247 Ureports

Information available to 247ureports.com through principal sources within the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] party in Abuja indicates that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] arrested and detained three national executive members over charges of misapproipriating N2.6billion of party funds.

Among the arrested were, the National Secretary, Dr. Shinkafi, National Treasurer, and the Deputy[Assistant] National Treasurer. A source in APGA indicated that the National Chairman was also arrested but the National Chairman, Chief Umeh has denied being arrested but noted that he will honor the invitation of the EFCC should they invite him. The National Secretary has also denied being arrested by the EFCC in a phone chat with 247ureports.com. He claimed he was in Kano for a wedding over the weekend.

According to the information received, the EFCC having received a 12-point charge petition against the APGA National Chairman and his Executive members from a group within APGA purportedly sponsored by the Governor Peter Obi, moved to arrest the APGA Executives on Friday September 23, 2011 and released on Saturday September 24, 2011 at 1:30pm after 12 hours of interrogation.  As gathered, the EFCC’s inquiry concerned the manner funds are disbursed by the party executives. Sources indicate that the EFCC is gathering a case against the Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.

But there appears a discrepancy in the supposed EFCC arrest. The EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi when contacted told 247ureports.com that he is not aware of any arrests made recently by the EFCC. He noted that he will need to verify if there were arrests made of the APGA officials – and that it was unlikely an arrest was made. A source within the EFCC spokeman’s office however contradicts the spokeman’s statement – stating that the spokeman was only relaying what the Chairwoman of EFCC wants related to the public. The source confirmed that some national executive members of APGA were in the custody of EFCC from Friday to Saturday. He did not disclose their identities.

The EFCC source continued to state that the APGA National Chairman was asked by the EFCC investigators to return to the EFCC office on Tuesday/Wednesday with certain documents that the EFCC has requested from him. He was requested to return with his tax documents, proof of income, APGA bank documents snd other document showing his source of incomes and the manner the party’s funds was expended. The 12-point petition had charged the national executives, in particular, the National Chairman of pocketing the monies collected from the sale of party nomination forms during the period leading up to the general elections of 2011.

But close colleagues of the APGA Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh who spoke in defense of the Chairman noted that the Chairman was innocent of the charge but added that there were monies in the custody of the party that later grew invisible legs and disappeared. They confirmed that there were monies unaccounted for.

The new development comes amidst growing turmoil within the APGA – as the Governor’s of Anambra State [Peter Obi] and Imo State [Rochas Okorocha] have intensified a push to remove Victor Umeh from the seat of Chairman.

Stay tuned

Speech Delivered By His   Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,Gcfr, At The Swearing-In Ceremony Of The Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Dahirumusdapher, Cfr On Monday, 26^th September 2011 At The State House, Abuja.

PROTOCOLS

Today marks another special moment in the history of the Nigerian Judiciary as we have just witnessed the swearing-in of Hon. Justice DahiruMusdapheras the 12^th Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Hon. Justice DahiruMusdapher has a very rich and impressive legal background which eminently qualifies him for this appointment. The hallowed office of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria carries with it onerous obligations. It requires the occupant of such an office to possess certain qualities: hardwork, perseverance, ingenuity, a robust intellect and integrity.

Your Lordship, it is the expectation of the general public that as you assume office, the judiciary will remain totally committed to the cause of justice.

It is equally expected that your Lordship will at all times, particularly in the course of your service as the head of our nation’s judiciary protect and uphold the rule of law, respect and observe due process, exhibit great character and learning in the discharge of this sacred responsibility which God has placed on your shoulders.

And more importantly, inspire the confidence of the general public in the Administration of Justice.

It is my hope that your Lordship will steer the ship of the Nigerian Judiciary to the best of your ability at this moment when our dear nation and the Judiciary especially, is faced with daunting challenges. There is no doubt about the need to embark on comprehensive reforms in the Judiciary to enhance capacity, efficiency, and productivity as well as the perception and confidence of the general public in the ability of the judiciary to dispense justice.

