Senators’ infantile ‘military may strike’ remarks

• SESAN


• 4 MAY 2018

Senator Ben Bruce in a recent intervention on the floor of the Senate said the military may ‘strike’ if the current state of insecurity in the country is not arrested. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had on two previous occasions, made a similar remark.

The military high command had quickly denied any plan, near or remote, of scuttling Nigeria’s democracy, while the rumours have been described as denigrating and debasing the integrity of the armed forces.

The statements of the federal lawmakers may seem alarmist, but not unreasonable in the present circumstances of the country. Nigeria is passing through trying times given the extant high level of insecurity, ethnic clashes, unemployment, ugly incidents at the National Assembly and corruption.

 Despite these challenges, Nigeria is  relatively doing well. Most of the states are stable and prospering. Lagos State is the second largest economy in West Africa, after Nigeria. Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Jigawa, all the states in the South-West, and indeed most states in Nigeria are stable except for Benue, Borno, Southern  Kaduna, Taraba, Yobe and  Adamawa.

Past military interventions in trying times of this nature have been capitalised upon solely for selfish reasons, and an opportunity to loot the country’s treasury.

Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces of today  are well-trained, disciplined, exposed and enlightened enough to realise the consequences of disrupting Nigeria’s democracy. The infighting, disunity, distrust, counter-coups, military tribunals, and public executions which followed past military incursions into politics should serve as enough deterrent.

Going back to past events, the first military coup of 1966 and the counter-coup led to the Civil War with two million fatalities; the second in 1976 and the Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari-led 1983-84 coup crippled the civil service. Others brought other serious problems such as the Structural Adjustment Programme, the devaluation of the  naira, destabilisation of the economy, corruption and loss of moral values.

Since the military is a large formation, there is the  possibility that some ambitious officers with  messianic  mindset may try to upset the apple cart.  In the unlikely event that such an act is being conceived, it should be perished. It is however necessary to sound a strong warning and convince such individuals or group of the dire  consequences of taking this line of action.

Be that as it may, what we should all fear is a popular uprising by the people, the Arab Spring type, which swept across the Maghreb and the Middle East some years ago, and it could happen in Nigeria.

It is therefore imperative that all arms of government should focus on meeting the needs of the larger population by providing good education, potable water, mass housing and other facilities which make life worthwhile for ordinary people in the society. The insecurity in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, religious intolerance, and kidnappings are all as a result of such deprivations, and a military or any forced intervention will not solve the problem, but rather aggravate it.

• Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie was the Director of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. akinkuolie.rasheed@gmail.com

Reps, Falana lambast police for arraigning Melaye on stretcher

• SESAN


• 4 MAY 2018

John Ameh and Eniola Akinkuotu

The House of Representatives and a human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), have lambasted the Nigeria Police for arraigning Senator Dino Melaye in court on a stretcher.

Falana said in a statement on Thursday that the degrading and humiliating treatment meted out to Melaye was a violation of his fundamental human right.

The senior advocate said, “The arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye on a stretcher in Abuja on Wednesday and Lokoja on Thursday morning is unacceptable in a civilised society.

“It is particularly degrading and humiliating as it violates the fundamental right to the dignity of his person guaranteed by Section 34 of the constitution and Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.”

Falana, however, stated that Melaye’s ordeal was a reflection of the suffering ordinary Nigerians faced in the hands of security agents on a daily basis.

He, therefore, called on the National Assembly which had protested against Melaye’s arrest, to use the opportunity to call on the relevant agencies to turn a new leaf.

The activist said the National Assembly should give equal attention to the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who have both remained in custody for nearly three years despite several courts granting them bail.

Falana added, “Even though the senator has my sympathy, it is indistinguishable that he has only been given a little dose of the humiliating treatment that is daily meted out to the flotsam and jetsam of our unjust society by the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.

“Therefore, the senator’s case should not be treated in isolation by the Senate and the bourgeois media. While the solidarity of the federal legislators with Senator Melaye is understandable, the tragic turn of events calls for sober reflection.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Thursday issued stern warnings to security agencies, particularly the police, over Melaye’s life.

Melaye, who represents Kogi-West Senatorial District, was said to have been driven in a police ambulance from Abuja to Lokoja on Thursday.

He was taken on a stretcher into the Federal High Court in the town, where he was arraigned over gunrunning allegations by the police.

The senator was later reminded in custody till June 11.

But the House said in Abuja that the sight of Melaye on a stretcher was that of a sick man who needed medical attention.

The House’ reaction came after a member from Kogi State, Mr. Karimi Sunday, raised a point of personal explanation on the floor to bring the “plight” of Melaye to the attention of members.

Sunday had alleged that Melaye was being persecuted by the Kogi State Government because of his strong views on certain issues affecting the state.

He stated, “Melaye is facing persecution from the state government because of his beliefs. We must do all that is within our constitutional powers to ensure that the rule of law prevails. What is happening to Melaye today can happen to any of us tomorrow, if we keep quiet.”

The Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, while ruling on the matter, said the House was satisfied with the steps taken so far by the Senate and was behind the upper chamber.

