The Nation Newspaper

Tag: serious

  • Serious unseriousness

    When Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, the lawyer representing the self-confessed big-time billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, better known as Evans, was fined N20, 000 by a court as “punitive cost” for unprofessional conduct, the fine seemed puny indeed.  Justice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos, who awarded the cost against Ogungbeje on July 13, 2017 said the fine must be paid before July 20, 2017

    What did Ogungbeje do wrong?  Justice Anka said: “Counsel wrote a letter seeking for an adjournment without copying the prosecution. This, to me, is unprofessional. The court hereby warns counsel to desist from such type of practice.” Justice Anka added that Ogungbeje would not be heard until he had paid the fine.

    On July 20, 2017 Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court Lagos, declined to hear Evans’ N300 million rights case because his lawyer had failed to pay the fine. What happened in court that day? A report said: “…counsel for the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Effiong Asuquo, said Ogungbeje gave him a N20, 000 post-dated cheque. He said he rejected it since that was not the court order. Justice Obiozor agreed with Asuquo and directed Ogungbeje to comply with the order.” Justice Obiozor adjourned the case till July 27, 2017 to allow Ogungbeje to comply with the order.

    It is intriguing that Ogungbeje tried to pay the fine with a post-dated cheque. Why did he do that? Didn’t he know it fell short of compliance with the order?  Did he expect acceptance of the cheque?  These questions call into question his professionalism. Considering that he was fined for unprofessionalism, this amounted to another unprofessional move on his part, which compounds his unprofessionalism.

    It is unbelievable that the fine in question is N20, 000 only and a billionaire’s lawyer can’t pay it promptly. What kind of billionaire’s lawyer would let such a puny fine get in the way of things when his billionaire client’s freedom is at stake?

    A report said: “In his fundamental rights enforcement suit, Evans, through Ogungbeje, is seeking a court order directing the police to charge him to court immediately or release him on bail. Ogungbeje argued that Evans’ detention since June 10, 2017 without being charged to court was a violation of his client’s fundamental rights enshrined in Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the Constitution.”

    It should be said loud and clear: By his unprofessional actions, this lawyer is sending a signal of serious unseriousness.

  • Nigerians urged to take flood alert serious

    President, Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS), Abel Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to take flood predictions from relevant agencies seriously.

    Prof. Adebayo linked the loss of lives and properties to flood during raining seasons to poor attitude from people who build or live in flood- prone areas.

    He spoke at the eighth international conference and annual general meeting of the association in Abuja.

    The conference had “Hydrology and Water Resources Development in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and the way forward,” as its theme.

    Prof. Adebayo said the theme of the conference was timely and relevant to the issues of climate change.

    He said: “The attitude of people to this prediction is number one problem. People do not take these predictions seriously especially people living within flood plain.

    “When people don’t take this prediction serious they stay there until the flood over takes them.”

    He called on governments to make provisions for those living in flood plain area whenever they are asked to relocate.

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) said it had continually warned Nigerians not to build houses on flood plain areas.

    Its Director, Operational Hydrology, Umar Mangashi, said the agency had through its sensitisation urged people living in flood plain areas to open up their drainages in order to allow for free flow of water.

    Mangashi said: “We always tell people in our sensitisation that they should not build on the flood prone areas. These are areas where flood reaches and these areas are very fertile for agriculture. People tend to settle there and but when the water starts it flood those areas.

    The Director General, NIHSA, Moses Beckley said the agency would continue to support the activities of the association.

  • Why EFCC should get more serious

    SIR: In 1984, the war against deadly drug lords from Mexico and Colombia grew rapidly when a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, Enrique Camarena worked as an informant to the government and got very close to most of the Mexican drug lords. The information given necessitated the raid on Guadalajara Cartel Marijuana plantation.

    Two most dangerous drug lords in the world, Joaquin El Chapo and Pablo Escobar were arrested, killed in either case after thorough investigation, dedication and sacrifice by the combined efforts of the DEA, Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), CIA agents.

    In a Popular American TV series, Power, Angela Valdes, a character and one of the lead prosecutor and DEA agent responded to the conversation on how to arrest the notorious drug dealer, who is yet unknown. Carlos Ruiz, another character is still untouchable because they haven’t gotten enough evidence to nail him. Angela said “If we can build a compelling case against him, we can put him behind bars” and her boss responded, “We can’t touch him, unless we know we can put him in jail”.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been everywhere in Nigeria. They can’t kill, so they find it difficult to build concrete evidence against all those they have brought to the Nigeria courts. We need to do more; convince a competent court of law to get justice. Also, due diligence and sacrifice should be made in other to get justice, even when we know that an alleged criminal can’t be denied his right to legal representation. Abdulmutalab the kid that wanted to bomb an American plane had an attorney that defended him. He deserved it. It is now left for the lawyer to build up a convincing case to the judge or jury.

