Legal Nigeria

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has narrated how Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), dumped a fellow Igbo man, Dr Alex Ekwueme, to support his presidential bid in 1999

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the thanksgiving service held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Zone 3 for the 80th birthday of Ugochukwu, the former President, who disclosed that he did not belong to any political party, hailed the celebrant for being a loyal and supportive person during his campaign prior to the 1999 election despite the fact that Ekwueme also contested for the same position in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obasanjo, who urged Ugochukwu to remain solidly with the Lord and be committed to humanity throughout the rest of his life, said: “But remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. Your faith must not diminish. You must never lose hope. Even when things are as gloomy as they are in Nigeria today, we must remain optimistic and hopeful. And finally, you must live and continue to live a life of love. Love for your family.

“Love for friends and foes. Love for your community. Love for your state. Love for your country. Love for humanity. And love for God.

“When we came together, it was during the campaign. I’ve known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), myself and Alex Ekweme. And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard. Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.

“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remain with me. Not 99.9% loyal, but 100% loyal. Throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you. When you went in, as the bishop said, to contest the election, and they overturned the election, you didn’t take revenge on anybody. You were not bitter. You didn’t even move out of the party. You remained. Some people will have moved out of their party. And you know some who are in our party, close to us, who did that.

Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter, but for the party that we all built”.

On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at the reception, also commended Ugochukwu for his patriotism, saying that the celebrant did not take sides when he (Atiku) had problems with Obasanjo, adding that rather he tried to be a peacemaker.

Atiku said: “I will not claim that I know Ugochukwu long enough because we only met during our administration around 1998-99 and till now, we have been in contact with each other.

“But I want to say that during our administration even when the president and I were having problems, Ogochukwu never took sides, rather he tried to be a conciliator and I want to say that all along I found him to be an extremely dedicated, passionate Nigerian. Let me also testify that in all those years that we worked together I never heard or you never heard of any unwarranted action by Onyema Ogochukwu. He was still a credible and perfect gentleman. Mrs. Ogochukwu, I think you are very lucky to have him.”

“Honestly I want to say that this is one of the very rare events I have put on a public face to identify myself, but I feel extremely delighted to have been part of this event. I also look forward to getting to your age. So, once again congratulations Onyema Ogochukwu and family and the entire people of Abia State and Nigeria in general”.

In his remarks, Ugochukwu was emotional while explaining that out of his seven siblings five are dead, remaining him and his sister.

According to him, he was the first out of his siblings to attain the age of 70, just as he acknowledged God’s faithfulness in his life, and promised to continue to serve God and humanity more than ever before.

He said, “My dear friends, I thank you for taking out time traveling from all places to come to this birthday celebration. Ten years ago, when I turned 70, I was the first of my siblings to reach the age of 70. It should have been a very big celebration, but it wasn’t.

“Because 2014, I lost my two younger brothers in that year itself. My father, and then my uncle, and there was no urge to celebrate. There were seven. My eldest brother, let him be known, was the best of us all. But he died at 64. My older sister died in her 50s. My immediate junior brother died in the war. My sister, Chinyere, an evangelist, is here with us, and is alive. Ude Chukwu, died February 2014. And in April, another”

Source: Vanguard

But what exactly do you think caused banditry in Kaduna and how can it be remedied?

The banditry in Kaduna is not different from what is happening in other parts of the country. Alright! The bandits are a lawless group of people who attack rural communities, harass them, collect their goods and maybe, kidnap people for ransom. So, what is happening in other parts of the country is what is happening in Kaduna. Now, the suggestions some people have offered to the government is that their hideout should be attended to by the security people in order to drive them away. But the bandits also have agents in the urban centres who feed them with information, petrol and even food. The security people should run those people out in order to cut the link between them and the bandits. If they stay in the bush without food, water or whatever, they will surrender. So, much more needs to be done in order to rob them off the resources they use to harass people. But better still, as some people have recommended, the unemployment queue should be reduced. Happily enough, after a week disruption in power supply, it has now been restored so that industries and local businesses can continue with their activities which will make more products available in the market to address the hunger and high prices of things.

