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Tag: SAN

  • SAN to lawyers: shield your profession

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Arthur Obi Okafor, has urged lawyers to shield the profession.

    He urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to do more to enforce standards.

    Okafor spoke in a lecture in honour of NBA President Augustine Alegeh (SAN) as part of the annual law week of the Eket branch.

    He regretted that the judiciary was fast losing respect and called for urgent change of attitude by stakeholders.

    Speaking on the topic: The NBA: the past, the present and the future,” he said the NBA bears an enormous moral burden as the society’s conscience.

    “It is to the lawyer and the priest that the masses most often look up to for solace and succour. The question then that we,  as lawyers, should ask ourselves is: what is the role of the NBA in all of these challenges confronting us as a nation? Put differently, what roles should the association play in this ever-changing political terrain to secure the realisation of most, if not, all of its primary aims and objectives?”

    Okafor said the NBA Constitution mandates the association to maintain and defend the integrity and independence of the Judiciary, promote legal education, and ensure mprovement of the system of administration of justice.

    He took a historical look at NBA’s role in four  eras – 1900-1959, the post-independence era between 1960-66, the military era between 1967-1992 and the present from 1998, noting that every era had its peculiar challenges

    “The current administration which came to power in 2014 consolidated on the gains recorded by the preceding regimes and continued work at the NBA National Headquarters building. The structure has been roofed and plastered. It is believed that it will soon be commissioned in a few months to come.

    “It was the success of the NBA Database exercise that gave impetus to the NBA Stamp policy currently in use. This policy has helped to weed out quacks from the legal profession, thereby not only boosting the image of the profession but also boosting the pockets of lawyers.

    “Because this administration gave the Bar Association what I may call a corporate image, many private establishments now desire to partner with the Association and donate towards NBA’s activities. This is a clear departure from the past when the NBA used to go cap in hand to the Government to beg it to sponsor its activities,” Okafor said.

    The Senior Advocate disagreed with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Ibrahim Magu who accused lawyers of aiding corruption.

    “What Mr. Magu seems to suggest is that once a person is charged with corruption, that person should not be defended by legal practitioners, much more senior lawyers.

    “That suggestion coming from the Chief Executive of an important agency of Government like the EFCC is, to say the least, very unfortunate.

    “It also runs foul of Section 36 (6) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which preserves the right of an accused person to be represented by a legal practitioner of his choice.

    “What, in my opinion, should concern Mr. Magu more is the quality of the investigation and the evidence they have against an accused person before arresting him, detaining him and subsequently charging him to court.

    “It is important to emphasise that the EFCC has been enlisting the services of senior lawyers to prosecute their cases. It is surprising that the same  EFCC would frown at senior lawyers defending those accused or charged with corruption.”

    On the alleged corruption in the judiciary, Okafor said merit and competence should be encouraged.

    “As soon as judicial officers know that their continued stay in the Bench will be jeopardised by standing law on its head, they will have a rethink on how they go about their businesses of deciding the fate of litigants before them.

    “It will dawn on them that they will not be further elevated and could even be dismissed for giving judgments which stand against good reason and commonsense, not to talk about the law itself.

    “ I may, however, advise that instead of taking wholesale the Kenyan experience of dismissing a judge on grounds of incompetence, the National Judicial Council should place such a judge on watch list and bar him from being elevated to a higher Bench. Any further travesty should attract dismissal.”

    On NBA’s role, he said: “The NBA should come into the picture and engage the NJC to see to it that it deploys its disciplinary machinery against erring judicial officers.

    “It should also ensure that disciplinary actions against a judicial officer is expedited unlike the situation at present when such matters linger on for years.  If the above measures are adopted, one is hopeful that the image of the Bar and the Bench will be restored to what it used to be in the past when our judges used to serve as Chief Justices of some other African countries and our lawyers were held in esteem all over the Africa.”

  • EFCC charges against me unconstitutional, SAN tells court 

    EFCC charges against me unconstitutional, SAN tells court 

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Dr. Joseph Nwobike, Monday told a Lagos State High Court that the five-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unconstitutional.

    Nwobike is standing trial before Justice Raliat Adebiyi on charges bordering on an attempt to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official.

