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  • ‘Lawmaker’s daughter worked in PenCom with fake degrees’

    A federal lawmaker and Pension Ad Hoc Committee Chairman’s daughter, Deborah Ighiwiyisi Agbonayinma has been working with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) with fake foreign and local university degree certificates, The Nation has learnt.

    Deborah’s father is Ehionzuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, the member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha of Edo State in the  House of Representatives.

    A source at the National Assembly, who pleaded anonymity, said Deborah Agbonayinma was sacked about four weeks ago. She worked at the commission for three years.

    The source said Miss Agbonayinma worked in other government agency with the fake certificates before joining PenCom.

    PenCom confirmed that she was sacked on February 27.

    In a telephone conversation with The Nation,  Agbonayinma who spoke on his Committee’s probe of Pension Fund Administrators, declined comment on the allegations against his daughter.

    Miss Agbonayinma’s curriculum vitae with which she was employed in PenCom stated that she obtained a B.Sc degree in Accountancy with certificate number 12129 on August 8, 2012 from Irish University Business School located on 219 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ.

    A verification committee at PenCom, however, found that no such university existed as a valid UK degree-awarding institution.

    Having learnt that her foreign degree was ‘fake’, Miss Agbonayinma brought another degree in Accountancy to the Commission as a replacement from Olabisi Onabanjo University, which the university also disclaimed as fake.

    A probe of the documents showed that the Accountancy degree with 09083854 as a matriculation number was not listed as part of her academic qualifications in the original curriculum vitae submitted to PenCom, when she was employed.

    The Olabisi Olabanjo University (OOU), in Ogun State, in a letter dated February 6, 2019 and signed by the University’s Principal Assistant Registrar in charge of Exams and Records, Mrs O. L. Kaka, told PenCom that Miss Agbonayinma’s academic records and transcripts were fake.

    Her CV showed she was mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 2014 to 2015, but details are still sketchy on the certificate she presented to the NYSC for the mobilisation.

    The CV also showed that she served as an Accountant in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Development in Edo State during her Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme (Scheme) from June 2008 to November 2008 one year after she was enrolled to study Accountancy in London in 2007.

    PenCom said: ’’We confirmed through the UK government’s site that the university is not recognised as a valid degree-awarding body.”

  • Court nullifies sale of 9mobile to Teleology

    ALL steps taken from April 25, 2018 in respect of ownership transfer of Etisalat International Nigeria Limited (9mobile) to Teleology Nigeria Limited were yesterday voided by a Federal High Court in Abuja which set aside the sale of the telecommunication firm.

    Justice Binta Nyako voided all steps taken in relation to the exchange of ownership of Etisalat, despite pending orders for maintenance of status quo, restraining parties to a suit involving investors and other stakeholders from destroying the res (subject matter).

    Justice Nyako, who noted that parties were all aware of the suit, the defendants having been served between April 24 and 27, 2018 with the originating process, faulted the sale, as claimed by the plaintiffs in a motion filed on November 16, 2018.

    The judge held: “Any action that has been taken concerning the res of this litigation from the 25th day of April, which is earlier in time, should revert to the position, as of the res, to  25th day of April 2018.”

    The April 1 ruling (a copy of which was sighted yesterday) was in a suit filed on April 6, 2018 by two major investors in Etisalat —Afdin Ventures Limited and Dirbia Nigeria Limited.

    Afdin and Dirbia, whose investment in Etisalat is estimated at $43, 033,950, had approached the court to retrieve their investments on the grounds that they were aggrieved, having been excluded from the company’s decision making process.

    Defendants in the suit are: Karington Telecommunication Ltd, Premium Telecommunications Holdings NV, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Central Bank of Nigeria, Etisalat International Nigeria Ltd and Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).

    REad also: 9mobile offers free WhatsApp service to customers

    The plaintiffs stated, in a supporting affidavit to the motion dated November 16, 2018, that they resorted to praying the court to void the sale of Etisalat, upon learning that the defendants have proceeded to conclude the transfer the company’s ownership despite the restraining orders made earlier by the court.

    They said: “In 2009, the plaintiffs/applicants purchased a total of 4,303,391 class “A” shares from the 1st, 2nd and 5th defendants (Karlingtton, Premium Telecommunication and Etisalat International) at the rate of $43, 033,950 only, and were issued with share certificates.

    “In 2010, the defendants rebranded Etisalat Nigeria Limited to 9mobile and entered into negotiations with Smile.com and Glo Network to transfer its licence without recourse to the plaintiffs.

    “When the plaintiffs became aware of the purported transaction, they filed this suit along with two applications namely: motion ex-parte and motion on notice, seeking for an order of injunction to restrain the defendants from going ahead with the transaction.

    “When this suit came up for hearing on the 17th of April, 2018, this honourable court ordered parties to maintain status quo-pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    “Notwithstanding the aforementioned order, the defendants continued negotiations with Smile.com and Glo Network in defiance to the subsisting order of this court.

    “When the plaintiffs/applicants discovered that the defendants were bent on selling Etisalat Nigeria Limited “rebranded 9moile” despite the subsisting order of court, they instructed their Counsel Mahmud A. Magaii (SAN) to write and caution the defendants of the implications of their actions.

