The Nation Newspaper

Tag: two

  • One, two …

    •Former Governor Dariye’s conviction opens the door for more after years of legal subterfuge

    In the past few weeks, Justice Adebukola Banjoko has delivered twice, on high-profile convictions. The latest convict is the former Governor of Plateau State and a serving senator representing Plateau Central, Joshua Dariye, who bagged 14 years imprisonment, on June 12, 2018. Like his former governor colleagues, still filibustering before the courts, Dariye had applied all manner of subterfuge to stall his trial since 2007. On May 30, Justice Banjoko had also sentenced the former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, to 14 years imprisonment.

    We praise the sagacity of the learned Justice Banjoko, for patiently dispensing justice in the two matters, despite the several tricks by the defendants to frustrate the trial. But we consider it a shame that under our criminal justice system, an accused can waste as long as 11 years, before he meets justice. We are however not unmindful that the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), was enacted to ameliorate this national embarrassment.

    While Dariye was undergoing trial, he used interlocutory applications and even unfounded allegation of bias against the judge to buy time. Unfortunately, after all the shenanigans, he finally met his comeuppance on June 12. The better part of the 11 years were wasted on appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, over an interlocutory application claiming that it was the High Court in Plateau State that had the jurisdiction to try him, and not the High Court, Gudu, in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Yet all the while, Dariye and his lawyers were aware that the charges were federal offences, not state offences exclusive to state high courts. While we do not begrudge the accused his constitutional rights to test the law to its limit, we find it incongruous that it would take 11 years. Such possibility clearly defeats the maxim that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Of course, justice in a criminal trial, we understand, stands on a tripod: to the victim, the accused and the state.

    While the delay may have suited Dariye, as he is serving a second term in the senate, the state and the ordinary victims have been wasting scarce state resources pursuing justice, against the former governor. Now that he has been found guilty by the court, how can the state quantify its losses, considering that in the past seven years, Dariye was sitting in the hallowed chambers of the Senate, the highest law-making body for the country, pretentiously representing his state?

    What a travesty of justice, under the criminal justice system that we operate. But Nigerians should be consoled that the ACJA is beginning to have its bite. But for that act and the brave judge, Dariye and his lawyers would have sought another straw of a technicality to appeal on, before the judgement; and since that could take another decade of more, Dariye could live his entire life serving as a distinguished senator and remaining just an accused person all the while.

    In our view, Justice Banjoko’s sagacity must serve as a beacon to other judges, who have similar cases pending before them. We urge that the politically exposed persons whose cases are still pending for many years in court, should be served expeditious trials and our country should be saved the trauma of unending trial, in the interest of justice. A full application of the relevant provisions of the ACJA would save all the parties their scarce resources.

    Perhaps, those who have glaring cases of criminal infraction should plead guilty to save themselves and the state the agony of unending trials. Only in such instances can the courts be minded to listen to their plea for mercy.

  • Two in trouble for ‘scaling fence’, stealing

    Two men, Adeniyi Dada and Isaac Samson, who allegedly scaled the fence of a house at night to steal household items, have been arraigned at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun State.

    The accused were, however, granted bail at N200, 000 each and two sureties.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Fatima Sodamade said the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should show evidence of tax payment to the government.

    The accused — Dada, 20, and Samson, 19 — are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecutor Adekunle Bukola told the court the accused committed the offences on March 8 at 11:25 pm., at Zone VII, Ayekale in Osogbo.

    He alleged the accused conspired and broke into the apartment of the complainant, Adekunle Wasiu, by jumping the fence to steal household items.

    “They were, however, apprehended,” he said, adding that the offences contravened sections 413 and 509 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2003.

    The lawyer to the accused, Mr. Dada Abosede, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

    The case was adjourned till September 11 for hearing.

  • Police nab two in Akwa Ibom over kidnap of polytechnic founder

    The Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested two persons linked to the kidnapping of Sure Foundation Polytechnic founder, Dr Idongesit Udom.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Donald Awunah, disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday.

