up of the committees, Ikimi said “I am pleased since they came together, they have been waxing stronger and stronger, not even one of the members has left the coalition and every time we meet, we are building our strength. Today, we have witnessed the inauguration of four very important committee of this coalition and its membership is drawn among all the 39 political parties. I am pleased to serve as the Chairman of the Blue print and Manifesto committee, which indeed will be that document that we will present to Nigerians that will contain all the things we will want to do for Nigerians in the next administration. Am happy that we are making progress that the steering committee is working well, and we are at the point of actual take off now.

    Read Also: APC nullifies Shehu Sani’s suspension

    “It seems to me that the coalition of United Political Parties is the next best thing for Nigeria as we stand.

    “I hope we will work in accordance of our agreement and CUPP will remain stronger and stronger.”

    In his opening remark, the Chairman of the coalition steering committee, Olagunsoye Oyinlola posited that the inauguration represent another phase of the struggle to wrestle power from the APC.

    He said, “The country cries for revival. We must not and ill not abandon Nigeria in the hands of the current officials who have convinced everyone that they are incompetent and incapable of driving Nigeria to prosperity. We have seen the people impoverished to the extent that the Brooklyn institute recently crowned Nigeria as the Poverty Capital of the world. We have seen how insecure and unhappy our people have become. We are also appalled at how the government is lost and how it shamelessly blames its failures on the past. Our people are helpless. They look up to us for deliverance. We must not fail them.”

    Charging members of the committees, Oyinlola noted that the inauguration of the various committees is a further consolidation of whatever has been achieved by the Coalition since the signing of the MOU.

    “The coming together of these parties was an unprecedented political action in this country. Even our opponents knew that what we did was a watershed in the quest to redirect the affairs of Nigeria. Since that event, a lot more has happened. We have seen patriotic elected and appointed officials leaving the sinking ship of the ruling party for this coalition. In days and weeks to come, we will see more positive actions that will convince every Nigerian that this coalition is the government in waiting,” he added.

    He also stressed that “each of these sub- committees has duties which are closely linked with the duties of every other ones. This is to tell us that the sub- committees must work in harmonious ways that will ensure the realization of the ultimate objective of the coalition.

    “This cardinal objective is known to all of us. It is to wrest power from the APC in the 2019 elections and take Nigeria to prosperity. And by the grace of God, we won’t fail. However, we have to work hard knowing that the destiny of our country and those of millions of our countrymen and omen depend on the success of this movement. As I stated at the MOU signing ceremony, these are not the best of times for our country. We have all seen how our country has been, in the last three years, slipping progressively into socio-economic and political coma.

    “When we signed the MOU days ago, the Nigerian people were elated at the coming together of patriotic political parties. However, they felt the same way when a merger was consummated in the build up to the 2015 elections. Regrettably, the All Progressives Congress which came out of the 2015 exercise has failed the people and we all know that that tells us is that we have a lot of work to do. We must in words, action and conduct show clearly to our people that this coalition is not just another gang- up to capture power for self-aggrandizement. We must plan well and work hard to wrest power from the APC and use the resultant power for the good of our people. ” He therefore appealed to all members of the committee to “be in one committee or the other here to be selfless in discharging our responsibilities. Again, I repeat as I said days ago, the spirit of a new Nigeria has been born and is already at work. The sub-committees we have just inaugurated, here represent another phase in the offensive we launched to reclaim our country.’ God Almighty will crown our efforts with success. We shall not fail. ”

     

  • Agbakoba endorses ex-Law School chief for NBA presidency

    A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has endorsed a former Nigerian Law School Deputy Director-General Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) for the association’s presidency.

    Agbakoba said in a statement: “It is clear to me from the list of contestants that Prof Ojukwu is the most qualified. Ernest worked closely with me on many thematic subjects of reform when I was NBA president. He was extremely resourceful.

