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  • ‘Nigeria, others to improve crude earnings soon’

    Nigeria and 12 members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will enjoy improved earnings on the back of the growing demand for crude oil in the global oil market, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said.

    This is coming as the price of crude is nearing $70 per barrel — a good omen for Nigeria which derives more than 70 per cent of its earnings from the sale of crude oil.

    The agency said crude oil price, which has experienced a downward movement in the past few years, is expected to witness growth in 2018, adding that the market has started on a good note in January 2018, as price moved to between $50 per barrel to $60 per barrel.

    The agency said oil price is looking upward, after an unprecedented drop over the past 18 months, noting that oil’s “remarkable recovery” in the past few weeks is a pointer to the fact that the price would grow well in the months ahead.

  • IPOB’s Kanu: What next for Abaribe, others?

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu has not appeared at the Federal High Court, Abuja since April 25, last year, after Justice Binta Nyako granted him bail during his trial for alleged treasonable felony. The court has given his three sureties, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, till June 26 to produce him or show cause why they should not be imprisoned. Alternatively, each surety could forfeit a N100million bail bond. Eric Ikhilae examines the case.

    Where is Nnamdi Kanu? The leader of  the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has not been coming to court after Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja granted him bail on April 25, last year, during his trial for alleged treasonable felony.

    His absence from court since October 17, has put his sureties, including Senator Enyinnaya  Abaribe, representing Abia South, at risk of imprisonment or forfeiture of a N100 million bond.

     

    How it all started

     

    Kanu and IPOB, rode into the nation’s consciousness in 2015 through Radio Biafra (RB), one of the group’s information outlets and the internet.

    Audio and video recordings of their comments about Nigeria and its leaders and calls for the creation of the state of Biafra were freely broadcast on RB, YouTube, among other media.

    Kanu, who was said to be based in the United Kingdom (UK), remained elusive until October 14, 2015 when operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) arrested him in a hotel in Lagos.

     

    Kanu’s arrest

     

    According to court documents, SSS operative, Temisan John, averred that his team arrested Kanu at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos in company of a young girl.

    John said: “On arrival at the hotel, the staff denied having Kanu in the hotel or having any knowledge of him, even when shown his photograph. The hotel’s guests manifest for about five days were also printed and the name was not found on any.

    “However, relying on accurate intelligence, the team decided to conduct a physical search on all the hotel rooms, leading to the arrest of Kanu in Room 303, where he was caught hibernating with a young girl named Maryam Ibezimakor, with all his broadcasting and communication gadgets set for use.

    “It was then discovered that Kanu checked in under the name Nwanekaenyi Ezebuiro. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the command headquarters.”

    Another SSS operative, Mohammed Ahmed, who led the team that searched the home of Kanu’s associate, Benjamin Madubugwu, at Ubulusiuzor town, in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, said his team recovered “two pump action guns loaded with ammunition; one Emerald Pump Action gun with serial number: TS870-113-00463  and “one Delta Magnum Pump Action gun s/no: 501.”

     

    Bail controversies

     

    Upon his arrest, Kanu was brought before Magistrate Shuaibu Umsman of the Magistrates’ Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.  He was, in a First Information Report (FIR) filed before the court by the state, accused of engaging in “criminal intimidation” contrary to Sections 97(a) and (b) and 397 of the Penal Code. He was also accused of engaging in terrorism financing.

    He was arraigned before the court on October 19, 2015. He pleaded not guilty to the information and was later granted bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety, who must be a civil servant of Grade Level 16.

    Kanu’s lawyer, Egechukwu Obetta later accused the SSS of frustrating the bail granted his client by refusing to release him. Rather than release Kanu in compliance with the bail granted by the Magistrates’ Court, the SSS went before a Federal High Court, in Abuja with an ex-parte application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/873/20015 for an order to further detain Kanu for 90 days.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola, on November 11, 2015, granted the application brought, among others, under Section 27(1) of the Terrorism Prevention (amendment) Act 2013.

    Apparently contended with the order got from the Federal High Court, the DSS later discontinued the proceedings before the magistrates’ court and took no further steps on the case.

    Kanu’s lawyers saw an opportunity in this and returned to Justice Ademola with a fundamental rights application to challenge their client’s continued detention when no charge was pending against him before any court.

    Swayed by the applicant’s argument, Justice Ademola, in a ruling on December 17, 2015 ordered the DSS to release Kanu forthwith.

    The judge agreed with the applicant that there were no justifiable reasons for the state to keep Kanu in custody when no charge was pending against him.

     

    Arraignment at the High Court

     

    Before any major steps could be taken in relation to Justice Ademola’s ruling, the state filed a six-count charge against Kanu and two others before the Federal High Court, Abuja.  The others are: Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (said to be a Field Maintenance Engineer with MTN Nigeria Limited).

    They were charged with, among others, criminal conspiracy, treason, illegal importation of goods and possession of fire arms.

    At their first appearance before the Federal High Court on December 23, 2015, the defendants objected to being tried before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, whom the case was assigned.

    When the case was called, Kanu sought the court’s permission to speak, which the judge granted without objection from his lawyer, Vincent Obetta and the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Diri, who led the prosecution team.

    Kanu said he lacked confidence in the court, and that based on information available to him he might not get a fair trial.