    Awunah stated that the suspects were helping the police in their investigation.

    He explained that the police were doing their best to ensure that the victim was rescued alive.

    “This type of matter does not require force since the life of a person is involved. We are not relenting in our efforts to get the man freed from the kidnappers.

    “The Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Operation Impact Strategy team have spread their intelligence; very soon, the man will be rescued,” he said.

    The commissioner appealed to the civil society to cooperate with security agencies by always giving information on crimes and criminal elements in their neighbourhood for prompt action.

    Udom was abducted by suspected kidnappers outside his country home in Ukanafun while walking to Qua Iboe Church on Sunday, April 9.

  • Two bag First Class as unical inducts 80

    Two bag First Class as unical inducts 80

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) International Conference Centre was filled. The event was the induction of the new Medical Laboratory Scientists.

    The Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Zana Akpagu, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Academics, Prof. Florence Obi, described the occasion as epoch- making.

    “Medical laboratory science is a noble profession and must be practised with all form of proficiency,” she noted. She charged the graduates to represent the institution well and ensure they put into practice (best practice) what they had learnt.

    UNICAL’s Head of Medical Laboratory Science Department Prof. A. A. A. Alaribe, said 80 graduates completed their studies and were worthy to be inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science Association of Nigeria. He said of the number, two made First Class. They were Nehemiah Emono Dankano and Usungise Peace Bassey.

    Dankano, an indigene of Taraba State, was the overall Best Graduating Student with a CGPA of 4.78 while Usungise Peace Bassey, from Akwa Ibom State, came second with a CGPA of 4.57.

    Dankano won the Best Graduating Student’s award, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria award, Best Graduating student award for Chemical Pathology.  Bassey won Best Graduating Student award from Haematology, Dr. Usanga’s Award while Ntem Patience Komommoh won Best graduating student award from Medical Microbiology, Udofia Nicholas won Prof. Lydia Abia-Bassey award in Medical Mycology. HOD’s Outstanding Innovative Award went to Alaribe Anthony Akabueze, Bassey won Ekemini Raymond award for graduating student Haematology, lastly Eworo Raymond won Entrepreneurship award.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Mr. Tosan Erhabor, described the occasion as  special, especially for the inductees. He congratulated the inductees on their graduation.

    The highpoint of the event was the oath-taking, exchange of mementos by deserving students in various categories and presentation of practising licence by Erhabor.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly inductees, Dankano charged his coleagues to put the knowledge and ideas acquired into work. ‘’He applauded the school management under Prof. Zana’s watch for providing an enabling and conducive environment for effective learning which has aided them these accolades. He lauded the lecturers in the department and other departments domiciled in the medical college for the knowledge and skills instill in them, “finally to our proud parents and well wishers your support and encouragements has done us well”.

    Mr. Michael Monity led the inductees in taking the ceremonial three-bow of loyalty; first to the almighty God, School Management and lecturers, and to parents and sponsors.

  • He is just two … but dying

    He is just two … but dying

    Kehinde Oluwapemisayo Akinbo, the second of a set of twins, is two years, but he looks as if he were a year younger than his brother, Taiwo. The twins were born on August 11, 2014. They were growing up together but when it got to a time to walk, it was only Taiwo that could walk but Kehinde could not walk and struggled to grow in size.

    When Kehinde ’s mother, Mrs Damilola Akinbo,  noticed that his legs are weak and not straight, she took him to an orthopaedic hospital at Igbobi, Yaba in Lagos believing that the boy had dislocation.

    All the effort by the doctors in the hospital proved abortive and was from there referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH).

    Mrs Akinbo said Kehinde also has challenges with his strength as he cannot play well and gets tired easily.

    According to her, despite huge expenses on the boy’s health, no positive result has been achieved; instead, it became worse.

