By Amos Igbebe
The petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its gubernatorial candidate in the just concluded governorship election in Delta State, challenging the election victory of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa at the polls suffered yet another major setback yesterday.
At the resumed hearing of the substantive suit, the three-man- panel of tribunal hearing the cases affirmed that Labour Party and Ogboru’s star witness is hostile to the petitioners.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Nasiru Gunmi, held that the star witness of the Labour Party and Great Ogboru has not only suddenly abandoned them but that he has turned hostile.
Counsel to LP and Ogboru , Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, had informed the tribunal that certain portions in paragraphs 5,6, and 7 of their witness, Mr. Felix Enabor from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) statement on oath, contained depositions that are “animus and hostile” to their petitioners.
Expectedly, the motion elicited objections and counter objections from counsels to both parties to the dispute.
In his ruling, Justice Gunmi upheld the position of the petitioners, saying that, “we have carefully examined the deposition of Principal Witness 2 and we are of the view that some of the paragraphs in the said deposition stands against the pleading of the petitioners, we therefore agree with the petitioners counsel that it was right to treat pw2 as hostile witness for the purpose of being cross examined by the petitioners counsel”.
Soon after the court declared Mr. Felix Enabor as a hostile witness, Justice Gunmi asked Ogboru’s counsel, Mr. Dele Adesino (SAN) to proceed with his cross examination, where Enabor responded to questions saying that the governorship election conducted by INEC in Delta state was done in compliance with the electoral acts .
Enabor, under examination by the counsels of Okowa, PDP and INEC, Mr. Ken Mozie (SAN), Timothy Kehinde(SAN) and Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) respectively also affirmed that he was not the maker of the documents that were tendred in court but that he came only to tender them.
He also said that he did not come to court with ill feelings as he was a civil servant, adding that paragraph 5 of the deposition he made in court over the stolen INEC document and the arrest of some persons in connect to the criminal act was based on police investigation and report, saying that he has no animosity against those arrested.
He said he stood by the averments made in the depositions in his statement to the tribunal on oath, adding that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is the duly elected candidate in the governorship election of Delta State having polled the highest votes .
Enabor also told the tribunal that, some of the data captured in the card reader were not captured in the field before the saver was shut dawn.
Attempt by Ogboru’s counsel to subject the witness to another round of cross examination after the court declared him hostile elicited another round of argument as respondent’s counsels vehemently opposed the move.
According to Adesina, the subpoenaed order on the witness has not been vacated by the tribunal, adding that there are some documents that the witness needed to tender before the tribunal.
Mozie strongly opposed it saying , “the argument is grossly mischievous , he has been cross examined , he has deposed to his statement , adding that the subpoena was issued on the application of the Petitioners .
I submit that no provision of the law for disjointed presentation of evidence, I submit that he can no longer give evidence and should be allowed to go.
Kehinde in his opposition submitted that “the witness cannot come back to give evidence in chief because there is no provision in our justice system that evidence should be done in bits as he did not apply to make the witness present or tender his document before declaring him hostile.
Kehinde argued further, that the petitioner can bring any document through other witness , saying they either sink or swim with the witness
Ikpeazu, on his part aligned with the submission of the other respondent counsel , adding that the witness has told the tribunal that all the documents needed had been produced.
He informed the court that the prosecution made a very serious and dangerous choice to the effect that they would rather treat the witness as hostile witness which was an abandonment of a friendly witness , if they have to tender any document , it has to come through another witness, the petitioner had made wrong choice.
Ruling on the matter, justice Gunmi disallowed the moves by the petitioners to compel the witness to tender further document or keep him any longer as witness as they have declared him as a hostile witness .
He adjourned further hearing on the matter to next Monday, 7th September, 2015.
Delta Guber Polls: Ogboru’s Case Suffers Yet Another Set Back
Former Bayelsa PDP Chairman Slumps, Died In Lagos
Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
The former Bayelsa state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (Rtd) who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reportedly dead.
Inokoba who has bought form to contest the Bayelsa state Governorship election under the plat form of All Progressives Congress was said to have slumped in his hotel room in Lagos last night after attending a meeting.
The news of his sudden death came as a rude shock to his close associates in Yenagoa, the state capital, this morning as it was being discussed in hush tones among members of the APC.
