The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Settlement

  • Experiencing the wonders of settlement in the word!

    Welcome to your regular column. From scriptures, we understand that encounter with God’s Word is the master key to a world of all-round settlement. For instance, until Joseph’s word came, the Word of the Lord tried him. But after his word came, the king sent for him, loosed and settled him in a grand style. We also saw how God sent His Word into Jacob, bringing him out of the ordeal of his life. It is also said that God sent His Word to settle our health issues and deliver us from every form of destructions (Psalm 105:19-22, Isaiah 9:8, Psalm 107:20; 1 Peter 5:10; John 10:1).

    This helps us to know that we are redeemed to live pressure-free, anguish-free and distress-free lives. In the light of this, we are not permitted to live under pressure; at least, not beyond a while, because every issue of long continuance is a curse. As it is written: Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.But thank God Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, which includes that of any long continuance (Deuteronomy 28:58-59; Isaiah 10:25; Galatians 3:13-14).

    Therefore, any issue beyond a moment is anti-covenant; it is not permitted and must be resisted (2 Corinthian 4: 17).

    What is a While or a Moment?

    • A moment connotes ‘Now’: As it is written: For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
    • It also connotes ‘Today’: As stated above, “…Behold, today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Furthermore, the Word says: Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee. That means there is a ‘today settlement’ agenda (Zechariah 9:12).
    • Overnight:It is written: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5). This signifies an overnight settlement.
    • Three days: It is written in Hosea 6:2: After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.

    In the light of these, we must understand that when God settles us by His Word, no devil can unsettle us.

    Furthermore, there is a Covenant Way Out

    We must recognize that we serve a covenant-keeping God. As it is written, My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips (Psalms 89:34).

    What is a Covenant?

    In our context, a covenant can be defined as fulfilling the conditions attached to any promise of scriptures so we can have them fulfilled in our lives.Any time we fulfil the conditions attached to any promise, God’s integrity is committed to perform. The Bible is not a Book of promises; it is a Book of covenants. That’s why it is called the Old and New Testaments. Note that Testament also means Covenant. However, we must understand that every provision of scripture places a demand on us to access them. This is why Christianity is a faith of responsibility.

    Remember, it is written: Whatever He tells you to do, do it. For instance, salvation is free, but it takes our repentance to access it. In like manner, concerning the subject of settlement, the Bible says: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light(Matthew 11:28-30).

    There is what to learn and know, to enter into His rest. As it is written:The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace (Isaiah 59:8).

    From the above scripture, there is the way of peace that must be learnt, before we can be established in God’s peace and it is through We must bear the yoke of learning by loving the Word of God, which in turn settles us (Psalm 119:165).

    Friend, we must understand that until we are born again, we are cannot access the realms of settlement. Are you born again? You can allow Jesus Christ to take the wheels in your situations as your Lord and Saviour? Say this prayer of faith:”Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Maximized Destiny, Making Maximum Impact, All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met and Miracle seed.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • $930m loot: Settlement with the Abachas in national interest, says AGF

    •Insists: ‘Settlement transparently conducted’

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) says Federal Government’s settlement with the family of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha on the $930million loot traced to his accounts was in national interest.

    The negotiation with the Abachas on the matter was also transparently conducted, he maintains.

    Government has come under fire for withdrawing criminal charges against the eldest son of the late Gen Abacha, Mohammed, saying the move smacked of politics all in an attempt to get the backing of the Abachas ahead of next year’s elections.

    But throwing light on the issue, Adoke  said the recovery of the  loot  “is a fitting testimony to the strenuous efforts being made to ensure the sufficient disgorgement of the proceeds of crime to serve as deterrence.”

    He broke his silence on the deal in a document presented at the just-concluded 2014 NBA International Conference in Owerri.

    The document was released to the press yesterday by the Office of the AGF.

    The  recovered loot  includes: US ($550m); Luxembourg ($380m); Voluntary surrender ($750m); Switzerland ($570m); Jersey ($380m); UK ($150m); Liechtenstein ($400m) and Island of Jersey £22.5m (N6.18billion)

    The minister said: “I am aware of the negative commentaries that the settlement generated from those who were ill-informed about the details of the settlement and the underlying imperatives in the national interest.

    “I however wish to reassure the Bar that every aspect of the settlement was transparently conducted and the outcome was in the national interest.

    “The settlement has received commendation across the globe and is being used as model for Case Studies on stolen assets recovery.”

    He advised lawyers “with the penchant for making unguarded and baseless statements in the media to always seek information from appropriate quarters before commenting on issues.”

    On the Boko Haram insurgency, the AGF said the $1billion request pending before the National Assembly was meant to equip the Armed Forces for  “the war against terrorism and insurgency in compliance with the resolutions of the National Assembly while approving a further extension of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency in three North-Eastern states of the country.”