    It was when he was referred to a heart treatment section at LASUTH that it was discovered that he has a heart problem. And the only means he can get over it is through a surgery at Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi in India.

    It was learnt that the needed surgery would cost N3,714 000 to cater for his surgery and travelling to India. But his parents have been trying all means to gather money since last year to no avail.

    The disturbed mother has pleaded with generous Nigerians and Governor  Akinwunmi Ambode to come to her son’s aid as they have spent all they have on his health and cannot withstand the financial burden of the needed surgery.

    A bank account which has been open to that effect is as follow: Account Name: John Oluwapemisayo Akinbo. Guarantee Trust Bank, Account number: 0229742485

     

  • Two many

    Bayelsa has no business establishing another university

    The Bayelsa State government’s determination to set up a new university ostensibly under a public-private initiative while proclaiming its inability to properly fund the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) is reflective of incredible incompetence and gross insensitivity.

    In spite of its relatively low population and high revenues based on its status as an oil-producing state, Bayelsa owes several months’ salaries to its civil servants, as well as members of staff of NDU. Only in June did the state government agree to pay NDU staff their salaries for January 2016. Conventional wisdom dictates that a state which is currently struggling to fund one university should have nothing to do with the financial arrangements for setting up another.

    But this does not appear to be the case. The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has already passed the bill establishing the university, which is to be called the University of Africa. It is to be sited at Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area, which coincidentally happens to be Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s hometown.

    The NDU chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has already drawn public attention to the many anomalies that have characterised the process. There is the fact of the state house of assembly’s strange involvement in the establishment of what is supposed to be a private university. There is the unseemly haste with which the bill setting the new university up was passed, and the refusal to hold public hearings. There is the lack of knowledge about exactly how the supposed public-private partnership is supposed to work, who the main promoters are, etc.

    It is certainly true that Nigeria needs more universities to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of candidates who seek admission annually. Of the 1.475 million candidates who sat the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2015, only about 30 per cent were successful.

    However, the Bayelsa State government has done itself no favours with the way it has gone about its University of Africa ambition. NDU has been on strike for over two months to protest the non-payment of salaries. Graduate assistants, contract staff and academics who are on sabbatical at the university have allegedly not received their entitlements since 2013. The university’s infrastructural development over its 16 years of existence has been characterised by the absence of perimeter fencing, the lack of administrative buildings, as well as an internal road network.

    Rather than devote energy to a brand-new university, the Bayelsa State Government would do well to devote its energies to ensuring that the one it already has is put on a much sounder footing than it is at present.

    Public-private partnerships should be developed for NDU which, for all its present problems, is an established university. More focus should be given to addressing the infrastructural challenges of the university with a view to attracting more fee-paying students from outside Bayelsa State. Greater effort should be made to draw upon the consulting skills of NDU staff, especially in oil and gas, environmental issues, and conflict resolution, all of which are particularly relevant to the state. And if the governor is so desirous of bringing tertiary education to his hometown, he can always set up a campus of NDU there.

    It is clear that the proposed university will only cause more problems than those it is meant to resolve. Bayelsa has a host of tertiary institutions already. In addition to NDU, there is the Federal University, Otuoke, the Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science, the Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education and the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, among others. There is nothing that University of Africa can bring to the table that is not already being done by these institutions.

  • Registrar’s son, two others abducted at UNICAL staff quarters

    Registrar’s son, two others abducted at UNICAL staff quarters

    Three residents of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) staff quarters have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen, who invaded the campus through the Qua River that runs from the school to its host communities. The abductees are the registrar’s son, a lecturer’s wife and daughter. EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Graduate School), NNABIGET OKE, IDIONGESIT IMUK (300-Level Medicine and Dentistry) report.

    Located about two kilometres from the academic area, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) staff quarters enjoys a serene environment because of its proximity to the school farm and the Qua River. But, last Monday, its serenity was shattered when nine armed men invaded two houses. They abducted three residents and escaped through the river.