It will be recalled that this is the third time the late Inokoba has slumped, last week he was reported to have slumped at an APC stakeholders meeting in Nembe. The report was denied by Inokoba and his political associates. In the report, Inokoba was said to be receiving regular financial support from the Bayelsa State Government to facilitate his frequent medical treatment abroad.
Inokoba, aged 67 was reported to have procured his Expression of Intent and Nomination Forms at the APC secretariat in Abuja to contest the Governorship election primaries of the Party.
According to his Son, Waripamo Inokoba, “my father slumped at about 2am in the early hours of Wednesday and was confirmed dead before he was taken to the hospital.Some of our people are on their way to Lagos to bring back his corpse.”
The Inokoba family,in a statement signed by the deceased Elder Brother, Clee Inokoba and First Son, Waripamowei Inokoba,confirmed the incident.
A visit to the home of the deceased witnessed mournful faces of political associates and family members who claimed the Former PDP Chairman may have died of food poisoning, while others claimed that the deceased Chairman’s health was frail and should have gone on a deserved holiday devoid of political activities.
Okorocha appoints Imo lawmakers as LG Sole Administrators
…Promises to sell privatized parastatals to them
If the information available to 247ureports.com is any thing to go by, then Imo will be witnessing a repeat of Okorocha’s first term rascality where he allowed the members of the Imo State House of Assembly to be awarding road contracts.
This time around, the governor has perfected plans to appoint the 27 members of the state House of Assembly as the sole administrators in their respective local government areas for three months.
The reason, it was learnt, is to gag the lawmakers from opening their eyes over the governor’s malfeasance in office.
According to the source close to the governor told 247urports.com in confidence the agreement to appoint the lawmakers as the “administrative heads of the councils” followed a close door meeting at the former Ahiajioku International Conference Centre, Owerri where the governor and the lawmakers agreed on the appointment.
The source, who begged for anonymity, said “His Excellency didn’t want to continue owing the lawmakers their entitlements because of paucity of funds and You know the lawmakers spent a lot during electioneering campaigns and so this arrangement will assist them to offset some of the bills they incurred and some of them can be able to settle their followers who worked for them during the elections”.
The source continued that through this means, the house will continue to collaborate with the governor to have a peaceful state instead of strife and crisis.
“If you recall, His Excellency adopted the same strategy during his first term and the lawmakers were happy and some of them established good businesses such as hotels, filling stations and all that. So the intention is for the good of all. He actually has noticed that the most members of the House are not happy with him and the speaker especially last two weeks when about 18 of the house members boycotted plenary”, the source stated.
Speaking however with our reporter, one of the Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers said there was no such agreement between the House and the governor.
According to him, what they discussed with the governor was for them to be allowed to nominate the incoming local government transition committee chairmen so that through that means, some of their supporters would be compensated.
‘There is no way we will leave our duties as lawmakers to come and take up another position as sole administrators in our LGAs. We were only bargaining for our supporters to be appointed and not us”
In another development, the bill to privatize state government’s parastatals and agencies has passed for a second reading.
The bill which passed for second reading within 10 minutes during plenary was smuggled into the plenary with the name bill for a law to provide for public private partnership in Imo State, despite the protest that trailed it by the organized Labour.
According to investigation, the bill passed for second reading following the promise by Governor Rochas Okorocha that when successfully privatized, the parastatals would be sold back to them (lawmakers) so that they could run it the way they want and only remit tax to the state government.
With this promise, the House expedited action in passing the bill for second reading, leading to near stormy session as a few members of the refused to back the bill.
Introduced the bill before plenary, the member representing Ideato South State Constituency, Hon Ikechukwu Amuka stated that if a provision is made for public private partnership, it will generate lots of income to the state Government.
He cited the water corporation as an example in his case study adding that if a private investor takes over the establishment, it will enhance the income generated, noting that the public private partnership will boost the economic growth of the state if passed into law.
The bill was however opposed with the member representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency Hon. Mike Iheanatu saying that the public private partnership bill is man’s inhumanity to man adding that if passed into law it will mortgage the people of Imo state as many would lose their jobs in the process.
Burial Cow Stolen In Mbaise
A cow meant for the burial ceremony of late Mrs Chinwe Abaraonye of Amakam Eziudo community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State has been reported stolen by the family.
According a family source, the cow got missing from where it was tethered just a day to the burial of the deceased on August 23, 2015.