    He added: “There is the need for Nigerians to appreciate that terrorism is a global phenomenon requiring the concerted efforts of all nations of the world. Government has accordingly sought the assistance of other countries, as well as our development partners, to effectively confront this challenge.

    “Equally important is the need to forge a united front to combat the common enemy. Nigerians must remain united in the face of the threat of terrorism.

    “Terrorists would rather have us divided along sectional, religious and political lines as the division would not only help their cause, but also, further diminish our efforts to collectively and effectively wage war against them.”

    The Minister asked Nigerians to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to clarify issues from the government.

    He said: “The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and indeed all-public offices are open to the public for purposes of obtaining information on government business.

    “The Freedom of Information Act, 2011 remains a potent tool in the hands of those seeking information from public institutions and members of the Bar should take advantage of it.

    “We must discourage the pervading culture of baseless criticism for self-glorification and cheap popularity. We have also made a lot of progress in the implementation of Freedom of Information Act, 2011(FOIA). The initial misgivings that pervaded the public service and the difficulty in coming to terms with the new ethos of open

     

     

  • Experiencing wonders of settlement in God’s word!

    Encounter with the Word is the master key to a world of all-round settlement (1 Peter 5:10). From scriptures, we understand that until Joseph’s word came, the Word of the Lord tried him. But after his word came, the king sent for him, loosed and settled him in a grand style (Psalm 105:19-22).

    We also saw how God sent His Word to Jacob, bringing him out of every ordeal of life (Isaiah 9:8). It is also said that God sent His Word, settled their health issues and delivered them from all destructions. That is, all unsettled areas of your life will be settled by God’s Word (Psalm 107:20).

    Every child of God is ordained for settlement. It is written: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus came to offer us life at its best. That is, pressure-free, anguish-free and distress-free life.

    What, then, are the Covenant Requirements for our Settlement?

    • Be Born-again: Only those who have answered the call of salvation are candidates for settlement. We cannot be settled until we are saved, because settlement is God’s provision for the redeemed (1 Peter 5:10).

    Let us understand that peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. When we are saved, the Prince of Peace comes into our heart, establishes His throne of peace, and we enjoy peace that passes all knowledge (Galatians 5:22, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 4:7).

    We must also know that unsettlement is part of the curses of the law, but Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Redemption is what rescues us from the curse of distress. Therefore, until we are redeemed, we are not candidates for His settlement (Deut. 28:14-16, 53-57; Galatians 3:13-14).

    • Go after the Word: Peace multiplies by knowledge. As it is written: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. It is also written that Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (2 Peter 1:2, Psalm 119:165).

    It is great peace that keeps us in command and at rest in the midst of challenges. The battle of unsettlement is a battle with the power of darkness. Therefore, we must engage the armour of light (the Word) to disarm the forces of darkness (Romans 13:12, John 1:5).

    • Be Planted in the House of the Lord: If you want to be settled by God, be planted in His house (Psalm 92:13-15). But why must we planted in His house? The Bible says: In His presence is fullness of joy…pleasures evermore. We must be addicts of God’s house as David the Psalmist said, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” This must be why he never lost any battle. May the last battle you lost be the last you will ever lose in your life! (Psalm 16:11 Psalm 122:1).

    Also, the house of God is the mountain of illumination. The more insightful we are, the more peaceful, restful and settled we become (Psalm 73:17, 2 Peter 1:2).

    • Make a choice to serve God: Serving God is not a calling or a gift; it is a choice(Joshua 24:15). When Israel chose to serve God, He also vowed to settle them. In six separate scriptures, God demanded for the deliverance and settlement of His people from Egypt, based on their commitment to serve Him. The same God said, “I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).

    When we choose to serve God, in response, God vows to settle us. Therefore, serving God’s interest is what makes a servant of God, not the title we bear. When we make a commitment to serve God, we have committed Him to settle us in a grand style. This is your time of settlement!

    Friend, the power to experience the wonders of settlement in God’s Word is available, if you are born again. You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus! Now I know I am born again!” I will be with you next week!

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: The Force Of Freedom, Walking In Dominion and All You Need To Have All Your Needs Met.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

     

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Manager refuses agency’s out-of-court settlement offer

    A manager with the Oil &   Gas Free Zone Authority  (OGFZA), Omosule David Funmilayo, has rejected the company’s offer of payment of his salaries and allowances from April 2011 (when he was suspended) till January this year as a condition for an out-of-court settlement of their dispute.

    Omosule argued that the company’s resolve to pay him his outstanding salaries and allowances, without being prompted, was an admission that he was wrongly suspended. He also refused the company’s demand that he voluntarily retires, describing the condition as absurd.