    Monday, defence counsel, Mr. O. Akoni, informed the court that the charges against Nwobike were unconstitutional and he intended to make a no case submission.

    Denying a claim by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, that the defence had filed “a harvest of motions”, Akoni told the court that his client looked forward to a speedy trial.

    He said: “We have another application but we want it taken after the prosecution has closed its case so that we can start trial without delay. We intend to make a no case submission.

    “I want us to move faster. We’re saying among other things that this charge is unconstitutional.”

    Opposing the defendant’s application, the prosecution said it was defective.

    “The applicant’s application violates S.158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, if read together with Section 212.”

    He argued that if such an application is found to be incurably defective, the court would have no option but to strike it out, “Instead of keeping it in abeyance.”

    In her ruling, Justice Adebiyi upheld the defendant’s submission.

    “The defendant’s application will not prejudice the prosecution’s case,” the judge ruled.

    The case was adjourned till April 21 and 22 for the prosecution to open its case.

    On April 9, Nwobike was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on allegations that he gave the sums of N750, 000 and N300, 000 to Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court to influence the judge to pervert the course of justice.

    He denied the charges and was granted bail on self recognizance.

  • FG, NLC bid farewell to Ocholi

    FG, NLC bid farewell to Ocholi

    The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday extolled the qualities of the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on March 6, the minister, his wife and son died in a motor accident along Kaduna/Abuja Express road.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, while speaking at the valedictory court session held in his honour at the National Industrial Court, Abuja described Ocholi’s death as painful.

    Ngige said that the legacies left behind by the late minister were good ones and would forever be remembered.

    “I have known him before we started working together; we were together in the party APC.

    “He was our deputy legal adviser and was also a member of the merger committee which I also belong.

    “I have also known him as a lawyer and working together in the Ministry of Labour and Employment was a home coming to both of us.

    “We were already friends and we have to pilot the affairs of the ministry together.

    “Our main goal in the ministry was to bring change that will benefit the Nigerian workers and the society as a whole,’’ he said.

    He said Ocholi departure would not be forgotten in a hurry.

    Speaking, Mr Ayba Wabba, NLC President, said the late minister had left his indelible footprints in the sands of time.

    Wabba described Ocholi as one of Nigeria’s brightest and finest minds who was cut down alongside his family members when his star was in the ascendancy.

    “It is with a grief-stricken heart that I perform, arguably, one of the most difficult tasks as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

    “As Ocholi’s death is an unspeakable tragedy that numb the senses and he left no one in doubt that he was a trusted ally of Labour.

    “Indeed, Ocholi’s knowledge of labour laws, industrial relations practice and his eagerness to work with social partners in the labour circuit raised hope for the labour movement,’’ he said.

    The president also described Ocholi as a legal luminary, an urbane, a highly cultivated person and an invaluable asset in government-labour relations.
    “What a shame death has robbed us of this priceless and irreplaceable gem. How can we come to terms with this? It is ever so difficult.

    “The least we can do in memory of this illustrious son is to imbibe his noble qualities. We should also go a step further to immortalise his name after him a worthy edifice or institution.
    “Fare thee well, my friend and my brother, Mr James Ocholi, (SAN),’’ Wabba added.

  • EFCC alleges another SAN gave judge N750,000

    EFCC alleges another SAN gave judge N750,000

    • SAN: I helped the judge

    Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Joseph Nwobike, paid N750,000 into the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged Wednesday.

    The allegation is contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to a further and better affidavit filed by Rickey Tarfa (SAN).

    Justice Mohammed Idris Wednesday ruled that Tarfa could adduce new evidence through the further affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

    In the further and better affidavit, the lawyer said the bank account, which EFCC said Tarfa used to bribe Justice Yunusa, belongs to him, and not to Justice Yunusa as EFCC alleged in its counter-affidavit to Tarfa’s suit.

    The lawyer said Tarfa gave him N225, 000 on January 7, 2014 to help finance his masters in Law degree.

    But EFCC has alleged that Tarfa was not the only SAN to pay money to Justice Yunusa’s account.

    An EFCC operative, Moses Awolusi, said there were new revelations about judges being allegedly induced through “a network of senior lawyers”.

