The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo charges lawyers on administration of justice in Nigeria

    Seeks sanctions for lawyers delaying cases

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday challenged lawyers in the country towards good administration of justice in Nigeria.

    He also urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take responsibility in ensuring discipline among its members.

    The Vice President specifically pointed out happenings around the globe where lawyers don’t go unpunished for deliberately delaying cases.

    Osinbajo spoke in Abuja during question and answer session at the 58th Annual Conference of the NBA, held at the International Conference Centre.

    The Vice President, who was taken up on a number of issues by renowned lawyer, Professor Koinsola Ajayi, asked the NBA to rise to the occasion and take responsibility for the discipline of lawyers.

    He said: “I think beyond government, strong institutions such the NBA needs to rise to the occasion and it really calls for self-regulation.

    “Government is not going to make the laws to change that.  This is an ecosystem that we are in control of.

    “We should be able to say that we are going to put our foot down here; we are not going to allow a situation where the administration of justice system is ineffective because if it is ineffective building a moral society is undermined almost entirely.” he added

    He advised the NBA to take a cue from the Law Society in England and accept the responsibility for conduct of lawyers.

    “There is a sense in which we must accept responsibility for the discipline of lawyers.  The Law Society in England accepts responsibility for the discipline of lawyers, even when lawyers engage in dielectric tactics in court.

    Read Also: Why we focus on common man, by Osinbajo

    “So if a lawyer wants to delay a case as strategy for either winning or hoping that years after the case would be forgotten, that kind of lawyer would lose his shirt in any other jurisdiction.

    “But here it is an accepted tactic. Dialectic tactics is part of our system; it is part of our business of doing business.”

    Noting that there should be consequences for misdeeds, he called on lawyers to work with government to ensure that people who go against the laws of the land are punished.

    “I think that we are at a point where there is a moral dilemma as to how it is we should visit the legal consequence. One of the problems we have had is with the legal process, ensuring that the legal process is able to deliver justice within a reasonable time, especially where the matters concerned are issues of public corruption and of all that.”

    On the questions on Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and how it was transforming the life of the poor people in Nigeria, Osinbajo said that the government started it in 2016 by crafting a budget that took a bottom-to-top approach to tackling the problem of the poor.

    “The approach we adopted from 2016 is two-pronged. One is in first creating safety nets and for the first time we put in the budget a line for what is called the Social Investment Programme.  That is N500billion for the Social Investment Programme.  That is the largest programme of its type in the history of this country.” he said

    He said the Social Investment Programme covered the Conditional Cash Transfer to one million of the poorest, the N-Power Programme, a scheme for providing jobs to 500,000 young graduates and the “Trader Moni” Scheme to two million people.

    “It is working because we can see a substantial improvement in the capacity of people to earn money and to do better for themselves,” he said, adding that the “only way to deal with poverty is to incrementally improve the capacity of people to earn money.”

    He also answered questions on infrastructural development, technological development, ease of doing business and the ideological underpinnings that drive government programmes.

  • Be wary of desperate politicians without second address – Nnamani

    Foreign business group to invest in oil, gas, power

    The former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani on Thursday warned Nigerians to beware of desperate politicians without any second address.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after himself and Chairman of the Chrome Oil and Gas, Chief Emeka Offor, led foreign businessmen to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s office.

    Nnamani, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also advised struggling politicians to have a second address.

    To politicians who do not have any other business apart from politics, he said, “I think our problem is that if you enter politics and you have no second address; the chances of your getting in trouble is very high.

    “I am here strictly on business, they are talking about billions of dollars investment in Nigeria and that tells the confidence his company has in our country.

    “I am not just a politician; I was in business before entering politics, so I have a second address and my suggestion to Nigerians who are struggling in politics is to make sure you have a second address; don’t be a desperate politician; desperate politicians do desperate things and we can see the examples.” he said.

    Read Also: Nnamani and Enugu APC

    According to him, he was part of the meeting to observe how the Federal Government would receive the investment proposal, adding that the government was receptive.

    “I am here just to observe how receptive the government is to this; the government is quite receptive according to the vice president; because they have made other investments in Nigeria and they are continuing to do so.” he stated

    The Chairman of Chrome Oil and Gas, Chief Emeka Offor, said that he brought foreign investors from Europe to meet with the Vice President on the investment opportunities in oil, gas, power and electricity.