    Omosule was the company’s Abuja branch manager until his suspension because he allegedly refused to carry out the management’s directive. He denied the allegation and sued the company before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    He claimed to have been unlawfully suspended without pay, shortly after he discovered a fraud in the company’s Abuja office and insisted that the management must move against those involved.

    At the last hearing on March 27 this year, Justice Gabriel Kolawole advised the parties to explore an out-of-court settlement option and adjourned to June 16, for report of settlement.

    It is in line with the judge’s advice that the company purportedly made its offer contained in an April 29, 2014 letter signed by its Head of Administration, C. O.  Maduekwe and addressed to Omosule through his solicitors, Leslie Vera & Associates.

    OGFZA admitted in the letter that Omosule “was suspended from office from April 20, 2011 till date.” It accused Omosule of not exploring “internal mechanisms of settling disputes before proceeding to the court.”

    It stated that “in view of the above, the board and management hereby make the following offers as full and final settlement:

    • That you be paid your salaries and allowances from the April 2011 to January 2014 respectively.

    • That you should voluntarily tender your letter of resignation and withdraw the matter you instituted against the Authority before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    • Indicate the acceptance of the offer within one week from receipt of the offer.”

    Upon receiving the letter, Omosule, through his solicitors, said though he was not averse to amicable resolution of the dispute, the company was not being sincere in its offer.

    He noted that the company, in its letter, vaguely stated that he was suspended from office on 20th April, 2011 till date, thereby undermining the severity of his unlawful suspension by the company’s board since 2011.

    Omosule denied the company’s claim that he did not explore internal measures for dispute resolution before heading for the court. He stated that his efforts to make the company’s management and board understand his position were rebuffed, a development that prompted his petitions to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney general of the Federation (AGF) before institution the court action.

    “Our client is however disposed to settlement of this matter out of court, in the circumstance of which our client makes the following proposal:

    • Payment of his salary arrears and entitlements from the date of suspension (20th April, 2011) till date.

    • Our client maintains that there is no reason for calling for his resignation from his employment. Our client wishes to serve out the duration of his employment as guaranteed under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    • Further to the above, our client demands that he be reinstated to Grade Level 17 by virtue of the Administrative Manual guiding promotions in the Authority. Recall that as at 2011 when he was unlawfully and unjustifiably suspended by the authority he was due to be elevated to GL 17 having been over 17 years post NYSC.

    • Our client hereby demands the sum of N10 million as damages for the untold hardship, trauma, embarrassment and ridicule occasioned by the unlawful suspension from his gainful employment by the Authority.

    • Our client intends to withdraw this suit from Court if the above proposals are met by the Authority,” Omosule’s solicitors said.

  • Amicable settlement in sight, say PDP women leaders

    The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will soon be resolved, the party’s women leaders have said.

    The Chairman of the Conference of Female PDP Politicians Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, in a statement yesterday, said the group’s interventions in the crisis have yielded a positive results.

    She said: “From all indications, all the parties we have consulted with over the crises have shown a positive interest in an amicable settlement of the conflict, to this end we appeal to fringe elements in the conflict to refrain from inflaming the situation any further.”

    Ita-Giwa said the women leaders would not allow the crisis to linger more than necessary.

    “As a group, we will continue with a nationwide consultation and as mothers we are appealing to all members of the party, who feel aggrieved in one way or another to return to the fold where reconciliation will take place,” she added.

    The spokesperson for the group and former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, expressed the determination of the group to stabilise the party.

    “The crises have awoken our motherly instincts within the party and it is our conviction that we should never lose sight of our responsibility to the party, hence our group has come to stay,” she added.

     

  • Family, pastor opt for out-of-court settlement

    The children and family of the late Mrs. Iziegbe Imariagbe, who was allegedly killed a few metres from her church, have opted to settle out-of- court.

    The incident involved Rev. Godday Osejele of the Living God Gospel Church, Uwan, near NIFOR, Benin City.

    On February 18, 2012, the deceased’s children, through their spokesman, Osaretin Imariagbe, alleged that Rev. Osejele’s church could not be exonerated from the killing of their mother.

    But the cleric maintained his innocence.

    The police then investigated and took the matter to court.

    Imariagbe, as part of the truce, in a sworn affidavit dated July 22, repudiated the family’s earlier position.

    The affidavit reads: “That I state and stress that the earlier rumour and gossips associated with Rev. Godday Osejele and members of his Living God Gospel Church, Uwan, near NIFOR, Benin City as being responsible for Mrs. Iziegbe Imariagbe’s death are unfounded.

