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Tag: Sule Lamido

  • Court adjourns Sule Lamido ’s trial until Nov. 15

    Court adjourns Sule Lamido ’s trial until Nov. 15

    Justice Babatunde Quadri of Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned trial of former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, until Nov. 15.

    Lamido is being prosecuted alongside his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, and two others by  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on 27-count charge bordering on abuse of office and money laundering.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to the defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his appearance in the matter for the first time.

    Agabi said “I am coming here for the first time in this case and I am pleading with the court to give me time to familiarise with the case.

    “I know this is a court of justice and the court is interested in speedy trial but I am pleading for time to get to know about the case.”

    The senior advocate took over from Joe Agi (SAN), who was the defendants counsel.

    The prosecuting counsel, Chile Okoroma, who did not oppose the defence counsel’s plea, told the court that he had assembled his witnesses and they were ready to go on with the trial.

    He said he would not oppose the defendants’ right to adequate defence representation in the interest of justice.

    Consequently, Justice Quadri adjourned the matter until Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 for continuation of trial.

    It would be recalled that Justice Babatunde Quadri had on July 7 dismissed an application by the former governor requesting that the trial be returned to former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    Justice Ibrahim Auta, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, assigned the case to Justice Quadri when Justice Ademola went on suspension following corruption charge against him and his wife.

    But following judgment exonerating Ademola and wife, Agi requested that the Chief Judge
    return the case to him.

    NAN

  • Lamido canvasses free, credible convention for PDP

    Lamido canvasses free, credible convention for PDP

    A former governor of Jigawa, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has called the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) to ensure that the party’s December national convention would be free and fair.

    Lamido made the call when he met with ex-PDP Speakers of States Houses of Assembly forum on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that anybody that emerged as PDP chairman would enjoy the required support from all party’s members.

    Commenting on Gov. Ayo Fayose’s declaration for presidency in 2018, Lamido said that it was the constitutional right of the governor to contest like every other Nigerians.

    He said that Fayose had the right to contest even though, the party had zone the 2019 presidential ticket to the North.

    He also advised PDP members to be courageous in the face of what he described as “persecution”.

    “We need people to be courageous.”

    He reiterated his determination to remain in PDP, saying “no matter how hard I try, if I move to All Progressive Congress ( APC ), my soul will not follow me.”

    Lamido added that without the party members who joined the APC, the party would not have defeated the Peoples Democratic Party in the last general elections.

    The former Minister of Foreign Affairs said that 2019 would be a defining moment for Nigeria.

    The former Ogun State Governor, Mr Gbenga Daniel also met with the forum.

    NAN

  • Sule Lamido at 69

    On August 30th,  Alhaji (Dr.) Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State,  a man I would say has seen both the good and the bad sides of politics in Nigeria, was 69.

    Born in Bamaina, Birnin Kudu in present day Jigawa State, he began his political career in the Second Republic as an elected lawmaker on the platform of the defunct Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) led by the late Aminu Kano, the trendiest and popular politician the continent of Africa has ever seen.

    When the promising Second Republic political experiment was aborted by some military obstructionists in 1983, Dr. Lamido went back to private business where he successfully ran some business concerns which created lots of jobs for the country’s unemployed population.

    At the dawn of the Third Republic which heralded another political opportunities in the country, Lamido returned to national politics where he served as the National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) which was one of the most popular political parties in the country then. In fact, it has been established that the party which Lamido served as its national scribe was the one that won the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election whose standard bearer was the late Chief MKO Abiola.

    When the military obstructionists led by the late military junta led by General Sani Abacha struck again and disrupted the fledgling democracy, Dr. Lamido resorted to political activism challenging the powers that be; a development that never went down well with the military establishment and subsequently stirred the honest nest.

    As the founding member and national secretary of another newly formed political movement which later metamorphosed in to political party known as Social Progressives Party (SPP), Dr. Lamido delivered the harshest political criticism to the then military and maximum ruler of the country, General Sani Abacha.

    It was the unyielding political struggles of Dr. Lamido for the restoration of Nigeria’s democracy that led to his imprisonment by Gen. Abacha in 1998. As an astute politician, his incarceration did not dampen his political activism and doggedness as he continued with his pro-democracy struggles even in the gulag until God finally called Gen. Abacha. So, for the supporters of Dr. Lamido who were outraged over his imprisonment for political reasons, this is not the first he is facing political persecution for his unquenchable believe in a democratic Nigeria.

