The Nation Newspaper

Tag: security

  • CBN extends data security compliance deadline

    CBN extends data security compliance deadline

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended banks’, switches’ and processors’ compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standard till November 30.

    The PCI DSS is a proprietary information security standard for organisations that handle cardholder information for the major debit, credit, prepaid, e-purse, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) cards.  The standard was created to increase controls around cardholder data to reduce credit card fraud via its exposure.

    A circular to banks, switches and processors, endorsed by CBN Director, Banking Payment System, ‘Dipo Fatokun, said the need to extend the deadline followed requests by many banks seeking more time to enable them to complete the certification process.

    He said to determine the readiness of various operators, the CBN engaged the services of three Qualified Security Assessors (QSA) to conduct pre-certification assessment of the banks.

    The result, he said, showed that while many banks had complied with the certification, many are still at different stages of compliance.

    He said with this extension, banks, processors and switches are expected to comply before the end of the deadline.

    The validation of PCI DSS compliance is performed yearly, either by an external QSA that creates a Report on Compliance (RoC) for organisations handling large volumes of transactions, or by Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) for companies handling smaller volumes.

    The CBN had earlier released card issuance and use guidelines for the financial services sector. Fatokun said the power to issue the guideline was derived from Section 47 (3) of the CBN Act 2007.

    He said industry stakeholders who process, transmit, and or store cardholder information should ensure that that their terminals, applications and processing infrastructure comply with the minimum requirements for the sector.

    The CBN director said all terminals, applications and processing infrastructure should also comply with the standards specified by the various card schemes.

    Fatokun said only banks licensed by the CBN with clearing capacity shall issue payment cards to consumers and corporations in the country.

    He added that banks without clearing capacity can issue in conjunction with those with clearing capacity.  Also, all banks should seek approval from the CBN for each card brand they wish to issue.

     

     

  • Withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides not justifiable

    Withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides not justifiable

    A lawyer, Stephen I. Azubuike, argues that there is no constitutional basis for the removal of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s security aides

    The office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is one constitutionally provided for under Section 50(1)(b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), (hereinafter referred to as the “1999 Constitution”). It states that “there shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be elected by members of that House among themselves”.

    The above implies that a Speaker of the Houseor his Deputy must first be an elected member of the House of Representatives.

    It was on the above constitutional platform that Rt. Hon. AminuTambuwal assumed office as the Speaker of the House of Representatives after a hot contest with Hon. MulikatAdeola on June 4, 2011 when the 7th National Assembly was inaugurated. Both Tambuwal and Adeolaare members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

     

    Vacation of Office

    The 1999 Constitution under Section 50(2) provides for the circumstances under which a Speaker or his Deputy shall vacate Office –

    (a) Where he ceases to be a member of the Housewhile the House has not been dissolved; or

    (b) Where the House of which he was a member first sits after any dissolution; or

    (c) Where he is removed from Office by a two-thirds majority votes of members of the House.

    Paragraph (a) above is to be read in conjunction with Section 68 (1) (a) – (h) of the Constitution which further provides circumstances under which a member of the House shall vacate his seat. Section 68(1) applies to a Speaker on the ground that, as we had earlier seen, a Speaker must in the first place be a member of the House. More so, we have seen that a Speaker loses his seat as a Speaker if he loses his seat as a member of the House.

    Going by Sections 50(2) and 68(1), especially 68(1)(g), the question now is whether Rt. Hon. Tambuwal is bound to vacate his Office as the Speaker of the House in view of his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP.

    It is submitted that by virtue of the proviso to Section 68(1)(g), a defecting member of the House (like Tambuwal) shall not lose his membership if he proves that the reason for his defection (to APC) is the existence of some division in his former political party (PDP)  or if PDP merges with any other party.

     

    Security aides

    It is common knowledge that senior government officials like the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, State Governors, etc deserve, by virtue of their Offices, reasonable protection. It is for this reason that the State Security Service (SSS) was established as one of the National Security Agencies under the National Security Agencies Act Cap. N74 LFN 2010. The SSS is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of these top government officials.

    The Police as established under Section 214 of the Constitution has, as one of its general duties, the duty to protect life and property as seen under Section 4 of the Police Act Cap. P19 LFN 2010. The cconstitution under Section 215 empowers the President to appoint the Inspector General of Police (IGP) whose primary duty is the supreme command of the Police Force and the maintenance of public safety as provided under Regulation 309, Part XIV of the Nigeria Police Regulations being a Subsidiary Legislation to the Police Act.

    Therefore, it can be safely concluded that the President and the IGP have the responsibility to ensure the protection of senior government officials like the Speaker, Tambuwal, by ensuring the provision of security details.

    However, there is nothing in the law which expressly empowers the IGP to withdraw the security details of any senior government official (like the Speaker, Tambuwal). This is notwithstanding the constitutional provisions under Section 215(3) empowering the President to issue directives to the IGP. In fact, the directives the Constitution speaks of are ‘lawful directions’ for the maintenance of public safety and public order. It can only be reasonably deduced that where a person ceases to be a senior government official, he is no longer entitled to the security detail attached to that Office.

     

    Determining legality of speakership

    Interestingly, the constitution contains express provisions on when a senior official like the Speaker or a member of the House shall vacate office or his seat. It is worthy of note that the courts have the exclusive powers to interpret the constitution and other laws in exercise of the judicial powers conferred by Section 6 of the1999 Constitution. Hence, any controversy as to the position of Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House may be channeled to the court by any concerned person or authority.