    “Investigation has also shown that as part of this chain of fraud, Mr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) also transferred the sum of N300, 000 to Hon. Justice H.A Nganjiwa.

    “Investigations further revealed that Hon Justice M.N Yunusa as part of this scheme of fraud also received the sum of N750, 000 from Mr. Joseph Nwobike SAN and Co,” the EFCC investigator said.

    But Nwobike, in a statement to the anti-graft agency, which was also attached to the affidavit, explained that the money was not meant to bribe the judge.

    He said it was the judge who asked him for financial assistance in respect of his mother who was undergoing dialysis due to failing kidney.

    “Sometime ago, Justice Yunusa requested to see me. When I got there, he pleaded with me to assist him with some funds since his mother was under dialysis.

    “He stated that her kidney had parked up and that he needed assistance to cure her. I felt sorry for him. I told him that I did not have funds, but that I would assist him when I had some money.

    “I requested for his account details which he obliged me. When I got some money about two weeks after, I gave the money to him and he thanked me when he saw me along the corridor of the court of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,” Nwobike said.

    Justice Idris ruled that he would consider the further and better affidavit filed in support of Tarfa’s N2.5billion fundamental rights suit.

    The Senior Advocate sued EFCC for allegedly violating his rights after he was arrested for hiding two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise, in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility (SUV) vehicle, thereby shielding them from arrest.

    EFCC, its chairman Ibrahim Magu, Moses Awolusi, who arrested Tarfa, and Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai are the respondents.

    Tarfa demanded N2.5billion, sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further violating his rights, and asked for N20 million as cost of the suit, among others.

    Justice Idris ruled: “A court will allow a party re-open and adduce further evidence in circumstances of unavailability of the evidence during trial or hearing and in the interest of justice.

    “Interest of justice involves an indulgence, even though it ought to be confined to matter arising ex-improviso, which no human ingenuity could have foreseen. There must have been no indolence, surprise, or otherwise an intention to overreach the other party.

    “The evidence sought to be adduced by the applicant (Tarfa) was one that was not available previously in reply.

    “From the nature of the evidence, it is my respectful view that it is in the interest of the parties and to court that it be allowed at this stage of proceedings for whatever it is worth.

    “I do not consider it repugnant to justice and one intended to overreach the case. I shall stop here and say no more. The application succeeds and it is granted as prayed.

    “The respondents (EFCC and others) are at liberty to respond to the fresh evidence adduced by the applicant herein.”

    It was in the response filed by its lawyer Wahab Shittu that EFCC alleged that Nwobike paid the money to Justice Yunusa.

    Justice Idris adjourned until today for hearing.

  • Kogi: SANs disagree on INEC’s stand

    Kogi: SANs disagree on INEC’s stand

    The decision of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to go ahead with a supplementary poll to decide the next governor of Kogi State despite the demise of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu yesterday elicited divergent views from senior laywers. BISI ONANUGA, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU  capture the views of senior advocates Prof Itsey Sagay, Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, Mike Ozekhome and Olurotimi Akeredolu. 

    Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) yesterday held divergent views after the Independent National Electoral (INEC) asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace the late Prince Abubakar Audu with another candidate of its choice in order to conclude the supplementary election.

    In statement by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, INEC announced December 5 as the date for the supplementary election.

    But INEC’s decision, allowing APC to fill the vacuum created by Prince Audu’s death generated controversy among laywers.

    Two SANs – Prof Gabriel Olawoyin and Mike Ozekhome disagreed with the electoral umpire. But the trio of Prof Itsay Sagay, Rotimi Akeredolu and Mahmoud Magaji – all senior advocates – backed INEC.

    Prof Olawoyin said INEC’s statement would give rise to a lot of controversies because the legal issues were so complex and cannot be so easily resolved.

    His words: “It is a constitutional matter and the best option would have been to take it to court in line with Section 295 of the Constitution for the court to arrive at a decision.

    “I’d have preferred a situation in which the matter is referred to court for resolution of the legal logjam. The legal arguments on both sides are very strong and should have been subjected to judicial interpretation.”

    Ozekhome, who agreed the APC has a right to present another candidate faulted INEC’s decision to go ahead with the supplementary election.