    It was easier for the United Kingdom authority to sentence James Ibori to prison because the prosecutor did a diligent job to convict him.  Nigerians want to make money and become millionaire in a day, we don’t care how it happens and we have lost our patience.

    Journalists who have prominent roles to play in this anti-corruption battle are not doing enough. A friend once said – “If it isn’t investigative, then it is not journalism”. We all wake up and consume breaking news from some news outlet and consume it, hook line and sinker. Nobody takes time to investigate the source of the news or the authenticity of such.

    Recently, a popular hip hop artist took time to attack all ‘lazy politicians for their un-seriousness and ineptitude’. Another one praised the “Yahoo” boys from the beginning of the song to the end. My observation isn’t about his song but the names mentioned in his track, all of them are youth which till today, nobody can explain how they all became billionaire. EFCC can’t do the work; neither can our journalist unravel the source of their wealth.

    If EFCC wants to give judgment on the pages of newspaper, it is free to do that but none will translate to court conviction. If FBI, CIA and DEA are losing court cases as our EFCC, it will be a big slap on all the agencies but it seems we don’t even care again.

    Isn’t it a shame that Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies could not unravel the level of corruption against Diezani Alison-Madueke and James Ibori? Neither could they build up a solid case until foreign countries stepped in. We can’t continue to put our country in bad light because of corruption and ineptitude of all agencies involved.

    Let EFCC take time to build their case, let journalists assist in investigative journalism to help rid our society of scammers, thieves and drug lords.

     

    • Oguntoye Opeyemi, 

    <oguntoyeopeyemij@yahoo.com>

     

  • Serious unseriousness

    When Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, the lawyer representing the self-confessed big-time billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, better known as Evans, was fined N20, 000 by a court as “punitive cost” for unprofessional conduct, the fine seemed puny indeed.  Justice Abdulazeez Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos, who awarded the cost against Ogungbeje on July 13, said the fine must be paid before July 20.

    What did Ogungbeje do wrong?  Justice Anka said: “Counsel wrote a letter seeking for an adjournment without copying the prosecution. This, to me, is unprofessional. The court hereby warns counsel to desist from such type of practice.” Justice Anka added that Ogungbeje would not be heard until he had paid the fine.

    On July 20, Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court Lagos, declined to hear Evans’ N300 million rights case because his lawyer had failed to pay the fine. What happened in court that day? A report said: “…counsel for the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Effiong Asuquo, said Ogungbeje gave him a N20, 000 post-dated cheque. He said he rejected it since that was not the court order. Justice Obiozor agreed with Asuquo and directed Ogungbeje to comply with the order.” Justice Obiozor adjourned the case till July 27 to allow Ogungbeje to comply with the order.

    It is intriguing that Ogungbeje tried to pay the fine with a post-dated cheque. Why did he do that? Didn’t he know it fell short of compliance with the order?  Did he expect acceptance of the cheque?  These questions call into question his professionalism. Considering that he was fined for unprofessionalism, this amounted to another unprofessional move on his part, which compounds his unprofessionalism.

    It is unbelievable that the fine in question is N20, 000 only and a billionaire’s lawyer can’t pay it promptly. What kind of billionaire’s lawyer would let such a puny fine get in the way of things when his billionaire client’s freedom is at stake?

    A report said: “In his fundamental rights enforcement suit, Evans, through Ogungbeje, is seeking a court order directing the police to charge him to court immediately or release him on bail. Ogungbeje argued that Evans’ detention since June 10, 2017 without being charged to court was a violation of his client’s fundamental rights enshrined in Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the Constitution.”

    It should be said loud and clear: By his unprofessional actions, this lawyer is sending a signal of serious unseriousness.

  • Corruption: When will Nigeria get serious?

    SIR: On May 14, 2014, a former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in prison. The judge also fined him one million shekels about 289,000 dollars and ordered that 560,000 shekels in his assets be seized. Olmert was found guilty by the Tel-aviv District Court of accepting a 500,000 shekel bribe from developers of a controversial apartment complex known as HOLY LAND after which planning and zoning laws were changed, and another 60,000 shekels for another project, and sentenced accordingly.