The military has been drafted to curb criminality across the country whereby in the past, this was the work of the police. What can be done because the military is not also succeeding in that regard?

The military are not trained for that. Even the roadblocks they dabbled into, that was because The number of police available is short. So, the solution is to recruit more manpower into the police. Happily enough, every year, hundreds and thousands of graduates leave the universities, no jobs. So, if massive recruitment is made, more police will be available for deployment. Consequently, what the soldiers are doing will be addressed.

The APC government has been in control at the centre for nine years after blaming the PDP for ruining Nigeria for 16 years. How do you rate the nine years of the APC now at the centre?

There have been problems. First, the APC as a party made promises during their campaign in 2015, like restructuring. But when they won the election, they kept quiet. There has been no restructuring. Two, instead, things are getting from bad to worse – this banditry you are talking about. Yes, the kidnapping for instance, although it has waned, but once in a while you hear that it is taking place. Then, the APC as a government, made some promises that they have not fulfilled. Some people are even questioning the rationale behind it. But as an elder, yes, I don’t rush to make decisions. I watch to see the trend of things. So, as an individual, I am prepared to give the APC an opportunity to fulfil their promises because that is the only way out.

There have been trading of blames; with some saying that what we are suffering today was caused by the administration of your friend, former President Muhammadu Buhari. What do you have to say about that?

Yes, Buhari made a lot of mistakes. The high opinion he rose on to become president in 2015 soon collapsed when he started performing below expectation – Boko Haram, banditry were heightened. There is no doubt about the fact that his failure to fulfil his promise led to what you are talking about. And then, as a president, he had the right to sack people who were not performing. He didn’t do it until the eight years passed and he walked out. For instance, as the Minister of Petroleum, all our four refineries died during his time. How come he didn’t resuscitate at least two and they started depending on importation? The question of fuel subsidy also! His tenure of office raised more questions than answers until he left. So, that is the situation. Why it was so, we don’t know, I don’t know. But it shouldn’t have been so.

Would you say Tinubu is on the right track?

Well, Tinubu started very well except the mistake he made by announcing fuel subsidy removal without a plan because the Buhari regime had made a plan and paid for the subsidy up to the month of July. He assumed office in the month of May with extra time. All he needed to do was to lie low, study the system and then examine the implications. He didn’t. He just made an announcement and the oil marketers took undue advantage. This, in my view, was the mistake.

What is the way forward because cost of living is very high, fuel is very expensive, people are running out of the country and there is criminality everywhere?

The oil subsidy removal led to the increase of prices because the fuel spent on vehicles that convey these things to the market went very high. Well, we hear contradicting views about these issues. Whether we like it or not, sacrifices are necessary. Nigerians have been wasteful in a way. So, the positive part of this fuel subsidy removal is that some Nigerians have been forced to reduce the number of cars they put on the road. We even heard from the news media that the fuel consumption percentage has been halved. It has also led to the smuggling of our petroleum products outside the country to be stopped. The commissioning of the Dangote refinery – that will make five refineries if you add the smaller ones. So, we should be able to produce enough fuel to satisfy the local market so that the foreign currency used to import is saved. So, what we need is reorganisation for the leadership to be more responsible. Once we do that, then the price will come down. At the moment, it is not the case.

We hear that some Northern leaders are planning that President Tinubu will not return for a second term in office in 2027. Are you part of them?

No! No! Tinubu has some good ideas given his experience from Lagos. The only problem is the degree of the problems he inherited. The Buhari regime failed in many areas. Tinubu’s emergence and then, to manage the system has become problematic and given the fact that what is happening here is happening in other parts of the world. Of course, the peculiarity in Nigeria is the question of the crude oil. We are not able to explore up to the maximum we are entitled to, which means our people just do half percentage. And then, the oil thieves in the Niger Delta – what they are doing affect the oil production and so forth. So, the number of problems Nigeria has, has shown that we need more competent hands to do the job. Of course, we have to establish more means of combating corruption. That is one big monster that is affecting our progress.