    “The reason is that my good friend Prince Audu died before he was confirmed governor, which means the mandate had not been given. If he had died after he was confirmed governor, the provision of Section 181 (1) and (2) would have played out,” Ozekhome said.

    According to him, the scenario was neither the same as contemplated by Section 181, nor was it similar to the Adamawa case after Atiku Abubakar had to be replaced with his running mate, Boni Haruna.

    He said: “What ought to happen in this case should be the conduct of a fresh election between Idris Wada and a new candidate from the APC, but not a supplementary election.”

    A supplementary poll, he said, became null and void with Audu’s death as he was to partake in it.

    His words: “The problem APC may run into, and they have to be very careful, is that they would have to contend with the provisions of Section 179 (2) of the Constitution, as well as sections 31, 33, 53 (2) (3), 85 (1), 87 (1) and 141 of the Electoral Act, all of which show that the candidate they put forward must have passed through the various stages including emerging from valid primaries.

    “That is where I believe their best option is to go into the pool of those who contested the primaries and lost to Audu and pick a candidate from there to face Wada, as such a person would have gone through various electoral stages.

    “If they pick Falake, I can see the PDP challenging them in court that it has not fulfilled Section 85, 87 and 141 of the Electoral Act,” he said.

    Professor of Law, Itsey Sagay, yesterday hailed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  to proceed with the governorship election in Kogi State which the umpired declared inconclusive on Sunday.

    He said such step remains the only logical solution to the confusion created by the death of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Audu, who scored 240, 867 votes to lead incumbent Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 199, 514.

    Prof Sagay pitched tent with those suggesting that Audu’s running mate, James Faleke, should step in to carry the party’s flag at the supplementary election.

    He said: “With the passing away of Abubakar Audu, the only logical and solution closest to the law on ground now is to allow his running mate to step into his shoes for the supplementary election.

    “We already have that in the constitution with regards to somebody who has won an election but died and is unable to assume office for any reason.”

    Giving explanation on constitutional provisions on the matter, Sagay referred to Section 181 (1) of the Constitution which states that “where there is a governorship election and the victorious candidate dies before he is sworn in, his deputy or running mate shall be sworn in as governor.”

    “In this case, there is nobody elected as governor. But the election has been held, leaving only supplementary election to be done and the candidate of one of the political parties died, by analogy, I think that provision in Section 181 (1 ) shall apply so that the deputy governorship candidate should now be regarded as the governorship candidate for the purposes of the supplementary election.”

    Akeredolu, who was a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, said INEC’s decision was in line with the law.

    He said: “INEC took the right decision. This cannot be faulted having regards to the state of the law. “The commission has taken the position that the death of the candidate can be likened to the death of a candidate before the commencement of the election. The death in this instance occurred before the election was concluded.

    “The election remains inconclusive and the APC has the right in law to produce a replacement. I expressed this opinion from the onset. The decision of INEC is in line with my position.”

    Magaji said INEC cannot be faulted. “The provision of Section 178 (3) of the Constitution is very clear that where a candidate nominated for an election is incapable of contesting the election, a political party shall be given an opportunity to present another candidate.

    “This is what has happened in this case. Section 33 of the Electoral Act says they can present another candidate to replace Audu, so INEC is within the law.”

     

     

  • I HOPE TO BE A SAN ONE DAY– FALZ THE BADH GUY

    I HOPE TO BE A SAN ONE DAY– FALZ THE BADH GUY

    Coming on the heels of a successful first album, Folarin Falana, scion of human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has unveiled plans to launch his sophomore project. The rapper, whose style of music has earned him the nickname Falz The Bahd Guy speaks to OVWE MEDEME about his soon-to-be-released album, Bahd Guy Persona, foray into movies among other issues.

    WHAT is the inspiration behind the album, Stories That Touch?

    I’m trying to showcase the artistic side of me. So every song on the album is a story; a story that you would either be able to relate to or a story that will touch you somewhere. I want people to be able to connect to me. I want people to listen to the music and have a visual impression of what I’m portraying in the music. That was the inspiration behind the title. The album will be released November 16

    What are your fans to expect from the album?