    “I also know he immensely contributed to the success of past presidents such as Chief Okpoko (SAN), OCJ Okocha (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Bayo Ojo (SAN), Prince Lanke Odogiyan, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) etc.

    “He has clear vision and understanding of the workings of the Bar and the legal profession at the highest level. NBA needs Prof. Ojukwu’s leadership experience, integrity, sincerity, and courage.

    Read Also: Agbakoba seeks promotion of reading culture

    “I believe that the Bar needs a President who can stand as did Thomas Erskine, in England, and declare bravely that: ‘I will at all hazard, protect the independence’ of the Nigerian Bar and the legal profession.

    “We need a man of courage and conviction who has a full grasp of issues not just of the Bar, but also of our nation and will be able to speak out with courage, conviction and candour. I have read the manifestos of all the candidates. Prof Ojukwu’s is inspiring. I endorse him.”

  • Agbakoba: Creation of state police more than necessary

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Mr Olisa Agbakoba on Monday said the creation of state police was “more than necessary” to address the security issues in the country.

    Agbakoba made this known in an interview with the News men in Lagos.

    He was reacting to renewed clamour for the creation of state police in view of the prevailing security situation in the country.

    The Senate had on Tuesday, July 3 passed a resolution directing its Constitutional Review Committee to set up a mechanism to amend the constitution to allow for state police.

    The resolution followed concerns raised by Sen. Jonah Jang about killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

    Agbakoba said the centrally-controlled police could not provide adequate security cover for the country, pointing out that state police would strengthen security.

    “The new momentum for state police is a welcome development. The creation of state police at this critical time is more than necessary.

    “You see, I feel sorry for the Inspector-General of Police who have to sit down in Abuja and monitor the entire criminal justice system in Nigeria.

    “It is not just possible .There is nowhere in the world where you have the kind of the Nigerian policing structure where everything is controlled from the centre.

    Read Also: Agbakoba, activists seek ‘people’s constitution’

    “The typical thing is that not only you need the state police to provide adequate security, you also need local government police,’’ he said.

    Agbakoba said that the state police was part of what had been widely discussed in the larger issue of restructuring.

    He said the broader issue in the discussion was devolution of powers from Federal Government to States.

    Agbakoba added that there was the need for the central government to devolve powers to the states to allow the latter run their affairs efficiently, including security.

    On whether state police would not be abused by governors to fight opposition, Agbakoba answered in the negative.

    He said once the policing option was anchored on the right constitutional provisions to guard against abuse, state police would operate efficiently.

    “What we need to do is just introduce into the constitution, regulations that would not allow governors to control the police.

    “The governors will not have authority to appoint or dismiss police heads. All these will be guaranteed.

    “After all, the judiciary is functioning independently. It is functioning because there is the National Judicial Council in the constitution performing the functions of judicial policies, appointments, dismissals and retirements,’’ Agbakoba said.

  • 2019: Presidential aspirants urged to emulate MKO Abiola

    A human rights lawyer, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on Monday urged presidential aspirants to emulate the legacies of the late MKO Abiola to enthrone good governance in 2019 and beyond.

    Agbakoba, also a former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), made the call in an interview with our reporters in Lagos.

    ”Our presidential aspirants in the coming 2019 elections should be purposeful and think about the electorate, the people, like the late Abiola.

    ”When you are running for an office, you are running to carry the burden of the people. It is like becoming the father of the house.

    ”Many of these politicians often forget why they go there and do away with all their campaign promises.

    “So, it is very simple; to be a politician, all you need to do is to remember the people that voted you to power, that is all.

    “If you do that, you will find that wherever you go, you will be honoured.

    Read Also: Buhari’s declaration: Agbakoba foresees upsets in 2019

    ”When MKO was alive, he was remarkable, because he had the will to listen and attend to the yearnings of the people.

    ”That is why today, we are honouring him, even in death. A politician must remember his political goal by providing good roads, healthcare, education and basic amenities for the people.

    ”The way forward in Nigeria is to get a good leader to rule this country,” he said.