Rivers State which you once governed as a military governor has been in crisis for some time now and you have been silent about it. Why?

Well, being silent is politics. Number one, I don’t have the facts. But what I heard people saying, from what I get from the print and electronic media is that Wike, who sponsored Fubara to the governorship office, is quarrelling with Fubara. Now, that should not be so. Being the mentor and the person who brought Fubara in, he should have a large stomach by realising that what is happening is going to affect the Rivers voters.

Does it mean you don’t have any intention to wade into the crisis to settle them as an elder statesman?

I have not been invited. If I were to be invited, yes, I will hire other officers who had the privilege to serve in Rivers State, put our heads together and then, call on the governor, listen to him, offer advice and then call on Wike also. But without that invitation, no. It will amount to delving into waters that we cannot control.

Sir, your comments show that you are already biased about the situation. Don’t you think so?

Bias how? Well, Wike must have sponsored Fubara into office and Wike being an elder statesman, being the senior, should know when to sheathe the sword. This is what I mean because if you are the governor of Rivers State, being hamstrung like this, what will you do? So, sheathing the sword and dialoguing in the interest of the Rivers voters is the solution. And Wike has made his point. There is no need to remain dogmatic by doing what is going to hurt the system.

Do you still have hope of seeing the Nigeria of your dream during your lifetime because you are over 80 now?

Yes, I am 84. My dream is for God to touch the hearts of our political class to put the interest of the masses first into action. So, only they can do it. It is a question of patience and patriotism. The question they should ask themselves is, how is what they do promote the growth of democracy? It doesn’t, it doesn’t! They are supposed to be democrats, they are supposed to work according to the party constitution and the nation’s constitution. But from what they do, individual likes and dislikes are what is happening and that should not be so.

Source: Daily Sun

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

Former military governor of old Rivers State, Major General Zamani Lekwot (rtd) has said that the fulfilment of the campaign promises made to Nigerians by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 is the only way out of the nation’s current security and economic crisis.

Lekwot, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the Republic of Senegal, with concurrent accreditation to  Mauritania, Cape Verde and the Gambia, who spoke with Sunday Sun in Abuja after the unveiling of the book, ‘Judicial Terrorism (on the 1992 Zangon Kataf Mock Trial)’ written by Richard Akinnola, also said that the sufferings by Nigerians have historical dimension as a result of the political decision made by Nigeria’s political forefathers on the minorities’ problems  during the pre-independence era and the 1966 coup which abolished the idea of regional governments.

Lekwot, a former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, and former Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, concluded that to turn Nigeria around, political office holders need to put the interest of the nation first above self interest, coupled with the need to reorganise the judiciary and the security set up, particularly the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Police.

You turned 84 in July. That means you saw Nigeria as a youth at independence. If Nigeria is a human being, it means Nigeria has turned to a full blown adult. How do you see Nigeria at this stage, an old country at 64 that cannot take care of its citizens? Was it the dream of the founding fathers of Nigeria of today where people are crying of hunger?

Well, the dream of our first political godfathers was to work for the unity of the country. None of them believed in accumulating wealth, people like the late Awolowo, Zik, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and others. They served us selflessly. Of course, they were groomed up by the British. I know the legacy the British left us with in 1960, October, when we got independence, was based on their model at home because we had the English, the Scottish, the Welsh and the Northern Irish. So, that was what they left here. One mistake our political forefathers made was in 1958. The British set up the Willink Commission to solve the minorities’ problems and they asked the political fathers for two years, to delay independence by two years in order to sort out the minorities’ problems. But those political godfathers said no, grant us independence, we shall solve the problems. The British conceded, but after independence, they didn’t do anything. Of course, the only thing they did was to create the Midwest State. The Middle Belt Region, the Calabar, Ogoja and Rivers Regions were not created. That explains why we have the problem. Now, when the January 1966 Coup took place, the regions were dissolved and everything was centralised. That contributed to why we are suffering today. However, in 1967, General Gowon established the first set of 12 states in order to stabilise the situation. But the real problem is the unfortunate reluctance of the political class now in charge to respect the constitution and their party constitutions. Yes, we shouldn’t be going through what we are going through. The military tried to restore democracy. For example, the local governments were created in order to bring government nearer to the grassroots. So, instead of two tiers of government, the federal and state, we now have local governments. But what do we see? Some governors don’t allow the local government to run by sitting on their rights and the funds.