    He said, “We brought a major investing group from Europe; that’s why we are here; we are looking into investing in oil and gas, electricity power and others.

    “They have seen that the atmosphere in the country is conducive for investments; we are exploring the particular investment region we are going to invest.”

    He said that they were partnering with ELAND Oil and Gas from the United Kingdom and that the investment will be all encompassing and in billions.

    The President of Integra Capita, Argentina, Dr. Jose Luis Manzanita, expressed delight on the investment climate in Nigeria which he said was very conducive.

    He said, “We are very happy being in Nigeria; we like the business atmosphere; there is credibility; we believe Nigeria has material industry but can produce much; we have already invested in Nigeria and we plan to do more.

    “We work close to ELAN, ELAN has been very successful; and we support them and we keep investing with them.

    “The Vice President was so warm and he transmits the trust that the government has in private investment.” he stated

  • Why we focus on common man – Osinbajo

    *Says Buhari administration will continue to develop more infrastructure, support Nigerians

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the Buhari administration will continue to focus on the common man and taking Nigerians out of poverty through its social investment programmes.

    He however called for unity among all Nigerians.

    Prof. Osinbajo said this during a townhall meeting on Tuesday in Bariga/Somolu LCDA in Lagos State to felicitate with Lagosians on the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    The Vice President, who addressed a gathering comprising APC chieftains in the state, youth groups, state government officials and the LCDA Chairmen of Somolu and Bariga, noted that the administration’s National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP) were geared towards improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said “The President focus has always been on the common man. So, when we came, we decided on a few things to tackle youth unemployment. First, the N-Power programme to engage as many young people who are graduates as possible.

    “We started with 200,000, and just this month, we have employed another 300,000. So, in our N-Power programme, we have 500,000 young graduates who are employed in the programme. Now every local government in Nigeria has N-Power graduate.”

    He added that the Buhari administration has been able to embark on the completion of more infrastructure projects and achieve more with less funds because of President’s Buhari’s honesty and the seriousness of the administration to improve the country’s fortunes.

    He said, “In the past four years of the previous administration, over US$393 billion was earned in oil proceeds alone. In the past three years, we have earned US$94 billion, look at the difference. And the reasons are very straightforward. The price of oil was about half of what it used to be. But with the same $94 billion, we have been able to do far more.

    “When we got into office, 24 states had not paid salaries for over six months and we ensured that these salaries were paid. And President Buhari said then, “Look, I have been a salary earner all my life, I have never done any business; the only thing I ever done is government work, either as a soldier or in government. I cannot imagine how anybody can go to sleep as a governor without paying the salaries of his workers.” So, we made sure that we paid salaries and we have done so many other things.

    “In investments, look at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; for almost 12 years, with all that money, it was never done. Now we have set about and we are doing it, we will complete it. Also, the Lagos-Kano railway project, so many of us know that we are moving towards Ibadan now. And we are going to complete it.”

    The Vice President further said the Buhari administration will continue to support petty traders and small businesses to ensure that more Nigerians are taken out of poverty.

    He said, “The other thing we have done is GEEP (Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme), a micro-credit scheme for market women and others. We are doing one now for petty traders that is called TraderMoni. We have done it in Lagos we are going to do at least 100,000 in Lagos and 2 million across the country. The traders here in Bariga must benefit from it. We also have the one for people far bigger than that which is called GEEP.

    Read Also: We’ll deliver credible elections in 2019 – Osinbajo

    “I want to emphasize that everything we are doing, our focus, first of all, is to ensure that people are taken out of poverty. Our country is a very big; over 200 million people, many young people coming out everyday. Aside from that, we also want to ensure that anybody who is doing anything at all, who is trading, artisans, mechanics; we are able to support them.

    “The reason is that when you look at the way government operates in the past; when you look at the government budget, it focuses on the middle-class, those who have industries and manufacturing plants, and those kinds of people. But the majority are at a very low level, doing little things. Those are the people that we must first of all (focus on), so that the poorest are able to do better. If the poorest do better, it would be better for all of us.” he said.

  • We stand by rule of law – Dalung

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday congratulated the Federal Government for averting a FIFA ban on Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, said the minister lauded the efforts of the Vice-President which aborted the ban.

    “I welcome the intervention of the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, which saved Nigeria from a suspension threat by FIFA in the lingering crisis of the FootbaIl Federation.

