The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Prof. Ben Nwabueze

  • Onnoghen: SANs demand respect for constitution, rule of law

    The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) on Saturday called for respect for the Constitution in the trial of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen.

    It made the call in a communique at the end of its meeting held at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.

    The Federal Government filed charges of non-declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against Chief Justice Onnoghen.

    He has, however, filed an application to challenge the CCT’s jurisdiction on the basis that the matter ought to be determined by the National Judicial Council (NJC) first.

    The Federal High Court in Abuja had also restrained the CCT from arraigning Chief Justice Onnoghen.

    After considering issues of national importance, BOSAN said the issues must be resolved carefully in the Judiciary’s interest.

    The communique reads: “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria deplores the situation that has arisen from the preferment of charges against the CJN and head of the Nigerian Judiciary before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    READ ALSO: Freezing CJN’s accounts contemptuous, say Agbakoba, Falana, Ozekhome

    “The Body urges respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, due process and the proper administration of justice.

    “In the prevailing circumstances, all parties are urged to consider the impact of their respective actions on the administration of justice in Nigeria and public confidence in our institutions.

    “The Body recognises that the matter is subjudice (before the CCT and other courts) and it is therefore not appropriate to comment on the merits or otherwise of any of the cases.

    “The Body considers that these issues must be resolved carefully and responsibly in the interest of the legal profession and the nation.

    “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria continues to endorse the core values of good governance, public integrity and sustenance of democracy in the spirit of the Constitution.”

    The communique was signed by Prof Ben Nwabueze and Mr Seyi Sowemimo.

  • Igbo leaders condemn Operation Python Dance

    Igbo leaders condemn Operation Python Dance

    The Prof Ben Nwabueze-led Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) yesterday condemned the invasion of the Southeast by the military through the “so-called Operation Python Dance II and the humiliation and attendant killings by the Army”.

    In a communique signed by Nwabueze after its meeting in Enugu, ILT called for immediate withdrawal of Python Dance and Operation Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta region.

    The group reminded Nigerians that the greater problem facing the nation was the unresolved national question.

    It expressed the resolve to stand by the Ibadan Declaration of September 7, insisting on the powers of the Federal Government to be reduced below what they were under the 1963 Constitution.

    ILT noted and “warmly commends the communique by the Southsouth, Southeast, Southwest and the Middle Belt coalition of their Abuja meeting on Thursday, October 5”.

    The communique added: “The ILT demands on early convocation of a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution anchored on true federalism and regional autonomy affirmed through a referendum.

    “ILT condemns the proscription of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation because it is not there under the extant national and international laws.

    “The ILT calls for a thorough investigation into the allegation by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Dr Ibe Kachikwu) against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for insubordination and by-passing the board of the corporation.

    “Finally, the ILT would like to reiterate, for emphasis, the support for the widespread clamour in the country for restructuring.”

     

  • Biafra: ‘Demands by IPOB should not be absolute’

    Biafra: ‘Demands by IPOB should not be absolute’

    SOUTHEAST governors yesterday moved to resolve the issues surrounding the agitation for the Republic of Biafra.

    They met with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu in Enugu, Enugu State capital.

    Also at the meeting were elder statesman Prof Ben Nwabueze and Igbo Youths Movement leader, Evangelist Elliot Uko.

    The Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, who read a three-sentence communique said the meeting “agreed that these demands by IPOB should not be absolute”.

    He added: “Rather, the governors shall immediately engage the leader of IPOB and the entire leadership of IPOB to further meetings and dialogue with a view to quickening the resolutions of all issues amicably.”

    Only Ebonyi and Enugu State Governors Umahi and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi were present; Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano was represented by his deputy, Nkem Okeke.

    Immediately after reading the communique, Nnamdi Kanu’s his entourage left while the governors resumed sitting.

  • Southeast governors meet with IPOB leader, others

    Southeast governors meet with IPOB leader, others

    Southeast governors met Wednesday  with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu’s with a view to finding lasting solution to the issue of the demand for the Actualisation of Biafra.

    Also in attendance at the meeting were elder statesman, Prof Ben Nwabueze and Igbo Youths Movement leader, Evangelist Elliot Uko.

    Chairman of the South East governors’ forum, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state who read a terse communique said the meeting “agreed that these demands by IPOB should not be absolute”.

    He said, rather, the governors shall immediately engage the leader of IPOB and the entire leadership of IPOB to further meetings and dialogue with a view to quickening the resolutions of all issues amicably.

    Only two of the governors, Umahi of Ebonyi state and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi were present while deputy governor Nkem Okeke represented the governor of Anambra state.

    Immediately after reading the communique, Nnamdi Kanu’s and his entourage left while the governors resumed sitting.