    He said: “I will not sacrifice the due process founded upon the principle of natural justice on the altar of speedy release from detention. I will rather remain in detention than subject myself to a trial that amounts to perversion of justice. There have been several rulings delivered by competent courts of jurisdiction, which the SSS never respected.”

    When asked to comment, Obetta agreed with his client and added that Kanu was at liberty to decide whether or not he has confidence in a court before which he was to stand trial.

    Diri, however, objected and insisted that it was not within the rights of a defendant to pick the court where he must stand trial.

    Diri relied on the provision of Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to argue that a defendant could only object to a charge after pleading to it. He urged the judge to proceed with the planned arraignment of the defendants.

     

    Judges’ withdrawal

     

    Ruling, Justice Mohammed overruled Diri’s objection and held that a defendant has the right to decide before which court he/she should be tried.

    “Justice is rooted in confidence. If a party has no confidence in this court, he has the liberty to say so. If it was the prosecution, who did not have confidence in the court, will it not say so?

    “Section 396(2) of the ACJA has nothing to do with the nature of objection raised by the first defendant. He is not challenging the competence of the charge, but his lack of confidence in the court to try him,” the judge said and withdrew from the case.

    On September 26, 2016 another judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, who the case was reassigned, also withdrew following a petition by Kanu’s lawyers to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The lawyers accused the judge in the petition of making conflicting decisions in an application by the prosecution to be allowed to shield its witnesses from public view. To the defence, such ruling, which allowed the prosecution to hide its witnesses’ identity, would not guaranty fairness and justice for the defendants.

    Ruling on September 26, 2016 Justice Tsoho said: “I deem it unnecessary to allow the learned prosecution lawyer, S M. Labaran to make any response. Luckily, the procedure would have been to await the response of the NJC.

    “This court is minded not to prolong the issue, especially since they (the defence team) did not state which court it wants to handle its case. I have disqualified myself from sitting over this case.

    “Therefore, the case file shall be transferred to the office of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. This shall be the position of this court even if the NJC decides otherwise.”

     

    Re-arraignment

     

    The case was again re-assigned to Justice Binta Nyako (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja)  whose court Kanu and three others were arraigned on an amended charge of 11 counts, with the addition of a new defendant, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, described as IPOB’s National Co-ordinator.

    They are, in the amended charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, charged with terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods.

    In a ruling on December 1, 2016, Justice Nyako rejected their bail applications on the grounds that the offences which they were being tried “are very serious in nature”, and therefore, not ordinarily bailable.

    She noted that the court has to exercise its discretion one way or the other, irrespective of what the charge is, but that some of the charges against the defendants could attract life imprisonment if proved by the prosecution.

    The judge dismissed the contention by the defendants that President Muhammadu Buhari had openly directed that they should not be released on bail. She said the President, as a Nigerian citizen, was at liberty to exercise his right to freedom of speech.

    The judge said the President’s comment was incapable of influencing the decision of the court. She said the defendants did not place before the court any new fact or law capable of persuading it to reverse an earlier ruling (by Justice Tsoho) where they were equally denied bail.

    Justice Nyako said: “The offences are serious in nature and carries very severe punishment if proven. I hereby, therefore, refuse bail of the applicants. But in the alternative, I hereby order accelerated trial of this matter to almost commence immediately, but not later than two months.”

    The defence rejected move by the prosecution to open its case. Instead, it challenged the competence of the charge, arguing that the proof of evidence submitted by the prosecution did not support the charge.

    In a ruling last March 1, Justice Nyako upheld the defence’s argument in relation to some counts in the charge and struck out six out of the 11 counts.

    The judge struck out counts 3,5,7,9,10 &11, relating to commission of acts of terrorism, improper importation of goods and managing unlawful society, leaving counts relating to criminal conspiracy and treasonable felony – counts 1, 2,4, 6 and 8, which relate to offences of conspiracy to commit acts of treasonable felony and other related offences.

    Shortly after the counts in the charge became reduced to five, Kanu’s lawyer approached the court again with another application for bail. This time, he raised the issue of his client’s health, which the judge later agreed to.

    In a ruling last April 25, Justice Nyako rejected the objection by the prosecution and granted bail to Kanu, with the exclusion of other defendants. The judge said her decision to grant bail was based on health grounds.

    In less than two weeks, Kanu was out of custody, having satisfied the bail conditions.

     

    Controversy over Kanu’s

    whereabouts

     

    The prosecution was to open its case on October 17. But when parties got to court, the other defendants were present with the exception of Kanu.

    Lead prosecution lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran noted that although the case was scheduled for commencement of trial, no proceedings could be conducted in the absence of one of the defendants.

    Labaran recalled that Kanu was granted bail on April 25, 2017 on health grounds and that “the court gave an order that he should go and attend to his health challenge and report back to court on monthly basis.

    He added that the three men, who stood sureties for Kanu should be ordered to appear before the court to show cause why the bail bond of N100 million, which each of the sureties signed, should not be forfeited and or, they should be committed to prison for failing to produce the 1st defendant.

    Responding, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who represented Kanu, denied knowledge of his client’s whereabouts. “Ever since the Army raided his home on September 11 and 14, 2017, we have not seen the first defendant. I cannot tell if he is dead or alive,”Ejiofor said, urging the court to reject Labaran’s application in relation to the sureties.

