The Nation Newspaper

Tag: stop

  • WAR: NFF to stop Ameobi from EPL games

    WAR: NFF to stop Ameobi from EPL games

    There are strong indications that Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have asked eggheads of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) to invoke its rule of deducting points from any game that Newcastle uses Super Eagles inviteee Shola Ameobi during the matches of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations holding in south africa from January 19 to February 10.

    SportingLife gathered further that Newcastle’s management are poised to release Ameobi to Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations having realised the futility in keeping the Nigerian to play its Barclays English Premier League matches in the event that FIFA grants NFF it wishes as stated in the rules book.

    SportingLife scooped from Newcastle’s portal on Wednesday night that: ” It seems a risk that Newcastle are taking, and it’s very likely the FA will not allow Shola to play for Newcastle during the time Nigeria are engaged in the AFCON in South Africa – but Newcastle may think that it’s better that Shola stays in Newcastle, even though he probably cannot play for the side.

    “And then there’s a chance that Newcastle will simply accept the fact that Shola goes off to play for Nigeria, and travels maybe after tonight’s (Wednesday) game against Everton, although the 31 year-old hasn’t played for Newcastle in the last couple of games, since he scored that great winner against QPR in our last home game.”

    It remains to be seen if Newcastle will trully release Ameobi to head for Faro this morning after the game against Everton.

  • 2013 Africa cup of nations: Betis plot to stop Igiebor

    2013 Africa cup of nations: Betis plot to stop Igiebor

    There are indications that Spanish La Liga side, Real Betis may delay the departure of Nosa Igiebor for the Super Eagles Faro, Portugal camp that will commence on December 27.

    SportingLife gathered that Betis who are aware of Nigeria’s AFCON 2013 programme could contemplate hold on to the attacking midfielder as FIFA statute stipulates that a player can only be released for his country 15 days to any major championship.

    This thus means that Igiebor may as well say goodbye to his Nations Cup dream which kick-off on January 19 and with the Super Eagles locking horns against Burkina Faso Stallions at the Mbomlela Stadium in Nelspriut two days later.

    The club informed that if they are to let the Nigerian travel to Faro, as he would take part in the two tune-up games against Cape Verde and Angola, and later play in the friendly between Nigeria versus Catalonia on January 2, that he would end up missing some their key La Liga matches.

  • Ibori/EFCC: I won’t stop talking, says Clark

    Prominent South-south leader Chief Edwin Clark has said he cannot be cowed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from speaking on the controversial $15 million traced to convicted former Delta State Governor James Ibori.

    He called for a periodic scrutiny of the recipients of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN) award.

    Clark said the handling of corruption cases by some SANs is suspicious.

    Clark was reacting to a failed attempt by EFCC lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) to persuade an Abuja Federal High Court to summon him for commenting on a matter already in court.

    The elder statesman had called for the sack of EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde for the needless controversy over the status of the money.

    Ibori allegedly offered the money as bribe to the anti-graft agency.

    Rejecting the request to invite Clark, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said the application was diversionary, adding that, Clark was neither a party nor counsel in the matter before him.

    He, however, said the commission was at liberty to file a formal application to summon Clark before him.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Clark said the failed attempts by EFCC to incite the court against him “was nothing but a ploy to stifle good conscience and freedom of speech.”

    He hailed Justice Kolawole for his steadfastness and good faith.

    The elder statesman said as a lawyer of almost 50 years “ he appreciates and respect judicial officers.

    “I have never wittingly or unwittingly done any act to prejudice any pending suit or bring down the Judiciary.

    “I am also fully aware of my right and will not hesitate to state it as it is as the truth will continue to flow from me like water.

    “I won’t hesitate to state that any attempt to stop me, the same truth will become a flood.”

    He debunked EFCC’s claim that Senator Andy Uba had no knowledge of the bribe money.

    Clark said :“It is laughable that EFCC is complaining about facts known to the world, which is only reinforced by my humble self and other compatriots.”

    According to him, Uba on September 23, confirmed to him in the presence of others that Ibori brought the money to his house and Nuhu Ribadu was in his house to receive the money and later sent for Lamorde, who was then director of operations to pick up the money.

    “I am further alarmed why there should be two contradictory depositions by the EFCC when Bello Yahaya, a senior superintendent with EFCC, in 2007 swore to an affidavit that Ibori attempted to bribe the commission with the $15 million in question.