  • Arrested judges should step aside, says Nwabueze

    Arrested judges should step aside, says Nwabueze

    Elder statesman and constitutional lawyer Prof. Ben Nwabueze, has advised the judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on allegations of corruption to step aside until the allegations levelled against them are resolved.

    He also blamed the makeup of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) for the rot in the judiciary, saying it is not the appropriate body for the functions assigned to it.

    Backing the call made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that judges whose houses were recently invaded by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and currently facing allegations of corruption should step aside until their cases are sorted out, Nwabueze said: “If I were one of the judges, I will not feel comfortable sitting on the throne of justice.
    “I will feel most uncomfortable and embarrassed.

    “I will step aside until investigations are carried out and I am vindicated. That is why I agree entirely with the position taken by the NBA. Let them step aside.

    “But, unfortunately, it may turn out in the end that they are innocent.”

    Asked what he would have done differently with regard to the allegations against the judges, Nwabueze said he would not have used the DSS to handle the matter, adding that what the agency has done amounts to usurping the  duties of the police.

    He said the instrument provided by the constitution to handle such matters is the police.He added: “I would have used the police, incompetent as they are, to investigate the allegation thoroughly, and any judge found wanting after investigation would be prosecuted.

    He added: “I would have used the police, incompetent as they are, to investigate the allegation thoroughly, and any judge found wanting after investigation would be prosecuted. “I won’t spare anybody, but I won’t do this Gestapo style of investigation.”

    “I won’t spare anybody, but I won’t do this Gestapo-style of an investigation.” Nwabueze said though the judiciary is “stinking with corruption,” it is not necessary to undermine its credibility.

    Nwabueze said though the judiciary is “stinking with corruption,” it is not necessary to undermine its credibility. He added: “We should find a way of investigating and prosecuting those who are.

    He added: “We should find a way of investigating and prosecuting those who are corrupt but, not by this police state method.

    “You can’t disgrace an institution because of one or two rotten eggs. There is a better way to do it.

    “But here you have a President that is already prejudiced against the judiciary. He doesn’t believe in all these democratic methods.”He believes in

    “He believes in personal, power and the National Security Act has equipped him with the personal power that he wants, and he is exploiting it. “That act should be expunged from our statute book. “

    “That act should be expunged from our statute book.”

    Nwabueze said the NJC has not acquitted itself well with regard to fighting corruption within the judiciary, and that this is owing to the fact it does not have enough powers.

    He said: “The NJC is not the appropriate body for the functions assigned to it.

    “The body needs to be revamped for the effective discharge of the functions assigned to it.

    “It is meant to be a body to discipline judges, but because it is made up of judges, it cannot work.”The constitutional lawyer, 85, said beyond the NJC, a lot of things are wrong with the country’s legal system.

    The constitutional lawyer, 85, said beyond the NJC, a lot of things are wrong with the country’s legal system.

    These, he said, include the system of investigation and prosecution of the police, which is not efficient.

    “It is slow, cumbersome and the problem is compounded by corruption. It is corruption that has made it slow,” he added.

  • Igbo leaders seek regional autonomy

    Igbo leaders seek regional autonomy

    Igbo leaders at the weekend supported the founder of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Elliot Uko, on true federalism, based on regional autonomy.

    Uko, who spoke at the Nike-Lake Hotels, Enugu at the 15th anniversary of IYM, said Nigeria would face dwindling economy until the right thing was done.

    He said: “For the country to move forward, it is imperative for it to return to a true federalism based on regional autonomy.”

    Uko and the Igbo leaders believed that although, the convocation of the National Conference by President Goodluck Jonathan was a good idea, “its resolution falls short of what Nigeria needs at this time.”

    Hailing the President for the conference, the IYM leader urged him to look at the federal system, which he said had failed the nation, with a view to adhering to the regional autonomy as advocated.

    Speakers at the event lauded Uko for being at the forefront of championing the Igbo cause through the IYM and urged him to keep the flag flying.

    The chairman of the event, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, who is also the leader of the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), agreed with Uko on the need for a true federalism based on regional autonomy.

    Said Nwabueze: “To create a better, new and united Nigeria, the federation should be restructured in such a way that we have a true federalism with regional autonomy”, adding that “it is the only way forward for Nigeria.”

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, who was conferred with an award of “quintessential Igbo leader”, stressed the need for Igbo unity.

    He said the Igbo nation could not get to its destination under acrimony and disunity.

    Orji praised IYM for its commitment to Igbo issues.

    He hailed Uko for his efforts in championing the Igbo cause.

    Present at the ceremony were Igbo personalities at home and in the diaspora, including Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu, Abia Deputy Governor Emeka Ananamba, former Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Joe Achuzia, ex-Vice Chancellor, Anambra State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Ejike Chiwenike, clerics, monarchs, academics, traders, women and youths, among others.