    After his release from prison by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Dr. Lamido joined the political activities that led to the founding of the Peoples Democratic Party in which he is not only a founding father, but a strong pillar.

    Because of the role Dr. Lamido played in the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s new President in 1999, he was subsequently appointed as the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1999. As Foreign Affairs Minister, he formulated and implemented many far-reaching policies that shaped Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with other countries.

    When the people of Jigawa State finally called on him to become their governor, he yielded and was subsequently elected as the governor in 2007.

    As executive governor who ruled Jigawa State from 2007 – 2015, Dr. Lamido executed unprecedented infrastructural projects and many human capacity development programmes in the state.

    For example, he built several schools and provided basic infrastructure in all the school environments as well as training and retraining of teachers in the state for effective service delivery.

    He executed many housing projects for low and middle income earners in the state using both the Dutse Capital Development Authority and the Jigawa State Housing Authority.

    In 2009, the former governor provided free plots of land and basic infrastructures as incentives to investors wishing to invest in the state’s tourism and hospitality industry.

    Even with little federal allocation to the state, he was still able to build a state university, a world class airport as well as massive infrastructural projects.

    Other milestones reached by Dr. Lamido in Jigawa State include; payment of monthly salary as social security allowance to the aged and disabled persons in the state. The Lamido administration in Jigawa State provided free maternal and child healthcare programme in the state.

    During his reign as governor, the state was adjudged as one of the best states in the country that implemented the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to the admiration of the former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban-Ki Moon.

    Still on the health sector, the Lamido administration also established the Jigawa State Medical Supply Organization (JIMSO). Under this organization, there were free medical cares for all prison inmates in the state as well as the distribution of free treated mosquito nets to residents in all parts of the state.

    Following the rehabilitation, renovation, construction, completion and equipping of the Administrative Block of the Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, the Lamido administration embarked on the supply of medical equipments as well as the recruitments of qualified health personnel to render specialized health related services to the people of the state.

    With the introduction of ‘’Ask Jigawa People Health Initiative’’ in the state, the health orientation and awareness in the state became so high that everyone became very conscious of his or her health profile or status. This is not to talk of the payment of monthly allowances to the students in the school of nursing and health technology.

    Other achievements recorded by the Lamido administration in the state were; introduction of free and compulsory education for girls and physically challenged persons in the state, provision of learning materials, school furniture, beds, electronic payments of students allowances to avoid diversion of funds, construction of 31 new hostel blocks for 6, 200 boarding schools, provision of 32 sitter buses for all girls boarding schools, construction of 38 new block classrooms, construction of 70 blocks of science laboratories as well as complete renovation of 48 schools and the sponsoring of 103 students to Singapore to study Information Communication Technology.

    These were great achievements recorded by Dr. Lamido as governor of Jigawa State which are all pointers to what he will do for Nigeria if elected as President.

     

    • Mr. Justice writes from Markudi, Benue State

     

  • PDP yet to contact me on possible return – Tambuwal

    PDP yet to contact me on possible return – Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said on Sunday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to contact him for his possible returns to the party.

    The governor stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the residence of former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, in Birninkudu local govrnment area of the state.

    Tambuwal said the committee set up by the PDP to contact its top members who left the party before the 2015 general election has not discuss with him formally or informally on the matter.

    The governor said he was in Lamido’s residence to condole with him over the death of his daughter, Hajiya Hadiza.

    “I’m sure you are aware that we lost our dear sister few months ago. I have not been able to come and condole with our leader and pay my condolence to the family,” he said.

    The Sokoto governor denied any political discussion with the ex-Jigawa governor and PDP presidential aspirant during the condolence visit, saying “there was no political discussion at all.”

     

  • Judge declines Lamido’s bid to return case to Justice Ademola

    Judge declines Lamido’s bid to return case to Justice Ademola

    A judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Babatunde Quadri, on Friday dismissed an application filed by a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, seeking the return of his case to Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    Justice Quadri held that it would serve the interest of justice and public better not to return the case to Justice Ademola.

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, had re-assigned the case to Justice Quadri when Justice Ademola and seven other judges were suspended for alleged corruption.

    But after the suspended judges were recalled by the National Judicial Council (NJC), Lamido’s lead counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), requested the Chief Judge to return the case to Justice Ademola.

    However, the Chief Judge has insisted that Justice Quadri should continue to handle the case.

  • Ex-Jigawa governor Lamido granted bail

    Ex-Jigawa governor Lamido granted bail

    A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa, on Thursday granted bail to the embattled former Governor of the state, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

    Lamido was arraigned before the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Usman Mohammed Lamin for alleged inciting comment.