The judiciary has a sacred duty to help ensure stability within the polity through the promotion of the rule of law, strict guardianship of the Constitution, and constant and unfailing application of the principles of justice.

To my mind, a vibrant judiciary, fulfilling its essence as the Third Estate of the Realm, acts as a restraining influence on the likely excesses of the Executive. It also provides a signal to all men that while their rights would be protected under the law, no form of impunity or wanton recklessness will be tolerated under the same laws. The fundamental value of the judiciary thus lies in the manner in which it builds a tradition of respect for the law.

Your Lordship, the most urgent task, with regard to the judiciary at this time, is to protect and ensure the sustenance of that tradition of respect for the law.

My Lords, distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, our judiciary has had quite an eventful history in contemporary times:

from the era of military rule when its officers had to walk the tightrope between the enforcement of constitutional principles and the challenge of managing a military that combined both executive and legislative authority, to recent years when the separation of powers is well defined under a democratic framework. Political questions are now increasingly being resolved by the courts, a general awareness of the place of the courts as the last hope of the common man seems to be on the rise.  This is an encouraging development.

In many ways, the judiciary is proving to be a pillar of our Constitutional democracy; its potentials and value are well advertised.  But it is also, I must say, a judiciary that is faced with a lot of problems; in its relative success lies many unanswered questions, challenges and opportunities for fresh learning and reform.

The wheel of justice, for example, still grinds rather slowly although many laudable efforts have been made to correct this. There are questions also about the quality and efficiency of the administration of justice with regard to procedures. This year, I had signed the Evidence Act and the Legal Aid (Amendment) Act as an indication of our preparedness to support all efforts to enhance the dispensation of justice. We are prepared to continue to collaborate with the judiciary and the legislature to do everything possible to upgrade the performance of the judiciary as an institution.

However, a much bigger challenge is to be traced to Your Lordship’s reference at a recent public occasion to the widespread perception of a growing crisis of integrity within the judiciary.This is something that should be carefully addressed.

The reputation of judges, the public perception of their commitment and integrity, is central to the efficacy of the courts to uphold the law and dispense justice.  Judges are expected to be impartial, independent-minded and fair to all concerned. A partisan judge compromises his or her oath of office and acts unfairly. A corrupt judge disgraces the Bench on which he or she sits and the title that he wears. Judges should have power, and they do, but just as the Executive and the Legislature must not abuse their powers, judges are also expected to be above board.

Your main task therefore should be to further enhance the dignity of the courts, for on that foundation rests the integrity of our Constitutional Democracy. Every one of us must wake up every morning, confident that the judges of Nigeria will always protect our freedoms.

My expectation is that all judges whatever be their title or rank will cooperate with the Chief Justice of Nigeria to make his tenure successful. In-fighting, personality clashes, and needless acrimony within the judiciary can only serve the unwanted purpose of bringing the entire institution to ridicule. Nigerian judges themselves must see the need to set their institution on a path of renewal.

On the part of the executive, we pledge to make ourselves available and ready to partner with your Lordship on how to make the judiciary more efficient and inspire the generality of our citizens to become more confident about the capacity of the judiciary to do justice to all men. 

To this end, this administration will give full support to your Lordship’s Reform Initiatives and necessary funding will be made available.

My Lords, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I will personally liaise with the National Assembly to support constitutional amendments necessary to further ensure the independence of the Judiciary and improve Judicial efficiency.  Efforts would also be made to liaise with the State Governors to ensure that state judiciaries are also adequately provided for by giving full effect to the provision of S.121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Finally, I wish Hon. Justice DahiruMusdapher, CFR the best of luck as he assumes the leadership of the Nigerian judiciary. 

I thank you all.

“Plead to the victim to give one vital information that will make us round up the gang within the next 24 hours. There is all indication that she nows at least one of the gang member. She could conceal her identity for now but not that of her assailants. God help us. We are still working on other leads though.” – stated the Police Commissioner in Abia State, Bala Abdullahi Hassan in response to 247ureports.com over inquiry on the status of the gang rape investigation.