    Also reacting, Ogechi Ogbonna, who appeared for Abaribe, said his client was without any information regarding Kanu’s whereabouts.

    Ogbonna informed the court about a motion he filed seeking, among others, an order discharging Abaribe as Kanu’s surety on the grounds that he was no longer interested in offering his consent to serve as Kanu’s surety in view of recent happenings. However, Ogbonna was silent on what his client meant as “recent happenings.”

    At that point, Justice Nyako told Ogbonna that at the moment in the case three options were opened to Abaribe and other sureties to the 1st defendants, which they could choose one.

    The first, according to the judge, was either Abaribe remains a surety or produce the first defendant in court and thereafter hands off from being his surety.

    The second was for Abaribe to forfeit the N100m bail bond if he could not produce Kanu in court, and third, that the court gives Abaribe time to produce Kanu in court.

    Ogbonna elected to work with the third option, following which the judge ordered the sureties to appear in court to show cause why bench warrant should not be issued against the first defendant, as prayed by the prosecution, or why they should not forfeit their N100m bond each or be committed to prison for failing to produce Kanu.

    Before further proceedings in the criminal trial, Justice Nyako heard and decided the case brought by IPOB against the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) over his (Kanu’s) purported disappearance.

    IPOB had by the suit, sought “an order of Habeas Corpus ad subjiciendum, commanding the respondent (COAS), to produce the applicant in court.”

    It was claimed in the supporting affidavit that no one has seen or heard from Kanu since September 14, 2017, when soldiers of Nigerian Army allegedly invaded his house “on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenceless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many”.

    The COAS denied Kanu’s claim in a counter-affidavit, and argued that contrary to claims by the applicant, soldiers, who were deployed in the Southeast for ‘Operation Python Dance II, did not have any contact, whatsoever, with Kanu on September 12 or 14, or anytime thereafter as alleged.

    The respondent added that the Nigerian Army did not, at any time, arrest or take Kanu into custody within the period the military operation lasted.

    The COAS also denied the allegation that soldiers invaded the IPOB leader’s house in Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State.

    Justice Nyako gave her verdict on the case on January 27, 2018 and dismissed it.

    The judge observed that the applicant failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to convince the court that Kanu was indeed in the custody of the Nigerian Army.

    Justice Nyako said:  ”The doctrine of last seen”, which the applicant relied upon, even though applicable in murder cases, has no statutory backing.

    The judge, who noted that Kanu was listed as the applicant in the case, said she was surprised that someone, who is to be missing, was the one seeking reliefs from the court.

    She said the supporting affidavit filed by Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, contained criminal allegations against the Nigerian Army that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt”.

    The judge added: “Has the applicant placed enough evidence to show that the respondent was the last to see the applicant? Was there any evidence that he was last seen with even one soldier?

    “The onus of proof will not shift from the applicant to the respondent except the applicant is able to prove that he was last seen by the respondent. This, they have failed to do.

    “This application fails and it is hereby dismissed. Be ready for your case,” Justice Nyako said.

    Shortly after the court’s ruling, Ejiofor urged the court to guide parties on how to proceed with the criminal case.

    In response, Justice Nyako said: “As far as I am concerned, the applicant is on bail. Was he not released on bail based on an undertaking by the sureties?

    “The sureties guaranteed to produce the applicant in court for his trial, so three of them should produce him. They made an undertaking and deposed to the fact that they will produce him to stand trial.

    “If there is any reason they cannot produce him, they should tell me on that date,” Justice Nyako said and adjourned to February 20, 2018.

    When parties returned to court on February 20, Labaran noted that Kanu’s continued absence was harmful to the progress in the case since it was a joint trial.

    He suggested that the trial be separated to allow the trial of Kanu separately whenever he turns up.

    The defence agreed with Labaran’s suggestion, following which the judge adopted it in a ruling and adjourned for the commencement of the separate trial of the other defendants.

    In relation to Kanu, the judge restated her order that the sureties should show cause why they Kanu was absent in court, failing which they either go to jail or forfeit their bail bond.

    The separate trial of Kanu’s associates commenced on March 22, during which the prosecution, before opening its case, re-arraigned the defendants on an amended charge, which now included Bright Chimezie as a defendant.

    Bright Chimeze, Benjamin Madubugwu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe and David Nwawuisi are now being tried separately. The prosecution called its first witness, whose identity was kept from the public, but was simply identified as “AB”. Further hearing in that case has been scheduled for May 21.

    However, when parties returned to court on March 28, Abaribe and his co-sureties were present.

    Labaran informed the court that the business of the day was for the sureties to show cause why they should not forfeit the bail bond or be imprisoned for failing to produce Kanu in court as ordered.

    In a ruling, Justice Nyako ordered that an enrolled copy of the court’s order be served on Abaribe and his co-sureties to enable them produce Kanu on the next day or show cause why they should not be jailed or forfeit their bail bond.