    The 68-year old prime Minister was convicted, interestingly not necessarily for crimes he allegedly committed as a Prime Minister, but in connection with the real estate deal that took place while he was Mayor of Jerusalem. The sentencing must have humbled the man who left power in 2009, following a gale of alleged corruption charges. That he is now going to prison for a bribe he took as a Mayor many years is pointer to the fact that there is nothing like just a little sin. It also tells us that no matter how long it takes to be discovered or decided, crimes should always be punished. More significantly, it is pointer to the fact that laws should be no respecter of persons no matter the status in the society.

    Yes the judge acknowledged that the former Prime Minister had made a large contribution to the country, he nonetheless had no choice than to sentence him because his offences were noxious and he was guilty of moral turpitude.  Under Israeli laws, this precludes Olmert from running for public office for seven years after finishing his jail term. His only hope is for his appeal to be upheld. The former Prime minister’s comportment in the court room was also instructive. He reportedly stood quietly in the court room, head bowed.

    Nigerians look forward to that difficult day when one of their former leaders or even the people that are being tried now would be shown the way to prison; some of them deserve to be behind bars considering the mind-boggling corruption they perpetrated in office. That they walk about freely and even insult our sensibility with their insensitive comments and actions make our hearts bleed.

    Some gullible Nigerians will being to ask questions that makes someone sick. Why starting from these persons. Why not start from this person and that person. Who prosecuting only members of these parties, why not the ruling party?

    Last month, the PDP Caucus in the National Assembly said they were withdrawing their support for President Buhari on the premise that the anti-corruption agenda of the president is one-sided. The PDP caucus must be reminded of their primary responsibility of lawmaking and representation of their constituents at the National Assembly. I advise the PDP Senate Caucus not to allow political shenanigans to becloud overall national interest.

    Corruption is a monster that has slowed the development of this country. We must join the fight against it. Had it been that PDP under President Goodluck Jonathan fought corruption the way APC under President Buhari is fighting the menace, I believe we would not have been where we are today. Any Nigerian no matter his status in the society caught in any corrupt practice should be dealt with. I am not a fan of plea bargaining or soft landing. Our judges should help us to deal with this monster. They should not entertain all these frivolous motions and delay tactics of some so-called Senior Advocate of Corrupt Nigerians. I believe our Judges should learn from this judge of Israel who gave this landmark judgement.

     

    • Otimkpu Paschal,

    Awka, Anambra State.

  • Serious allegations

    Serious allegations

    Obanikoro’s allegations that Bode George is turning SURE-P cadets into an illicit force, for election duties in 2015, should be probed

    Chief Bode George, chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, is in the news again.  He is in the news at the moment over weighty allegations that funds for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) were being misapplied; and that the SURE-P task force being trained in Lagos was actually meant to terrorise inhabitants and also destabilise the coming 2015 general elections in Lagos State.

    Musiliu Obanikoro, former Minister of State for Defence and leading PDP member, in exasperation after he lost the primaries, went on air to level these grievous allegations against  George.

    A breakdown of the allegations, as reported and beamed live on Television Continental (TVC), a satellite television station, shows the following: that Bode George is purportedly sponsoring and training thugs illegally for election purposes through the SURE-P Task Force at toll gate along Magodo expressway area; that members of the Task Force bear arms and ammunition allegedly in preparation for election violence; and that the SURE-P boys allegedly provide round-the-clock security for George’s Ikoyi residence.  But he is not known to occupy any top public office at present to warrant such protection, by people paid from the public till.

    In fury, Obanikoro also stated that the only time the PDP in the state knew peace was when George was in jail.

    We believe that the outburst of Obanikoro should not be shoved aside, as coming from someone who lost in the just concluded PDP governorship primaries. As a former ambassador, Minister of State for Defence and frontline member of the PDP in the state, he knows what he was saying about what goes on in the innermost circle of the party and, most especially, on issues he raised.

    To us, indeed, he spoke as someone who should know. In our view, such severe allegations should not be treated with kid’s gloves; or dismissed as the ranting of an irritant party man.  Rather, they should be treated with official promptness because they bear criminal imputations that could be injurious to Lagos and the entire electoral process if not properly addressed now.

    We could not fathom why SURE-P,  designed to bring succour to the long suffering people of Lagos and Nigerian in general under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, could be turned, for selfish reasons, to an avenue for creating a possible destabilisation force with obviously the sole aim of threatening free and fair elections in Lagos State come February, 2015.