Having been a former governor, GOC and ambassador, one can rightly say that you have seen it all. What do you think can be done to turn Nigeria around?

We have to firstly, put the interest of the nation first. Some of the things killing us are tribal and religious sentiments. Some politicians seeking for political office either use tribalism or religion. Happily enough, religion should not be a problem because the constitution allows for freedom of worship. Number two, once elected and they get there, instead of serving the system, they are serving themselves. You see, they are serving themselves, which should not be so. Budget made for projects, in some cases are shared and nothing happens. That should not be the case. The judiciary has been interfered with, so what we need to do is to reorganise the judiciary, reorganise the security set up – the DSS, the Police. If they do their jobs and the judiciary applies the law, we will be out of it. So, happily enough, in the system – the executive, the judiciary and the legislature, we have graduates, educated people who know what to do. But lack of political will and selfishness, these are some of the attributes that are making our system not to work. We have to find a way of holding the political class to account. That is not there at the moment.

As a former GOC of 82 Division, Enugu State and other parts of the Southeast that have been overtaken by hoodlums, what do you think can be done to check criminality in that region?

Many people have made their comments on this issue. Clearly, yes I agree unemployment has rendered many youths as materially available for that unfortunate situation. Secondly, law enforcement should be brought in place and, of course, dialogue is part of the solution. And of course, the security people should do their job. They should do more than what they are doing in order to address the leadership of those organizations that are causing the trouble. At the moment, people break the law and nothing happens. So, deterrence is not there. The problem can be solved if properly handled.

Kaduna is one lovely state people loved to visit in the past, but not anymore because the state has been taken over by bandits. Do you still visit home as a result of banditry?

Happily enough, with the departure of El-Rufai, who once confessed that he knew where these bandits are and what they were doing, we now have relative peace because the present governor is more matured and more objective. He has decided to embrace every nook and cranny of the state which El-Rufai, his predecessor, didn’t do. So, people are happy now that in line with the oath of office he took, he now sees everybody in the state, including those who didn’t vote for his party, as his subjects. So, consequently, we have relative peace in Kaduna now. The kidnappings and banditry have waned.

But do you still visit home?

Yes, I visit home. I can’t abandon my home. That is my cultural heritage. Once in a while, I visit.

Source: Daily Sun

By Ise-Oluwa Ige

Indications emerged during the week that the National Judicial Council (NJC) headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun is set to hold a crucial meeting anytime soon to consider, among others, reports of its several committees that investigated allegations of misconducts against several serving judicial officers in the country.

The meeting which is the first quarterly meeting of the Council to be chaired by Justice Kekere-Ekun and the last for the year, barring any unforeseen event, has sparked palpable tension in the judiciary following a recent vow by the new Chief Justice that errant judicial officers would no longer be spared.

NJC is a creation of section 153 of the 1999 Constitution with statutory powers to appoint, promote and sanction errant judicial officers in the country.

A credible source close to the Council told Vanguard that a date for the meeting would be fixed as soon as the Chief Justice who is at present on an official assignment outside the country is back.

It was also learnt that the number one judicial officer in the country is not comfortable with the present perception of the third arm of government and that she is prepared to restore sanity into the system in no time.

“I can tell you that the Chief Justice is eagerly awaiting the reports of the various panels earlier constituted to probe sundry allegations of misconduct against the judicial officers to enable her act decisively on them,” the source said.