    On the legality of declaring June 12 as the new date for the celebration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day as against May 29, Agbakoba said that it was “clearly an illegal declaration, but a popular one’’.

    ”I also think that the declaration is illegal, but I do not think that it is important. What is important is that there is a declaration that is popular; so, that is how we will take it.

    ”I know it is illegal, but I don’t feel aggrieved. I will not go to court to challenge the declaration; those who feel aggrieved can go to court and challenge it.

    “But, I know that the late Abiola’s family deserve the recognition,” he said.

  • Agbakoba to workers: be involved in politics

    Human rights activist and co-founder, National Intervention Movement (NIM), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has urged the labour movement to strategise, unite and chart a common course that will ensure Nigerians enjoy democratic dividend.

    He said this was the only way the labour movement could be relevant in the 2019 elections.

    Agbakoba, who spoke at the Pre-May Day lecture organised by the United Labour Congress (ULC) in Lagos, with the theme: “Quest for a vibrant democracy: 2019 in focus”, said the organised labour should not allow the mistake of the past where a democratic process was started and abandoned to repeat itself.

    He said without a strong labour union, it would be difficult to achieve a change when discussing democratic rule. ‘’Labour movement is important in any country. I will advice you to take charge of the democratic space and make it vibrant. But we cannot have a divided labour movement. So, you must strategise,’’ Agbakoba said.

    He said it was high time the labour union took its rightful position in the polity, saying that the era of leaving it in the hands of the few was over.

    He advised the union to collaborate with other groups that share the same vision with them.

    “The strategy you should adopt as 2019 election is coming is to be on the side of the people.

    “You yourself can take power if you have the numbers. You must motivate people. You must collaborate with groups that have the same vision with you. You need to have strong affiliates. That is for betterment of Nigerian.

    “You can actively support a political party that has the same vision with you or you take a political party,” Agbakoba admonished, expressing concern about the quality of leadership in Nigeria. He added that corruption is endemic, while poverty is high.

    The senior lawyer further said the labour movement needed the media to have a vibrant democracy as well as work with relevant stakeholders.

    ULC President Mr. Joe Ajaero reiterated the need to increase the national minimum wage for workers to cater for their families’ welfare.

    Ajaero, however, pointed out that the wage increase should not be delayed because there was no provision in the 2018 budget.

    Speaking further, Ajaero said there was no proof that the country was out of recession.

    “Please don’t let anybody deceive you that the country is out of recession. Inflation is still very high. The cost of transportation, house rent, food stuff are still very high and somebody is telling us we out of recession

    “Life expectancy is low. Nigeria ranks poorly on all international human development indicators,” Ajaero said.

    However, a member of the Nigeria Intervention Movement, Ms Elishama Ideh, called for the inclusion of women in politics to bridge the huge gender gap.

    Ms Ideh said women should be given the opportunity to play active roles in the development of the economy.

    In a related event, the ULC has insisted on N96,000 as the irreducible minimum wage, saying that the union had submitted its position to the committee.

    Ajaero urged the government to expedite action so that the report of the committee could be submitted.

    “Nigerian workers have suffered too much and we hope that the wage floor eventually agreed will lift Nigerians out of poverty and make life better. Government should not play politics with this.

    “However, ULC calls all Nigerians to be vigilant as we negotiate this process. We did not get to this level by charity but by struggle. We can only conclude it favourably by being ready at all times to defeat the forces of wickedness that would not want Nigerian workers to earn decent wages,” Ajaero said.

    He said the economy was on the reverse gear and all known indices that drive the economic growth were tending downwards.

    The labour leader said the most frightening was that those saddled with the challenge of managing the economy were at best displaying wrong thought patterns.

    “They clearly lack not just direction of where they want to take the economic to, but also churn out policies that are at cross purpose with their perceived or intended objectives.