    Hitherto, there have been reports of massive recruitment of able-bodied people into the SURE-P cadre and they were reportedly seen along the toll gate express-road, being given military drilling.  That supports the allegation that they might be deployed to cause disquiet in the polity.

    On several occasions in recent past, the task force cadets had reportedly engaged the officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) in avoidable battles over who controls highways in the Lagos metropolis. The squabbles emanating from this have led to the unleashing of serious injuries on some LASTMA officials by SURE-P cadets that are reported to be routinely armed.

    Yet, they have proved to be grossly inefficient in providing effective traffic management on major roads that they have illegally taken over. In retrospect, we can authoritatively state that during the era of Adeseye Ogunlewe as Minister of Works under the Obasanjo presidency, he came up with a gang called FERMA task force through which they terrorised Lagosians on the road. Just as that ill conceived gang did not last long, we are not under any illusion, like its promoters, that this SURE-P task force will disappear like its predecessor did.

    Still, we demand the intervention of the presidency in addressing the Obanikoro allegations against George. It is sad to note that the SURE-P funds meant to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal have been allegedly hijacked by Bode George and his faction of the party.

    This amounts to nothing but an abuse of SURE-P funds and, in essence, which should not be allowed to continue. But for the crisis that was an aftermath of the PDP governorship primaries, the public will still be in the dark.

    We wonder: how can money, specifically meant to be shared for the good of all Lagosians, now be turned into the exclusive preserve of a few in the state branch of PDP hell bent in creating mayhem come 2015?

    President Jonathan must ensure, as a matter of urgent duty, that nothing is done or allowed to be done to compromise the coming elections in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria.

  • We do not have serious competitors

    Branch Manager, Apapa Shoprite, George Ukwunna spoke with TONIA ‘DIYAN on the company’s latest branch in Apapa, Lagos

    What is your unique selling point?

    Our brand name, which  is the “lowest price one can find always”. This is written on our items . Also, we compete with the local markets. For instance, a brand like Coca-cola sells outside for N110, but we sell lower than N100. This indicates that we make provision for every one; low and high income earners and everyone is happy.

    Tell us about your ongoing promos.

    We have reduced the prices of some of our items on the shelf, which is Shoprite’s usual  practise from time to time. We also give free gifts to shoppers as they make payment at the counter. Last week when this branch opened, we gave out lots of free gifts at the car park and inside the mall. I am sure everyone, who was at the grand opening went home with something from Shoprite.

    The Apapa outlet is Shoprite’s eleventh store in the country. What do you say to this?

    Presently, it is the biggest supermarket in Nigeria and with its eleventh store within a short period of time, its shows how progressive the company is. It’s a wonderful achievement.

    Why Apapa, considering the heavy traffic on the road?

    We have chosen Apapa because it connects to major residential areas like Ijora, Ajegunle, and Surulere, nothwithstanding the traffic in this area. By opening the Apapa outlet, we are helping people, who might be stuck in the traffic going out of Apapa. We are giving them opportunity to meet with us. We wish the government could help the traffic situation here. Apapa traffic, I think, is majorly because of the roads. From our observations, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are characterised with heavy traffic because of the flow of containers that come in, but on Saturdays, the roads are free.

     Are you advising shoppers not to come on these days?

    No, what am saying is that even as much as the traffic is an issue, people have different aspects of shopping. Some shop every weekend, some during the week while others shop daily. So this will help them to know how they can come to Apapa Shoprite.

    What is unique with this outlet?

    It is unique because it is first of its kind in Apapa. We don’t have serious competitors. Our Apapa store has everything to offer families ranging from small appliances to food and others items.

  • We do not have serious competitors

    We do not have serious competitors

    Branch Manager, Apapa Shoprite, George Ukwunna spoke with TONIA ‘DIYAN on the company’s latest branch in Apapa, Lagos

    What is your unique selling point?

    Our brand name, which  is the “lowest price one can find always”. This is written on our items . Also, we compete with the local markets. For instance, a brand like Coca-cola sells outside for N110, but we sell lower than N100. This indicates that we make provision for every one; low and high income earners and everyone is happy.

    Tell us about your ongoing promos.

    We have reduced the prices of some of our items on the shelf, which is Shoprite’s usual  practise from time to time. We also give free gifts to shoppers as they make payment at the counter. Last week when this branch opened, we gave out lots of free gifts at the car park and inside the mall. I am sure everyone, who was at the grand opening went home with something from Shoprite.