    The victims are Dr. David Iniama, the first son of the Registrar, Mr. Bassey Iniama; the wife and daughter of Dr. Wilfred Ndifon, a lecturer in the medical college.

    At the time of this report, the whereabouts of the abductees remained unknown and no word has been heard from their abductors.

    The registrar was not at home when the abductors struck. His wife was at a meeting with members of the Knight of Saint Mulumba (KSM). Dr Iniama’s was returning home when he ran into the gunmen.

    It was learnt that he was alighting from his car when two of the abductors came from behind and dragged him to a corner. As he struggled with the abductors, his mother, who heard his scream, peeped through the window and saw two men dragging him away. Mrs Iniama, it was gathered, raised the alarm and ran out.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the gunmen fired shots to scare people. Mrs Ndifon and her daughter, who reside two blocks away from the Iniamas, were ambushed by the assailants as they attempted to call for help.

    It was gathered that the gunmen escaped through the Qua River. Some residents said they saw a speed boat taking off from the river bank.

    Reliving the incident, Iniama said: “I was returning from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State that day when I got a call that there was sporadic gun shots at the staff quarters. I quickly called my wife and she told me that she was in a meeting. To be sure all was well, I called my daughter and I noticed that she was crying. I knew something was wrong at that point. But, my wife did not want to reveal anything to me.

    “I started receiving calls from neighbours, telling me there was trouble in my compound. I called the police and the university security office to report the incident. When I got back, I met a combined team of the police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and the school Chief Security Officer in my house,” he narrated.

    It was gathered that the neighbourhood has been at criminals’ mercy, prompting residents to contribute N3,000 monthly to strengthen security. The money is allegedly paid to the Airport Police Division, which sends two policemen to the staff quarters every night.

    When the gunmen struck, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the policemen on guard were at the second security booth some 500 metres away from Iniama’s residence.

    A furious resident, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The policemen were not on patrol. They sat in the security booth, doing nothing. That is how they do everyday. But, there is a limit to the task of these two policemen. They cannot be in all houses at the same time. If there had been adequate personnel, the incident would have been nipped in the bud.”

    Before the abduction, residents said there had been reports of robbery and burglary in the area. A resident, who gave his name as Udom, said: “In February, there was a robbery in the neighbourhood. Some criminals broke the door of Prof Okezie’s house, carting away N300,000. The same criminals also went to Dr Ndifon’s house and robbed him of valuables. The criminals have changed their game to kidnapping and that means there is no security in the staff quarters.”

    After the February incident, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that residents met with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu, who promised to fix street lights in the quarters. Two months after, the area remains in darkness, providing a cover for criminals to perpetrate their act.

    Iniama lamented the insecurity in the staff quarters, saying strangers  walked around the place unhindered. He described the situation as improper, saying the university is not shielded from its host community.

    He said: “We have complained about strangers coming to fetch water in the staff quarters. It is abnormal to see strangers carrying fire wood and bush meat, walking around the staff quarters. We have been exposed and that is why crime thrives in this place.”

    Reacting, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared one week break to sympathise with the victims’ families.

    The union Secretary, Dr Jonas Ekung, said the break is not as an industrial action. He said: “The break is normal for the union to express sympathy with its members when they are faced with critical challenges such as this. Only lectures have been suspended; other activities can still go on.”

    Iniama said the abductors had not contacted the family. He said: “We have not heard from anybody. We don’t know where they were taken. We are praying to God for their release unconditionally.”

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited Ndifon’s house, it was locked. A neighbour said occupants vacated the house a day after the incident.

    Efforts to reach the school for comment failed. The Public Relations Officer, Mr Eyo Effiong Bassey, did not pick calls.   He was also said not to be in the office when our correspondent visited.

     

     

  • Two arraigned for alleged N5.3m theft

    Two men, Isaac Ojo and Oni Olumidegba have been arraigned at an Ogba Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing N5.38million.