    It is, therefore, submitted that so long as no competent court of law has ordered Tambuwal to vacate office, he remains the Speaker of the House and is absolutely entitled to security details. Any withdrawal of same is unlawful and any directive to this effect by the President is an unlawful directive which can be challenged in court notwithstanding the provisions of Section 215(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

    In conclusion, the removal of the security details of Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House and the 4th Nigerian Citizen in order of protocol, by the IGP (acting on the directive of the President) is utterly unconstitutional and there is nothing in the law to justify same. The reliance placed on Section 68(1)(g) as the ground for the removal is highly misplaced and misconstrued.

     

  • Security agencies team up against crime

    Security agencies in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, have assured residents of their enhanced safety, as all law enforcement units are committed to crushing criminals in the Enyimba City.

    The security organisations said they are pooling their resources together to make criminality unattractive.

    This was the position reached at the end of a monthly meeting involving the police, army and other paramilitary agencies to boost the existing relationship among them and enhance the  web of security in the commercial city.

    Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara said that the meeting between the security agencies was in line with the visions of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adamu Ibrahim to achieve internal security within the state which serves as melting pot for most economic and business activities in the state and the entire southeast.

    Wagbara maintained that for the war on crime to be fought and won, there was the need for security organisations to synergise and fight it collectively.

    “We have conquered September, October and we are now in November with December in view. Like we overcame other months, we are going to conquer the remaining months like we did it in the last months.

    “This monthly meeting helps us understand each other and limit the level of rivalry that sometimes exists especially among the junior officers.

    The convener of the security meeting used the opportunity to seek the support of the public in crime fighting in the city as he advised communities around the commercial city to form a neighbourhood watch or local vigilante that would work in closely with security agencies in Aba and its environs to tackle crime in their areas.

    Earlier in an interview, Maduako Emmanuel, Deputy Comptroller of Prisons Aba said that the meeting has helped to foster the existing relationship between his agency and others security agencies, adding that it has also provided the grounds for them to let others know areas where they (prisons) needed their assistance, adding that the meeting would bring a lot of improvement in terms of security in Aba.

    “All of us, we are here to synergize to make sure that we work together. We have one goal as security agencies; to bring insecurity down and to make sure that we have security at its brim, because if we are working differently there is no way we can achieve success  but if the army, navy police, civil defence and others come together we will be able to work fine.

    “So, that is why we have this meeting every month to talk about lapses where we have problems and others who have more experience can educate us, then we will be able to know how we can be able to forge ahead.

    “We still bring out these things so that when you have any problem; like in my place when you want to go for any arrest and I can’t handle it effectively, I can call the army, police or  navy to come and assist me because all of us are gearing towards one aim of trying to curb criminality. So that is why we are here.

    “Now that December is around the corner, this meeting will help us tackle crime and even traffic gridlock to make sure that the roads were free from traffic congestion. That is why we are synergising to make sure that we have a crime free festive period”, Idang John, Aba Area Commander Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), represented by Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSP),  Aba North  Divisional Officer, Mr. Nobel added.

     

  • Tambuwal’s security withdrawal sparks anger

    Tambuwal’s security withdrawal sparks anger

    It all began with an announcement by House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal last Tuesday that he was no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  Citing the development in his home state, Sokoto, as well his people’s yearnings, he told his colleagues that he had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also attended APC’s convention in Abuja.

    Rattled by the development, President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have held an emergency meeting with Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha and others. Barely 24 hours after the convention, the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba withdrew Tambuwal’s security details saying that  he acted on the basis of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    The action, expectedly generated reactions, with lawyers unanimously condemning it. The IGP, they said, cannot interpret the Constitution; only a court can do so. Analysts accused the police  of usurping the judiciary’s powers.

    Observers have argued that the IGP was not in the position to interpret the Constitution, and that he could only act on the basis of a court order. Many believe Abba was simply acting out the script of the PDP-led Federal Government

     Election and removal of Speaker

    Some analysts have seen the withdrawl of Tambuwal’s security as an admission that it may not be easy to remove him from office. Under Section 50(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the senate president or Speaker of the House of Represenhtatives can only be removed by “two-thirds” of all the members of the house, which is 240. Presently, the PDP has 206 members; APC, 151; Accord Party, two and Labour Party one, making a total of 360.

    The section states: “The President or Deputy President of the Senate or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall vacate his office (a)   where he ceases to be a member of the House while the House has not been dissolved; or (b) where the House of which he was a member first sits after any dissolution; or  (c) if he is removed from office by a resolution of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of that House.”

    According to Section 50(1)(a)(b): “There shall be: (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves,” without stating whether the Speaker must come from the majority party.

    The Constitution is not ambiguous on defection of legislators from the platforms they won elections on to another. It expressly gives conditions for legislators to cross-carpet in Section 68(1) and 109(1) for National and State Houses of Assembly.

    Section 68(1)(a-g) state the conditions for which a lawmaker ceases to be a member of the National Assembly. Subsection (g) of 68(1) states that  a defecting member shall not lose his membership if he proves that the reason for his defection is due to divisions in his former political party or if it merges with any other party.

    Currently, PDP’s division is still a subject of litigation. A ‘new PDP’ was at one point created out of the main party, with many lawmakers defecting to APC on that basis.  Several elected officials including some lawmakers in Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti, Anambra and Edo States recently left the parties on whose platforms they were elected into the various state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly to other parties without losing their seats.