    ”I believe in the resolution of the crisis which has a history dating back to almost 20 years since the removal of Mr Anthony Kojo Williams from office.

    “This crisis cannot be solved with a temporary measure or scratched on the surface.

    ”The intervention of the vice-president should not be viewed as different from an attempt to abate an escalating situation, “ Dalung said.

    He, however, said that the matter had a subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    “As a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who took oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will prefer to stand with the rule of law instead of the opinion of men.

    ”I want to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and give support to the NFF Elders Stakeholders Reconciliation Committee which is made up of reputable past presidents and general secretaries of the NFF with vast knowledge, experience and competence to resolve this crisis once and for all.

    Read Also: NFF: I don’t want to go prison for contempt of court – Dalung

    ”We are a constitutional democracy and the doctrine of separation of powers is the foundation of democratic experience, therefore, the rule of law is the only mechanism that guarantees liberty and freedom of citizens.

    ”This administration was elected on the change mantra meaning that impunity has no accommodation anywhere, so Nigerians must learn to believe and practise the doctrine of the rule of law.

    ”I believe we shall overcome this if we remain within the confines and dictates of the laws of our country.

    “As we celebrate Sallah, let’s remain law abiding citizens,” Dalung said.

    FIFA on Monday stepped down its plan to ban Nigeria’s football governing body over its leadership crisis.

    In stepping down threat, FIFA said it received assurances that the legitimate leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the presidency of Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi had been restored to office.

    “In view of these circumstances, FIFA deems that the conditions set by the decision of the Bureau of the FIFA Council have now been met and consequently the suspension of the NFF will not take effect.

    “FIFA will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that FIFA’s rules and regulations are fully adhered to,” the world football body said.

  • FG endorses Pinnick as NFF President

    The Federal Government has announced its recognition of the Amaju Pinnick -led executive as the authentic leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ).

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Laolu Akande, Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the announcement on his official Twitter handle on Monday.

    The tweet which was sent at 11.38 a.m., few minutes before the 12 p.m. deadline given by FIFA for the resolution of the leadership tussle in the Nigerian football governing body, said the government had already informed FIFA of the decision.

    “The FG has already conveyed to FIFA its firm position recognizing Amaju Pinnick-led NFF as the current & only NFF Exco.

    “Govt will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner. FG is upholding NFF treaty obligations to FIFA,’’ Akande tweeted.

    Read Also: Fed Govt writes FIFA, recognises Pinnick executive

    World football governing body FIFA had on Tuesday said it would go on to suspend Nigeria from football activities if they failed to comply with its instructions by Monday at noon (CET).

    FIFA, in a statement by its Media Office, said it had been notified about ongoings in the NFF, and it viewed them as “undue interference in their affairs’’.

    It said Nigeria must ensure the NFF offices in Abuja were occupied by the Amaju Pinnick faction of the federation’s Congress by Monday.

    NAN also reports that the Glass House had been occupied at different times by both the Chris Giwa and Pinnick factions of the federation’s Congress

    This occupation has however been with the aid of men of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services at such times.

    NAN

  • SARS overhaul: Group makes case for detainees, hails Osinbajo

    A human rights group, Citizens Unite for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria) has tasked the Nigeria police force to declare the number of detainees being held by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)  to the public.

    The group which hailed the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,  for directing the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris to overhaul SARS, also demanded that all detainees and awaiting trials in the police cells and prisons across the country be charged to court to seek justice.

    CURE-Nigeria passionately appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that police carry out the action.

    In a statement made available to The Nation,  the organization’s Executive Director, Mr. Sylvester Uhaa, noted that the Acting President’s  directive, “although belated, is a welcome development and a right step in the reformation of the Police,” adding that,  “SARS has been identified with human rights violation and abuse of power, which has overshadowed its good work.”

    Uhaa, however, pointed out that, “although SARS has contributed tremendously to the fight against violent crimes and criminality, and to the maintenance of law and order, it has operated largely outside the law, earning a bad name for itself, the Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria at large.

    Read Also: How to stop SARS’ brutality, by Falana

    “The operations of any law enforcement must be guided by the law that created it, not by lawlessness, arbitrariness and disregard for human rights, which has guided SARS operations since its creation. And we cannot allow this to continue.

    “But, we ask the Federal Government  to take a step further to direct SARS to charge all suspects in their detention camps to court so that suspects can have access to justice and fair trial and this may lead to some gaining freedom, as some of the suspects may be innocent of the alleged offences.”