    “Upon receipt of the above letters, the 3rd and 4rd respondents (First Bank and Central Bank), through their counsel Olaniwun Aiayi wrote to the applicants, through their counsel on the 24th August, 2018 and  31th August, 2018, denying the existing of the order of status quo made by this honourable court on the 17th  April, 2018 and 31th August, 2018.

    “When this matter come up on the 10th of October, 2018, counsel to the plaintiff Okechukwu Edeze, informed the court of the attempts mode by the defendants to sell Etisalat Nigeria Limited.

    “Consequently, this honourable court made another order of status quo, directing parties to refrain from tampering with the subject matter of the suit.

    “Despite the orders of this honourable court made on the 10th of October, 2018, the defendants went ahead and sold Etisalat Nigeria limited, rebranded 9moible to Teleology Nigeria Limited with impunity.

    “It will be in the interest of justice to set aside the sale of Etisalat Nigeria limited rebranded 9moible to Teleology Nigeria Limited and commit the defendants to prison for disobeying the lawful orders of the court.”

    Justice Nyako  adjourned hearing in the substantive suit to June 12.

    Ownership transfer intact, says firm

    Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. (trading as 9mobile) management yesterday refuted reports that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the sale of EMTS to Teleology Nigeria Limited.

    The telco described the reports as incorrect, misleading, mischievous and a total falsehood.

    Company Secretary/Legal Adviser Ore Olajide said the Federal High Court did not nullify the sale of EMTS, adding that the court had on April 1, 2019 made an order for parties to maintain status quo as at April 25, 2018. As at the said date, 9mobile was not a party to the suit before the court.

    Olajide said the action before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court was not about the sale of EMTS (9mobile) but rather, the transfer of its licence even without locus standi.

    He said EMTS (9mobile) has, however, appealed the order and also sought an injunction pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.

    Olajide said: “The sale of 9mobile to Teleology Nigeria Limited has not been nullified. The court made an order to maintain status quo as at April 25, 2018 when EMTS was not a party to the suit and we have appealed the ruling as well as sought an injunction pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.”

    Assuring its subscribers and all stakeholders to remain calm, the company secretary said: “We are working with our team of legal counsels to follow through as deemed necessary. EMTS remains focused on providing best in class telecoms services to its subscribers and will provide necessary updates in due course.”

  • Saraki, Melaye, Murray-Bruce urged to surrender

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki, Senators Ben Murray-Bruce and Dino Melaye should submit themselves to the police for investigation for alleged breach of the public peace, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled yesterday.

    Justice Okon Abang, in a judgment, declined a prayer by the three senators for an order nullifying the October 6 and 8, 2018 letters of invitation sent to them by the police.

    The police invited the trio in relation to their conduct during October 5, last year public protest in Abuja by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shortly after the party lost the last the Osun State governorship election.

    Justice Abang said the police, by virtue of the provision of Section 4 of the Police Act, was empowered to invite anyone, irrespective of status, while carrying outs itheir statutory functions of detecting and investigating crimes.

    The judgment was in a fundamental rights enforcement suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1095/2018 and filed on October 8, 2018 by the Senators, in which they claimed the invitation letters from the police breached their rights.

    The judge said the invitations sent to Saraki, Melaye and Murray-Bruce by the police did not amount to harassment and intimidation, as claimed by them.

    Justice Abang was also of the view that the police, having alleged, in its response to the suit, that the PDP’s protest was dispersed following the protesters’ riotous and criminal conduct, it was within its (police’s) powers to invite suspects for questioning.

    The judge added that the police invitation extended to the applicants remained valid, subsisting and must be honoured “without fail”.

    Justice Abang said the applicants could only complain of rights violation depending on the outcome of their honouring of the police invitation.

    The judge said: “The court cannot restrain the police from carrying out their statutory function; and in this case, they have acted within the provision of Section 4 of the Police Act.

    “They issued the letters dated October 6 and 8 inviting the applicants for questioning over their roles in the procession of the PDP that held on October 5, 2018.

    “The police acted in public and national interests. The letters of invitation dated October 6 and 8, 2018 remain valid and subsisting. The applicants shall respond and report to the police without fail.

    “It is the outcome of the applicants honouring the invitation that would determine if their rights have been violated; certainly not before honouring the invitation.”

    Justice Abang dismissed the suit for lacking in merit and awarded N50, 000 cost against the senators.

    In the earlier part of the ruling, the judge upheld the preliminary objection filed by the respondents and struck out the suit for being incompetent.

    The judge had, however, decided to rule on the merit of the suit, in case the superior courts later hold that he was wrong to have struck out the case at the preliminary stage.

    Read also: Unease in Kogi over lawmakers’ stand on CJ Ajanah

    He said the suit was incompetent because it violated Order 2(4) of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules.

    The judge noted that the provision of the rules expects the three applicants to file a separate suits and separate affidavits personally deposed to in support.

    The judge observed that Saraki, Melaye and Murray-Bruce, not only failed to file separate suits, but also failed to personally depose to the affidavit filed in support of their joint suit.

    “The affidavit in support of this suit, which was deposed to by Efut Okoi, a legal practioner in the law firm of Mahmud Magaji & Co., amounted to documentary hearsay,” the judge said.

    He equally said since the applicants did not show that they were in custody, or their movements restricted when the suit was filed on October 8, 2018, the situation did not fall under the exception under the rules which would have allowed another person to be able to depose to the supporting affidavit on behalf of the plaintiffs.