    The judge adjourned to June 26. When the court resumes on the next date, beyond the affidavits to be filed by Abaribe and his co-sureties in response to the order for them to show cause, the court is also expeted to look at a fresh applications filed the prosecution

    The application seeks, among others, the revocation of Kanu’s bail on the grounds that he has allegedly breached the bail conditions. It also prays for the issuance of bench warrant for Kanu’s arrest should the sureties fail to produce him.

     

    What options for Abaribe and others?

     

    Lawyers spoke cautiously on the issue, noting that since it was still a pending matter, it was tidy to allow the court reach a conclusion one way or the other.

    Dr. Ben  Chukwueke  said the options opened to the sureties are as stated by the trial judge on October 17, 2017.

    He said:“To me, I don’t think the sureties can get out of this without losing something should they fail to produce the defendant, who they stood surety.

    “The judge has given them hints about what to expect. Although I cannot readily recall any similar cases before now, but I think that is why the sureties are required to sign bail bond,” he said.

    Abudllahi Usman said there was nothing wrong if the sureties were imprisoned to serve as deterrent to others, who cannot account for individuals they stood surety for.

    “The men in this case are enlightened enough to know the consequences of their action. If you agree to stand surety for a defendant, you know it is your responsibility to account for him/her if he/she absconds.

    “How do you account for an absconding defendant when you are unable to produce him? The judge knows what to do. There are options, including them forfeiting the N100m bond they each signed.

    “Without sounding sub judice here, I hope the judge will not be swayed by the status of the men involved in this case to become too lenient.”

  • Sagay, Osipitan, others advocate jury trial system

    Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) has called for the re-introduction of the jury trial system to fight corruption.

    Sagay’s view were shared by Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN); Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice, Mr Razak Atunwa; and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

    They spoke  at a symposium on ‘Salvaging Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System: The Jury Option.’

    It was organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Human Rights Committee in collaboration with The Jury Justice and Rectitude Advocacy Initiative.

    Sagay said that justice, particularly in corruption cases, cannot be successfully disposed of unless ordinary laymen and women are legally empanelled to decide the guilt or innocence of persons charged with crimes of bribery and corruption.

    Sagay, in his opening remarks as chairman, said he came to this conviction after coming out of the shock that enveloped him following judgment of the courts on corruption charges against some Judges.

    “ After my recovery from the shock, it dawned on me that legal knowledge could make judges prone to legal technicalities, creating a barrier between technical law and justice”.

    He noted that the usual excuses for huge deposits in judges’ accounts are “marriage of judges’ daughters, death of judges’ relations like father, mother, aunt, uncle” among others.

    Sagay said he supported the abolition of the jury system in 1976 by the military because he believed that laymen could easily be influenced or subjected to other people’s interest and instructions and that a judge, more likely would uphold the integrity of the judicial system among other reasons.

    He lamented that in recent years, a lot of evidence has established that some judges cannot be relied upon to uphold the integrity of the judicial system.

    To buttress his positions, he cited the judgment in case of a judicial officer charged with corruption.

    He said judgment in the matter showed that there is es spirit de corps among the judges.

    Prof Osipitan, after a detailed explanation of the jury trial system and how it operates in some countries around the world , suggested that it should first be introduced in relation to capital offences in selected economically viable states.

    Osipitan who delievered the keynote paper at the occasion, also suggested the introduction of special Bar and special Bench for the system to work in the country.

    He, however, observed that the jury trial system can only be effective in  country with a mostly efficient and up to date data of its citizens.

    “Foremost, Nigeria must first update its database system. The National Identity Card database and INEC database might be very helpful if the decision is to introduce jury trial in criminal cases”, he said.

    Magu, who was represented by Seidu Atteh, said the commission would accept any trial system that would assist it in fighting corruption cases successfully.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the chairperson of the NBA Ikeja Human Rights Committee, Mrs Carol Ibharuneafe, said symposium’s theme was  necessitated by the fact that society has not been aware of the inadequacy  of the criminal justice system.

    Ibharuneafe pointed out that with high profile cases amongst public officers, the lapses in the law have been exposed and necessitated a “review to make it work for our society.”

    Although there have been suggestions from various stakeholders, she said  the facts remain that whether special or more courts, they will still be presided by only one person, the judge.

    “Given the high propensity of some of our judicial officers to be compromised, those suggestion may achieve little or nothing, hence the jury option”, she said.

  • RMD, others for Face of Nollywood competition

    Years after its maiden edition was held, Total Television Studios, in partnership with Organseed International, has returned with the second edition of the Face of Nollywood (FON) Awards.

    Designed with the aim of discovering the most popular Nollywood personality, organisers of the awards which come up June 30 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, say the reward system stands out because movie lovers will get to pick the winners themselves.

    Already 162 popular acts, made up of veterans and newbies have been lined up for as contestants for the award.

    Among them are Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Patience Ozorkwo, Daniel K Daniel, Kate Henshaw, Genevieve Nnaji, Adeola Odunlade, Pete Edochie, Funke  Akindele, Halima Abubakar, and a host of others.

    Speaking at the unveil, which took place at Tivoli Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos last Thursday, CEO of Total Television Studios, Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi said that the idea behind choosing a face, rather than several faces in several categories as is the case with other awards is what sets Face of Nollywood awards miles ahead of its closest competitor.