The source said the family is accusing a maternal uncle, one Basil Osuigwe for masterminding the theft of the cow given to the family by a friend of the deceased’s husband to assist in entertaining sympathizers at the funeral ceremony.
He said the family’s suspicion became rife when Basil, a native of Umuagom Ife community in the area approached the family and offered to take the cow to Eke Nguru market where he said he had contacted a friend to assist in butchering and preparing the meat.
The source continued that Basil’s close relationship to the family made the husband to agree for him to prepare the cow.
Trouble however started few hours later when Basil came back and reported that the cow had got missing. He was said to have later told the family that the cow died before it could be butchered and that it had been buried in the market square.
Meanwhile the burial ceremony had taken place without the cow valued at about N145,000, but frantic effort had been mounted by the family to get to the root of the theft with the bereaved family threatening to report the matter to the police if Basil does not show them where the cow was buried.
Navy vs. Biafra Shootings: Navy Officer Shot As Ohaneze Pleads Caution, DSS Frowns At Buhari
The bloody faceoff of Sunday August 30, 2015 between the Nigerian troops and the peaceful protesters may have not heard its last cry. This is according to reliable information available to 247ureports.com which indicates that the Nigerian military troops may be on the planning stages of massive takedown of the Onitsha environs following the revelation that one of its officers had been critically shot in the clash.
According to available information, the exchange of gunfire between the federal troops and residents of Onitsha who had joined the Biafra rally procession had resulted in the killing of up to 30 residents of Onitsha and shooting of one female Navy officer. Scores more were injured on both sides.
Already the fear of retributive action has led many residents to begin scampering for safety outside the immediate environs of Onitsha. A major transporter in Onitsha who gave his name as “Sokoto” told our correspondent that he has relocated his family to his home village in the south senatorial district of Anambra – against an anticipated backlash from the shooting of a female Navy officer. “It is going to be like the ‘shoot at sight’ order given by the then Governor Peter Obi to the federal troops to kill our brothers. Many people were killed both the innocent and members of MASSOB. They even raped women and young girls”.
Similar fear was expressed by the head of Ohaneze, Chief Garry Nnachi Igariweh, who told 247ureports.com that “it was a dangerous game to play – we can’t be talking about a country and be talking secession – we have to be careful with the new regime… we are still learning the new regime… we don’t know their ways yet… we don’t want another situation like Udi”. The Ohaneze boss spoke cautiously of the resultant effects of calling for secession. He also added that he was yet to be fully briefed of the incident.
Meanwhile the state security services [SSS] appears unsettled at the tactics applied by the federal government in handling the protesting residents of Onitsha. One of the top operators of the SSS spoke to our correspondent in confidence following the violent shootout that lasted two hours. He indicated that they [SSS] only follow orders “we don’t formulate policies… we shoot when they say shoot… we are not to be blamed.” The SSS operator frowned at the head of state in the manner he has chosen not to use the gathering of intelligence through spying and infiltration of the many secessionist groups as a viable toll – in curtailing the growth of the groups… and in avoiding the need to engage in violent exchanges.
The SSS operator made it clear that the mood within the organizational structure was disgust with the ruling structure. “We should not be made to be losing our lives because of inept policies from or leaders”, he continued that “our families are at risk every day that we go out to the streets”. The security agent was not shy to express that perceived marginalization of the south east geopolitical zones by President Buhari appears to worsen the situation. “It makes it easier for them to rally supporters for the idea of Biafra”.
Thus far, the federal government has remained mute on the bloody altercation.
To the 8th Senate: No More ‘Bow’ and ‘Go’ – By ‘Demola Adeyeye
The Nigerian National Assembly is currently on its annual recess. One thing that legislators know for sure is that as soon as they resume from their annual vacation, they will have to hit the ground running with fresh vigour to work for Nigerians.
Without any doubt, there has been lately both positive and negative reactions by concerned Nigerians on the length and purpose of the recess – which is billed to last for about 6 weeks. Since its commencement, the recess has however been filled with skeletal official functions, as well as standing committee meetings and inauguration of some Adhoc Committees. This has been in line with the promises made by the leadership of the upper legislative arm that despite the suspension of the plenary, the organs of the Senate will continue to work.
Given his prior statements, many Nigerians expect and hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will send in his ministerial nominations over the next few days. To raise the bar higher, analysts also expect that Mr. President will send his nominees to the Senate with their precise portfolios – as this will help the Senate screen the appointed individuals based on their professional callings, personal experiences and proven capacity. The goodwill that the incumbent administration currently enjoys from the Nigerian electorate can further be strengthened by this simple gesture.