It would be recalled that between May and August 2024, a total of 22 petitions were written against 27 serving judges of both the Federal and state high courts in the country while the NJC referred all the complaints to one of its standing Committees , Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, for consideration.

The Committee had examined each of the petitions and threw out a majority 18 on the accounts that they were either lacking in merit, abandoned by the petitioners or found to be subjudice since some of the issues raised therein were still subject to litigation either at the high courts or the appellate courts.

This is aside a separate eight panels earlier set up by the same NJC in June 2024 to investigate another set of judges for alleged judicial misconduct.

Specifically, the Council’s Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee had examined 35 different petitions written against 33 judicial officers from both the Court of Appeal and the state high courts but found only eight to be meritorious.

Apart from the previous eight panels set up by the NJC in June, 2024 to probe judges, another four panels were also set up by the NJC on August 15, 2024 to investigate judges against whom prima facie case had been established.

By implication, there are 12 surviving petitions from 55 petitions affecting several judicial officers across the country being investigated by the various standing committees of the NJC.
Each standing panel, it was learnt, comprised a chairman and two other members of the Council.

It was also learnt that each of the 12 panels had separately forwarded copies of the petitions to the affected individual judges to defend themselves both in writing and orally.

A source privy to the procedure at the NJC told Vanguard that the affected judges were allowed to be represented by counsel of their choice.

Although, all the panels were given till penultimate Thursday, October 31, 2024 to wind up their sittings, some of the affected judges including the Chief Judge of a high court had requested for more time to adequately defend the petitions against them since the names of some of them featured in more than one petition.

But the Committees which were forced to give them additional 24 hours had reportedly told them that they did not have eternity to hear their petitions and should forward their responses if they had any.

“As soon as the Chief Justice is back in the country, the last quarterly meeting of the NJC would be fixed for the reports of the different panels investigating the affected judges to be taken.
“I think cases will be differently handled this time and I think this new CJN will recalibrate, in no time, the perception of the judiciary and its legitimacy,” the source added.

Ahead of the consideration of the reports, top lawyers in the country have been piling pressure on the National Judicial Council, NJC, regarding the latest crisis that erupted in Rivers State in the last few days arising from conflicting orders by two high court judges of coordinate jurisdiction on whether or not local council election in the state should hold on October 5, 2024
Some of the stakeholders pushing the position are respected members of the inner bar. Among them are former member of Imo State House of Assembly Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, one-time Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Prof Awa Kalu, SAN, renowned academic Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, and respected silk Chief Samuel Jibrin Okutepa, SAN.

The lawyers who described the current practice of serving judges in the country to struggle for jurisdiction in political cases as embarrassing said that until examples are made, the integrity of the judiciary will continually wane, putting the nation’s fledgling democracy at risk.

Saturday Vanguard reports that sometimes in May, this year, under the watch of the immediate past Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, three judges of coordinate jurisdiction —Justice Mohammed Liman, Justice S. Amobeda and Justice Amina Aliyu, in quick succession, similarly granted conflicting orders in Kano emirship dispute, which not only heated up the polity and scandalized the judiciary but also left the Kano emirate with two substantive emirs till date.

Both Justices Mohammed Liman and Justice S. Amobeda are serving under the Federal high court bench while Justice Amina Aliyu is of the Kano state judiciary.

Although Chief Justice Ariwoola invited the heads of the Federal high court and the Kano state high court to his Abuja office to get first-hand information on the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the embarrassing conflicting orders, Vanguard reports that none of the three judges handed off the cases until judgment while none was sanctioned.

But upon her assumption of office, the new CJN said it would not be business as usual.
However, few days after her elevation, two judges—Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja and Justice Chigozie Igwe of the Rivers State High Court, Port-Harcourt, issued conflicting orders regarding local council elections that recently held in Rivers state.
The conflicting orders had set the state on fire.

Judgments that defile logic, justice flying around —Okutepa, SAN
Following the shenanigans, a firebrand advocate, Mr Samuel Jibrin Okutepa, SAN who did not mention any particular case had wondered aloud why impeccable elder statesmen of the bar were keeping mum in the face of waning integrity of the legal profession.