    Magistrate Lamin said he granted Lamido bail on self-recognition to enable the police conclude investigation of allegations against the former governor.

    The Magistrate, however, appealed to counsel to the accused, Felix John Osimerah, to caution his supporters to be law abiding.

    However, there was sanity during the resumed hearing, following effective crowd control by law enforcement agents, who kept the crowd that gathered to witness the trial at bay.

    Meanwhile, the trial has been adjourned to July 5.

  • Court remands ex-Governor Lamido in prison

    Court remands ex-Governor Lamido in prison

    •Jigawa PDP, Fayose seek ex-governor’s release

    THE Dutse Magistrates’ Court II in Jigawa State has remanded former Governor Sule Lamido in prison till May 4, for ruling over his bail application.
    Lamido is standing trial on a four-count charge of inciting disturbance, criminal deformation, criminal intimidation and disturbance of public peace, contrary to Sections 113, 114 and 117 of the Penal Code.
    But Lamido pleaded not guilty and his counsel, Mr. Felix Jones Osimerha, applied for his bail.
    He said: “The accused person has stayed in detention beyond the constitutional 24 hours. He was invited by the police on April 28, telling him to report on April 30. He honoured the invitation and has been detained till this morning when he was brought to court.”
    The defending counsel assured the court Lamido will not interfere with the investigation, evidence and will not jump bail, considering his status as a former governor and a law-abiding citizen.
    But prosecution counsel Mr. Ekenna Egnatus objected to the bail application, saying the accused is a public figure, having a large followership, and his release may be a security threat, “considering the charges in the FIR”.
    Magistrate Usman Muhammed Lamin adjourned till May 4 for ruling on the bail application.
    “Both parties submitted their reasons for and against the bail, supported by so many Sections of the law. I, hereby, adjourn the case till May 4 for ruling. The accused should, however, remain in prison till then,” he said.
    Jigawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose have called for Lamido’s unconditional release.
    The PDP condemned the arrest and continued detention of Lamido.
    A statement by its chairman, Salisu Mamuda Ku’it, said: “The continues detention of Alhaji Sule Lamido is illegal, null and void, and has no place in the laws of this land.
    “The PDP in Jigawa State is compelled to make this statement, to let the world know about the continued illegal detention and infringement of the fundamental human right of our leader Alhaji Sule Lamido.
    “We believe that his continued detention has no connection whatsoever with any inciting statement. We view this as a well-scripted ploy to punish him for his defiance against the evil forces of the APC that is taking this country hostage.”
    Fayose, who condemned Lamido’s arrest, described it as another attempt to muzzle the opposition and cow PDP candidates nursing presidential ambition.
    A statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, described Lamido’s detention as “childish and ridiculous”.

  • Fayose demands Lamido’s release

    Fayose demands Lamido’s release

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Tuesday called for the unconditional release of former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

    Lamido was arrested by the police and remanded in prison for alleged incitement.

    Condemning Lamido’s arrest, Fayose described it as another attempt to muzzle the opposition and cow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members nursing 2019 presidential ambition.

    In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose described Lamido’s detention as “childish and ridiculous.”

    He said: “It appears that the cabal in the APC- led government that is holding Nigerians to ransom want their candidate to contest the 2019 election unopposed.

    “Obviously, that is the reason for the arrest and detention of former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu and Alhaji Lamido who have shown interest in the presidency.

    “If a former governor is arrested and incarcerated for what they called incitement, what should the police have done to those Fulani herdsmen that have killed thousands of Nigerians across the country?

    “With the arrest of Alhaji Lamido, the detention of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam since February this year and the arrest and detention of Dr. Babangida Aliyu, it is becoming clearer that these APC people will only contest election against themselves in 2019.

    “It will even be unnecessary to continue to fund the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since they don’t want anyone to contest the 2019 presidential election against their party.

    “The APC cabal can as well proscribe INEC and declare their party the perpetual ruler of Nigeria instead of wasting money on conduct of elections.”

    Describing Lamido’s arrest as the height of power drunkenness, Fayose said “the police claim that Lamido was arrested for allegedly inciting his supporters to go violent if the results of the local government elections fixed for July 1, 2017 is to say the least irresponsible and ludicrous.

    “How can you arrest someone in April because of an election slated for July and keep the person in detention for the past 24 hours?

    “Is it not even laughable that the APC government in Jigawa State is so afraid of allowing the people the freedom to participate in an election to be conducted by the state government itself such that it opted for the arrest and detention of a former governor of the State more than two months to the elections?”