    “That the report to the police at Ekiadolor and police headquarters, Benin City about Rev. Goddy Osejele as a suspect was done on mere suspicion and it is hereby regretted.

    “That I make this averment to clear the air of all doubts regarding the issues arising from my mother’s death in order for all parties in the matter to peacefully resolve the issues amicably without any further recourse to litigation.”

  • Motorcyclist’s killing: Family rejects ‘out-of-court’ settlement

    •NSCDC: we didn’t make such move

    The family of a commercial motorcyclist, Michael Ogunrinde, who was allegedly killed by officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has alleged that the corps is trying to force “the family to settle out-of-court”.

    About three weeks ago, a commercial motorcycle conveying an NSCDC official was hit by a car and the official died.

    It was learnt that the motorcyclist and some colleagues went to the NSCDC headquarters to explain what happened. They were allegedly beaten up by NSCDC officials and Ogunrinde was killed.

    Three NSCDC officials, Ajayi Adesanmi (39), Adeleye Odunayo (34) and Ayeni Oluwaseun (35), are on trial for Ogunrinde’s murder.

    Speaking with The Nation, the late Ogunrinde’s wife, Caroline, said: “They (NSCDC officials) approached us through a lawyer, who showed us some documents and said we should accept some money and let peace reign.

    “The move is insulting to the spirit of my husband. The family rejects every move to settle out-of-court. The move is meant to ridicule us, but we cannot be ridiculed.

    “The last time we were in court, their lawyer showed us a paper they prepared in respect of the move. But we told him that we would not have anything to do with such a move.

    “They said they had agreed to pay us N50,000, the hospital/mortuary bills and all expenses incurred in the burial. We just smiled at them. They want us to accept N50,000 for a whole life!

    “Another lawyer has told us that an out-of-court settlement would not be possible, as it is a state matter, which any independent move cannot compromise. Any move they make now cannot stop the court process, which is already on.”

    One of the deceased’s daughter said: “We have told them there won’t be anything like that. If they could take a soul in a hurry, they cannot be in a hurry to attend to the case in court. We have to finish the case they started.”

    NSCDC spokesman Afolabi Tolulope denied the alleged moves, saying “such will be opposed to the ongoing court process”.

    Afolabi said: “Out-of-court settlement is a constitutional right of the family. If they want it, fine, but the corps is not aware of the rumoured steps. The commercial motorcyclists invaded our office and destroyed government property. These offences are punishable under the law. Out-of-court settlement may not be ruled out but the command is yet to be notified.”

     

  • Son seeks out-of-court settlement of Ojukwu’s Will battle

    Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, the son of the late Biafran warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, yesterday expressed his willingness for an out-of-court settlement of the battle for his father’s Will.

    The Will has been a subject of controversy among family members since it was read last December.

    Ojukwu made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nnewi.

    He said: “I strongly believe that this is a matter that can be settled privately. It is not really what can be resolved by talking about it in the public.

    “Every day you pick up a newspaper and you read the so-called Ojukwu’s Will feud, it is a blow to my father’s image.

    “It brings shame to his name and I am not happy about it. If you love and respect the man Ojukwu, then you should respect his wishes.

    “I had never wanted to go to court at all, but when the other parties went to court we had to respond.

    “What we are talking about now in court is not about money as people think.

    “We are talking about a man who sacrificed everything for the love of his people and then we come now to argue what seem mundane issues in the public. Things that Eze Igbo Gburugburu never even cared about.

    “My father gave out most of what he had which made the people to love him.

    “It is just that there are things that are right and things that are wrong; and a man has to stand for principles and what is right.

    “If there are other ways to resolve this amicably, it will be better because at the end of the day we cannot separate ourselves from each other. We have all been joined together by my father.”

  • Subsidy fraud: Oil marketers seek out of court settlement

    Subsidy fraud: Oil marketers seek out of court settlement

    Two oil marketers, Aro Bamidele and Abiodun Bankole, on Friday said they were in talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, regarding the N1.3 billion fuel subsidy charge preferred against them.

    They made this known through their counsel, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), at the resumption of their trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the oil marketers were arraigned alongside their company — A.B.S Investment Company Limited on October 5.

    The defendants are facing 18- count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering among others.

    The EFCC had alleged that the defendants had fraudulently obtained N1.3 billion from the Federal Government for the purported importation of 30 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    They had pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted a N100 million bail each, with three sureties in like sum.

    However, during Friday’s proceedings, Idigbe told the court that the defence, having studied the charge, was discussing with the EFCC.

    He asked the court to give the defendants time to conclude their talks with the EFCC in order to resolve issues contained in the charge.

    EFCC counsel, Mrs. Taiwo Ogunleye, confirmed the development and did not oppose the adjournment made by the defence.