Nonetheless, the era of the rather ridiculous ‘bow and go’ practice in the screening of nominations must be suspended, as this practice makes a mockery of the role of the legislature in ensuring the competence of nominees. Nigeria has moved ahead as demonstrated by the calls for ‘Change’, and while previous best legislative and government practices and traditions should still be encouraged, the nominees of the President must not be prevented or protected from answering precise questions on what they are bringing to the table – if the senate confirms their appointments as ministers, head of government agency, board chairmen or members.
Nigerian have shown that we have moved past the days when nominees are summarily bulldozed in undemocratic fashions by stifling the opposition to their nominations. The principle of fair hearing must be guaranteed, and people or groups that have reasons why any appointee should not be confirmed, must be allowed to voice their concerns. We must try as much as possible to avoid confirming nominees with questionable personalities or credentials as this would simply take us back to the stone age that we recently voted to get rid of in the last general election.
The Senate, under the leadership of the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, must rise on behalf of Nigeria to defend and encourage technical prowess over political biases and also meaningful ideas to move the nation forward over partisan prejudices. Nigeria and Nigerians are done with the age-long tradition of nominating a Medical Doctor to head the Finance Ministry, while an Economist – with absolutely no prior experience in human capacity development or police/military formations nominated to serve as the Minister for Defence.
As it stands, many Nigerians believe that the long search embarked on by President Muhammadu Buhari to fill his cabinet with upright individuals will also translate into these individuals being able to prove to the Senate, as well as Nigerians why they were selected in the first place. In view of this fact, the Senate must allow the screenings to be in line with the era of change that the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised Nigerians.
-‘DemolaAdeyeye loves the Legislature. He tweets via @AAAdeyeye
NDLEA Nabs 5 Igbo Graduates With Crack Cocaine In Tins
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 7.576kg of white cocaine and 3.885kg of crack cocaine being smuggled from Brazil. The total weight of the drug is 11.461kg with an estimated street value of fifty-seven (57) million naira. Anti-narcotic officers have also arrested five suspected drug traffickers in connection with the seized drugs. Unlike white cocaine, seizures of crack cocaine are not common in the country.
The airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar disclosed that different methods were adopted in concealing the drugs. “One of the suspects Omoluonye Izuchukwu Simon was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.785kg. The crack cocaine weighed 3.885kg while the white weighed 3.900kg. Akubueze Kyrian Nonso, 28 years old had 1.110kg by the side of his luggage while Obidike Onodyer, 40 years old ingested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.485 grammes. Others are Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday, 35 years old found with 74 wraps weighing 1.256kg and Ifoh Emma, 37 years old was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.710 grammes” he stated. The commander added that apart from Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday who hails from Enugu State, other suspects are from Anambra State.
28 years old Omeluonye Izuchukwu Simeon who was caught with drugs hidden in tins said that he wanted to invest the one million naira they promised him in business. “I suffered untold pain while in Brazil. I agreed to smuggle drugs because I wanted to settle down and further my studies. I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. I feel very bad” Omeluonye stated. He hails from Anambra State.
Akubueze Kyrian Nonso said that he was given the bag containing cocaine by a friend. “I am a 2009 graduate of Economics but I have no job. I left Nigeria to Brazil in search of job opportunities. My condition of living in Brazil was worse than when I was in Nigeria. It was my friend that gave me the bag containing drugs” he told investigators. Akabueze hails from Anambra State.
Obidike Onodyer said that he was paid 200,000 because he could only ingest eleven wraps of drugs. “Drug trafficking was my last option to free myself from the hash condition of living in Brazil. Unfortunately, I could only swallow 11 wraps so I was paid 200,000 naira” he stated. He hails from Anambra State.
Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday said that he was disappointed by his partner. “I am disappointed and angry with my partner who was to collect the drug from me while on transit in Dubai. I had no choice but to come to Nigeria with the drugs when he failed to show up. I worked as a receptionist in Brazil to sustain myself. I had wanted to sell the drugs and use the proceeds to set up a business and prepare for marriage” Onyeabor stated. He hails from Enugu.