    The defendants, who are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing were arrested on September 5 at Obi Village, Domestic Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The prosecutor, W. Thomas, an Inspector, alleged that the accused stole the sum of N5.38million from Saidu Maikankan.

    The offence, the police said, contravened Sections 409 and 285(1) of the Criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

    The charge reads in part: ‘’That you, Isaac Omotayo Ojo, Oni Olumide and others, now at large, on September 5, 2105, at Obi Village, Domestic Airport, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; stealing.

    ‘’That you and others at large on the same date and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal a sum of N5, 380, 000 ­ property of one Saidu Maikankan.’’

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

    They were granted bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must posses a three-year  tax clearance, must reside in Ikeja and must have their addresses verified.

    The magistrate ordered that they be remanded in the prison custody till they meet the bail conditions.

    The case has been adjourned till November 11.

     

     

  • Tunde, Wunmi Obe launch album in style

    Tunde, Wunmi Obe launch album in style

    Tunde and Wunmi Obe aka TWO launched their latest album in a star studded event at their home. The celebrity couple, played host to superstars Femi Kuti, Kate Henshaw, Funke Akindele, Dare Art Alade and DJ Jimmy Jatt at an exclusive event for their entertainment industry colleagues at their home.

    The celebrities gathered to celebrate with the couple on the launch of their latest album, T.W.O PLUS.
    Other Guests present at the event Include Dele Esan, Essence, Funke Kuti, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Kenny Saint Brown, Labi Olayori, Ras Kimono,Yeni Kuti, Tony Okoroji, Tosyn Bucknor and Yinka Davies.

    Photos from the event below.

     

  • A tale of two friends

    I do not know when their friendship started, all I know is that a strong bond existed between them then. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Dr Olu Onagoruwa (SAN) were like Siamese twins at a time. They did everything together. Where you saw one, the other would not be far behind. Theirs was more than friendship . It was more of kinship.. They were there for each other.

    Their friendship was the envy of many of their colleagues who wondered what brought both men together. They wanted to know what the late Fawehinmi and Onagoruwa shared in common that made them to be so close. Whenever the late Fawehinmi was in trouble as he often was, Onagoruwa was always there for him and vice versa. But, most times, it was the late Fawehinmi who was always in the news because of his legendary fame of bucking the system.

    Onagoruwa is no push over too in challenging the establishment, but he was no match for the late Fawehinmi, who seemed to have capacity for trouble. In the late 1980s and 1990s, it was fun watching these men going in  and out of court, challenging the military government on one infraction or the other. It was a time that challenging the military, in whatever form,  was a taboo. As far as the late Fawehinmi, whom many simply referred to as Gani, and Onagoruwa  were concerned the only taboo was for them not to speak out or act against injustice.

    These brothers, these friends were a two-man army, who fought side by side. They paid the price for their decision to be on the side of the people and by implication on the side of truth. They were denied certain privileges by their professional association and the government of the day also made life difficult for them. Friends also kept a distance from them for fear of being blacklisted by the government of the day. To be a friend of the late Fawehinmi or Onagoruwa was unheard of then simply because they were seen as rebels.

    But they were rebels with a cause, who fought for the betterment of  society. Both men walked where angels feared to tread. They understood each other perfectly well. One knew what the other should do in case of any trouble. This was why for years the military could not decipher what made both men  tick. The duo may be on short fuse and I should know, having been at the receiving end of their anger, this does not detract from their humanity. Let me cite two instances to buttress my point.

    Shortly after his release from one of  his many  incarcerations by the Babangida regime sometime in 1989, The Punch, which I worked for then, ran a story which the late Fawehinmi considered offensive and pronto, he fired a letter to the editor, asking that the paper should retract the report or he would go to court. Barely 24 hours after, a lawyer from his chamber was in the editor’s office, with another letter from him, asking that the paper should ignore his threat, adding that he could not afford to fight a paper which did so much for him while in detention.