    Generally speaking, there is an impression out there that Falz is a crazy guy. Falz is that guy that is unserious in some way. The brand definitely reflects that, but with this album, I’m trying to make people focus on my music, I’m trying to make people see the content of my music. It’s a 15- track album with a lot of features. Phyno, Chiggurl, MI and Show Dem Camp are all featured in the album. There are a few other features but I leave that till when the album comes out.

    How would you assess your last outing in terms of acceptance?

    I think the acceptance was pretty decent and I would say it was good. But I think with this album, I will even do better in terms of commercial success. Because of the way our industry is shaped, commercial success in terms of sales of hard copies of CDs is somewhat limited. But in terms of digital sales, the sales were very impressive so commercially. I would say it was a successful album.

    Is Stories That Touch your personal story?

    It is a mix. It is not all personal stories. They are all stories that reflect something. The general themes are life, relationships and things that happen around us. I want people to listen to the music and be able to relate. I want people to get a visual picture of what I’m portraying in the songs. So they are not all personal stories. Some of them are, but most of them are just stories that everyone can relate with and that is why it’s called Stories That Touch.

    Does the title not contradict your intent to showcase your artistic side?

    Falz the Bad Guy is an all encompassing brand. The funny guy is still in there. The funny guy will continue to be in the music. As much as I’m trying to show my artistic side, I cannot neglect that funny guy. I cannot neglect that element of razz that is always in my music and I’m always going to continue to portray that. As much as we listen to even the songs that have very serious themes, you still hear my alter ego pop up in those songs because it is a part of the brand and it is very important part. From the title to the theme to the whole project, everything still has to reflect that part of me.

    What is the inspiration behind the song, Karashika?

    Karashika is not necessarily a personal experience. So I cannot say that this person is Karashika. But like I said, from the general theme of the album, the songs reflect things that happen around us. For anyone who is becoming successful, anyone that is making it in life, there will be people who are trying to bring you down. And that is the general theme of Karashika. That is who a Karashika is.

    Is there a Karashika in your life?

    There is no Karashika in my life right now, if I can fully understand what you are asking (laughs).

    As a lawyer who studied abroad, how did you come about this Bahd Guy persona?

    (Switching to his bad guy lingua)It’s more from inspiration, at least. Based on anointing. I think everybody, generally speaking, there is always element of razz inside them. So what happen is that I want to tap into it. You understand. I tap into my anointing from above. And generally speaking, I want to project it. I believe we need to embrace it our razz. And that is what I’m trying to do. Everybody have it in them. There is a razz in everybody.

    You are known as a rapper, but how do you describe your sound?

    It is a mix of hip hop and indigenous Nigeria sounds, so there will be a lot of Afrobeat. There will be a lot of Fuji, all mixed with hip hop. It is a sound that I don’t think anyone out there has. And because of the fusion of the razz in it, that also gives me a unique identity. I have a term for my own genre of music. I call it Wazup music.

    Would you admit that your razz is your selling point?

    I believe that it is a very strong selling point. But now, I’m trying to show the other selling points I believe that I have on this album. That is why you wouldn’t necessarily hear skits on the album. I don’t want people to be too distracted by the funny. I want people to pay attention to the serious messages and to be able to tap into the spirit of the album.

    You seem to be grounded in music. What happens to your legal career?

    I will definitely keep the legal part of me alive. At the moment, I’m still into the music. The best thing is for me to find a way to keep the legal fire burning. The way that I have come up with is to focus on entertainment law or intellectual property law. Actually, I have plans to further my education in that regard. What I want to do is to develop some sort of clientele base because I’m already in the entertainment industry.

    Do you hope to be a SAN someday?

    That would be great. But to qualify to be a SAN, you need a certain number of years of active practice, a certain number of cases at some level in the legal system. That I don’t have yet.

    Your first acting gig is Jenifa’s Diaries. Do you have any other pending scripts?

    Yes, definitely. The film industry is something that I’ve always been passionate about. And I’m going to focus on that as well. I have a film that I featured in which is coming out early next year. That is also something to look forward to. I’m working on some other film projects but that is the only one that has been completed and will be released pretty soon.

    Do you play the bad guy role in these projects?

    In most of them, yes.

    How does your dad take your music career?

    He is a fan. Initially he was taken aback because it is not something that he expected. Neither he nor my mum had any sort of background in music. So it was initially strange to them. But I think they’ve always supported me and they’ve grown to like the music. They listen to my stuff.