    “The idea is to discover someone who has a recognizable huge fan base, uncommon acting talent and a star personality that millions of Nigerians home and abroad as well as Africans can clearly identify with, display open admiration for and look up to for inspiration and hope. Such a personality does exist and may shock us all who he or she turns out to be.”

    According to the organisers, the voters will ultimately decide the choice for the current year. Candidates for the awards are selected randomly by a panel of award jurists.

    The overall winner will go home with N1 million, a plaque and a certificate of award while the first and second runners up will go home with N300, 000 and N250, 000 respectively.

    Organisers also revealed that the voting process will be handled online by Vas2nets while Ntel, TeGroup, Achievas, as well as Unda Group were listed among the sponsors.

  • How women lawyers can succeed, by Mahmoud, CJ, others

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) has urged women lawyers to be consistent and passionate about what they believe in order to achieve their goals in a competitive world.

    He spoke at a workshop to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD).

    NBA held a one-day Women-in Law forum in line with this year’s global theme: #PressforProgress. It was held at the CBN Training Institute, Maitama, Abuja.

    Mahmoud acknowledged the day’s importance, saying it was the first time the NBA would mark the day.

    He said:  ”The NBA data base has 49,850 verified practicing lawyers out of which 14,647 or 29 per cent of this number are women. In many law faculties, female students have reached numerical parity or even surpassed their male counterparts.

    “However, the achievements recorded by female lawyers are yet to reflect their numerical strength. We do not have the figures, but anecdotal evidence will suggest that there are relatively few law firms owned or headed by female lawyers across the country.

    “In the leadership of the NBA, women lawyers are still under represented because out of our 125 branches of the NBA across the country, only three branches are currently headed by women.

    “In the Judiciary, the picture even though better, is still far from reflective of the numerical strength of women and their positive contributions to the legal profession.

    “Only six women have ever been on the Bench of Nigeria’s Supreme Court, only one woman has ever been the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Only one woman has occupied the office of the President of the Court of Appeal.

    “It is clear to us, therefore, that whilst there has been tremendous progress in the legal profession in terms of gender parity, much is left to be achieved.”

    Mahmoud said the NBA would complement “the great work that is being done at various other levels whether by NBA Women’s Forum, the Association of Women Judges or FIDA”, who he said draw attention to challenges facing female lawyers.

    Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, in his goodwill message, said the issue of parity in numerical strength of women in the legal profession was one that had occupied a central position in recent times.

    Chairman Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Legal Practice (SLP) Mrs. Miannaya Essien (SAN) said in order to break the glass ceiling, women must know what they want.

    “If you don’t know what you want, you cannot break the glass ceiling,” she said.

    Essien said women must be consistent and passionate about the things they believe in because only then can they achieve their goals in a competitive world.

    She called on female lawyers to approach their professional careers with courage, confidence and integrity.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs. Victoria Awomolo narrated her accidental entry into the legal profession.

    She said: “I was a Chemistry teacher and after 10 years’ career as science teacher, I told my husband that I wanted a change of career. He suggested the idea of running a pharmacy, but said it would be frustrating because of poor patronage. ‘Why not Law?’ he suggested.

    ”I told him that I had Advanced Level Certificate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. ‘You can do it!’, he insisted.

    “This happened at a time when the University of Ibadan admitted first degree holders for LL. B. Degree,” Awolomo, one of the first 20 women to become SAN, said.

    Legal Aid Council of Nigeria Director-General Mrs. Joy Bob-Manuel said it takes mentoring, networking and hardwork for women lawyers to succeed.

    “No man will leave his post for you to come and pick, you have to go for it. You must be persistent, never take NO for an answer,” Bob-Manuel said.

    Acting Chair, NBA Abuja Branch Mrs. Princess Chukwuani narrated her turbulent experience as chairperson of the crisis-ridden Unity branch.

    She said:  ”I was traumatised; I couldn’t go home because I was at a crossroad. My husband would say: ‘why don’t you drop this NBA wahala?’  I knew that to quit as chairperson of Unity Bar was to open the gateway to a torrent of troubles, and to remain there was to keep enduring the heat of the hot seat.

    “I was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. I kept asking God to grant me the grace and strength to stay on the job,” she said.

    Chukwuani urged female lawyers to take to mentoring, hard work, support from fellow women, and shun petty gossip.

    The second session resumed with presentations by panelists including NBA National Treasurer Ms. Aisha Ado Abdullahi, Deputy Director Legal Department of the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST)   Mrs. Ruth Badung Kaburuk and former Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) President,  Mrs.F.  Boma Ayomide Alabi, who moderated the session.

    Mrs. Kaburuk narrated the course of her career which catapulted her to the position of a Deputy Director in NIPOST.

    Abdullah told the forum that she was the first lawyer to come out of her family in which her two parents were bankers, and that she had no role model to mentor her along her career path.

    She said she forced her way out of Kano, at least to break the boredom of home environment, and attend Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School before being called to the Bar.

    Although she desired to work in Dikko & Mahmoud’s Chambers in Kano, that dream never came true.

    Mrs. Alabi presented an exciting narrative of an encounter which drew out the fire in her. She had lodged in an Abuja hotel, when an unruly politician descended on the open space to disturb the peace of lodgers.

    She said she applied the philosophy of ICE – Ignore, Confront and Educate, which effectively stopped the nuisance in the hotel.

