The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SAN

  • Ruling house to sue deposed Kwara monarch

    The Olugbense Ruling House in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has threatened to sue for alleged contempt the deposed Olofa of Offa, Mohammed Mufutau Gbadamosi.

    A court had, in July, declared Gbadamosi’s selection and installation illegal.

    Olugbense and Anilelerin are the two ruling houses in the town.

    Following the judgment, the Anilelerin ruling house filed a stay of execution and restraining order on the judgment.

    The deposed monarch is also challenging the court’s decision at the Supreme Court.

    A letter to Gbadamosi’s counsel Rafiu Lawal-Rabana (SAN) and signed by a counsel in the legal team of the Olugbense ruling house, Toyin Oladipo, claimed that the deposed monarch still parades himself as the Olofa of Offa.

    The letter reads: “I write to you as a member of the legal team of the appellants, for myself and on behalf of the team to bring to your attention the complaint of our clients, about the (mis) conduct of your client (fifth respondent), who has continued to violate the judgment of the Court of Appeal by parading himself as the Olofa of Offa.

    “Our clients complained to us that in the last Ileya festival, Gbadamosi paraded himself as the Olofa when he went to yidi ground. As if that was not enough, he has continued to be mentioned on radio as the Olofa of Offa to his knowledge.

    “On December 5, he rode into Offa in a convoy with the insignia and plate of Olofa of Offa displayed on his vehicles with siren-blowing pilot cars to the chagrin of our clients and to the utter surprise and display of people in Offa and its environs.

    “To crown it all, he still lives in and operates from the palace of Olofa, which is the official quarters of the holder of the stool of Olofa.

    “We are bringing it to your attention in order that you may use your position as a senior member of the bar to impress it on your client to respect the court judgment and stop acting as if he is above the law.

    “We hope that after this letter, no further act of disregard and disrespect of the judgment will be done by your client but if he unfortunately continues, we shall start contempt proceedings against him.

    “We are constrained to observe that your client is not lying low, he is not soberly pursuing his appeal. Instead, he is grandstanding and posing as if he is above the law; and as if he has the power to annul the judgment of the Court of Appeal.”

  • NBA faults sack threat

    NBA faults sack threat

    Lawyers have faulted the Federal Government’s threat to fire striking university lectures should they fail to resume work tomorrow.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who said the government was resorting to failed military tactics, urged the lecturers to reconsider their position in the interest of the students and the country.

    Also, a former Commander of the United Nations Multinational Peace Keeping Force in Angola, General Chris Garuba, faulted the nation’s economic policies and suggested the abrogation of some extant obnoxious laws.

    Chairman, NBA, Abuja,U.M Yaman, noted that “this is not the first time we have had threats from the government. During the military era government severally threatened to sack lecturers if they didn’t call off strike.

    “But we need to be realistic; lecturers have a right to go on strike and government has the right to employ those who they want. But the university sector is a peculiar one. So we need experienced lecturers.

    “How do you replace the hundreds of professors of the universities? About five universities in this country have hundred professors. So how do you replace them?

    “It is a threat that does not hold water; it does not go to any issue. I think the best thing for government is to look for an agreeable settlement with ASUU.

    “Also, we want to appeal to ASUU that you cannot continue strike indefinitely; there must be an end to strike.

    “If somebody has made an offer and which the public is beginning to see that government has shown genuine interest to end the strike, I think ASUU ought to meet and reconsider their position in the interest of students and the nation,” Yaman said.

    He spoke in Abuja yesterday at the opening session of the association’s Law Week.

    Garuba, who was the keynote speaker, faulted the pattern of leadership in the country, and observed that government policies have, over the years, failed to positively affect the people.

    He spoke on the theme:”Law, leadership and socio-economic transformation.”

    NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) said that the association had de-robed nine lawyers over unethical conduct.

    He said the NBA Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) would hear cases against 30 other lawyers this week.

    Wali, who was represented by the association’s General Secretary, Emeka Obegolu, raised the alarm over the increasing number of petitions bothering on discipline and ethics of the profession against legal practitioners, and expressed commitment to weeding out the bad eggs in the profession.

    The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ibrahim Bukar, praised lawyers for their commitment to good leadership and the entrenchment of the rule of law in the country.

    He urged them to support the Bench to enable the judiciary retain its independence and impartiality needed for the sustenance of rule of law.

  • Court adjourns Ikuforiji’s case till Jan 7

    Court adjourns Ikuforiji’s case till Jan 7

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till January 7 next year for continuation of hearing in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the state’s House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

    The Speaker and his Personal Assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi were charged before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    Their lawyer, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), prayed the court to order the prosecution to identify the documents it intends to tender during the trial so as to save time.

    The judge directed the prosecution lawyer to sort out vital documents which he considers useful for the trial.

    EFCC accused Ikuforiji and his assistant of accepting cash payments meant for the Assemble without going through a financial institution.