    The judge said: “The applicants ought to have filed separate suits. This suit is in contravention Order 2(4) of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules and it is liable to be struck out.”

    Saraki, Melaye and Murray-Bruce had urged the court to declare the police’s invitation letters, and the act of policemen, using tear gas to disperse their protest, violated their rights under sections 34, 35, 39 and 41 of the Constitution, as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Peoples’ and Human Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

    They prayed for, among others in the suit, an award of N500m as “exemplary and pecuniary damages.”

    In their response, the respondents – the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, said over 100 hoodlums participated in the protest, in the course of which the procession allegedly made a “riotous attempt” to force their way into the police headquarters.

    The respondents accused Saraki, Melaye and Murray-Bruce of unlawfully obstructing streets, causing a disturbance of public peace, unlawful assembly, and committing felony among other crimes.

    They stated that it was within their power to invite persons suspected to have committed a crime for questioning.

  • Gunmen kill Akure Anglican Church bursar

    A bursar attached to the Akure Anglican Diocese Secretariat, Alagbaka, Akure, has been reportedly killed.

    The deceased, identified as Gabriel Abiodun, was shot dead yesterday by gunmen suspected to be robbers, who were said to have trailed him after leaving a new generation bank at Alagbaka.

    An eyewitness, who was on the scene, said Abiodun was trailed from the bank by the three gunmen to the church where they rained bullets on him.

    He said: “The man (bursar) had just returned from one of the new generation banks to withdraw N500,000, which we learnt was probably meant for retirees.

    “The robbers trailed him because of the money and shot him in the thigh.

    “I think they struggled with the bursar for the money, snatched it, shot him before running away.”

    A source from the diocesan secretariat confirmed the attack, noting that the church had invited the police for investigation.

    The source said: “It is true. The man in charge of the church’s finance was shot dead this morning (yesterday) around 9:30 am on the premises of the diocese.

    “The police have been invited to the premises and they have removed the body.  It was a sad moment for us.”

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed the incident, said: “The man was shot. We are investigating the incident. The body has been evacuated.”

    He said the perpetrators would be fished out and prosecuted.

     

  • Defence chief explains military’s role in polls

    CHIEF of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin yesterday defended the action taken by the military during the general elections.

    The Gen. Olanisakin noted that if such actions were not taken and deployment of the military personnel made, the security situation of the country would have been jeopardised.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the orientation programme for senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect, Gen Olonisakin noted that the deployment of the army during the election was constitutional.

    He insisted that the deployment helped in preventing Nigeria from being thrown into war.

    Speaking on “Issues on security and governance”, the CDS explained that the security situation in the country during the election process would have been better imagined if the military had not been deployed to perform what he described as their secondary responsibility.

    He solicited for the support of the National Assembly for effective funding for the Armed Forces to effectively and efficiently carry out its constitutional duties.

    Gen. Olonisakin also said the Armed Forces must be funded outside the ritual budgetary allocation, adding “if the military must do what it ought to do, it must be funded appropriately.

    He said: “The armed forces of Nigeria derived its authority from p1 s3, 217 of the 1999 constitution which provides for the armed forces of Nigeria comprising of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Navy and the Nigeria Airforce.

    “During the just concluded 2019 general elections, the success of the electoral process was almost hampered by the security in some parts of the country. Many crises prone areas were properly maned by security services to ensure that the electorate were secured enough to carry out their civic duties of electing candidates of their choices.

    “There have been various arguments by different positions of political parties and other stakeholders of the legality and otherwise of the military in support of the civic authority in the election process.

    “A critical area of support that was provided, and perhaps, not very visible to the public, is the deployment of military logistics capabilities, especially naval and air access to support the movement of materials across the country.

    “I need to reiterate that this deployment is in line with constitutional role of the armed forces of Nigeria as earlier stated. Even in the last general election 2019, the security situation in the country during the election process is better imagined if the military had not been deployed to perform their secondary responsibility thus the effect of security on governance is an important aspect that lawmakers, military personnel and the civil public need to understand in other to make the right decisions.

    “A good understanding of these dynamics would enable political leaders and public officials to make realistic decisions and enact laws to achieve national security objectives.

    Read also: Operate within the law, Acting CJN admonishes military

    “Over the years, the armed forces of Nigeria has built various capacities to enable it perform our various goals. This capacity development is dependent on a number of factors including training and the availability of adequate platforms which has direct impact in improving the capability of the armed forces of Nigeria in the field and subsequent effect on national security.”

    On the need to fund the Armed Forces, Gen. Olonisakin said:  “However, the major challenge of the capacity of the armed forces of Nigeria is the limited budgetary allocations to meet the need of the armed forces of Nigeria.

    “I have often maintained that well-trained and well equipped and adequately motivated armed forces of Nigeria cannot be funded through budgetary allocation alone.

    “Accordingly, the Defence Headquarters had proposed that we need to consider alternative funding options for the armed forces of Nigeria in addition to the budgetary allocation.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to count on the support of the National Assembly to enact appropriate legislations that will support capability development of the military, security sector reform, appropriate funding and other initiative through appropriate legislation to enable the armed forces support national security and good governance.

    “As it is often said, the fundamental reason for the existence of government in the provision of robust security proactive enough to enable a conducive environment for the pursuit of sustainable development for the society.