News reports from other news meduims indicate that some gender based non governmental organizations have made contact with the girl [victim] and have initiated some form of rehabilitation. Against this backdrop, the Police Commissioner of Abia State sought to reach out to the victim through any meduim of her choice to help untangle the knot in the case. Commissioner Hassan, in talking with 247ureports.com urged for anyone with contact to the victim to please reach out to the police. In his words, “I don’t know the girl. Please urge her to come forward for only her testimony will make dispensation of Justice faster. She may even block her number and pass the names of the offenders to my GSM or any security agent“.   

Meanwhile, there appears turmoil brewing within the top ranking aides to the governor of Abia State concerning the media mis-management of the gang rape fiasco. As our source indicates, some within Gov T. A. Orji’s cabinet believe that the media handlers of the government failed badly in their response to the gang rape video. The source said that some are livid with the brute manner the State Governor dismissed the gang rape of a young Igbo girl [by young men alleged to be students of Abia State University] without an inquiry to determine the validity of the claim. “They just dismissed the gang rape of a young Igbo girl as “not important” to the administration of T. A. Orji”, the governors aide complained. He further reveals that the Governor is unhappy – and is considering a minor reshufflement – soon as the gang rape crisis subsides.

In a related development, 247ureports.com sought the  reaction of the President General [PG] of the apex Igbo Organization worldwide, Ohaneze Ndigbo, in the person of Mazi Uwechue – to the gang rape of an Igbo girl by five young men. On the telephone, Uwechue was quick to dismiss the gang rape citing that the Governor had already dismissed it as activities of miscreants. When informed by our correspondent that the Governor had made an about-turn on the gang rape, he responded that he needed more time. 

And since Saturday September 24, 2011, when our correspondent spoke with Uwechue, he has yet to formulate a response nor what the apex Igbo organization in Nigeria intends to do to facilitate the arrest of the culprit or the rehabilitation of the victim. [Call him @ 0803 310 8763 and ask him what Ohaneze intends to do]

Winner of the January 9th PDP primaries in Kogi State Alhaji Jibrin Isah has said that he remains the authentic,valid and or lawfully nominated Gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for DEcember 3rd Gubernatorial elections.

In a statement issued by his Media Consultant,Phrank Shaibu, Isah said,by the provisions of the electoral guidelines for Primary elections 2010 of the PDP which is the guideline still in force and with particular reference to article 23 in part iv, his nomination remains sacrosanct and untempered with as he(Jibrin Isah) is alive,has not withdrawn from the PDP and indeed remains an active member and he is not in any way incapacitated.  He averred further that,it is even instructive to refer to the provisions of the electoral act 2010(as amended) and the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(as amended) wherein no provisions either expressly or by implications are found stating that nomination of a candidate for an election lapses where for any unforeseen circumstances the date of an election is shifted by  a reason of supervening event as in Kogi State where the date of the election had to be shifted by the reason of the court on the tenure of the incumbent Governor.

” Futhermore,we can’t but refer to the preamble of the electoral guidelines which clearly stated in paragraphs;

(i) and (ii) quoting copiously from section 87 (i) (a) and section 33 of the electoral act thus: 
(i) Candidates of political parties will only emerge through primary elections dully conducted and monitored by INEC
(ii) Political parties are NO LONGER allowed to change or substitute candidates whose names have been submitted to INEC,except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate”.

“It is therefore not surprising that, what was designed to be a celebrated and televised primary election on the 22nd September, 2011, was nothing but a stage play that reminds one of Soyinka’s Kongi’s havest, doctored and stage-managed by the leader of the party in the state so as to mislead the unsuspecting public. No wonder, credible politicians and leaders of our great party withdrew from the contest because of its illegality and some refused to give it credibility by making an appearance. ”

Isah enjoined his supporters to remain steadfast as his programme for rallies and electioneering  will be rolled out in few days.

Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates that the labor union leaders has called off the strike. The announcement was made at 5:30pm at the Government House in Owerri, the Imo State Capital.

As gathered, it took the intervention of the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly who mediated between the striking workers and the State government.

The workers are expected to resume work tomorrow.

Stay tuned