Dogara added, “All I can say at this point is that nothing must happen to Senator Melaye. If any law has been breached, the police must ensure that his life should be secured first.If anything happens to him, the security agencies will be held accountable.”

Copyright PUNCH.

Ondo court jails nursing mother, siblings for stealing

• SESAN


• 4 MAY 2018

Peter Dada,  Akure

A 23-year-old woman, Faith Joseph, and her siblings – Nwana  (17), Chinonso (16), and Victor (10) – have been jailed by a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Owo, the headquarters of the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Faith and her brothers were arrested and arraigned following their alleged involvement in the breaking of several shops at a commercial centre opposite Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. Goods worth over N1m were carted away.

Some of the stolen items recovered from them included; telephone handsets of different brands, DVD players, laptops, bookshop items, electrical stabilisers, packs of bottled water and various telephone accessories.

They were arraigned at the court on 15 counts.

Some of the charges included stealing, conspiracy and intent to commit felony.

According to the prosecution, the offence is contrary to and punishable under various sections of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

They pleaded guilty to all the charges.

Their confessional statements and the stolen items recovered from them were admitted as exhibits.

Delivering his judgement, the magistrate, Mr. Sunday Adedapo, ruled that Faith should go behind bars for one year each on the 15 counts, which will run concurrently.

She was also ordered to pay a sum of N50,000 as compensation to victims of the crime.

The minors – Chinonso and Nwana – were given rehabilitating sentences as they were referred to a juvenile home in Akure, pending the time their parents would pay the sum of N100,000 as compensation to the victims of the crime, with an undertaking to secure  their proper upbringing.

However, all the charges against 10-year-old Victor were dismissed on the grounds of his age.

But the court ordered that he should be under a probation officer for nine months for the purpose of monitoring his reformation.

Court remands Melaye in police custody till June 11

• SESAN


• 4 MAY 2018

A Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded Senator Dino Melaye and two others in police custody until June 11 over alleged gunrunning.

The accused persons are standing trial on seven counts bordering on criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

The offence is contrary to Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code and Section 27 (1) (a) (1) of the Firearms Act CAP P28, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

Melaye, who was granted bail by an Abuja Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, after his arraignment on charges bordering on attempted suicide and escape from lawful custody, was brought into the court premises in a police ambulance marked, NPF 2214D, at exactly 9.15am, to face charges of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, political thuggery and other violent crimes in Kogi State.

Before the commencement of his arraignment, pressmen were ordered out of the courtroom, but about four of them were later allowed in. 

Controversy, however, arose as to which police custody should the senator be kept, even as his counsel was heard expressing fears that his client “will be killed,” if remanded anywhere in Kogi State.

Earlier, the lead counsel for the prosecution, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had urged the court to remand the other defendants, Kabiru Seidu, 31 and Nuhu Salihu, 25, in the police custody.

The senior advocate said this was to assist the police in furtherance of their investigations.

He, however, pleaded that Melaye should be remanded in prison custody because he was influential and could jeopardise investigations.

He pointed out that the minimum sentence upon conviction was 10 years imprisonment under the Firearms Act.

But Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), leading six other lawyers for the defendants, in his oral application, prayed the court to grant bail to the senator.

He said the senator should be granted bail because he was asthmatic and sick and needed more medical attention.

Ozekhome said Melaye was only on Wednesday granted bail by a court in Abuja in liberal terms and had been in police custody.

The senior advocate said it was discriminatory for the prosecution to ask the court to keep other defendants in the police custody and ask that the senator be remanded in the prison custody.

“We can apply for bail for this traumatised senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria lying here before your lorship on a stretcher.

“Melaye here is not charged with murder in this case; the senator who is seen every day on the floor of the Senate making laws for the country, will stand his trial.

“To send him to prison is to encourage him to breach the bail condition granted him yesterday.

“I humbly urge My Lord to grant bail on self-recognizance to the fourth defendant because he will not jump bail; he will stand his trial and meet the bail conditions,” Ozekhome said. 

In his ruling, the magistrate, Sulyman Abdullah, said the essence of bail was to secure the attendance of the defendant before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“However, this application is not granted as a matter of course. It is anchored upon certain timed-honoured principles of the law that would guarantee the production and appearance of the defendant.

“The court however has a grave responsibility to exercise such discretion with utmost caution and to act within the accepted principles of administration of justice.

“Having gone through all the submissions of counsel in respect of this oral application, I decline to exercise my discretion in favour of the fourth defendant; the oral application is accordingly refused,” he said.

Abdullah further ordered the Inspector-General of Police to furnish the senator with all medical needs he required and adjourned the case until June 11, for mention.

Court orders forfeiture of naval officers houses, funds to FG

• SESAN


• 4 MAY 2018

Oladimeji Ramon

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the permanent forfeiture of landed properties belonging to two naval officers, Captains Olotu Morakinyo and Ebony Aneke, to the Federal Government.

Justice Muslim Hassan made the permanent forfeiture order following an application for same by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In its application, the EFCC listed the properties as a three-bedroom terrace duplex, located at Lekki Gardens Limited, Phase 4, Lekki-Ajah and a five-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos.