    Legislators, including Ehigie Uzamere (ACN), Uche Ekwunife (APGA), the late Wahab Dosunmu, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Musuliu Obanikoro and Iyiola Omisore all of (AD); Chief Arthur Nzeribe, John Nwanunu and Dr. Usman Kadir of the (ANPP), as well as Satti Godwin (AC) all jumped ship to the PDP and the Federal Government never moved against them. Recently, Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko defected to the PDP and there was not a fuss.

    Tambuwal’s situation has raised the issue of double-standards by state agencies, who, instead of showing loyalty to the people who are their real employers, have resorted to partisan politics and impunity.

     

    Tambuwal’s position

    Challenging the withdrawal of his security details, the Speaker has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order of mandamus against the IGP reinstating his security aides.

    He also wants a perpetual injunction restraining the PDP and its National Chairman, Adamu Muazu; the House of Representatives; the Deputy Speaker of the House; the acting IGP; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) from taking steps to remove him as Speaker before the expiration of his tenure on June 5, next year.

    Tambuwal stated that he had been a member of the ‘New PDP’ when the party became factionalised, adding that his faction of the PDP merged with the APC on November 26, last year. He said by virtue of the merger he became a member of the APC.

    “I know as a fact that all efforts to harmonise the factions of the PDP in my home state in Sokoto has failed as there are still factions in the state. I informed the members of the 3rd defendant (House of Reps) whilst announcing my decision to join the New PDP faction, which merged with the 2nd plaintiff (APC) that my membership of the 2nd plaintiff was based on the circumstances in my home state,” he said.

    He stated that he was aware that the court had in two deferent cases, held that the seats of other former members of the New PDP, who are now members of the APC cannot be declared vacant, citing the case of the PDP and  other vs. Honourable Rasak Atunwa and 20 others, in suit No: FHC/IL/CS/6/2014 delivered on June 26; as well as the case of Ibrahim Magaji Gusau and two others vs Honourable Lawal Mohammed Zyyana and 20 others, in suit No: FHC/S/CS/4/2014 delivered on July 3.

     

    Lawyers’ speak

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was among groups and individuals who condemned the IGP’s action.

    Its President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), in a statement  insisted that the police lacked the competence to determine whether or not a provision of the Constitution has been violated.

    ‘That is a function reserved for the courts of law exclusively. The NBA outrightly condemns this action as it is a breach of the constitutional duty of the police to provide police escort and security details to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Tambuwal still remains the Speaker of the House of Representatives and he is entitled to the full paraphernalia of his office including all his Police escort and security details.

    “We must state that the mere fact that Tambuwal defected from one party to the other whilst being the Speaker of the House of Representatives, does not automatically strip him of his position as Speaker and the attendant protection by the Police. The Speaker is not elected by any one political party, but by a majority of members of the House of Representatives,” said NBA.

    Former NBA President, Olisah Agbakoba (SAN) said the decision  to redeploy police personnel attached to the Speaker as a result of his defection is not legal.

    Agbakoba said it is honourable for Tambuwal to resign after defecting to another party, failure to which other affected parties can approach the court demanding same.

    He said: “What the police has done is to interpret and enforce Section 68(1)(g) on its own. This is unconstitutional because it is the duty of the Court to interpret the constitution, not the police. The duty of the police is to enforce the law.”

    Lagos-based lawyer, George Oguntade (SAN) said the IGP misapplied the law in withdrawing Tambuwal’s security, since Abba is not obligated to interpret the constitution on his own volition.

    Oguntade said: “I have no doubt  in my mind that the action of the Acting IG of Police is wrong and certainly cannot be predicated upon the provisions of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution as he purports to do.

    “As a preface, it is important to restate that the police institution should detach itself from any involvement in partisan politics. Its constitutional role and functions are clearly delineated. Section 68(1) (g) is quite clear and imposes no duty or obligation whatsoever on the IG of Police.

    “In the event that the Speaker does not vacate his seat as the constitution clearly enjoins him to do, the necessary legal machinery will then be invoked to enforce the provisions of the Constitution.

    “It is only when he has been lawfully removed by an order of court that he would no longer be entitled to security details and then the acting IG will be entitled to act. By acting now, the acting IG has acted prematurely and unconstitutional. In my mind, this kind of action does not augur well for the upcoming general elections,” said Oguntade.

    To a former General Secretary NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, the IGP by his action constituted himself not only as a court, but also as an executive.

    He said: “What the IGP has done is to suo  moto pose to himself the scenarios whether there is division in the PDP or a merger, answered his own questions and executed his belief thereby constituting himself not only to be the court, but also the executive.

    “Was it not in the news that the chairman of the BOT of PDP was in Sokoto about a week back, with other party heavyweights to reconcile faction? Do you reconcile when there are no division? These are some of the questions.

    “The action of the IGP is unconstitutional, undemocratic, autocratic as he lacks not only the constitutional powers, but also the ability and capability to determine the vacancy or otherwise of the seat of the Speaker.”

    Former Lagos State House of Assembly member Babatunde Ogala called it an act of impunity.

    “This is impunity for the Police to take the laws into its hands and withdraw the security details of the Speaker, which the law prescribes for his office under some spurious interpretation of the Constitution.

    “The police and presidency have no role in this.  And it is for the House members to determine that he would no longer be their Speaker by removing him. Neither the presidency nor the police have such powers in law.”

    Lagos lawyer and rights’ activist Mr Theophilus Akanwa, said there is nowhere in the Constitution where the IGP is empowered to withdraw the security details of an elected officer not constitutionally removed from office.