    “This year, he made a turn in another suit to state that he had the consent and authority of Lamorde to swear a contrary affidavit that the said $15 million is an unclaimed property and no one has claimed or shown any link to the sum,” he said.

    He called for a restructuring of the EFCC to make the international community view the nation’s anti-corruption agencies as ineffective.

  • Plot to stop Salami’s recall thickens

    Plot to stop Salami’s recall thickens

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) may urge President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the recall of Court of Appeal President Isa Ayo Salami. He will, thereafter, go on retirement, sources said yesterday.

    The Federal Government is sticking to the August 18, 2011 letter from the NJC, which recommended that Justice Salami should either go on suspension or retirement.

    Our correspondent learnt that the NJC, last Thursday, decided to resolve the crisis in the Appellate Court “to move forward”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “In line with the exercise of its powers, as in sections 153, 158 (1) and paragraph 21 (9) of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution and Section 238 (5), the NJC actually decided to recall Justice Salami but he will thereafter proceed on retirement.

    “Justice Salami is expected to withdraw all the suits in court against either the NJC or the government before these decisions can be effected.

    “But the NJC Chairman, Justice Maryam Aloma-Mukhtar, is expected to discuss with President Goodluck Jonathan these options. This is the case because NJC wrote the President last year, recommending either the suspension or retirement of Justice Salami.

    It was learnt that Justice Mukhtar could not discuss the resolutions of the NJC with Justice Salami as expected last Friday.

    Another source, however, said: “Actually, Justice Salami was at the CJN office, but he could not have an audience with Justice Aloma-Mukhtar because she was trying to clear her desk to travel out of the country the same day.

    “But Justice Salami will be briefed on the options after the Sallah break.

    “I think the NJC is trying to resolve the matter amicably without any conflict with the Executive.”

    A senior government official, who pleaded not to be named, said the government’s position is for Justice Salami to proceed on retirement. “The government may not be disposed to his reinstatement,” he said, adding:

    “That is a grey area which the NJC and the Executive would have to address. Do not forget that the same NJC asked the President to suspend or retire Justice Salami. That letter is still subsisting whether it was an error on the part of NJC or not.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that some anti-Salami forces might file a suit today before a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop either the NJC or the Federal Government from recalling the PCA.

    It was learnt that the plot to stop Justice Salami from coming back to office was hatched last Thursday immediately the NJC’s decisions got leaked.

    It was gathered that some counsel have been engaged to stop Justice Salami, until he attains the statutory retirement age next year.

    “The anti-Salami forces have not given up. They have sharply disagreed with the NJC. They want Salami retired instead of being recalled,” a source, who also pleaded not to be named, said.

    “The suit will be filed on Monday. The essence is to put fresh legal hurdles before Justice Salami so that the NJC and the President will not take subjudicial actions,” he said.

    Justice Salami was suspended from office by the NJC on August 18, 2011.

    Although the NJC later reversed itself, issues surrounding the reinstatement of Justice Salami attracted a spate of litigations.

    The last of such cases was on October 2 when the NJC said President Goodluck Jonathan has no disciplinary power over any Justice of the Court of Appeal or its President.

    The Council also claimed that the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, cannot be reappointed after three months without its consent or approval.

    The NJC made the submission in a written address submitted to the court through its counsel, Usman Isa Kana and Co.

    The council is one of the defendants (3rd in particular) in a matter filed before a Federal High Court by 11 plaintiffs for themselves and on behalf of registered Trustees of the Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration.

    The plaintiffs are Mr. Jitobo Akanike; Mr. Idris Musa; Mr. Allens Agbabiaka; Mr. Ibrahim Bawa; Princewill Akpakpan; Mr. Obruche Ayeteni; Mr. Nosa Ihaza; Mr. Timothy Odumosu; Mr. Stewart Salomi; Engr. Egogo Lawrence; and Maxwell Adeniran.

    Through its lawyer, Usman Isa Kana, the NJC told a Federal High Court that President Jonathan has no disciplinary power over any Justice of the Court of Appeal or its President.

  • Jonathan stops N5000

    Jonathan stops N5000

    The N5,000 banknote battle is over – for now- with opponents of the plan carrying the day.

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday bowed to pressure and suspended the proposed introduction of the N5000 banknote.

    He advised Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to step down the idea to allow for adequate consultation with the people.

    The National Economic Management Team and a few other bodies and individuals, especially in government, supported the move.

    But many Nigerians, including the National Assembly, opposed the idea, saying it will breed corruption and boost inflation – the very ills the CBN said it would tackle.