    The programme was rounded up with awards of souvenirs to all the panelists.

  • Olaopa to leaders: build strong institutions to end poverty, others

    EXECUTIVE Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) Dr. Tunji Olaopa has advised African leaders to build effective institutions as the only way to rescue the continent from underdevelopment, poverty and stagnation.

    He gave the advice in his keynote address at the 18th Africa Conference at the University of Texas, Austin United States (U.S.) at the weekend.

    The theme of this year’s conference is “Leadership and Institutions in Africa”.

    The conference, which is an annual gathering of intellectuals from across the world, discusses thematic issues that are germane to the understanding of Africa and Africans in the Diaspora.

    It was convened by Prof. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair Professor in the Humanities and teaching professor at the University of Texas.

    Olaopa, whose keynote address was entitled: “Transforming Africa’s Institutions: the Challenges of Politics, Development and Reform,” said it is only the institutionalising imperative that will unite African leadership and citizens into a comparative development of inclusive institutions.

    The public administration expert argued that deepening poverty, which even the celebrated jobless growth of the yesteryears did not alleviate, reduces the chances of elections that are issues-based, which in turn limits the potentials for emergence of transformation in most African countries.

    He explained that the chances of African countries breaking out of their logjam nonetheless demands dynamics that will, in time, create a new generation of detribalised and cosmopolitan leaders.

    According to him, African leaders should be distinguished by their managerial sophistication and policy intelligence and, therefore, inspire by example and drive critical movements to rebuild institutions to create capable developmental states.

    He urged then to distil compelling value propositions in African political economies that could shape new ideologies with regard to the role of the state relative to market as African alternative to Washington Consensus inspired neoliberalism.

    Olaopa said:  “Achieving this momentum requires that African governments remodel the business of governance through institutional renewal and a cultural adjustment programme-inspired values reorientation. This new wave will create shifts from short-term policy orientation to more longer-term concerns; from certificated illiteracy education outputs trends to skills orientation cum reflective practices and from profligacy and rabid consumerism to an investment orientation.”

    He emphasised that Africa’s transformation suggests that there is a new generation of institutions and values-propelled leaders, who are sophisticated enough to be successful.

    “Reject foreign economic and development paradigms that are at odd with Africa’s interests and future;  generate local economic frameworks that, for instance, encourage local consumption;  scale up investment in education and the creation of a patriotic human capital invested with the will to transform Africa; facilitate a significant collaborative endeavours that transform Africa’s economic and technological future through research and development (R&D); and  put in place several institutional reform strategies that lead to the emergence of world class public service around which the visions and programmes of various African governments could be translated into veritable governance projects,” he said.

    As part of the activities marking the closing ceremony, Olaopa was honoured with the Thabo Mbeki award for Public Service and Scholarship.

    The award took Olaopa by surprise as it was kept as a closely guarded secret by the organisers of the conference,  until the announcement at the closing banquet.

    Thabo Mbeki Award for Public Service and Scholarship is awarded to an African, who has distinguished him or herself in the public or private sector. The recipient of the award must be a high calibre individual with unblemished record of public service or the private sector.

    The awardee must be someone who is committed to the project of African renaissance and African unity and must have made significant contributions to scholarship.

  • Atiku, Makarfi, Dickson, Omisore, others felicitate with Christians at Easter

    Former Vice President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has felicitated with Christians as they mark the ressurection of Jesus Christ.

    In this, he was joined by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, PDP chieftain and former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and former Osun State deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    In a statement released by his media office in Abuja to mark the Easter celebrations, Atiku called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice which characterised the life of Jesus Christ.

    The Waziri Adamawa described those two qualities as essential to the unity that Nigeria so desperately needs at this time when vested and provincial interests threaten to tear our nation apart.

    He also encouraged Nigeria’s leaders to use the opportunity of the Easter celebration to reflect on their stewardship to their people and to the nation.

    “Our leaders at all levels should follow the virtues that define this season – sacrifice, love and charity – and come together to help all Nigerians resolve the differences that divide us.

    We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are as a result of another ethnic or religious group,” Atiku said.

    On his part, Senator Omisore charged Christians as well as all Nigerians  to demonstrate the essence of Easter as exemplified by Jesus Christ, by living in love and harmony with one another.

    Omisore, a former Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, gave this charge in a statement he issued to felicitate with Nigerians on Easter celebrations.

    “As Nigerians, we must eschew acts that will divide us further. We must embrace Christ’s attitude of living in love and harmony with ourselves and our neighbours,” he said.

    “It is not by chance that God put all of us in this environment called Nigeria. Whether as Muslims or Christians, we must remember always that we are our brother’s keeper.

    “We must promote all the enriching values that make our lives and society embodiments of godliness.”

    Omisore, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2014 governorship election in Osun State, urged the people of the state to be steadfast in their prayers.

    Bayelsa State governor, Hon, Henry Seriake Dickson, urged Nigerians, particularly Christians to jealously cherish and guide their faith by living a Christ-like life of selfless service, sacrifice, love and righteousness.

    The governor, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, noted that, without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, “our faith as Christians would have been a fallacy.”

    While stressing that Nigeria is presently at a crossroads, the governor called on Bayelsans to love one another, pray fervently for the peace, prosperity and stability of the nation and sacrifice for the common good of Bayelsa State.