Ifoh Emma was also full of regrets as he narrates what made him to get involved in drug trafficking. “I am a barber and I have lived in Brazil for two years. I am married with two children. My only regret is the decision to travel to Brazil. It was the condition I found myself that made me to smuggle drugs. I was better doing business in Nigeria. I would not have smuggled drugs if I had not travelled to Brazil” he lamented.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade called on members of the public to shun drug trafficking and engage in legitimate business ventures.
The suspects will soon be charged to court.
Buhari’s Appointment: Uniting Southern Nigeria – By Oshiokpekhai Utu-Orbih
There has been so much hue and cry about the recent appointments made by President Mohammed Buhari on the August 27, 2015, filling the much awaited positions of the Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Federation, Comptroller General of the Customs and the Immigration Services, and his Aides to the National Assembly.
A lot of arguments have been canvassed back and forth on these latest appointments. Ardent supporters of Buhari have come out to condemn the appointments while some others commended it. In no time, the uproar will subside and everything would return to normalcy, and of course, ife would go on.
For me, the appointments have once again thrown up the anomalies in the entity called Nigeria. The reality of our nation is that Nigeria is in a fix and we need men of goodwill to fix it.The bane of our problem is that we are a people that have little or no sense of history, driven by a murderous quest for power and corrupt enrichment with the ultimate aim of annihilating those who are not so lucky to be at the corridors of power.
After the military desecration of Nigerian for 13 years, the principle of ‘Federal Character’ was introduced into the Nigerian Constitution in 1979. Students of jurisprudence will always avert their minds to the purpose of a particular kind of law. In this case, what is this principle of law meant to achieve, or what problem is it meant to solve. It’s no rocket science. The answer is simply because of Nigeria’s ethnic, religious, and geographical diversity.
The principle of federal Character was meant to unite all Nigerians and give everyone a sense of belonging as it is clearly stated in Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution which provides as follows;
“The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies”
The composition of Buhari’s appointments so far runs contrary to the spirit and letters of this constitutional provision. While some justify the appointments on the basis of merit, the question is how come a people who have been educationally disadvantaged from independence can now have the most competent people to occupy positions that ought to be spread across the country?
Some have taken solace in the fact that what Buhari is doing is not new. It is in fact a re-enactment of the Northernisation policy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the then Premier of Northern Nigeria who canvassed and practiced the Northernisation policy where all good positions must be occupied by the Northerners. The policy further employ expatriates to temporarily hold such positions where northerners were yet unqualified for. Buhari no doubt benefited from the Northenisation policy wherein people from a particular part of the country were recruited into the military, paramilitary organisations, and other federal services without the requisite requirement. This policy also paved way for the Northernisation of the Nigerian military. Thus, every non Northern military head of state attained that position by a quota selection rather than competence.
The ultimate aim and goal of this policy was to appropriate the common wealth of a people in a very unfair, brutal, and illegal manner. Today 83 % of oil blocks belong to citizens from a particular section of the country – North.
It must be made clear at this juncture, that those who planted and still perpetuate these toxic divisive elements within the Nigerian polity are those old oligarchs from our sordid military past who still hold sway today in Aso Rock under the Buhari Presidency. The younger generation of Nigerians no matter where they come from have taken advantage of the global world order which promotes love, unity, freedom and democracy. But each time we move forward, the oligarchs are always quickly reminding us of those moments that divide us. Hence the vicious circle continues.
Apart from lopsided appointments so far which are clearly born out of bigotry, Buhari has demonstrated once more, his desire to rewrite the Nigerian story even against what he preaches. For instance , Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to president Buhari was the Executive Director/ Managing Director and Vice Chairman of defunct United Bank of Africa, who was forced to resign by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the 90s for free funds fraud before the Bank was eventually bought over by Tony Elumelu’s Standard Trust Bank. Nigerians are now made to believe that Mr Kyari passed the so called integrity test of President Buhari.
Colonel Hamid Ali, Buhari’s new Comptroller General of Custom was handpicked by late General Sanni Abacha as a member of the Tribunal mandated to kill Ken Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni 8. Against international outcry and even before the expiration of the mandatory legal time allowed for Appeal, Kan Saro Wiwa and others were executed. The same Col. Hamid Ali has also served as Secretary of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), an ethnic organisation notorious for promoting Northern domination above National interest. The appointment of Col. Hamid has now eroded professionalism in the Customs Service.