    He further stated that,  “In addition, the Federal Government should direct the IGP and all detaining authorities to declare the number of people in their detention so that Nigeria will know the number of people in their detention facilities.

    “For now, we only know the number of people in prison, and this is not right. Suspects in police cells are left at the mercy of their captors and jailers, some of whom treat them like animals.

    “Finally, we demand that the current administration  make use of the recommendations made by Federal Government Committees on prison congestion in the past to decongest the prisons.

    “The continued detention of people without trial for years in our police cells and prisons violates the basic fundamental human rights to fair trial, equality of all human beings under the law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and international human rights law.”

  • IPI to FG: ‘Drop all charges against Premium Times reporter’

    …Condemns pattern of forcing journalists to reveal their sources

    …Policemen outnumber Protesters at FHQ

     

    The International Press Institute (IPI) has commended the release of The Premium Times Reporter’s release and also demanded that all charges against him be dropped.

    IPI, a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists also condemned the trend of forcing journalists to reveal their sources.

    Samuel Ogundipe was nabbed by the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives on Tuesday and released on Friday after posting bail of N500,000.

    The arrest followed Ogundipe’s refusal to disclose the source of a story published by his newspaper on  a report sent by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to Ag. President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    Shortly before his release on Friday morning, six protesters at the entrance of the Force Headquarters in Abuja were being held back by aboit one hundred of Policemen acting on orders to prevent journalists from entering the complex.

    The Policemen who appeared ready to prevent breakdown of law and order locked their arms to form a barricade and they had batons, teargas cannister and guns.

    The Protesters chanted: “We have decided to fight injustice, no turning back, no turning back, Freedom cometh by struggle”.

    Speaking on behalf of the Protesters, the National Secretary of #OurMumuDonDo, Raphael Adebayo said: “Samuel only did his job and what he gets from those who are meant to protect him is arrest, is it fair?

    “He is a journalist not a terrorist or criminal.  People are dying in other states for real crime but you are here deploying about 100 Policemen for Protesters who are not upto 20.”

    The Protesters also called for the sack and prosecution of the Police chief for not defending the democracy.

    According to a statement by IPI Executive Director, Barbara Trionfi: “The prosecution of Samuel Ogundipe is a form of harassment against a journalist who has been carrying out his work professionally and in full respect of the principles included in the Code of Ethics of the Nigerian Press Council”.

    Read Also: Slain Ekiti APC chieftain buried one week after killing

    “The confidentiality of sources is universally acknowledged both as a duty and a right of journalists, as it is a necessary precondition for journalistic work.”

    She added: “International principles and treaties, including the 2002 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2002 and which represents an important milestone for media freedom in Africa, sets clear obligations on African Union member states to guarantee the confidentiality of journalistic sources.”

    Trionfi explained that in arresting and prosecuting Ogundipe, the Nigerian government has also violated Article 66 of the Treaty of ECOWAS signed in Lagos in 1975, which requires member states to “ensure respect for the rights of journalists”.

    She said: “In June of this year, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, inaugurating the 67th IPI World Congress in Abuja, said that “good journalism promotes good governance”.

    He added: “In an environment where fake news dwarfs investigative reporting, good journalism matters”.

    “Unfortunately, President Buhari’s words do not resonate in the actions of the police, and investigative journalism still faces great obstacles today in Nigeria”, Trionfi said.

    “The article published by the Premium Times is an example of good investigative reporting. Nigerian officials should cherish this type of journalism and so send a clear message about their serious intention to fight corruption and wrongdoing in the country”.

    Citing instances where journalists were harassed, Trionfi said: “Arresting journalists and asking them to disclose their source has become a pattern in Nigeria. In April 2013, two journalists of the Leadership newspaper were detained for several days after they refused to disclose their sources.

    “In March of this year, Tony Ezimakor, Abuja bureau chief of the Independent, was arrested and pressed to reveal his sources after he reported about the government’s allegedly paying ransom to Boko Haram for the release of kidnapped girls. He was later released without any charges.

    “The arrest of Ogundipe comes amid deepened scrutiny of press freedom in Nigeria. During the World Congress, IPI raised the case of Jones Abiri, editor of a weekly who had been in the custody of the security services for nearly two years without charges.