    “Deriving from this is the fact that the truth for the existence of any nation is rooted in the security sector. National security is unquestionable tied to good governance, and good leadership is the aspiration of every citizen in most countries in the world.

    “These two fundamentals can hardly be achieved in the midst of both internal and external threats in the nation, most government across the globe always strive to ensure that the state is secure and free from crises that could compromise good governance.

    “There is crucial link between good governance, national security and economic development. If security is not maintained, governance cannot be delivered and therefore it would be a great threat to the unity and integrity of the country.

    “Hence, there would be no meaningful, sustainable development and similarly, security cannot be safeguarded if governance is delivered by an inefficient and disorganised administration.”

  • Unease in Kogi over lawmakers’ stand on CJ Ajanah

    As calls for caution continue to trail the Kogi State House of Assembly’s recommended removal of Justice Nasir Ajanah as the Chief Judge, there is unease in the confluence state. James Azania reports

    On Tuesday, the Kogi State House of Assembly recommended the sack of the state’s Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Nasir Ajanah. The move, which had been on the board since late last year, was temporarily aborted by the injunction of the state High Court sitting in Koton-Karfe. The suit was instituted by the CJ and the Registrar of the Kogi State High Court.

    The onslaught against Ajanah thickened last weekend and led to a protest by judicial officers in Lokoja. This did not stop the assembly from taking its the following day.

    The Kogi House of Assembly accused the CJ of gross misconduct, including financial breaches. Details of the misconduct are contained in the report and recommendations of the House Committee on “Public Accounts on the State Auditor General’s Report on 2016 Financial Statements,” in Lokoja.

    Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, said the CJ should step aside to defend himself over the alleged indictment by the state Auditor-General.

    Mohammed, at the plenary sitting on Monday, said the Public Accounts Committee was set up in line with Section 103 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    The committee, according to him, was mandated to investigate reported cases of financial breaches, noncompliance with financial regulations and poor handling of financial records by various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government.

    He said the Kogi State Judiciary in 2016 expended its budget above the approved limits provided in the 2016 Appropriation Law to the tune of N7,574, 850 without the approval of virement application.

    “It was also reported by the State Auditor-General that Kogi State High Court made huge cash withdrawal to the tune of N137,607,334.11. The cash was withdrawn from High Court Bank account in the year under review.

    “This transaction breached the provisions of chapter 6, Regulation 632, which stipulates that the use of cash for payment is hereby prohibited,” he said.

    The committee, which recommended the removal of the CJ, gave a second alternative of stepping aside, pending his appearance before the House Committee on Public Accounts to defend himself.

    It also recommended that the Chief Registrar should be referred to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for disciplinary action and that the state government should commence immediate payment of judicial staff salaries.

    The Majority Leader of the House, Abdullahi Hassan-Balogun moved for the adoption of the report and was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Oluwatoyin Lawal.

    Another member, Haruna Musa, in his contribution, however, urged the House to take cognisance of the subsisting court order on the impasse between the house and the judiciary, and be guarded adequately.

    In his contribution, the Chief Whip, Victor Adewale Omofaiye urged that efforts should be made to pay judiciary staffs the nine months salary arrears while the investigation went on.

    Speaker of the House, Prince Matthew Kolawole adopted the report and recommendations following majority voice votes by members present.

    All these notwithstanding the December 18, 2018 application that was brought before Kogi High Court sitting in Koton-Karfe seeking an out of court settlement of the impasse.

    REad also: PDP cautions Kogi lawmakers over alleged plot to remove Chief Judge

    The application to resolve out of court the legal impasse between the CJ, the State Governor and the House of Assembly was granted.

    Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye granted the application of counsel to the state governor and the assembly who are defendants in the suit instituted by the CJ and Chief Registrar of the state judiciary.

    Counsel for the defendants, Mr Rotimi Oguneso (SAN), made known his personal conviction that the nature of the matter was such that ought to be resolved out of court.

    Oguneso, therefore, applied for an adjournment to allow him to explore the possibility of settlement out of court.

    Leading four others for the appellants, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not oppose the application.

    He, however, applied for an extension of time of the lifespan of the earlier orders of the court, ‘to avoid embarrassment to the parties to preserve the res.’

    In his ruling, Omolaye-Ajileye noted that it was part of the duties of a court to encourage amicable settlement of matters out of court.

    He commended the initiative of Mr Oguneso, in seeking to get the matter resolved out of court, but held that the fears expressed by Awomolo over the need to preserve the res of the matter were well-founded.

    He said it was expedient that the lifespan of his earlier orders should be extended, in the interest of justice and in order to prevent the occurrence of any irreparable mischief.

    He accordingly ordered that his earlier order remained in force, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice of 12th December 2018.

    Justice Omolaye-Ajileye further restrained the defendants from taking any step, under any guise, to frustrate the case and adjourned the case to February 4th, 2019.

    The CJ and Chief Registrar had approached the court to challenge the purported plan by the assembly to investigate them and the state judiciary.

    Back then, the house had allegedly constituted a committee to investigate the judiciary upon receipt of a petition by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Folashade Arike Ayoade, over alleged impasse between the judiciary and the state government.

    The appellants had sought and were granted three injunctions restraining the defendants from threatening or interfering in the discharge of the duties of the applicants.