In his desperation to continuously promote Northern domination, President Buhari trampled on the provisions of the AMCON Act by Appointing Mr. Ahmed Lawan Kuru as the Managing Director of AMCON without the nomination of the minister of Finance as required by law, and the approval of the Senate. In line with Buhari’s predictable normal military fiats, all appointments take immediate effect.
With deep insight, I can confidently say that Buhari’s onslaught on the Nigerian people has surely awaken a new consciousness .The uproar across the length and breadth of the nation condemning these appointments is one of such consciousness. Like never before, the dichotomy of North and South is present and stares at us boldly. The people from the Southern part of Nigeria are now getting wiser irrespective of party affiliation and bonded by a National malaise called marginalisation unleashed on them by President Buhari and his unseen Kitchen cabinet.
Today there is a complete disconnect between the party that brought Buhari to power and his actions. Nigerians are overwhelmed with the gradual institutionalisation of a new order. One that has total disregard for due process of law and order. Some have argued that this is the only way to put Nigeria back on track. But the appointments as they stand today have succeeded in raising fundamental issues about Southern Nigeria. Will this unite them? Only time will tell.
Oshiokpekhai Utu-Orbih is an attorney, broadcaster and media consultant
Lawyer Drags Buhari To Court Over Lopsided Appointments
President Muhammadu Buhari has been dragged to court over the 25 appointments he made so far which excluded the South East geopolitical zone.
Dim-Udebuani Marcel, an Abuja based lawyer in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/732/2015 he instituted against the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chairman, Federal Character Commission filed on 31st August, 2015, by his counsel Jude Ifesemen, the plaintiff wants the court to determine whether the total of over 25 appointments made so far by President Buhari is not against the spirit of section 14(3) of 1999 constitution as amended.
“Whether the exclusion of South East geo-political zone in the 25 appointments made so far by the 1st defendant is unconstitutional and divisive?
“Whether there are no qualified and credible or corrupt free persons from the entire South East zone?
“Whether the 2nd defendant has in the circumstance of this case, discharged its statutory duties under paragraph 8(1), (a), (b) and (c) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)”.
The plaintiff prayed the court for an order compelling the 1st defendant (Buhari) to reverse the appointments so far made to observe and comply with the principle of Federal Character as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
He also sought an order of court compelling the 2nd defendant (Chairman, Federal Character Commission) to invoke paragraph 8(1) (c) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 constitution (as amended) and order of court declaring all the appointments so far made null and void for violation of the principle of Federal Character enshrined in the constitution.
The suit was supported with 23 paragraph affidavit deposed to by the plaintiff, Marcel. No date has been fixed for the matter.
Buhari Never Told Me Why He Didn’t Appoint Me SGF – Onu
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Ogbonaya Onu yesterday distanced himself from a social media broadcast saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had told him earlier that he would not be appointed as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and reasons why.
In a statement by his media aide in Abuja, Mr. Sunny Onyeukwu said that the broadcast also contained that Onu’s residence had become “a mecca of sorts” for those seeking patronage from him in anticipation of his appointment as SGF and lamented that soon after the announcement was made without his being appointed to serve in the exalted capacity, his residence became deserted.
The statement read, “For the avoidance of doubt, it has become important to state in strong terms that Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him in the Facebook broadcast as no such conversation ever took place between him and our respected Mr. President.
“He could not have, therefore, communicated a nonexistent conversation to another person, more so an unnamed individual on telephone. Accordingly, it is false, cheap and utterly in bad faith. Already, Dr. Onu has personally issued a rebuttal on the matter which has been circulated in the social media in a Press Statement dated August 30, 2015.
“However, it has become necessary to issue the foregoing clarification in view of ongoing efforts in some sections of the print and electronic media to further allude to the same phony Facebook broadcast without verifying the proof of its authenticity.
“Needless to add that such is capable of misleading the general public and by implication, injure the well-known integrity and honour which Dr. Onu holds sacred and guards jealously”.
It said that as one of the founding fathers of APC it is his conviction that nothing should be done to injure the rights of citizens to free speech, especially in a democracy.
“However, in the exercise of such rights, care and respect must be observed to ensure that it is done within the ambit of the law, guided by respect for the truth, good conscience and sincerity of purpose.
“It is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truth should not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor should the rights of individuals be muzzled to score cheap political points.
“Finally, Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutable vehicle of popular choice for a new Nigeria, where though tribe and tongue may differ, as brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of a common destiny, we must continue to stand firm, resolute and together, “it said.