    When did the music start?

    I must have been in the university at the time. Way before then, I was already recording but that was when I put together my first official mixtape. When I put that out, the reviews that I got looked good. That was when I decided to focus on it.

    What kind of music does your dad like playing?

    When I was younger, I remember listening to a lot of Fela Kuti. He is a huge Fela fan and that is always in my subconscious. And on this album, you will see the influence reflect. Fela always had this political feel to his music. He was almost like a politician. He was almost like a revolutionary in his music and my dad always pushes me to try and toe that line, to try and follow those footsteps.

    You once said you prefer people saying Falz’ father instead of Falana’s son; how far have you gone with that?

    I think I’m doing a pretty decent job because my dad actually said to me that someone approached him and asked him if he was Falz’ father and that he was actually surprised and at the same time, impressed.

  • Kwara Poly lecturer becomes SAN, asset to nation

    The Kwara State Polytechnic is celebrating a Principal Lecturer, Joseph Sunday Bamigboye, who has been made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the National Judicial Council.

    Bamiboye, who teaches in the Institute of General Studies (IGS), was honoured at a reception organised by the Rector of the Polytechnic, Mas’ud Elelu.

    Elelu said with his new status, Bamigboye would improve quality education in the institution.

    “With this new feat, Bamigboye can best be described as an asset to the polytechnic, the state and Nigeria as a whole. The knowledge acquired so far will be imparted on the students who will use the knowledge for the progress and development of the country,” he said.

    The Rector also advised other members of staff to emulate the hard work and enthusiasm of the new SAN.

    Replying, Bamigboye expressed appreciation for the recognition by the NJC and the polytechnic.

    He also praised the Rector, describing him as a visionary given how he has facilitated prompt payment of salaries, development of physical infrastructures, and provision of conducive learning environment.

    He promised to use his experience to contribute to the progress of the polytechnic, Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

    Some workers of the Polytechnic present at the event, described the new SAN as a bundle of humility, dedication, gentility and exemplary personality worthy of emulation by all staff.

    Meanwhile, the Rector announced plans to set up Anti-Corruption Unit to check the excesses of workers and students and complement the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.

  • SAN: Mum taught me patience, hardwork, generosity

    SAN: Mum taught me patience, hardwork, generosity

    The time was about 10pm, the day was Sunday of  the  September 13, when I received the shocking news of the demise of my dear mother from my elder brother Sir Anthony Ogwemoh (KSM). I had called Mama on the evening of Monday, 7th September, four times. Two calls to each of Mama’s two numbers without a response. This was very strange.

    When I waited till Tuesday, September 8, without Mama returning my calls, I became a bit apprehensive and placed another call to my elder Sister, Mrs Clara Kadiri, who took special care of Mama while she was alive.

    She told me Mama was doing very well and there was no cause for alarm. Little did I know that time was up and Mama’s transition to glory was very near.

    Mama, fondly referred to as “Amama” departed this world at the age of 90 years. Mama was a very successful trader. While alive, her resourcefulness was next to none. She was always on hand to augment my late father’s meager resources as a Teacher and Headmaster.

    I recall a particular incident during my university days, when I had to return home to get money for my upkeep and school fees from my Late Father, Mr. K. M. A. Ogwemoh.

    On getting home, I told my late father the reason for my visit. It was clear my father was helpless as he made me understand that his salary had not been paid for a period of four months.

    My father’s frantic efforts to source funds were unsuccessful. Immediately my mother got wind of what was going on, she quickly brought out the exact amount I needed for my fees clearly from savings from her trading business. That was my mum.

    Amama was so passionate about her children that at the slightest complaint of headache she would jump to action and ensure the child was promptly treated. Amama never wanted any of her children to suffer and would go the extra mile to ensure our safety, comfort and well-being.

    As a boarding student, after every holiday, Mama would always ensure that I had enough provisions to augment my feeding at school.

    Amama, mere rhetorics will not be adequate to describe the extent of your love, sacrifice, deep devotion, care, perseverance and selflessness towards your late husband, our Dad of blessed memory, your children, family members and others around you. Amama was extremely generous, accommodating and gentle.