    The Apapa outlet is Shoprite’s eleventh store in the country. What do you say to this?

    Presently, it is the biggest supermarket in Nigeria and with its eleventh store within a short period of time, its shows how progressive the company is. It’s a wonderful achievement.

    Why Apapa, considering the heavy traffic on the road?

    We have chosen Apapa because it connects to major residential areas like Ijora, Ajegunle, and Surulere, nothwithstanding the traffic in this area. By opening the Apapa outlet, we are helping people, who might be stuck in the traffic going out of Apapa. We are giving them opportunity to meet with us. We wish the government could help the traffic situation here. Apapa traffic, I think, is majorly because of the roads. From our observations, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are characterised with heavy traffic because of the flow of containers that come in, but on Saturdays, the roads are free.

     Are you advising shoppers not to come on these days?

    No, what am saying is that even as much as the traffic is an issue, people have different aspects of shopping. Some shop every weekend, some during the week while others shop daily. So this will help them to know how they can come to Apapa Shoprite.

    What is unique with this outlet?

    It is unique because it is first of its kind in Apapa. We don’t have serious competitors. Our Apapa store has everything to offer families ranging from small appliances to food and others items.

  • Mikel’s knee injury not serious

    Mikel’s knee injury not serious

    • Chelsea manager Benitez considering Nigerian for QPR’s tie

    Nigeria’s senior team manager Stephen Keshi can today pop champagne as he has been given the best New Year gift he can imagine following the declaration by Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez that John Mikel Obi’s knee injury is not as serious as he had thought.

    SportingLife confirmed this cheery news on Sunday night while browsing through the Barclays English Premier League side’s website that: “Midfielder John Obi Mikel missed the Goodison Park victory with a knee injury but it is not deemed serious by manager Rafael Benitez. The Czech Republic international Petr Cech was forced off at half-time with an adductor problem and his replacement Ross Turnbull will deputise at Stamford Bridge.”

    Indeed, further checks on the Blues’ website indicated that Mikel could be given a look-in by Benitez in tonight’s game against Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge but as a substitute if the medical crew give the Nigerian a last-minute fitness clearance today.

    Other pre-match reviews on Chelsea’s website showed that; ” QPR boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he will be without three or four players for the short trip to face Chelsea. Redknapp says a number of his squad picked up knocks during Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool but refused to give away any names.

    “Park Ji-sung returned to training on Monday but remains a major doubt as he recovers from a knee problem, while strikers Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip) are sidelined with long-term injuries,” Redknapp concluded.

  • Belgore to Kwara, Fed Govt: get serious in 2013

    •‘Kwara budget ridiculous’

    Kwara State major opposition figure Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to be sincere in tackling corruption.

    Besides, it should give Nigerians a sense of belonging and pride in the New Year.

    Belgore was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in the 2011 election.

    In a New Year message, the lawyer noted that “2012 cannot be said to be eventful for the people of Nigeria, in the areas of security, job opportunities, economic empowerment, power, road network and other basic infrastructure, which are required to give the citizenry a sense of belonging and pride”.

    He added: “The government needs to first admit these failures and then move in urgently to do the right thing in the New Year.”

    Belgore admonished the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Kwara State to “behave more responsibly and govern in the best interest of the people”.

    The senior lawyer warned that the “events of 2012 have shown beyond doubt that Kwara people want genuine change and real socio-economic and political empowerment, not the window dressing that dotted the past years’.

    The ACN chieftain noted that Kwara lags behind in basic infrastructure and human capital development.

    He criticised the Abdulfattah Ahmed administration for presenting the 2013 budget with a recurrent expenditure (N51billion) exceeding the capital expenditure (N42.6billion).

    The statement added: “While our people are indeed peace-loving and unassuming, they cannot continue to endure lies being told in the name of governance.

    “The state’s 2013 budget, where recurrent expenditure (standing at N51billion) exceeds capital expenditure (pegged at N42.6billion), does not show a government in tune with the yearnings of the impoverished masses and global trend. For a state clearly on the lower wrung of social, economic and human capital development ladder, such budget estimate calls for worry by concerned citizens who are genuinely conscious of the dictates of the time and consequences of enriching a corrupt few at the expense of the majority of the populace. We hope the State Assembly would rightly raise issues with the budget estimates which we found to be ridiculous and run afoul of the government’s much-ridiculed ‘Shared Prosperity’ mantra.

    “Finally, we wish all Nigerians, especially Kwarans, a truly prosperous 2013.”