    They also urged the court to restrain the defendants from taking cognizance of any report emanating from the ad-hoc committee set up by the state assembly on the 11th December 2018 pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    On March 5, 2019, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Kogi State chapter dragged the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the CJ and seven others before the National Industrial Court sitting in Lokoja, challenging alleged constitutional breach of non-remittance of funds accruing to the state judiciary, leading to accumulated salary arrears of eight months and strike action.

    In the originating summons filed at the court by Chief Moses Enwere, counsel to the union, JUSUN said it went to court as a last resort.

    It alleged that the state government did not make any concrete effort towards resolving the impasse that necessitated the strike action which started December, last year.

    Other defendants in the matter are the state Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Finance, the Accountant-General, the Auditor-General, the Grand Khadi, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and the state’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

    The union posed three fundamental questions among others, for determination by the court.

    They include, “whether Kogi State judiciary is not entitled, as of right, amounts standing to its credit in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state and payable to the heads of courts in line with section 231(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 5 of the Kogi State Public Finance (Judiciary Special Provisions) Law No 6 of 1991.

    “Whether the governor and his appointees joined in the case have the power or right to withhold judiciary’s funds and thereby failing in the payment of monthly salaries, allowances and emoluments of judiciary staff.

    “Whether the executive arm can place such conditions as staff screening, staff data capturing, table payment or any other condition as a prerequisite for the release of the funds without respect for the doctrine of Separation of Powers as envisaged by the Constitution, the Kogi State Public Finance  Law.”

    The union also urged the court to determine whether the executive arm had the powers or constitutional right to usurp the powers of the JSC, by scheming to take over payment of judiciary staff salaries and other emoluments without reference to and approval of the commission.

    It also sought the determination of the Industrial Court, whether on the other hand the CJ and other heads of courts, had received any subvention since 1st July 2018 and have refused to pay the salaries and emoluments of staff.

    It, therefore, urged the court to declare that subject to the provisions of the Constitution and laws of Kogi State, amounts standing to the credit of Kogi State judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state be paid directly to the heads of courts.

    It also urged the court to declare that the executive lacked the power to withhold funds accruing to the judiciary and its continued refusal to remit such funds due to the judiciary, as unconstitutional, illegal, ultra vires, wrong, null and void and of no effect.

    JUSUN, therefore, asked for an order of the court directing the full payment of the accumulated eight months subvention owed the three courts and the JSC, which resulted in the industrial action that commenced December, last year

    It further asked for a perpetual injunction restraining the governor and his agents from further withholding of amounts standing to the credit of the state judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Funds.

    JUSUN also urged the court to restrain the executive from “taking steps that tends towards usurping the powers of the JSC, in terms of payment of emoluments and discipline of judiciary staff.”

    The originating summons was supported by a 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr Emmanuel Waniko, JUSUN chairman in the state, in which he declared that the staff could no longer afford transport to work and were neither creditworthy.

    The court is yet to give a date for commencement of hearing the matter.

    Following the institution of JUSUN’s suit, Governor Yahaya Bello, in a state broadcast said that funds meant for payment of staff salaries and allocations to the judiciary are “sitting idly in banks awaiting readiness” of their leadership to submit staffs to table payment.

    Bello said money for several months salaries for the judiciary staff were intact.

    He explained that the problem was the refusal of the leadership of the Kogi State Judiciary, in collusion with the leadership JUSUN, to forward the staff payroll for a ‘pay parade.’

    “My preoccupation is how to get that money to the innocent staffers without breaching applicable service rules or our collective agreement with labour. I trust the Almighty God that reason will prevail sooner than later.

    “In any case, monies amounting to several months salaries due to Kogi State civil servants working in the judiciary are sitting in the banks,” the governor said.

    On the lawsuit filed against the governor and his administration along with the state CJ and six others by JUSUN, Bello said it was politically motivated.

    He said, “I am not surprised by the timing of the case, considering the season we are in, and the politicisation of institutions all over the place.

    “The refusal of the leadership of the Kogi State Judiciary to forward their staff payroll for the Pay Parade, with the collusion of JUSUN leaders, is well documented.

    “I have pleaded unsuccessfully with them for months now to do the needful and spare their innocent members this trauma”.

    He added that the state house of assembly had also tried to intervene, only to be stopped by an “injunction from the judiciary, curiously obtained while courts claimed to be on strike.”

    Bello said he had already petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), to intervene since November, last year, but was yet to receive any feedback from the CJN.

    “We look forward to being educated on how a pay parade across all branches and cadres of our civil service is prejudicial to the independence of the judicial arm, but not the Legislative”, he enthused.

     

    CJ reacts

     

    The CJ, in a statement issued on Wednesday, through Saqeeb Saeed, Senior Information Officer, Kogi State Judiciary, said: “Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, 2nd April 2019, the media, especially the social media, was awash with the report of the recommendation of the Kogi State House of Assembly to His Excellency on the Honourable Chief Judge, the content of which we are yet to know. Today, the news reportage in most traditional media didn’t come to us as a surprise. It was expected, following the events occurring in Kogi State in the last 72 hours.

    “Within this period, the leadership of the Kogi State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria had protested against the plot by the state governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the Kogi State House of Assembly, to oust the Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Nasir Ajanah.