    “The IGP’s action is in  fact,  a breach and contravention of the Speaker’s fundamental rights as provided in Chapter IV of the Constitution as it affects his freedom of association. It is only when the Speaker ceases to hold office that his security can be withdrawn. The IGP should be reminded that the security attached to that office is not solely for Tambuwal as a person, but for that exalted office funded by tax-payers’ money. The Speaker’s security should be restored immediately in the interest of our nascent democracy.”

    Mr Stephen Azubuike said there is nothing in the law which expressly empowers the IGP to withdraw the security details of any senior government official.

    “It is worthy of note that the courts have the exclusive powers to interpret the Constitution and other laws in exercise of the judicial powers  conferred by Section 6 of the1999 Constitution. Hence, any controversy as to the position of Tambuwal as the Speaker may be channeled to the court by any concerned person or authority.

    “So long as no competent court of law has ordered Tambuwal to vacate office, he remains the Speaker and is absolutely entitled to security details.”

    A Lagos lawyer, Mr Chijioke Emeka, said it is all politics, adding: “When did the IGP become a Court to decide when a seat is vacant? This may be a Freudian Slip admitting PDP’s lack of confidence in its ability to wield its majority to unseat Tambuwal. The PDP has consistently shown that its centre cannot hold against the wind of centrifugal forces from its internal contradictions.”

     

     

  • ‘We’re committed to security of residents’

    ‘We’re committed to security of residents’

    The Chairman of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Yahaya Garba has reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of residents of the council.

    Hon. Garba, who spoke through the council’s Head of Administration, Alhaji Isah Rubochi while addressing residents and stakeholders on the need to complete some dumped buildings which pose serious security challenges.

    According to the council chief, although the country is currently overcoming its security challenges, governments, especially at the local level, will not relent in its efforts to curb crime and criminality in the country.

    He further urged residents to trim overgrown trees around their houses to avoid their being used as hide outs for criminal.

    Garba also used the opportunity to appeal to residents to have faith in the present administration, as efforts are being made to address various challenges confronting every community in the council.

     

  • NLC: restore Tambuwal’s security

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday lent its force to the condemnation of Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba’s withdrawal of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s security aides.

    At the weekend, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) slammed the IG for the action, saying the police have no power to implement the law.

    Like the NBA, the NLC called for the immediate restoration of Tambuwal’s security.

    In a statement entitled “Nothing must happen to Tambuwal”, signed by NLC General Secretary Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, the congress said withdrawing the security detail for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is unconstitutional as no section of the Constitution states that the Speaker must come from the majority party.

    The NLC said if the police did not withdraw the security aides of Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sherrif for defecting from the Labour Party and the APC to the PDP, there was no sense in withdrawing Tambuwal’s aides.

    Demanding the immediate restoration of Tambuwal’s security, the NLC said the police and other security agents who carried out the action should hide their heads in shame.

    The statement reads: “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress are appalled by the withdrawal of security detail of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, ostensibly because he had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The act is shameful, distasteful, unconstitutional and demonstrates our parochial sense of power and very little knowledge of history. No part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says the Speaker of the House of Representatives should come from the majority party.

    “Section 50(1)(b) only says, “ There shall be …a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves…’

    “In the Second Republic, the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, was elected from the ranks of NPP, not just an opposition party but the third strong , after UPN and NPN. We have other precedents across the world.

    “We find it appropriate to cite the examples of Mimiko and Ali Modu-Sheriff, governor of Ondo State and former governor of Borno State respectively. Their security detail were not withdrawn when they defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “It gives us concern that our political leaders are determined to learn very little about democracy and always seem too keen to overheat the polity over things that count for little.

    “The police and other security agencies complicit in this disgusting conduct should hold their heads in shame. Herein lies the essence of strong institutions which we have always advocated.

    “For those who take pleasure in converting to personal use, public/state institutions, today’s men soon become yesterday’s men. What goes around, comes around.

    “In light of the foregoing, we demand immediate restoration of Tambuwal’s security detail and all the rights and privileges that accrue to the Office of the Speaker. It is not about Tambuwal, it is about the office which he holds.

    “And in any case, only  few, arguably, will contest that he has not discharged and acquitted himself as speaker. We would like to be on record that we will not fold our hands while little minds threaten our hard-earned democracy. Nothing should happen to Tambuwal.”

  • 2015 polls and security concerns

    With the spate of  insecurity increasingly on the rise in the country, particularly in the North Eastern part,  the concern of the global community over the security situation in country can no longer be  ignored. Recently, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Laurent Fabius,  urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  to defend Nigeria and Africa’s image by conducting a credible election in  2015. His German counterpart, Dr. Frank Seinmeir, equally implored the  Federal Government to  increase its efforts to end insurgency ahead of the 2015 polls. It is;  therefore, clear that the security worries in the country  need to be tackled frontally  in order to have a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of the 2015 polls.

    Unlike what many  believe, insurgency is not the  only source of security fears in the country. There is, for instance, the  volatile issue of Fulani herdsmen who often attack their  victims after their  livestock have destroyed the latter’s farmlands. The  increasing incidents of kidnapping in some parts of the country equally remain an  immense source of  security apprehensions. Kidnappers have continued to operate  without borders, spreading  the nets of their nefarious acts to hold both locals and  foreigners captive. The aged,  clerics, government  officials, academics, professionals, women and children are  not speared by  those who engage in this despicable act.