    Governor Dickson also solicited for the maximum cooperation of the people and leaders of the state and the Ijaw Nation to enable his Restoration Government  consolidate on its legacy projects in order to finish strong by 2020.

    He said: “As we celebrate Easter, which of course is the basis of our faith as Christians, I urge Nigerians, particularly Bayelsans, to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ by words and deeds.

    “We must love one another and sacrifice for the common good of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.

    “This country is facing daunting challenges which call for fervent prayers and hard work to surmount.

    “Our Government in the last six years has put Bayelsa State on the path of peace and prosperity. I therefore, solicit the continued cooperation and support of leaders and the people of the state to enable our  Restoration Government consolidate on its life-changing legacy projects and finish strong.”

    In his own message, Makarfi said in spite of various challenges, there is still hope for Nigeria.

    Jesus’ death and resurrection, he said, are everlasting reminders that it is possible for Nigeria to overcome its difficult situation and embrace great virtues.

    He asked Nigerians to eschew bitterness and embrace the spiritual legacies of Jesus Christ which can immensely facilitate Nigeria’s peace and progress.

    He sent “warm felicitations and greetings to the Nigerian Christian community, and indeed all Nigerians on this auspicious occasion of the Easter celebrations in memory of the legendary spirit of sacrifice and selflessness espoused and exhibited by Jesus Christ.”

    It is imperative, according to him, that this period be “used by all for meditation and sober reflections on the life and times of Jesus Christ and his sacrifices, with a view to imbibing  such virtues as humility, forgiveness, tolerance, good neighbourliness, respect and empathy for others’ feelings as well as love for one another.”

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Solomon Adeola, charged  his constituents and Nigerians in general to remain peaceful and exhibit the Christian virtues of sacrifice, love and abiding faith in a better tomorrow as exemplified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    Adeola said the season symbolises a new beginning of hope and redemption for all mankind, adding that for all true Christians, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means that all challenges confronting individuals and mankind are ultimately surmountable with fervent belief in God.

    The senator said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gave mankind hope of a new beginning and a better future, stressing that in spite of enormous challenges confronting the nation, Nigeria is at the threshold of a better tomorrow.

  • ‘Nigeria’s oil output, others to hit 12m bpd’

    Daily oil production from African countries, including Nigeria, has been projected to reach 12 million barrels per day (bpd) in the next few years. The  current output is about 10 million bpd,.

    African Petroleum Producing Organisation (APPO), formerly African Petroleum Producing Association (APPA), Executive Secretary His Excellency, Mahaman Laouan Gaya, spoke of the projection at a summit in Abuja.

    He noted that African producers should have a common platform in terms of policy initiatives and strategy to gain the deserved relevance in the comity of global oil producers.

    He advised African oil producers to come together to  surmount the global oil and gas challenges and reap the benefits from the petroleum value chain, while also working in partnership with stakeholders in the industry.

    Gaya said: “Petroleum exploration started in late 19th Century in America, Asia and the Middle East, but crude oil production started in Africa in  the late 1950s and early 1960s. However, more than 50 years later, less than 20 African countries are petroleum producers, producing about 10 million barrels per day. In the few years to come the production is estimated to reach 12 million bpd.

    “If Africa should be considered as one producer, for sure our continent will challenge Saudi Arabia, United States of America and Russia. This is the reason Africa must have a common response to global oil and gas challenge. This will measure and determine the place of Africa in the petroleum geopolitics. Africa is the future of the world oil and gas industry.”

    He continued: “Petroleum is one of the key catalysts of African development. In some African countries, oil and gas represent more than 70 per cent of the national income. Global oil and gas challenge is an audacious one that should be tackled by African producers.

    “From APPO’s point of view, African petroleum producers are better positioned to create maximum leverage from their resources and government when they adopt a common platform for oil and gas policy initiatives and development strategy. Accordingly, Africa’s drive to grow to the global petroleum challenges can be achieved through regional cooperation in all the petroleum value chain, contribute to the understanding of energy situation and policies of Africa and other nations, which will make a better energy mix, assist African net oil importing countries to meet their energy needs.”

    Gaya emphasised the need for such cooperation, noting the importance of enhancing the levels of cooperation among all concerned parties including energy producers and consumers, owners of advanced technology, financial institutions and policy makers to promote benefits and mutual interests of achieving partnerships based on unified targets and objectives.

    APPO was created in 1987 in Lagos to serve as a platform for African petroleum producing countries to co-operate, collaborate and share knowledge and competences. It has  18 members – Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Libya, Mauritania, Niger and Sudan.

  • IPOB: Produce Kanu or go to jail, court tells Abaribe, others

    Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and two others to produce leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu or risk imprisonment.

    Justice Binta Nyako said this in a ruling at the resumption of proceedings yesterday in the case of treasonable felony involving Kanu.

    Abaribe, representing Abia South, Tochukwu Uchendu and a Jewish High Priest, Emmanuel Shallom Ben, signed a N100m bond each on April 25 last year as sureties for Kanu, who was granted bail by the court on health ground.

    Kanu has since failed to attend subsequent proceedings in the case, prompting the trial judge to, on October 10, 2017, order the three sureties to either produce Kanu in court or risk either being sent to jail or to forfeit the N100m bail bond they each endorsed.