    “Despite the media report of the denial by Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Media assistant to the governor, who even accused the judiciary of peddling rumours, JUSUN’s fears were confirmed by the macabre dance reportedly displayed by the Kogi State House of Assembly yesterday, through its speaker, Rt. Hon. Mathew Kolawole.

    “This development has necessitated our call for caution and restraint on the part of the executive and legislative arms of Kogi State government to avoid overheating the polity. We make this submission reliant on the subsisting order of the Koton-karfe division of the  High Court of Kogi State, which ordered the three arms of government in the state to maintain the status quo ante belum, on 13th December 2019.

    “If it should be contemplated that any of the heads of the three arms of government in Kogi State would ever disobey any court order or contravene provisions of the constitution, the leadership of the judiciary would definitely not be counted among. This is the more reason why His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello and Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly would have cautiously abided by their oaths of office, to uphold and defend the Constitution, which they swore allegiance to.

    “The report purportedly presented to and acted upon by the assembly remains only within its purview and probably that of the executive. While neither the Honourable Chief Judge nor Chief Registrar of the High Court received any correspondence, not to talk of appearing before any House Committee to defend themselves against any allegation, even if trumped up, before and since the court order was issued. His lordship takes exception to the use of such words as “gross misconduct” in reference to him.

    “We’re very sure that the framers and users of this phrase that is capable of tarnishing the reputation and image of the Hon. Chief Judge knows the implication and likely consequence of any malign against the Hon. Chief Judge over unsubstantiated allegations.”

    On its part, the Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) warned against unconstitutional removal of the Chief Judge of Kogi State, when his tenure is not yet over.

    In a statement signed by the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, the party noted that similar removals done were reversed by the Supreme Court, saying that this will not also stand.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state also faulted the lawmakers’ decision.

  • Brutes in uniform?

    It happened again for the umpteenth time. A young man was cut down in the morning of his life, leaving Parents and loved ones to mourn. He committed no crime. His killers were not armed robbers, cultists or hired assassins. He was murdered by those paid to protect him and the rest of us. His case is just another in the long list of killings by brutes in uniform.

    “God punish your father! I can kill you right now for nothing!” an officer who sounded like the leader of his squad yelled repeatedly as he punched and gun-whipped a young man in a despicable demonstration of power over life and death. His subordinates begged him to no avail as he kept cursing in the video. This happened in a country supposedly governed by the rule of law.

    Kolade Johnson, the most recent victim of deadly assault by police brutes was a sports enthusiast watching a soccer game at a viewing center. That was his crime. One of the officers that killed him reportedly announced his resolve to “kill someone today.” Those paid to protect us have a monopoly of access to deadly weapons which they unleash on innocent citizens. And we think nothing is amiss!

    From available reports, the killers of Kolade were affiliated with the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SACS) with a mission to eliminate the menace of cultism. A genuine mission! But what means did they adopt? They apparently decided to identify cultists by hair style. Anyone with dread lock is a cultist! If it has not led to such a tragic outcome, you would think that someone had a rich sense of humor. Dreadlocks as a symbol of cultism? I have professorial colleagues wearing dreadlocks! By the hair-style identifying formula of SACS, my colleagues are cultists!  It is too mind-boggling to contemplate where this leads us.

    In the middle of last month, Lagosians and the country heard with dismay the heartbroken news about a young school girl killed in broad daylight by the Police in Ikorodu. According to media reports, she was hit by a stray bullet fired into a group of young people whom the police contingent suspected were hoodlums. As the girl laid in her pool of blood, the squad hurriedly escaped in their van as the youths pursued them. Perhaps the girl could have been saved if the police tried to take her to the hospital. But they cared less, and an innocent life was taken without moral qualm. In what other country can this happen?

    In June 2018, a Police Inspector and two Sergeants tear-gassed an asthma patient whom they accused of being a fraudster. He went into crisis and they fled the scene. As The Nation reported on June 18, 2018, the three were subjected to internal discipline and dismissed from the force. However, it is undeniable that these internal measures have failed woefully to sanitize the Force or bring it to the desirable end of professionalism and respect for human rights.

    In August 2018, Vice President Osinbajo weighed with a directive for a complete overhaul of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), after numerous public complaints and a #EndSARS campaign. Amnesty International has also demanded reforms to rid the Police of the “criminal network” which “tortures and extorts” suspects even in phantom and cooked-up cases.

    The totality of our national experience with our Police is comparable to a horror movie. The difference is that horror movies are unreal.

    What is most depressing about all this is that the Police is an essential institution for the internal security of the nation. We need the Police because there are bad people with criminal minds whose raison d’etre is the perpetration of evil. However, we do not need a back scratcher with a glove of thorns. When the murderer camouflages as the savior, we are done for. This is where we are in our police-citizen relation in this country. We have a misplaced hope.

    The Police has its organizational vision and mission statements which speak to its role as a public safety government organ. Part of its vision is “to create a safe and secure environment for everyone living in Nigeria.” Vision statements are generally aspirational, pointing to an envisioned future. The point is to keep improving until that end-time is reached. But what improvement have we seen in the decades that we have had the Nigeria Police Force? The above cited incidents provide a damning answer.

    Complementing its vision, the Police also has the admirable mission of building “a people-friendly Police Force that will respect and uphold the fundamental rights of all citizens.” That there is a gulf between this mission statement and people’s experience with our law-enforcement officers is clear. The question it must address is, what must be done to bridge the gulf between aspiration and actuality? What does the Police need to do to build a people-friendly Force?