    The Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday kicked against the idea. President Jonathan later met with Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who both stood by the decision, insisting that they were merely ventilating the feelings of the majority of Nigerians..

    “We are stepping it down for now,” presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said last night.

    Abati added: “The introduction is being suspended for now to enable the CBN do more enlightenment on the issue. President Jonathan has directed that the implementation of the N5,000 note be suspended for now. This is to enable apex bank to do more in terms of enabling Nigerians understand why it proposed it in the first place. So, for now, the full implementation is on hold.”

    The CBN, in a statement last night, announced its compliance with the presidential directive.

    The statement by its Director of Corporate Communications Ugo Okoroafor, said: “For the purposes of more efficient payments and currency management systems, the CBN proposed and obtained the approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to embark on the currency restructuring exercise, codenamed “Project CURE’ on December 19, 2011.

    “The CBN hereby informs the general public that the President, on Thursday, September 20, 2012, directed that further action on the approved restructuring exercise be stopped.

    “In full compliance with the provisions of the law, the CBN hereby announces that further action on the said restructuring exercise has been stopped, until such a time Mr. President may direct otherwise.

    “It is important to stress that till date, no contract whatsoever, has been awarded by the CBN in connection with the printing and minting of the new currency notes and coins. Consequently, no currency note or coin has been printed or minted under the proposed exercise.

    “In line with its mandate, the CBN remains committed to the pursuit of policies and programmes aimed at promoting the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.”

    But, the controversy is getting bigger by the day.

    Lawyers joined the fray yesterday, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

    The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) also unveiled plan to convoke a Peace and Security summit to address the insecurity in the country.

    NBA said it was embarrassed that the apex bank had not offered any “sensible” answer to the fears raised by Nigerians over the plan to introduce the N5,000 note.

    Speaking in Abuja at the summit on the future of the NBA, with the theme “The Nigerian Bar Association: The Past, Present and the Future”, Its President, Okey Wali (SAN), expressed surprise that Sanusi could “insult” former President Olusegun Obasanjo for holding a contrary view.

    The association urged him to initiate the process that will lead to Sanusi’s removal.

    He said: “It may well be that the CBN has a case, but the problem is that they are not giving any sensible answer to the fears expressed by Nigerians, aside from such pedestrian reason as, it will make Nigerians to hold naira instead of dollar.

    “ We are supposed to be in a democracy and since Nigerians have rejected the policy, even their elected representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday 18th of September, 2012 condemned the plan.

    “Rather than listen to Nigerians, the CBN is engrossed in distribution of insults and name calling to anybody who dared express a contrary view. To my utter consternation, I watched on National Television as an elder statesman and former President of this country was being called names and ridiculed for daring to hold a contrary view. That is a big shame.

    “Since all indices show that Nigerians do not want the N5,000 note, even if the leadership of the CBN is right, we believe that they are bound by the wishes of the people or they should take the honorable path of resignation, rather than exhibiting such unbridled high level of arrogance and rudeness.”

    Wali went on: “For all the faults that may be identifiable in President Goodluck Jonathan, arrogance cannot be said to be one of his attributes. The NBA is therefore amazed that this high level of megalomania is going on under his watch. We will, therefore, call on the President to please do the needful, initiate the process of the removal from office of the leadership of the CBN.”

    The NBA said it would not hesitate to challenge in court the implementation of the policy, if the government went ahead with it.

    On the raging debate over the onshore/offshore dichotomy by the Northern governors, the NBA agreed with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), that the matter had been settled by the Supreme Court.

    “We condemn the attempt by some politicians and their sympathisers to deliberately overheat the polity by resurrecting the matter. We recognize that it’s nothing but an attempt at distracting Nigerians from insisting that they deliver on their campaign promises. They have been elected to deliver on the promises they made to the electorate and we think they should concentrate on that and desist from any calculated attempt to distract and deceive the people,” Wali said.

    On the essence of the summit, Wali said the Bar was reviewing rules of professional conduct and the Legal Practitioners Act, to regulate solicitors.

    The summit would also draw up a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for the NBA.

    Wali said the association was working on the establishment of co-operative societies and micro finance bank as well as to develop insurance and welfare scheme for lawyers.

    The Bar also expressed worry on the declining quality of lawyers, stressing the need to participate in designing courses, curricula and syllabi of legal education.

    The NBA has realised that to enhance its value to its membership, and to be able to positively affect professional standards, it must make significant input into the training of its members, Wali said.