    While calling for a stop to what he called “the APC government’s regime of political intimidation and harassment,” Fayose said Nigerians will resist any attempt to foist a one party system on the country.

     

  • Updated: Court remands Sule Lamido in prison

    Updated: Court remands Sule Lamido in prison

    Dutse Magistrate court II in Jigawa state on Tuesday remanded the former Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido till May 4, 2017 to rule over his bail application submitted by his counsel.

    The former governor was dragged before the magistrate court on four count charge where he (Lamido) pleaded not guilty of all the charges.

    The charges which were read to the ex-governor contained in the First Information Report (FIR) included; Inciting disturbance, criminal deformation, criminal intimidation and disturbance of public peace crater which is contrary sections 113, 114 and 117 of the final code.

    Having denied all the charges his counsel, Mr. Felix Jones Osimerha applied for his bail saying the offences are bailable, “the accuse person stayed in detention far beyond constitutional 24 hours. Your lordship the accuse person was invited by the police Zone 1 on 28 of April, asked to reports on 30th of April. The accuse person honored the invitation and reported as requested. He has since then being detained till this morning when he brought to this honorable court.”

    The counsel assured the court that the accused would not temper the investigation, evidence and would not jump bail considering his status as former governor of the state as well as that he is law abiding.

    The prosecution counsel Mr Ekenna Egnatus objected the bail application saying the accused person is a public figure who has large sympathisers and that his release may be a security threat to the state and people.

    The presiding judge Magistrate Usman Muhammed Lamin adjoined the case to 4th of May to rule on the bail application.

    “Both parties submitted their reasons for and against the bail supported by so many sections of the law. I hereby adjoin the case till May 4, for ruling. The accused person should be remanded in prison,” Lamin said.

     

  • PDP seeks release of Lamido, Suswam, Aliyu

    PDP seeks release of Lamido, Suswam, Aliyu

    The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate release of the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

    Lamido was arrested and detained by the police in Kano on Sunday for allegedly making inciting statement regarding the forthcoming local government election in the state.

    The PDP faction also demanded the release of Mr. Gabriel Suswam and Babangida Aliyu, former Governors of Benue and Niger States respectively, who are also being detained.

    A statement issued on Monday by the spokesman of the Makarfi camp, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, demanded the unconditional release of the three former governors and other political detainees.

    Describing the arrest and detention of Lamido as unwarranted, outrageous and anti-democratic, the opposition said the allegation against the ex- governor was frivolous.

    The statement reads: “The true reason for his arrest however, has to do with the forthcoming local government election in Jigawa State. The long incarceration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam is also linked to the forthcoming local government election in Benue State.

    “The APC led administration is fast losing the confidence of the people because of its non-performance, high handedness and lack of empathy for the suffering of the people.

    “The only option left for it is to prevent the opposition from effectively campaigning and mobilizing the people for the elections. The whole strategy of the failed APC government is founded on the assumption that if there is no opposition, then they cannot be defeated.

    “Hence the intimidation, harassment and incarceration of popular opposition leaders like Sule Lamido. We are aware that, we in the opposition will be in for a hard time in the run-up to the 2019 general elections with more arrests and intimidation of our prominent leaders.”

    The party recalled what it described as inciting statements made by President Muhammadu Buhari shortly before the 2011 general elections, which resulted in bloodshed after the poll; but for which Buhari was not arrested by the then PDP-controlled federal government.

    It also recalled Buhari’s statement shortly before the 2015 general elections, where he threatened a repeat of the 2011 post- election violence by vowing that the “dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”

    “For this statement and others as well, he was never invited, arrested or detained by any of the security agencies under the PDP administration. It was not a sign of weakness by the PDP led government. It was in deference to freedom of speech, democracy and peace.

    “The APC has today unleashed the Nigerian Police, the DSS and the EFCC to harass and intimidate judges, opposition leaders, social media influencers/bloggers and other Nigerians that speak against the APC -led federal or state governments on fabricated charges just to cow them.

    “Governor Lamido merely asked the people to defend their votes against rigging. How is that a crime? If you are not planning to steal the peoples’ votes, why should you be afraid if the people are advised to defend their votes? Of course, no thief would want the owner to guide his house against burglary.

    “The excesses of the security agencies have now reached alarming proportions. If they must be reminded, their mandate is to defend all Nigerians and not to act as a willing instrument of oppression of the people by the autocratic APC government,” the statement added.