    In some  other parts of the country, armed robbery has become a major threat to national  security with robbers throwing cautions into the wind in  their operations. Activities of political thugs have also become a serious cause for concerns in the country. Recently, in Edo state, the ancient Benin City was became a thereafter  of the absurd when political hooligans openly opened guns at  each other in a no-  hold -bar shooting spray that left in trail sorrow, tears and blood.

    Without  a doubt, the spate of kidnapping across the country, the  incessant wave of crime and armed robbery attacks and the incessant activities  of terrorists in  the country are all pointers to the fact that insecurity is  fast becoming a norm in Nigeria. The implication of this to the democratic health of the country  and the heightened  sense of insecurity among the populace cannot be quantified.

    If not quickly addressed, the effects of all these challenges could  constitute a clog in the  wheel of the democratic process come 2015.

    According  to English Political Philosopher, John Plamentz, democracy is “government by persons freely chosen by and responsible to the  governed” while an election is a formal  decision-making by which a  population chooses an individual to hold public  office. Election is universally used to select representatives of the people. Elections were used as early in history as ancient  Greece and ancient Rome, and throughout the medieval period to select rulers. The  modern  “election”, which consists of public elections of  government  officials, didn’t emerge until the beginning of the 17thcentury when the idea  of representative government took hold in North America and Europe.

    The basic  principles of democracy are the requirements to organize  regular, free and fair election, freedom of individuals to nominate candidates,  periodic revision of  electoral register, independent judiciary and freedom of campaign among others.

    But recent happenings in Nigeria negate these, as people live in fear, while  some have been out rightly displaced from their homes and  are now refugees in  their fatherland.  Consequently, some eligible voters in the Northern part of the country might be  disenfranchised in  the coming election no thanks to the criminal activities of  the insurgents in  that part of the country.

    The insurgents  have organized themselves into a  pressure group that seeks to influence the political structure and the  structuring of power in the country. This they have done by  hoisting their flag  not too long ago in some local government areas in the  north, with the declaration of an Islamic State as being done in Syria.

    Despite on-going talks  about a ceasefire agreement people still live in fear. Those  those were lucky  to escape, have had tales of woe to tell. Men and young boys  are being forcibly  recruited, while women and young girls are being enslaved,  physically and  psychologically.

    Confirming the  enormity of the effects of the  country’s security challenge on the 2015 polls, INEC chairman, Professor  Attahiru Jega recently expressed his fear by submitting that  the commission cannot risk its human and material resources, particularly in the three Northeastern States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. In same  vein, Ebonyi State Governor,  Martin Elechi, has expressed doubt over the possibility of  holding the 2015  elections in view of prevailing security situations in the  country. Similarly, Governor Babatunde  Fashola of Lagos State has also expressed  serious concerns over the spate of insecurity in the  country, which according  to him poses a threat to free, fair and credible elections.

    The governor made the disclosure while playing host to students from the Royal College of Defense  Studies, United Kingdom, UK, led by Rear Admiral Jonas  Haggren, at the State  House, Alausa Ikeja. According to Fashola: “Insecurity is  a threat every time.

    It is not only to electoral process, even to human existence  and business  activities.”

    However, in-spite of  the herculean security situation in the country, the 2105 polls could  still be held in a peaceful atmosphere. But for this to happen, all  stakeholders must be ready to  work for peace. While it is true that government is a key  player on security  issues, the reality is that without the active participation  of other members and groups in the society, government alone cannot ensure  security. This is why  it is important that those behind the insurgent activities  in the country must embrace the peace offer from the federal government. There is no level of discontentment that cannot be talked over. Throwing the nation into needless crisis over any issue, no matter how important, would ultimately be counter-productive.

    Therefore,  every well meaning Nigerian, groups and  agencies must partner with INEC to ensure free and fair  election. INEC alone  cannot ensure a credible election. It is a joint venture. It  is a Nigerian project.

    On a final note, no  meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of  chaos. According to  Martin Luther King, “peace is not merely a distant goal  that we seek but a  means by which we arrive at that  goal.”

     

    – Bakare is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy,  Alausa, Ikeja.

  • ‘Security is everybody’s business’

    Mr. Sabastine Ubua Anyia is the chairman, Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) Aguata Branch. He is a graduate of the University of Maiduguri and holds a Masters of Law from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. In this interview with the Legal Editor, John Austin Unachukwu, he speaks on his plans for his branch and insecurity.

    Give us an insight into your activities at the Bar. How would you appraise the current leadership of the Bar?

    I have been an active Bar man from the day I was called to the Bar. I have attended all National Conferences of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)  from day one till date. I have been a NEC member. I am also a strong member of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF). I am a committed member of the NBA, Aguata Branch. I have worked assiduously for the growth and achievement of the Bar goals and objectives all this time. I am by nature a goal-getter and in recognition of my contributions to the branch, the branch honoured me with an award of “The foot Soldier of Aguata Bar”.

    So, how do you feel about the award?

    I am humbled by this award. I have watched closely leaders of the NBA  from the days of  Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN)  till date. They have all contributed their quotas to the growth of this great Association. Do not forget that being a leader of the NBA is like a wise man leading millions of wise men. It is always not easy because every person you are leading knows what you know, if not even more than you. So my brother, it is not always easy to please wise people.

    The NBA President has taken a few actions since his inauguration, what are your expectations from the current leadership of the Bar?