    Her love and care was not exclusively reserved for her children. She shared everything she had with her neighbours, visitors and relations. You cannot visit mama and go back home empty-handed without a gift, either in cash or kind.

    Amama, your deep love for family and friends was indeed unquestionable. Your show of love is strongly impressed in our hearts and minds.

    Amama was also a wonderful and excellent cook. On any of my frequent visits to Agenebode to see mama, the first thing she did after we exchanged greetings was to dash into the kitchen to prepare pounded yam. She did this even at her very old age. Who will cook my meals when I visit Agenebode again? I will miss those delicious meals, the warm embrace and the gentle smile.

    Amama, the admirable virtues I now have, I owe to you. You taught me a lot about cleanliness, personal hygiene and so many other virtues. You taught me the virtue of patience, calmness, hard-work and generosity.

    I recall an incident when I had low scores in my overall grade in my second term examination at secondary class two, I was overwhelmed with sadness given the high standards my father expected of me.

    I remember how you gently took me aside and asked if that was the final exam for the class and I said NO.

    You then advised very softly that I should work hard to improve on my scores at the final promotion examination from class two to three. I took your advice and my life has never been the same since then.

    Amama, no doubt, I would miss your wise counsel and motherly care. You were indeed an absolute gem, a giant, a matriarch, and an embodiment of Christian love, piety, wisdom and patience.

    I am happy however that your life leaves me with beautiful memories of you, memories that will always stay, even though your absence will always remain a silent grief deep down in my heart.

    There is no doubt that your beautiful soul has left mother earth, but thanks be to God that heaven has received a gorgeous angel.

    My heart is heavy with pain, but I am comforted knowing that death is not the end, for someday we will reunite never to part again.

    I will surely miss you Amama. Rest in Peace at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Lawyer faults opposition to Buhari as Petroleum minister

    Lawyer faults opposition to Buhari as Petroleum minister

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sebastine Hon has faulted opposition to the decision by President Mohammadu Buhari to appoint himself as Petroleum Minister.

    Hon, in a statement, argued that the controversy generated by the President’s decision was unnecessary because the Constitution supports President Buhari’s position on the issue.

    Citing the provisions of Sections 5, 130, 147, 148 and 150 of the Constitution, Hon concluded that the President’s self appointment as Minister of Petroleum is moral, lawful, constitutional and valid.

  • SAN, others seek end insurgency

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oladipo Okpeseyi, has said the fight against terrorism can not be left to the government alone.

    Speaking at the Public Interest Symposium organised by the Island Club in Lagos, he said the government needs more backing from the international community.

    Okpeseyi, who is the club’s president, said part of its objective is to assist government in conceptualising people oriented policies.

    He said through the symposium series, the club is contributing it’s quota to intellectual discourse and issues of governance.

    The guest lecturer, Maj. Gen Adewunmi Ajibade (rtd), said insurgents must be defeated for there to be meaningful development.

    According to him, if the fight against terror is to be won, there must be full implementation of anti-terror laws.

    He said there should be an Office of National Security Strategy which will be tasked with designing and modifying strategies to combat insurgency.

    “We must continue to define our strategies,” Ajibade, who served as Commander, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, said.

    Besides, he said the government must deepen democracy and end corruption so as to stop looting which leads to poverty.

    He said if the country’s wealth is well distributed, the poverty rate will reduce and will make it more difficult to manipulate the poor for evil ends.

    Ajibade said the Strategic Counter Terrorism (CT) Policy must also be fully implemented and reviewed perodically.

    He added: “The fight against terrorism must be carried out through a multi-dimensional approach using all instruments of the state, power diplomacy, economic action, law enforcement, financial action, intelligence action, psychological operations and military action, where and when necessary.

    “Cooperation among the military and other security forces must be enforced, while competition among the security forces must be reduced to the barest minimum.

    “Actions of the security forces must be steadfast and determined; it must obey rules of engagements, rules of war and the Geneva conventions.

    “Actions and measures taken by security forces must be humane to win the hearts and minds of the people, and be able to guarantee their full support and provide the forces with the needed information voluntarily.

    “Nigeria must explore to the fullest the exploitation of psychological operations/warfare, as part of the propaganda/counter propaganda war against terrorists organisations,” he said.