    Answering this question does not require knowledge of rocket science. A humanist with common sense should be able to address it effectively. There is a short-term and a long-term solution to the crisis, which it is.

    First, we have the long-term constitutional issue which many, including the National Assembly, have failed to address since 1966. Nigeria appears to be one of only a few countries its size with a federal system and a unitary policing system. With this comes the serious issue of effective management which we, obviously, do not have a handle on. Yet we, true to our human nature, are afraid or suspicious of change.

    It is however true that policing at the level of states and local government is bound to be more people-friendly simply because it is more community-oriented. A nation-wide community policing sponsored by the federal Police cannot generate the kind of community feeling and sense of belonging that a local Police with personnel from the community can generate. Therefore, if we want a people-friendly policing, we would opt for a constitutional amendment to establish state and local police. We also must call out the cop-out excuse regarding finance. Transform EFCC into our federal Police in the manner of the FBI and dismantle the Nigeria Police with its budget transferred to the states.

    Second, however, we know that while this approach is right, it is wishful thinking because we are paranoid about change. Meanwhile, then, let there be an effective management of the Police that we have now. There is no doubt that recruitment needs to be overhauled. The mindset that sees every citizen as a hoodlum must not be allowed near the corridors of police stations. A mentally challenged and unbalanced individual must not be given access to a gun. But there are now many with mental issues parading as officers in the Nigeria Police. How did they get recruited?

    Third, the various special squads-SARS, SAKS, SACS- apparently see themselves as invincible agents of destruction. They are given these AK-47s which they parade with glee and with arrogance of power. What psychological or mental tests, if any, do they go through before they are enlisted in the special squads? The various atrocities they have committed over the years are enough evidence of the failure or ineffectiveness of such tests.

    Finally, the matter of police qualification and welfare must be taken seriously. With the explosion in the population of graduates of our tertiary institutions, it should not be difficult to have a pool of outstanding candidates with excellent mental states. With such quality candidates, however, we must be prepared to overhaul the welfare package for recruits and officers in the force. This will justify our expectation of a professional force and an effective implementation of a code of conduct that eschews bribery, extortion, and corruption.

    In his inaugural address upon his appointment last January, the Acting Inspector General, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu assured Nigerians that he was “mindful of their yearnings for a policing system that will not only assure them of their safety but treat them with civility and hold their rights sacred.” He then promised that “their deserved aspirations will be met henceforth.” Nigerians are still waiting to cash this promissory note.

     

  • Multichoice unveils Whatsapp self-service

    Multichioce Nigeria has launched a Whatsapp self- service that enables DStv subscribers to their subscription, fix error codes, make payment and rent Box Office movies.

    The Whatsapp  self-service guarantees easier usage, helps subscribers to communicate in a format that is more convenient.

    In a statement, it said the self-service allows DStv to respond to customers, thereby providing a reliable customer services.

    The Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe said the service is testament of Multichioce innovative ways of improving customers’ experience.

    Read also: MICHAEL JACKSON: Dstv to air controversial ‘Leaving Neverland’

    “We place our customers at the heart of everything we do and what this means is anticipating how to make their experience at our touch points hitch-free. This milestone is a proof that we are serious about seeking innovative ways to improve customer experience on a continuous basis”

    He said messaging apps are the solution to customer satisfaction and loyalty. Noting that Whatsapp has a wider reach of about  1.5 billion users in 180 countries, he said the service will create a 24-hour accessibility.

  • Lagos lawmakers thank Tinubu, party leaders, voters for re-election

    LAWMAKERS at the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday at the plenary expressed happiness over the results of the 2019 general elections.

    They hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, party stakeholders and constituents for their re-election.

    The House, which resumed yesterday after about two months recess, attributed their reelection to the 9th assembly to God, party leaders, the Speaker and their constituents.

    The lawmakers, who won reelection into the assembly, hailed the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, for intervening in their matters and for ensuring that they were victorious in the elections.

    In his contribution, Bisi Yusuff, representing Alimosho Constituency I, lauded former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, residents, party stakeholders and his family for standing by him to ensure his third term.

    Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency I, who also commended the people of Epe for supporting his third term, promised to serve the people more.

    In his contributions, Jude Idimogu from Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2, also hailed Asiwaju Tinubu, Obasa and other APC leaders in his constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve for second term.

    Other lawmakers, who spoke during plenary include: Yinka Ogundimu (Agege I), Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo I) and Setonji David (Badagry II)

    Others  were Nurudeen Solaja-Saka (Ikorodu II), Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland II), Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa I), Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa II), Ibrahim Layode (Badagry I), Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki I) among others.

    Others such as Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I) and Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin I), who would not be returning to the House for Ninth assembly, also commended the people for the opportunity to serve.

    Read also: Tricycle owners hail Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

    Olorunrinu, the only member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House specifically stated that his heart was with the APC despite being in the PDP.

    Obasa lauded his colleagues for their support and loyalty and assured that Lagos had the capacity to soar higher than where it was presently operating.

    The Speaker urged the lawmakers to reciprocate the love and support received from the people during the elections and ensure that they do more for the people in the Ninth Assembly.

    Obasa said: “I want to thank all the members for praising me. You stood by us. So, we too should stand by you.