    Having said the above, the current leadership of the NBA, by Augustine Alegeh (SAN)  from the very first foot he placed forward, I have no doubt that he is going to be the Messiah of the NBA. If you listened  to his inaugural speech on August  29, you will agree with me that it was a bombshell.  He left no one in doubt that he is an agent of change; the one members of the Bar had yearned for years now.

    In which areas are you expecting the changes?

    His administration will encourage members, who have before now, refused to pay their practicing fees because of the style and manner the previous leadership of NBA have piloted the affairs of the Association to start paying because of the benefits attached to the payment of the  fees. For instance, if you pay your practicing fees (which he promised to reduce) as at when due, you are entitled to NBA Welfare Scheme without any further payment or additional fees. You will be issued with free Identification Card. The card, he disclosed, would also function as a payment card for ATM, PoS and other online transactions. The card also entitles the bearer to a menu of discounts and other packages negotiated by the association. He has also opened the gate for observers to attend NEC meetings unlike his predecessor. What is more, Augustine Alegeh  has reduced drastically conference fees.

    So, back to your question, the present leadership led by Alegeh will lead the NBA to the Promised Land.

    How do you feel about your election as the Chairman of NBA, Aguata Branch?

    I thank God for making it possible for me to emerge winner of the election. Indeed, I am exceedingly grateful to God and good people of NBA, Aguata Branch. The people have spoken through their votes and I assure  them that I will not disappoint them. I believe in the concept of servant-leadership and this has been my guiding principle. Do not forget that though I practice my profession in Anambra State, I am from Cross River State, while my opponent,  Sir Izu Nwankwo is an indigene of the state,  the son of the soil and also a very senior member of the Bar.

    Therefore,  for members to choose me shows the confidence and trust they have in me. I give them my solemn undertaken that I will not disappoint them. I told the members of this great Bar in my acceptance speech that: “Words of mouth are grossly inadequate to say thank you. God Almighty will reward you all and your families. Nobody won and nobody lost. We all won, NBA, Aguata Branch is the winner. Unity is strength … When there is team work and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved. We shall work like one united happy family. Once again, thank you all for your support. I shall not disappoint you”. This is my bound with the good people of Aguata Bar. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the leadership and members of other branches of NBA in Anambra State for their support and encouragement. To them I say Imela ooo! Chukwu gozie unu ooo!

    What examples did this set for other branches?

    During my campaign, I discovered that in Anambra State, the people are not interested in where you come from, but in your track record and your ability to deliver. The support I have received from members of the NBA, Aguata Branch and the encouragement from lawyers of the other six (6) branches of NBA in Anambra State has been amazingly wonderful. The issue of none indigene was never a factor in my campaign. My acceptability cut across senior and junior members of the Bar.

    What is your track record of activities at the branch?

    I have been a member of the NBA, Aguata Branch since 2004. I came to Anambra State as a Youth Corper and I remain thereafter. Since then, I have served the branch assiduously that Chairmen of other NBA braches in Nigeria call me Aguata. I have been the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the branch, I have been voted as the Financial Secretary of the branch. I have also contested and won the Secretary of the branch. I have been the Secretary of Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA, Anambra Chapter. I have served as the Secretary of NBA, Aguata Law Week Planning Committee in 2012, Chairman Law Week Contact Committee 2014, Chairman Bar Dinner 2010 to 2012, Member Aguata Bar Center Project. Chairman Aguata Branch Conference Committee for lodging and/or accommodation from 2010 to 2014, Chairman Young Lawyers Forum. In all these offices I have performed to the satisfaction of my branch members. This explains why they are full of praises for me. Apart from my branch, my relationship with other branches of the NBA in Anambra State has been simply fantastic.

    Why do you think you are the man for the job?

    I think that I am the man for the job because of my upbringing and training from my family, the church, school and the training in this bar. During my secondary school days I was the youngest student in the class and the smallest, yet, when the senior class handed over power to us; the school authority made me the senior prefect in spite of my age and size. My success story as the youngest senior prefect of the school is there for everyone to see. In my university days, I was the Secretary of National Federation of Catholic Students, Secretary of Rotary Club, Secretary of University of Maiduguri Sport, Secretary of Cross River Students and President of Wula Students Worldwide.

    In NBA, Aguata Branch, I received training and tutelage from Chief  C.O. Ezeanowai-Obiezi (now late), worked so closely with him that I knew the problems of the branch and the best way to solve them. During the tenure of Sir Emeka Umejiaku, I was the Financial Secretary of the branch and his strong anchor man. Also, during the tenure of Hon. M.C.Z Aniazoka, I was the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the branch, I worked so closely with him that the branch members called him my mentor. Again, during the period of D.U. Umeobika, a man known by every person as a perfect gentleman, I was the Secretary of NBA, Aguata Branch. I learned from him the real teaching of life and how to manage people. I am the only member of the branch, who knows all branch members by name and their houses and offices. I also have members’ phone lines. I know the problems of members and the problems of the branch in general. I have received training, tutelage and blessings from past chairmen that have equipped me for the job. I have the magic touch to solve the problems and take the branch to the next level.

    What are your plans for the branch, how do you hope to actualise them?

    My administration shall introduce loan scheme for members, who are in financial difficulties, especially for young lawyers. My plan is to change the mind set of lawyers in Aguata Branch to be achievers, to encourage them to take up the ranks of Senior Advocates, to look beyond the locality where they live and practice. To attract businessmen and incorporate bodies to identify with the branch, to complete the branch Bar centre  and to reduce or remove unnecessary levies placed on members.