    “What has kept baffling us is that while they kept on beating their chest about exiting recession, growing our foreign reserve, keeping inflation steady at 16.5 per cent, and stabilising the naira exchange rate at N360 to $1, the life and living conditions of Nigerians keep deteriorating.

    “Mass deprivations and increased sufferings remain the lot of the Nigerian people with poverty walking our streets and highways,” Ajaero said.

    He said the reality on ground is that there is no correlation between what is being said on paper and in the news media and what is happening to Nigerian people in the street and at homes.

    Ajaero said any economic programme or policy that does not impact positively on the lives of the people makes no sense at all.

    He added that the ultimate barometer for measuring the achievement of any government is the extent to which the lives of the people have been impacted by its policies and actions.

  • Agbakoba lauds FG’s executive orders, seeks more reforms 

    Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has given a thumbs up to the federal government on the modest gains achieved with the executive orders in the area of Ease of Doing Business.

    The human rights lawyer in a statement at the weekend,recalled that parlous state of the economy led the newly inaugurated Buhari administration to take certain far-reaching measures to revive the economy, as a crucial part of the government’s economic transformation policy in 2016 with the formation of  the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    Specifically, he said, on February 21, 2017, the council approved a 60-Day National Action Plan detailing actions to be performed by certain Ministries, Departments and MDAs.

    According to him,”Undoubtedly, the reforms introduced by the government led to an improvement in Nigeria’s ranking in the Ease of Doing Business. On November 8th 2017, the World Bank Country Director, Rachid Benmessaoud, presented the Report on the Ease of Doing Business to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, according to that report; Nigeria moved up by 24 points from the 169th position on the 2017 ranking to 145th and was included in the 10 most reformed economies.”

    Going forward, the Principal Counsel at Olisa Agbakoba & Co, said it would make all of difference if government at all levels galvanise actions aimed at consolidating the gains recorded thus far in the major areas of the economy for sustained development.

     

  • NNPC board: Agbakoba sues FG for ‘discriminatory’ appointment

    NNPC board: Agbakoba sues FG for ‘discriminatory’ appointment

    A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has sued the Federal Government over alleged violation of the Federal Character principle in the composition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) board.

    He said none of the persons appointed to fill the nine positions is from the states that make up the Southeast geopolitical zone.

    According to Agbakoba, more than one person was appointed from other geopolitical zones in violation of the Constitution.

    Members of the board include Dr Tajuddeen Umar (Northeast), Dr. Maikanti Baru (Northeast), Mr. Abba Kyari (Northeast), Mr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal and Mallam Yusuf Lawal (both Northerners).

    Others are Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (South-South), Dr. Thomas M.A John (South-South), and Dr. Pius O. Akinyelure (South-West).

    “The reason for the action (lawsuit) is that the Federal Government has always discriminated against Nigerians indigenous to the states in the Southeast zone in the appointments into the board of the second respondent (NNPC).

    “The Federal Government, by the lopsided appointment, accords numerical advantage to states in other geo-political zones to the detriment of the applicant’s Southeast geopolitical zone that is totally excluded from the board of the second respondent,” he said.

    According to him, Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right of every citizen to freedom from discrimination.

    Agbakoba said the Constitution also “prohibits any administrative or executive action of the government or application of any law in force in Nigeria discriminating between Nigerians or accords any privilege or disability to any Nigerian, on account of ethnicity, state of origin, etc.”

    Attorney-General of the Federation, NNPC and the Federal Character Commission are the respondents in the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Agbakoba is seeking a declaration that the distribution of appointment into the NNPC’s Board made on July 5 last year violates the principle of democracy, social justice and Federal Character prescribed by Section 14(1) and (13) of the 1999 Constitution.

    He is praying for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Government from further violation of the Constitution and other laws including the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act in appointment of NNPC board members.

    He further asked for an order of perpetual injunction directing the Federal Government to henceforth apply the constitutional principles of democracy, social justice and all laws relating to Federal Character, including the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act in appointing NNPC board members.