“In those days when members of the legal profession were the hope of the marginalised and oppressed, there were strong and impeccable elder statesmen of the legal profession. When any member within the legal profession exhibited conduct that had potential of lowering the integrity of the legal profession, these elders waded in and ensured that the integrity of the legal profession did not suffer jeopardy in the hands of bad legal practitioners and judges
“Do we still have elders of Spartan courage and mien in the profession? I am asking because the legal profession is in need of elders who can save the profession from coming to a calamitous end. Today, judgments that defiled logic and justice are flying here and there. There are strong perceptions of state capture of our justice systems. Politics has entered the legal profession.

Where are our elders? This is not the best time for the legal profession,” he added.

Court orders these days are so ‘lucrative’ —Prof Odinkalu
Also reacting, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, said that the joke now is that “court orders these days are so lucrative that many judges make them – in good old Nigeria-speak – double-double. Responsibility for this sorry state lies mostly with the Federal High Court.

“The ancient city of Kano now has two Emirs, one state and the other federal after a rogue Federal High Court judge decided to take chieftaincy into the federal realm. Edo State has two Deputy Governors too.

“By dint of the judicial labours of Peter Lifu, a judge, the Federal High Court also attempted to impose two separate dates on Rivers State for the conduct of Local Government elections after Chigozi Igwe, a judge of the High Court of Rivers State, had issued a considered decision setting 5 October as the date for the election.

“Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, acknowledged Peter Lifu’s hard work by handing him the moniker of “that justice that gave that fraudulent judgment.”

“This is not the first time the Federal High Court will gratuitously constitute itself into an appellate forum to review without benefit of the records of proceedings and with the practised ill-will of a political hit-job dressed up in judicial robes, decisions of State High Courts.

“Nor is it the first time that the Federal High Court will convert itself into a court of unlimited jurisdiction that it is not at the expense of a State High Court which, under the Constitution, is indeed the only court of unlimited jurisdiction. This Federal High Court has become the place where the law falls into disrepute and Lady Justice suffers repeat rape,” he added.

Why should a judge order police not to provide security —NBA
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which has also lamented the menace of conflicting judgments from the affected high court judges concerning the scheduled elections stated that even if a court has directed the Police not to work with the Electoral Commission on Rivers State, nothing says the Police should not provide security for peace and order of Rivers State, adding that the refusal to provide security was not only unconstitutional but also illegal, immoral, and a dangerous signal that invites lawlessness and undermines democracy.

NJC should wade in even without petition, scapegoat erring judicial—Ahamba, SAN
A respected member of the inner bar, Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN has also expressed revulsion at the abhorred practice of judges granting conflicting orders to heat up the polity and scandalize the judiciary.

“Those who are supporting the Federal high court in this affair should let us know under what section of the constitution a Federal high court has jurisdiction on matters outside the purview of section 251 of the constitution,” adding that the Federal high court in the first place ought not to hear such matter.

He said the National Judicial Council should not wait for petition when this kind of thing happens, advising that they should make reference to the law, call the errant judge to order and punish him.

He added that until one or two judicial officers are retired, others would not sit up.

A Federal high court has no jurisdiction to entertain cases on LG and its affairs —Prof Kalu, SAN
Also contributing, Prof Awa Kalu, SAN said that a Federal high court has no jurisdiction to entertain cases on local government and its affairs just as he wondered why a high court judge would order police not to perform its constitutional duty.

“A Federal high court, a state high court and a National Industrial Court are equal under the Constitution. What we expect as law abiding citizens is that no court should place itself beyond another when you are on the same level. “When you have local government election, why should it be controlled by federal high court? And again, the primary duty of the police is to maintain law and order. So, why should a court direct police not to do what they are supposed to do—maintenance of law and order,” he queried rhetorically.

Source: Vanguard

By Chinelo Obogo

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in conjunction with its search and recovery partners, has recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, which ditched in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024.