Apart from the houses, the court also ordered the permanent forfeiture of N11,040,000 found in the bank account of a company, Lakewood Garden Ventures Limited, said to be linked to Aneke and his sister, Jimmie.

The EFCC had on March 28, 2018 secured an interim order of forfeiture in respect of the properties.

Justice Hassan, who granted the temporary forfeiture order, had directed the anti-graft agency to publish same in a national daily and gave 14 days for anyone interested in the properties to appear before him to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

On Thursday, counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the judge that the order was published in the newspaper as directed by the judge, adding that both Morakinyo and Aneke were also served with a motion on notice and that they acknowledged same.

Oyedepo said though Morakinyo and Aneke were aware that the case was scheduled for hearing on Thursday they did not show up. He urged the judge to order the permanent forfeiture of the properties as there was no opposition to the application.

Justice Hassan, in a ruling, granted the application and pronounced the properties permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The anti-graft agency had said in its application that the naval officers, who were attached to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as Guard Commanders, acquired the properties with proceeds of fraud.

APC, PDP can’t take Nigeria to Promised Land – Shehu Sani

• SESAN


• 4 MAY 2018

Oladimeji Ramon

The senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Shehu Sani, says there is a need for the emergence of a new political party, peopled mainly by the intellectuals, the working class and the youths, which will take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

READ ALSO: We are more honest than PDP govt, says Osinbajo

This, according to him, had become the only option for the country because none of the existing major political parties in the country could do the job.

Sani, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, said the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari, around which the APC built its government, was not enough to govern a plural country like Nigeria.

According to him, integrity is just a small fraction of what is needed to lead a country like Nigeria, stressing also that “fighting corruption cannot be the only objective or the idea and only focus of a government.”

Sani was one of the guest speakers at a symposium organised on Thursday by the Magodo Associates.

The symposium with the theme, “Nigeria: Which way forward?” held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos and had Prof. Akin Oyebode as the chairman.

Others speakers at the event were a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition, Dr. Amos Akingba, Lagos-based preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who was represented by Mr. Femi Lawson; Maj. Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.), Secretary of the Magodo Associates, Dr. Babafemi Badejo, and Mrs. Ada Agina-Ude.

The chairman of the Magodo Associates, Prof. Funso Akere, in his welcome remarks, explained that the symposium was aimed at “heightening the debate about the future of Nigeria.”

He said the speakers, who are people that had experienced the good and the ills of the country, were selected in order to give the young people insight into the country’s past and how to approach the future.

READ ALSO: Protesting Nasarawa women fault Aisha scheme, demand refund

Speaking, Sani said while Buhari demonstrated his integrity by declaring his assets, many of the people in his government could not do the same.

“What we have here is one man whose major asset is integrity but how many within that camp can also beat their chests and say they are as credible as he is?

“We are talking about building a nation and moving it forward, but can just the integrity of the President move the nation to the Promised Land? When we are talking about the qualities of leadership, if only integrity and credibility is what you need to be in public office… integrity or credibility is just one of so many things a leader needs, especially in a troublesome country like Nigeria; there as lot of things a leader needs. We need a leader that can give every person the confidence that he is going to be fair and just. We also need a leader who is visionary, who can move the country from where it is to where it should be,” Sani said.

He charged the people in the academia not be afraid of participating in politics, saying it was the only way forward.

He said, “The intellectuals need to move forward; you need not be scared of the political terrain. Most people you see in political offices, outside they say they are representing the people, but they represent an individual, a certain power broker. The existing dominant political parties cannot lead us to the Promised Land; there is a need for a progressive political class to come together, reach out to the academics, the intelligentsia, the working class, come out together with a party that is run on a certain ideology.”

In his contribution, Akingba said the colonialists were to blame for the country’s stunted development, because, according to him, at independence, they handed over the country to the Fulani, who were least interested in development.

“The Fulani were the ones the British gave Nigeria to as an estate. From independence, they rigged the election in favour of the caliphate. They gave it to the one who does not want modernisation or modernity. In fact, when we were going too fast for them, they invented Boko Haram. For as long as all this continue to happen, so long will there be retrogression,” Akingba said.

According to Akingba, the delay by President Buhari to form his cabinet after he was sworn in in 2015 was part of the script to slow Nigeria down.

“They said Buhari was a bit late in forming his cabinet; he’s happy. Why should he rush?” Akingba said, declaring that, “Our incompetence are in charge (sic).”

Williams, on his own part, blamed the citizens for electing the wrong set of people to lead them.

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“Idiots do not choose wise people to lead them. Something is wrong with followership in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, America is more corrupt than Nigeria but unlike in Nigeria, there is no impunity in America.

Speaking through Lawson, Bakare faulted Buhari’s stance that what the country should focus on was the process of governance and not to restructure the nation.

Bakare insisted that the country’s political structure was faulty, stressing that a bad structure could not support anything good.

He criticised the discordant tunes being sung by President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on the call for the creation of state police. He noted that while Osinbajo had declared that Nigeria needed state police, Buhari, this week, said there was no need for it.