    I shall make members see NBA meetings as a place to confide in; a place to solve your legal problems and a place for protection of members. I shall resolve all branch problems, especially the land problem. My administration shall focus on human development and each member shall be his brother’s keeper.

    What are your expectations from the current leadership of NBA?

    Good governance and/or leadership. I have no doubt that Augustine Alegeh will lead the bar to the Promised Land. He has started the fight to free NBA from the iron grip of the powerful few, who have hijacked it. I pray God to stand by him.

    What roles do you expect of the Bar in a pre-election year and how do you think the Bar can make significant contributions to the forthcoming general elections?

    I expect the bar to focus primarily on the welfare of her members, the legal profession – the state of our judiciary, the conditions under which our judges are working, their productivity, the conditions under which lawyers are working, the conditions under which they are being trained. I also expect the bar to focus on the Bar and Bench relationship, where one will not see himself or herself as the king and the others as slaves. The Bar should take a clear and firm position on the politics of the nation without necessarily taken side with any of the political parties. I also expect the Bar to preach peace and tolerance in the forthcoming general elections. This is because peace is also a form of justice

    How would you appraise the speed of justice delivery in the country, how can we improve on this?

    Our Judges have been doing their best in justice delivery taken into consideration their conditions of work. However, they have to improve as their best is not good enough. With the signing into law the judicial autonomy by some states of the Federations and to my mind before the end of this year all the states will sign it. Once that is done, our court shall have better electronic gazettes to help them in speedy dispensation of justice. The bar can also play a role by imposing sanctions on her members who are frustrating the court from speedy trail of cases.

    It is widely believed that the standard of legal education on the decline, how do you think this can be improved?

    There is no gain emphasising it. But who do we blame for the decline? Is it the students or the lecturers? Until the NBA and NEC members take a serious position on this, the saying will only be a recurring decimal. Compare the number of universities offering medicine and the one offering law, you will know the cause. Today 80 per cent of the students in the Open Universities are studying law; at the end what do you expect? Until we stamp out these programmes and reduce schools offering law to a manageable level, we will not see any change. For the lawyers, I encourage a more committed and serious continuous legal education.

    Insecurity of lives is one of the greatest challenges facing the country, how do you think this  can be resolved within the internationally accepted best practices?

    The issue of insecurity as a matter of fact is worrisome. Whenever the issue of insecurity is discussed I always advise people to look back and by their sides and be sure if the next person is not one of them or their agent. For me, insecurity is not caused by the terrorists in the forest, who occasionally come to the town and villages to attack and kidnap innocent citizens. Rather, their agents, who live with us, give them information on how and when to attack. These informants and/or agents are in the Army, schools, Police, markets, government institutions and above all, there are the politicians who sponsor them. The truth is that these sponsors and/or agents of these cowards called Boko Haram are known by people, who out of fear or other primordial interest, will not want to report them to the government.

    The insecurity will come to an end when we all sincerely decide to become informants to government. There is so much betrayal in the military that the junior officers do not trust their commanders and their GOCs. They complained of not having modern equipment to confront the insurgents, yet, the Federal Government spends millions on the military as shown in the nation’s budget every year. Why has the insurgent not be able to penetrate Cameroon? It is simply because they are committed and sincere to themselves. They look at it as war against the enemy of their state. We must forget about tribe and religion and see the terrorists as the enemy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    That is the only way we can win this war. I read in Vanguard of September 26, that Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorist leader. What that means is that Shekau has been killed since. The recent person acting Shekau is Mohammed Bashir, who was recently killed. I expect the military to scrutinise and interview the 135 terrorists that have surrendered to get information on how to end this insurgency once and for all in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.

     

  • Hotel security seminar holds in November

    A one-day executive workshop for the nation’s hotels, catering outfits and other stake holders earlier scheduled for Friday, October 10, has been postponed till November 21, 2014, in Lagos.

    The workshop is organised by a team of professionals in the hospitality industry, including Nigerian Hospitality Security Network, Finale Hotels Services Ltd and BNK Consulting Services with the support of the Nigeria Police Force.

    With the theme “Security Challenges In Hotels And Hospitality Industry In Nigeria-The Way Forward” the workshop’s objectives according to a press release signed by the Coordinator, Mr. Bright Uwabor, include sharing experience with security experts and knowledgeable speakers on the current security challenges in the country; establishing baseline awareness and integrate the Security challenges which are imminent in Hotels and hospitality industry in Nigeria; assessing and analyzing the range of obstacles, risks and threats that affect the Hospitality industry as well as their capacities and vulnerabilities.

    Other goals of the capacity building programme are: changing the non-chalant attitude of some hoteliers and subsequently to be more security conscious and embrace modern methods of addressing them as well as developing sustainable strategies and acquainting participants with the various appliances and gadgets to be used in averting criminal tendencies.

    Highlights of the event include presentations by security experts, law enforcement agents, and renowned academia and formal launch of a hospitality magazine.

    The Keynote address will be delivered by the Chief Host, AIG Umar Manko, while the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Deputy, Mrs. Orelope Adefulire, are the Special Guest and Mother of the day respectively.

    Other guests expected include: State Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Development, Mr. Disun Holloway, Chief Femi Falana, an academia, Prof. Ishaq. Oloyede, Chief Ignatius Edema, Chief Executive of Halogen Security, Mr. Trevor Ward. The Royal Father of the day is the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Eleko of Eko 1.