    “As we are thanking God, we cannot give thanks with ordinary mouth. Let us appreciate the people with our works.

    “Let us serve the people effectively so that they could see that we are working.

    “Let us ensure that we push Lagos State to be like a country. A state like California and Atlanta in the United States of America could stand on their own based on what they have been doing.”

    Obasa said the House could do a lot by working with the incoming governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The Speaker urged chairmen of the standing committees in the House to conclude their legislative duties before the end of the Eighth Assembly.

    He thanked the outgoing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his developmental projects.

  • Notes to myself

    Today I just want to talk to myself. But if my words strike a chord in you, do not take offence. What I expect you should do is to fix things and, maybe, we will have a better Nigeria.

    Until I met Yinka through Nze Sylva Ifedigbo’s debut novel, My Mind Is No Longer Here, I never gave serious thought to the fact that Nigerians are in their best mood when at the departure of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. There is a strong link between this statement and this quote from the novel: “When your home cannot offer you a bed to sleep peacefully on, a neighbour’s home becomes appealing.”

    At the airport’s departure, you see lovers, especially the ladies, shedding tears at the departure of their loved ones. They cry because they will miss their lovers, not because their men are leaving the country. In fact, they are glad they are escaping what the narrator in Chigozie Obioma’s An Orchestra of Minorities describes as “the land of lack, of man-pass-man, the land in which a man’s greatest enemies are members of his household; a land of kidnappers, of ritual killers, of policemen who bully those they encounter on the road and shoot those who don’t bribe them, of leaders who treat those they lead with contempt and rob them of their commonwealth, of frequent riots and crisis, of long strikes, of petrol shortages, of joblessness, of clogged gutters, of potholed roads…and of constant power outages”.

    Our dear nation has not always been like this. There was a time when naira was more than a dollar. Time also was when naira was almost equal to pounds. We must never forgive the apostles of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which saw to the devaluation of our currency. The Structural Adjustment Programme of the Ibrahim Babangida regime made things difficult for a lot of people. The middle class practically went into extinction. Inflation skyrocketed. The government removed subsidies on petroleum products and fertiliser, and deregulated the interest rate. Personal insecurity increased and personal satisfaction nosedived. For many, it was the darkest period witnessed economically.

    Time was when going to the United Kingdom or any of the Commonwealth countries was as easy as travelling from Lagos to Ibadan. Time was when public schools were the in-thing, and time was when jobs were waiting for graduates immediately after school. Universities were great. Students were tutored and mentored by star local and foreign lecturers. Hostels were not bedbug-invested. Students had access to balanced diets. Our primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions were world class. The University College Hospital (UCH) was first among equals globally; its facilities were top notch and its members of staff could raise their heads high anywhere in the world. No thanks to brain drain, UCH and others are now shadows of their old selves. Ex-UCH Chief Medical Officer Prof. Emitope Alonge identified the brain drain that hit the health sector in the ‘80s as being responsible for the declining standard in the hospital. Alonge said between 1980 and 1983, the work ethic and attitude to patients’ care were top class. Brain drain began to take its tolls. Infrastructure decayed. There was poor power supply, lack of equipment, and sadly operating gowns were sterilised outside the hospital.

    Many doctors are on their way to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Some are even heading to Australia because of the poor state of medical practice in the country. Even those who are not leaving are not committed. Many a doctor in government-owned hospitals run private clinics and dedicates attention to their private practice than their primary employer. Our people come up with all sorts of excuse to get asylum abroad.

    Thank God for Boko Haram, many now have new and comfortable homes in Europe and America. We also have overnight gay people, all because of the quest to have homes outside of the hell that their true home has become. The other day, I saw an advert in a newspaper in which a Nigerian, obviously seeking asylum abroad, made a ridiculous claim about his family. There was also another advert in which a guy claimed his uncle wanted to kill him over inheritance. All he wanted was asylum and he caused the advert to be done so he could use as evidence to back his quest for a safe haven.

    Thinking of all these remind me of Pastor Sam Adeyemi. In one of his incisive presentations, Pastor Adeyemi pointed out that while those in government had their fair share of blame for the wrong things in the country, the ordinary folks were also not immune from blames. Or how do you react to a situation where a cart pusher finishes the water in a bottle and discards the bottle on a major road? What about a public school head teacher who collects illegal levies from pupils? What about a journalist who has turned to a blackmailer? What about the lecturer who sees in his influence the excuse to take female students to bed? What about the managing director who keeps asking low-rung female employees out for sex? Shall we blame the government for a company where there are no clear-cut plans for staff’s welfare?

    Is the government to blame for media houses which take pride in reporting government failures yet owe salaries, fail to remit pension and tactically encourage corruption? Tell me, who should be blamed for electricity distribution companies’ failure to give service yet bill consumers arbitrarily? Many companies have folded up because of the epileptic power supply in the country. Running factories on diesel-powered generators for 24 hours is not sustainable.

    I am looking for who to blame for pastors who dupe their congregation because they are sure that God is merciful and will not immediately strike them down like the god of thunder. Please show me who to blame for politicians who hide their children abroad and buy guns for other people’s children so that they can get power and use it to steal our commonwealth.

    My final take: The government has its faults, plenty of them; but we are not blameless too. You and I have our faults too. We should play our parts and then look for ways to ensure rogues do not get to the corridor of power, not to talk of being in power.