    I was to run foul of Onagoruwa sometime in  1990 while handling the Inside the Courts page at The Punch. In an article on the page, I used a word which Onagoruwa did not find funny. Despite being a lawyer to The Punch then, he still complained to Justice Augustine Ade-Alabi about the article, which he said described him in words he did not find funny, and urged the court to order the reporter to mind his language, henceforth. Justice Ade-Alabi noted the complaint of Onagoruwa, who said he would not push the matter further because he is the paper’s lawyer, and directed the reporter to choose his words whenever he is writing. I learnt one or two things about the tort of libel from that episode.

    I have gone this length to establish the relationship between the late Fawehinmi and Onagoruwa for the benefit of  those unaware of their cordial relationship  to know how close they were before the break-up. What led to their parting of ways  was Onagoruwa’s decision to serve as attorney-general and minister of justice in the late Gen Sani Abacha regime. The late Fawehinmi did not want his bosom friend to take up the job. But Onagoruwa was prepared to serve the nation to prove a point that you could be in government and still  do what is right.

    The late Fawehinmi did not see it that  way. He believed that his friend would compromise on becoming part of the government and asked him not to take the job. It was a painful parting of ways. For those who know, the late Fawehinmi did not do things in half measures. Whenever he drew the battle line, there was no going back. It was so in this instance. Right from the time his bosom friend took up the nation’s chief law officer’s job, he saw nothing good in him again, even after Onagoruwa had left office. The late Fawehinmi was highly critical of Onagoruwa that many did not know that they were so close before Onagoruwa came into the late Abacha regime.

    Onagoruwa lived up to his promise to be his own man in government. He resigned in 1994, barely a year after coming into office following the promulgation of decrees, which he said he knew nothing about. His action cost him a lot. His lawyer-son, Toyin, who was managing his chambers, was killed some months later. Onagoruwa himself was a target of many attacks from which he miraculously escaped. But, his family suffered. Onagoruwa lost his wife and his health took a nosedive. In the past 20 years, the man has been pining away.

    But no matter, God will always honour His own. Though it may tarry, it shall come to pass. For years, both men were denied the highest honour of their profession which they deserve. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is an honour which many lawyers covet, but it is given to the chosen. Many believe that they deserve it, so year in, year out, they apply for the title. In bringing their applications, they count on others to get them approved. No matter how brilliant a lawyer is, if there are no good words from members of the Legal Practitoners Privileges Committee (LPPC), which sits on these applications, on his behalf, he would not be made a senior advocate. It is as simple as that.

    To become a senior advocate, a lawyer must be in good standing with  those who will determine his fate. For long, the late Fawehinmi and Onagoruwa were not and the title passed them by and the legal profession  was the poorer for it. In 2001, the late Fawehinmi, who for years was referred to as Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), was given the title. The late Fawehinmi became SAN without an Onagoruwa beside him to celebrate the well deserved honour.

    Thirteen years later, Onagoruwa’s turn came. As fate would have it, Onagoruwa became SAN five years after Fawehinmi’s death in 2009. I watched brokenhearted as Onagoruwa was being conferred with the honour by Chief Justice Aloma Mukhtar in her chambers and not in full public glare on Tuesday. Onagoruwa was on a wheelchair as he received his well deserved honour. At a stage, he broke down in tears, wiping his face with a white handkerchief. It was not an occasion for tears; it was one of joy,  but something would have made him weep. What is it?

    Was he shedding tears of joy? Was he remembering his late wife and what would have been if she had been alive? Was he remembering his friend who became his harsh critic when he took up the job of attorney-general and minister of justice? Was he remembering how unfair the system has been to him – and of course many other Nigerians in the same shoe with him – over the years? Sir, your days of weeping are over. Rejoice because you lived to see this day. Though it was delayed, it finally came, to show that whatever will be, will be (Que Sera, Sera). Congratulations.