     

  • National security and leadership style

    For obvious reasons, and due to the myriad of security challenges confronting the Nigerian nation, there is a mistaken trend that perhaps the best leader to infuse discipline and engender national security is a man or woman with a military mien, a person who can order people around. In short, a fearsome leader, or a Draconian despot, that forces people to cower under his breath and at whose command the endemic corruption that has perennially plagued the country would just fly away. These thoughts cannot but be naive; it’s like a man who thinks his wishes are horses.

    But why do Nigerians seem to embrace this erroneous and troubling notion that their security or safety lies in the hands of a so-called “No-Nonsense” leader? The reasons are both historical and contemporary. First, the governance history of Nigeria since independence in 1960 has been burdened by incompetent administrations and blighted by series of interventionist military coup d’états, the consequence of which has brutally militarised the collective psyche of the citizenry. This makes people to believe, albeit wrongly, that it is only the man in uniform or his retired clone that is capable of re-ordering and re-orientating the Nigerian people. So, let us seek another Praetorian guard to carry out a surgical operation for us, many people seem to be saying this time around!

    But history again, even from the Nigerian example, has fatally faulted this line of reasoning. It is incontrovertible that such an approach does not endure in instituting desired changes; its success is short-lived as it is enforced through coercive decrees, cruel, unjust and inhuman adjudication process. Human nature abhors oppression in any form.

    The second contemporary factor why many citizens thirst for a dictator, even though he is in a fake democratic garb, is multi-faceted. One major reason is undoubtedly attributable to the agonisingly embarrassing failure of the incumbent administration to frontally confront the numerous security and safety issues Nigerians face on daily basis. Some of these are a breakdown of the law and order system, impunity and rampant lawlessness by both high and low, increasing rates of crimes, kidnappings for ransom, abductions, bloody skirmishes and tensions between rival ethnic groups across large swath of the nation, and the unspeakable crimes being routinely committed by the murderous terrorist insurgents called Boko Haram.

    This ad infinitum list of security failures has justifiably made people to lose faith in the capacity of the current, clueless administration to carry out its first constitutional responsibility of  protecting lives and property of the citizenry. The tendency therefore is to seek out a man who as they say, “brooks no nonsense and tolerates no opposition.”  But that will only compound the present security dilemma of Nigeria as the issue of sustainable national security is not achievable by fiat or by electing a ruthless leader with the swagger stick.

    Issues of national security in modern times transcends merely installing a regime of local diktat; it involves building a nexus of collaborative military, paramilitary and civil  institutions, and the gathering and sharing of national and cross-border intelligence to enhance safety and health of the nation and its citizens. Most importantly, modern concept of national security is largely anchored on the economic well-being of a nation, while the military-industrial complex plays complementary but also vital role in the scheme of sustainable peace and tranquility in any country. In other words, the economic indicators determine to a large extent the level of peace and stability enjoyed by the citizenry.

    It is inarguable; therefore, that the major plank in any nation’s security platform is its economy. A nation’s security can only be enhanced when its labor force, especially its youth, are gainfully employed, and there is a creation of welfare schemes to serve as safety nets to those unable to work or are physically challenged. This is what is operational in advanced, and young, stable democracies all over the world. It is a universal fact that when people are gainfully engaged they have less or no time for brewing trouble. But the idle hand is the devil’s workshop.

    Also, modern thoughts and practices have since discountenanced the traditional notion that national security is limited to acquisition and warehousing of huge military hardware; neither is it just about displaying formidable military force nor traditional military activity though all these may be included in the overall security architecture of a nation. It is essential to know however that development is nowadays sine qua non to any nation’s security.

    Development in this context relates to the capacity of a nation to utilise its human and capital potentials to optimally provide opportunities for its citizens to dream and realise those desires in a conducive and well-structured environment. It is when this is achieved consistently over a period of time or on a sustainable basis that the society experiences noticeable decline in disorder and violence and its security is subsequently and correspondingly enhanced. This holistic approach to national security has been the view of a one-time, but now late, respected President of the World Bank, Robert McNamara.

    In addition to the above, other means of boosting national security and arresting the current breakdown of law and order and the rule of law in the country are running a truly federal system of government where much power is devolved to the states, including the power to create state police. This means additional job opportunities and enhanced capacity to institute community policing to fight crimes, especially at local levels.

    National security could be further enhanced through proper delineation of national, state and council boundaries to reduce communal clashes and needless inter and intra-ethnic tensions; to properly equip and train the police to fight crimes and internal disorder while the military should be well-funded and equipped to effectively dismantle and destroy the scourge of terrorism in the country

    In conclusion, it is obvious from the above that a democratic Nigeria of the 21st century really doesn’t need an Orwellian Napoleon,  who is always right and must be obeyed. This is a federal democracy that is fostered through healthy debates, dialogues and discourse. It is not a command economy or unitary state that responds to the dictates, decrees and is ruled by whims and caprices of a single strong person, no matter how Spartan in stuff.  That era is passé.

    Citizens are therefore enjoined in a nascent democracy like ours to be wary of politicians seeking their votes for the highest office in the land to know that what Nigeria mostly need at this time is not the emergence of a leader who rules by bravado, or creates hysteria among citizens but a well-groomed and well-grilled democrat, whose policy  agenda is similar to the template above, and whose antecedents are well known as someone who is a bridge builder and is committed to strengthen the nation’s fragile key institutions.

     

    – Dr. Segun Olanipekun is Associate Professor of Journalism, Warwick University, DC, U.S.