    “The government accused Abiri of being a terrorist and denied that he was a journalist. Thanks to pressure from IPI and other international press freedom organizations, along with reports published in the Nigerian media establishing that Abiri is a journalist, the security services produced him in court last month and he was released on bail on Wednesday.

    “The magistrate hearing the case has cautioned the prosecution that the case against Abiri will be dismissed if it does not produce proof of evidence”, she explained.

  • How to stop SARS’ brutality, by Falana

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, has suggested ways to curb the excesses of police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Falana warned that the ongoing re-organisation of the SARS will fail unless citizens are mobilized and empowered by the government, the Nigerian Bar Association and human rights community to enforce their rights.

    He recommended the prosecution of indicted SARS operatives, amendment of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, greater use of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 among others.

    He noted that the ACJA, in particular, if implemented, “can put an end to the atrocities of the SARS and other law enforcement agencies.”

    The lawyer made the recommendations in a paper titled ‘How citizens can curb the excesses of SARS’.

    On August 14, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to review the SARS’ operations.

    According to a statement signed by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, the decision was sequel to complaints and reports on the activities of the SARS.

    Falana commended the Acting President for the directive, but urged the police to ensure that all indicted police officers are prosecuted and made to pay part of the damages awarded by the courts to victims of police brutality.

    He also commended the organisers of the #ENDSARS campaign “for forcing the Inspector-General of Police to embark on the reform of the SARS.”

    He said: “This must be complimented by the determination of the federal and state Attorneys-General to give fiat to victims of police brutality to enforce judgment debts awarded by the courts against the Nigeria Police Force.

    “Furthermore, members of the armed forces should be removed from the SARS since it is the constitutional responsibility of the police to maintain law and order in a democratic society.

    Read Also: Resign now, Falana tells Saraki, others

    “At the same time, the police personnel in the reconstituted SARS should be well trained, well-motivated and well equipped to deal with dangerous crimes in the society. In addition, the teaching of basic human rights ought to be made compulsory in the police academy and similar institutions.”

    The lawyer noted that it was the duty of state governments which fund the operations of the SARS is to monitor its activities and prevent it from violating the rights of the people in each state of the Federation.

    He also demanded that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in each state should ensure that the excesses of law enforcement agencies are curbed.

    According to him, the Nigerian Bar Association and the human rights community should embark on mass enlightenment of the Nigerian with respect to the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. They should also educate citizens on their basic rights under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Anti Torture Act, 2017.”

    Falana noted that in 2014, he received many complaints pertaining to alleged disappearances of scores of armed robbery suspects in police custody.

    He said: “In the course of investigating the complaints our law firm found that not less than 532 armed robbery and kidnap suspects were arrested, detained and paraded at crowded press conferences addressed by police commissioners in all the states of the federation. To my utter dismay, majority of the suspects were illegally executed by the operatives of the SARS!”

    He advised the relations and friends of any suspect killed in police custody to press charges against the culprits.

    “Where the identity of the culprits is not disclosed an inquest should be conducted to identify them with a view to prosecuting them. The government should also be made to pay compensation to the family members of suspects who are killed illegally in police custody,” Falana added.

    He called on the National Assembly to repeal Section 84 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act which provides that a judgment creditor cannot garnishee the accounts of a public institution without seeking and obtaining the fiat of Attorneys-General.”

  • Insecurity: NEC sets up panel to decentralize Police operation

    The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday set up a committee towards decentralizing the operations of the Nigerian Police Force.

    This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was with the Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru and Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abuonu.

    Read Also: Osinbajo chairs NEC meeting

    Monguno said that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, will head the committee with representatives from the six geopolitical zones.

    He also pointed out that Nigeria is currently facing abnormal security challenges.

    The security challenges, he said, can’t be completely tackled within a short a time.

    He also said that the improvements in the security situations in the country has nothing to do with the forthcoming general elections.

  • Insecurity: NEC sets up panel to decentralize Police operation 

    …Nigeria dealing with abnormal security challenges – NSA

     

    The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday set up a committee towards decentralizing the operations of the Nigerian Police Force.

    This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Read Also:FG restates commitment to end insecurity

    He was with the Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru and Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abuonu.

    Monguno said that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, will head the committee with representatives from the six geopolitical zones.

    He also pointed out that Nigeria is currently facing abnormal security challenges.

    The security challenges, he said, can’t be completely tackled within a short a time.

    He also said that the improvements in the security situations in the country have nothing to do with the forthcoming general elections.

    Details Later…