    On February 20, 2018, Justice Nyako ordered Abaribe and his co-sureties to, at the next hearing date, either produce Kanu in court or show cause why they should not be imprisoned or forfeit the bail bond.

    When proceedings resumed yesterday, Abaribe and others were present. Prosecuting lawyer Shuaibu Labaran informed  the court that the business of the day was for the sureties to show cause why they should not forfeit the bail bond or be imprisoned for failing to produce Kanu in court as ordered.

    Lawyer to Abaribe, Chukwuma Umeh, (SAN), Franklin Chude representing Uchendu and Alloy Ejimakor  objected to Labaran’s position.

    Umeh noted that an enrolled copy of the court’s order of February 20, 2018, was not served on the sureties including his client.

    He said: “My lord, the ruling of your lordship has not been served on us, and an order having not been served on a party cannot be used against the party,  Umeh argued.

    Chudi and Ejimafor alligned themselves with Umah and urged the court to discountenance Labaran’s application that the sureties be made to show cause why Kanu was still absent in court.

    Responding, the prosecution counsel argued that “justice cannot be sacrificed on the altar of technicality”.

    Labaran pointed out that Abaribe’s lawyer had been appearing in the case since 2017. He noted that Umeh had filed an application justifying why Abaribe cannot be made to produce Kanu in court.

    Labaran said he has responded to Umeh’s application. He said: “We have joined issues with the 1st surety on his application, but his sudden u-turn this afternoon is belated.”

    He  urged the court to disregard the arguments by lawyers to Abaribe and others and proceed with the business of the day.

    In a ruling, Justice Nyako ordered that an enrolled copy of the court’s February 20, 2018 order be served on Abaribe and his co-sureties to enable them produce Kanu on the next day of show cause why they should not be jailed or forfeit their bail bond.

    The judge adjourned to June 26.

  • Osinbajo, wife, Tinubu, Aregbesola, Fayose, Akande, Daniel, others bid Alake’s father-in-law farewell

    High profile dignitaries including the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; National Leader All Progressives Congress (APC),  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Osun State Governor,  Rauf Aregbesola;  his Ekiti counterpart, Ayo Fayose; former governor of Osun State and former interim national chairman of APC Bisi Akande;  yesterday witnessed the funeral  ceremony of the father-in –law to a former Commissioner of Information and Startegy in Lagos State, Mr Dele Alake, Pa Emmanuel Elegbede.

    A former governor of Ogun State, Otuba Gbenga Daniel and ex-Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro attended the funeral service held at Araromi Baptist Church on Moloney Street, Lagos Island yesterday.

    The list also include the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, his wife Fatima; Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, Victor Ifijeh; the Daily Editor of the newspaper, Gbenga Omotoso;  Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspaper, Gbenga Adefaye; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Bayo Onanuga; ex- Commissioner for Finance,Lagos State, Wale Edun; popular lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN); a former senator representing Lagos West, Tokunbo Afikuyomi; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Ferry Services, Paul Kalejaiye and Hon Daniel Kalejaiye, among others.

    In his sermon, Rev Shola Idowu  urged the children to follow the footsteps of their father.

    He described Elegbede as a man that lived for the service of God, nothing that his life his worthy of emulation.

    “Baba has died and has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord. We all will die someday. We must live for God.”

    Pa Elegbede was buried at Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi. He was 89. Guests were later entertained at  Harbour Point on Victoria Island.

    Until his retirement, he was on the board of directors of both Vono Plc  and Nipol Plc. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, children,  grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    Osinbajo described Elegbede as a good man whose life is worthy of emulation.

    He urged his children to emulate the good life their father lived, saying he has gone to rest in the Lord.

    “The last time I saw him he was still strong and I never knew he would be leaving us so soon.”

    Bamigbetan said Elegbede showed love to all those around him

    “He encouraged his children to show kindness to everyone and many of them are doing so up till today. He was committed Christian that lived a good Christian life. He was compassionate.”

    Alake said his father in law was a detailed and organised man, adding that he lived a good and outstanding life.”

    “He wrote with his hand writing his biography and the order of his obituary.  He organised his passage and we are doing today what he wrote down. He wrote down the names and phone numbers of those he want us to contact when he takes his last breath. He wrote down names of individuals, institutions, organisation and clubs.

    “He had the details of all his children and grandchildren. He has details of me more than I do of myself.”

    He added that his father- in- law left with them the legacy to be meticulous, accountable,  transparent, serious and jovial.

    Elegbede’s first daughter, Abosede Adebiyi said her father was a loving and caring husband and father.  “He was disciplined, God fearing and he brought us up in the way of the Lord. He taught us how to be well organized and that in whatever we want to achieve in life, we have to dream about it, write it down in a paper and follow what we have written down.”

    She added that he was a jovial father, he was disciplined and he made sure all his children were well educated.  “He took good care of us all and the extended family. He is a powerful man and always encouraged us to know God is on our side. He was a man of many parts.

    “He taught us honestly and made sure all his children are organised.  He has records of all his children. I pity my mother more because she will miss him much more. They have been together for 66 years. His legacies of honesty and organisation will live on for life in us”.