The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, was transporting eight passengers at the time of the accident. Since the accident, NSIB said the Bureau and its partners have coordinated a search and recovery effort in collaboration with local and international partners to locate and retrieve the bodies of the deceased and the critical components necessary for a comprehensive investigation. NSIB’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said in a statement on Friday, that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), commonly referred to as the aircraft’s “black box,” was retrieved early Friday morning.

“This device is crucial in helping investigators analyse flight performance and cockpit communications to determine the sequence of events leading up to the accident. The recovered recorder has been secured for transport to NSIB’s data analysis lab. It will undergo data extraction and analysis by NSIB’s specialists to gain insights into the operational and technical conditions preceding the accident and to help determine the cause of the accident. “As of today, three individuals remain unaccounted for, and long-term search efforts continue in coordination with local and international partners,” she said.

NSIB’s Director General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. commended the recovery teams and stressed the importance of the investigation.

Source: Daily Sun

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has disclosed that the decision by President Bola Tinubu to terminate the treason charges against some teenagers involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest was purely on compassionate grounds and not on law.

Speaking at the commissioning of a new office complex built by an Abuja-based law firm “the Law Corridor” the AGF noted that there is no law in the nation’s constitution that forbids the prosecution of minors.

The Law Corridor, which has Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi as its managing partner, also has Mr. Henry Kelechukwu Eni-Otu as the lead partner and Ganiyu Ajibola Bello as the Deputy managing partner.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had last Tuesday struck out two separate treason charges that were preferred against 119 persons that were arrested and detained for participating in the nationwide protest that was held between August 1 and August 10.

Speaking on the decision to withdraw the case against the teenagers, Fagbemi said: “No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried, and I have also heard suggestions that they should go to a family court.

“The study of the law and the constitution leaves you no other conclusion than that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues.

“So, whatever the situation, the president has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released.

“The president was very compassionate; he is a father and a grandfather. If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel.

“But the president said, despite all this, I have children and grandchildren, and that motivated his passion to release them and also enable them in some ways.

“So the credit goes to him (the President) for showing compassionate consideration in releasing the young chaps,” the AGF added.

Source: Daily Sun

Ahead of the 2027 general elections and other off-circle polls, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North senatorial district in the National Assembly, has listed lessons that Nigeria should learn from the just-concluded presidential election in the United States.

He made this known in a statement, entitled: ‘ Why We All Must Take Responsibility’, which he personally issued on Friday.

Kalu, a former two-term governor of Abia State, appraised the reactions that always trail elections in Nigeria and what is obtainable in the United States, after Donald Trump of the Republican Party defeated Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party.

According to him “The US election came and it has since gone; Americans decided who their 47th President should be, and he was Donald Trump! Did we notice anything during the election? I did. There were no allegations and counter allegations why Donald Trump should not be voted for; instead, Americans went out with open minds to make the decision that would affect their lives and the country in the next four years.

“There were no blame games; the East blaming the West, or the one region blaming the other, or perhaps heaping our decisions and responsibilities on the table of the Creator.

“And after the election, Americans returned from the polls, and none of them went to an Appeal Court or some Federal Courts, and later to the Supreme Court to question the authenticity and validation of Donald Trump’s victory. Americans, at this juncture know what is most paramount to them: an America that needs further strengthening in all areas.”

Kalu noted that Kamala Harris, who is the current Vice President in the United State, did not see any reason to question the victory of her opponent because America is bigger than she is and everything she represents for the growth and greatness of the country. She has also congratulated Trump on the electoral victory. He made a reference to the post-election speech, delivered by Harris, when she addressed her supporters at Howard University, her alma mater, that “responsibility plays a vital role in nation-building, that it is the backbone that supports the growth and development of a country.

She tutored us that when citizens, especially the youth, take ownership of their actions and decisions, they become the driving force behind a nation’s progress.”