    During the hearing yesterday, EFCC’s witness Adebayo Adedeji, led in evidence by Mr Godwin Obla (SAN), told the court that Atoyebi’s job schedule included running errands for the Speaker and collecting cash from the accounts department for the Assembly’s use.

    The witness added that on each occasion Atoyebi collected money, he acknowledged it by appending his signature.

    “On August 2, 2011, the second accused signed and collected about N4 million on behalf of the first accused, with the heading: ‘National Council for State Legislators Conference, United States.’

    “In the cash register, it was also discovered that on August 3, 2011, the second accused collected the sum of N10 million on behalf of the Speaker, and the payment was tagged: ‘Ramadan’. It was signed and dated August 4, 2011.

    “On August 23, 2011, the sum of N1.2 million was also collected by the second accused, on behalf of the Speaker, and the transaction was tagged: ‘Money for Orderly to the Wife of Speaker’. This transaction was signed and dated Aug. 29, 2011,” he said.

     

    At this stage, the court and lawyers agreed that Obla should isolate the transactions he intends to highlight from the voluminous cash book to save time.

    Oyetibo told reporters that the prosecution had not tendered anything incriminating against the Speaker.

    The number of witnesses to be called by the defence would depend on the “strength and character” of the testimonies of the prosecution’s witnesses, he said.

  • Six injured in deputy governor’s convoy crash

    There was disquiet among the drivers attached to the convoy of the Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), yesterday, following the convoy’s involvement in an accident at the weekend.

    The convoy, which was returning from a thanksgiving service at Mosogar, Ethiope West, in honour of the mother of the Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, was involved in a crash at Agbor, Ika South Local Government.

    The Nation learnt that six persons were injured and are on admission in a private hospital in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    A driver, simply identified as Paulinus, sustained a head injury and is in a coma.

    It was learnt that a surgery would be carried out on him.

    Some of the drivers, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, expressed outrage, adding that besides the poorly- maintained vehicles in the fleet of the deputy governor, they (the drivers) are compelled to drive at a high speed.

  • Suspension: Oyinlola sues PDP

    Suspension: Oyinlola sues PDP

    tHE Sacked National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has sued the party. The embattled PDP chieftain was suspended following allegations that he engaged in anti-party activities.

    His lawyer, Awa Kalu (SAN),  said he sought legal redress to set aside Oyinlola’s suspension as the PDP National Secretary.

    Kalu said the PDP did not follow due process in suspending his client.

    The lawyer, who confirmed on phone yesterday that he sued for Oyinlola, added that his client’s suspension “is against the constitution of the party”.

    He said Oyinlola maintained that there were procedures to be followed for anybody to be suspended from his or her party.

    By the suit, Oyinlola wants the court to order the party to reverse its decision to suspend him.

    Oyinlola was suspended by the PDP on November 11, alongside the Chairman of the new PDP, Abubakar Baraje; his deputy, Sam Jaja and another member of the party from Jigawa State.

  • Fashola tasks professionals on building collapse

    Tribunal of Inquiry submit report

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday urged professionals in the construction sector to stem the tide of building collapse.

    Fashola spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when members of the tribunal that looked into incidents of collapsed buildings in the state led by its Chairman Abimbola Ajayi, submitted its report.

    The governor called on professional bodies to ensure that any of its members indicted in cases of collapsed building are sanctioned.

    Praising the committee, Fashola said his administration would implement its report, saying quacks will take over the jobs of professional if they abdicate their responsibilities.

    He said: “The White Paper will be released very soon to ensure that cases of collapsed building are mitigated. The construction sector of our economy is where there are specialised professionals. And I believe that many of the challenges facing the country are created by people and if professionals do more, we can solve the problems.

    “There are usually mild challenges and they can be solved by men and women especially people who have the right skill. From your report, it showed that after the white paper is issued, the state ministry of justice, police, professionals and all those involve in building activities will have role to play in ending collapsed building.

    “It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that no life is lost in circumstances that can be avoidable. For us, human life is very important and it is the most important gift that we have. And we will do everything within our capacity to protect and nurture it to its fullest capacity”.

    “The solution to end collapsed building required everyone to stand up. And I hope that the professional bodies in the sector will play their own part in the issue”.

    “If a building collapses, why should the builder keep his license without showing that he actually did everything that should have been done? Why shouldn’t everyone involve shouldn’t be questioned by the associations. The inability of the police to prosecute them isn’t enough. The associations should also do their own part”.

    Fashola said he apprehended a contractor three weeks ago at Ogudu axis, who wanted to start building on a weekend because he was not building what was approved on the land.

    “They had gotten certificate of occupancy which reads that the place would be used for residential purpose but somehow, they had defeated our system and obtained C of O to build a hotel of six-storey building. We are looking inward to know who issued the permit”.

    “But they are building at night when visibility will be poor. This is the only one I saw. What about the ones many of you were privileged to witness but you didn’t report”.