Kalu also highlighted key aspects of responsibility in nation-building to include accountability, active participation, social reform, innovation and progress, empowering the youth, and collective responsibility, 

He explained that accountability refers to a situation whereby people hold themselves accountable for every action and decision to create a sense of trust and reliability among citizens. He also stated that engaging in community development initiatives and contributing to the country’s growth would foster a sense of belonging. Kalu emphasised that recognising and addressing social issues, such as inequality and injustice, would promote a fair and just society. He added that embracing innovation and progress would also help the country to stay competitive and adapt to changing global circumstances.

The youth, according to him, remain the future leaders of the nation, and empowering them with responsibility is crucial. “By providing equal opportunities, encouraging education, and promoting entrepreneurship, we can unlock their potential and create a brighter future

“Harris made us to understand in her speech that nation-building is a collective effort. When citizens, governments, and institutions work together, sharing responsibilities and resources, they can achieve remarkable progress.

Source: Daily Sun

From Fred Itua, Abuja

The backlash from plans by President Bola Tinubu to reform the tax administration in the country is yet to abate, following fresh plans by state governors of northern extraction and members of the National Assembly from the region to scuttle the moves.

The fresh push back against the bills in both chambers of the National Assembly, Saturday Sun has gathered, is being spearheaded by some governors from the seven states in the North-West and six from the North-East. Two state governors from the North-central are also alleged to have joined the fray.

On the other hand, four state governors from the North are aligning with President Tinubu’s positions on the tax reforms, it was gathered. Three of the four governors are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while one is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saturday Sun further gathered that two of the four presiding officers of the National Assembly, who are from the North-West, are currently under pressure to align with the position taken by northern governors on the issue. Though it is not clear if the two presiding officers will shift their ground and support governors from the north, sources told Saturday Sun that powerful traditional rulers and clerics have been approached to prevail on them to frustrate the bills.

Already, lawmakers from the north, led by a former Leader of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, are mobilising against the bills in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Ndume, who in a series of interviews, described the bills as dead on arrival, has repeatedly argued that they’re anti-north and must therefore be jettisoned by President Tinubu.

“These taxes they’re talking about, we are almost losing the middle class in Nigeria. It is either you have it or you do not have it. Those that are in the middle are being squeezed out. If Nigerians can pay those taxes, it is okay.  But in the current situation, increasing taxes is not an alternative at all. I will not support any increase in tax.

“Let us get things right first. Let people start living and not survive. Let people have extra income, and then you can tax them. I like to use an example of common sense. Allow Nigerians to have enough blood in their body before you start asking for donation,” Ndume had stated in a press release.

Saturday Sun also gathered that although other senators have maintained a stoic silence, they are covertly working to undermine the passage of the bills.

Despite mounting opposition, President Tinubu has stated that he would not withdraw the tax reform bills but remains open to legislative inputs and necessary changes. The proposals have faced substantial criticism, with leaders urging the president to reconsider his stance.

Key components of the reform include the Nigeria Tax Bill, intended to reduce overlapping taxes; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, which seeks to harmonise tax processes nationwide; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, which proposes renaming the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, aimed at creating a Joint Revenue Board to streamline tax administration across the country.

Source: Daily Sun

Gunmen attacked and killed three youths in Rakok village of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday.

This was revealed in a  statement by the Berom Youths Moulders Association’s National President Dalyop Mwantiri, who said the youths were murdered when they were carrying out their businesses in the community.

The association condemned the attack which has been reoccurring in the area with a call on security agencies to

Mwantiri said,  “The recurrence of continued killings, ambushes, assault on women, willful destruction and mass harvest of corn and other crops belonging to Berom native inhabitants by Fulani militants and criminal gangs in and around Barkin Ladi, Riyom and part of Jos South Local Government Areas as well as parts of Plateau State should be stemmed with corresponding military action to avoid degeneration of the situation.

“The Berom Youths Moulder Association (BYM), therefore, calls on security agents, especially Operation Safe Haven to, as a matter of urgency, crackdown on the aggressions daily perpetrated so as not to allow the aforementioned areas and plateau state at large is a theatre of bloodshed as witnessed in the past.”

Source: PM News