    Ajayi said the tribunal’s report was in eight volumes.

     

  • Belgore commiserates with Akanbi on wife’s death

    Belgore commiserates with Akanbi on wife’s death

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), has commiserated with a former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, on the death of his wife, Alhaja Musatu Aduke.

    Mrs Akanbi, who was 68, died in an Indian hospital last Friday. Her remains were interred yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, according to Islamic rites.

    In a statement yesterday in Ilorin, Belgore, who was the state governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, said: “This is to commiserate with our father and former chairman of the ICPC, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, and the family on the sudden death of his dear wife and our mother Alhaja Musatu Aduke who passed away on Friday. It is one death too many, although as mortals we have no power over when we are born, which family we are born into and when we desert this transient life.

    “Alhaja was a great and kind personality and we deeply mourn her exit. It is our prayer that the Almighty Allah will grant her eternal rest and be with the family now and always. The fact that some of our beloved people leave us so abruptly is a reminder that we are from God and to Him is our ultimate return and a warner that what matters is what good legacy we leave behind.”

  • Kogi APC gets exco

    Kogi APC gets exco

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State yesterday inaugurated its executive, with the former state Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Mohammed Mabo Kazeem, emerging as interim committee chairman.

    The ceremony, which took place at the main hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Lokoja, the state capital, was performed by APC’s Deputy National Legal Adviser James Ocholi (SAN).

    Other officials are Isaac Ekpa (secretary); Patrick Daudu (treasurer); A J B. Ajibade (organising secretary) and Sadiq Abdullahi (publicity secretary).

    Kassim said Nigerians were tired of empty promises. “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nothing to show since 1999 when it has held sway in the country.

    “The coming election would afford Nigerians another great opportunity to put an end to the injustice, maladministration and corruption that have become the hallmark of the present administration.”

     

  • Fashola, Bill Gates, Dangote promise to eradicate polio from Nigeria

    Fashola, Bill Gates, Dangote promise to eradicate polio from Nigeria

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Microsoft founder and philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates and Nigeria’s business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday promised to eradicate polio from the country.

    They spoke in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, when Gates and Dangote visited Fashola in his office at Alausa, Ikeja.

    Gates said efforts were on top gear to ensure that Nigeria was removed from the list of countries with polio infections.

    According to him, $6 billion had been raised to eradicate the disease globally.

    He said: “In the area of health, there is much progress. But there is a lot to be done. It is wonderful to have this state being in the lead of very high immunisation rate in reducing the child death rate.

    “In our foundation and Dangote Foundation, we have been around the country to see how we can help you achieve health goals. Nigeria has a large number of children who do not get vaccinated.

    “Eradicating polio will be wonderful for the entire world. I am optimistic we are going to eradicate polio. In Asia, we have it in two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan – which have not got zero.

    “In Africa, Nigeria, of course, primarily in the North, has not got to zero. Even in the South, we still have some cases of polio. We also have the same issue in Somalia and Syria.”

    Fashola hailed Gates and Dangote for their lead role at eradicating polio.

    He said: “What needs to be done is out there in terms of knowledge. It is not so much that those who have to act don’t know what to do. It is perhaps the approach we have pursued in trying to get what needs to be done.

    “Whether we have done so well as a team or we have stood out in solo, one of the initiatives I threw to the Governors’ Forum about four years ago was that governors should lead the initiative of vaccination. That way, hopefully, we would demonstrate how important it is for us.

    “I think we are in the march towards eradicating the virus. We have not put the voices of the survivors in the forefront of the campaign. And the voices of the policy makers have drowned those of the victims themselves.”

  • Court to rule on suspended Ondo lawmaker’s suit Dec 16

    Court to rule on suspended Ondo lawmaker’s suit Dec 16

    An Akure High Court has fixed December 16 for judgment in the suit filed by a suspended member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Fola Olaseinde.

    Mrs. Olaseinde was suspended on June 18 for allegedly leaving fetish objects in her former apartment.

    She is urging the court to declare her indefinite suspension illegal and order the payment of her salary and allowance arrears.

    The Assembly raised a committee, headed by Mr. Olotu Fatai, to probe the allegation and submit its report within two weeks of the suspension, but five months after, the committee is yet to submit its report.

    The plaintiff’s counsel Mrs. Funmi Falana said the allegation was not true and the House had no right to suspend the lawmaker.

    Mrs. Falana said the suspension was not only a breach of her client’s right but against the law.

    She prayed the court to declare the suspension illegal and reinstate the plaintiff.

    Counsel to the Assembly and the Speaker Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) said the House had the right to discipline any lawmaker that puts its integrity at disrepute.

    Akinlaja said the suspension was necessary to allow the Assembly probe the matter.

    He urged the court to empower the House to investigate the allegation through the committee already set up.

    Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi fixed December 16 for ruling.