Category: Society

High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, has approved the accelerated hearing of a suit seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest and prosecute the First Lady of Kano State, Dr. Hafsatu Abdullahi Ganduje, over alleged role she played in a $5million bribery scandal involving her husband.

In a ruling by Justice Yusuf Halilu, the court further ordered the EFCC, the Kano State government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were listed as 1st to 3rd Defendants, to show cause why all assets owned by and or traceable to governor Ganduje and his wife, should not be temporarily forfeited, pending the hearing and disposal of a suit that was lodged before it by a Non Governmental Organisation.

Likewise, the court ordered the APC, through its National Working Committee, to equally show cause why it should not be directed to immediately remove and substitute governor Ganduje’s name as its candidate for the 2019 general election in Kano State.

The orders followed a suit marked CV/344/18 and a motion ex-parte marked M/887/18, which was lodged by a group under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Hope Development and Empowerment Foundation.

Though the plaintiff had in the motion ex-parte it filed through its lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, prayed the court to order EFCC to temporarily seize all assets traceable to governor Ganduje and his wife, pending the determination of the suit.

However, Justice Halilu declined the request, even as he directed service of all the processes on the Defendants to enable them to appear before the court on January 31 to show cause why the orders should not be made. Specifically, the Plaintiff had in the substantive suit, prayed the court to determine:

“Whether having regard to the provision of Section 15 (5) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upon an intimate reading and complete understanding of the decisions of the Nigerian Supreme Court in A.G.,Ondo State v.A.G.,Fed (2002) 9 NWLR (Pt.772) 222 and Fawehinmi v. I.G.P.(2002) 7 NWLR (Pt.767) 606, the 1st Defendant herein is not duty-bound to immediately commence the criminal investigation of the Governor of Kano State regarding the corrupt episode of kick-back (bribe) taking [to the tune of $5, 000,000.00] by the Governor as contained in a viral online video?

“Whether upon a calm reading of Section 15 (5) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and intimate understanding of the decision of the Nigerian Supreme Court in A.G.,Ondo State v.A.G.,Fed (2002) 9 NWLR (Pt.772) 222, it is not imperative on the 3rd Defendant to remove and substitute the name of the Governor of Kano State as its candidate for the governorship election in Kano State of Nigeria scheduled for 2019. As well as, “Whether kick-back(bribe) taking [to the tune of $5, 000,000.00] by the Governor of Kano State as contained in a viral online video is not a grave violation of Section 15(5) of the amended 1999 Constitution, Public Procurement Act, 2011 and Code of Conduct for Public Officers in Nigeria?”.

Upon determination of the legal questions, the group, among other reliefs, sought for, “A declaration of this Honourable Court that kick-back(bribe) taking [to the tune of $5, 000,000.00] by the Governor of Kano State as contained in a viral online video is a grave violation of Section 15(5) of the amended 1999 Constitution, Public Procurement Act, 2011 and Code of Conduct for Public Officers in Nigeria.

“An order directing the 1st Defendant (EFCC) to immediately arrest and commence the criminal prosecution of the First Lady of Kano State of Nigeria, Dr. Hafsatu Abdullahi Ganduje [a co-conspirator], in the corrupt episode of kick-back (bribe) taking [to the tune of $5, 000,000.00] by the Governor as contained in a viral online “An order of this Honourable Court declaring void, quashing and setting aside the submission of the name of the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as the candidate of the 3rd Defendant in the 2019 governorship election holding in Kano State of Nigeria.

Likewise, “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant from ever holding out the Governor of Kano State of Nigeria, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as its candidate of the 3rd Defendant in the 2019 governorship election holding in Kano State of Nigeria”.

In a supporting affidavit that was deposed to by one Martin Onyedika Okoye, the group, drew attention of the court to what it described as “a scandalous video” it said depicted governor Ganduje as pocketing vast wads of American dollars in what was said to be bribe payments from public works contractors.

“In the said video, the Kano State governor could be seen collecting the dollars before rolling them into his white dress, “babanriga,” in one of a series of questionable deals allegedly struck over a span of several months.

“That the corrupt episode as contained in the said video has lowered the image of public governance and shocks the conscience of ordinary Nigerians whose situation have been worsened, overtime, by the ravaging impacts of corruption such as depicted by the video the subject-matter of the instant suit.

“That time is of the essence of this application as the more delay recorded by the 1st and 3rd Defendants in doing the needful regarding the corrupt episode the more irreparable damage it does to all what good governance stands for in Nigeria. “It is in the interest of justice that prayers contained on the face of the Motion Ex-Parte of the Claimant herein are granted by this Honourable Court”, it added.

Source: Daily Nigerian

The former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kayode Egbetokun, who was appointed on Sunday to replace Edgal Imohimi as the new Lagos Commissioner of Police in acting capacity, was born on Sept. 4, 1964 in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

In 1999, he was appointed Chief Security Officer to Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu.

He had also served in various capacities as Commander, Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Squadron Commander, Mopol 5, Benin City, Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit, FCT Command, Abuja, among
other positions.

Egbetokun is a 1987 graduate of Mathematics from University of Lagos (UNILAG). He lectured Mathematics briefly at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, before his enlistment into the Nigeria Police.

He also holds M.Sc Engineering Analysis from UNILAG, Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, Abraka, and MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo.

Egbetokun was until his new appointment the Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Police College, Ikeja Lagos.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday commended the Nigeria Army particularly, the fallen heroes for putting up a huge sacrifice for the nation.

The VP gave the commendation at an interdenominational church service to mark the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

He said it was a huge thanks to God for giving Nigeria, men and women who were ready to obey the call to fight, and if needed, to die for their fatherland.

“We are grateful that they were faithful to the cause, they did not betray the trust of millions, they gave up all the comfort of life and the love and affection of family that we may enjoy the same.

” Our posthumous thanks go to them and their families who not only bear the fearful apprehension of their going to war, but also the heart break of their death.

“Our gratitude must also mean a commitment to ensuring that their families are cared for, that their children do not ask why the sacrifice at all,” he stressed.

According to Osinbajo, this year’s armed forces remembrance day is unique because of recent happenings at the theatre of war in Borno, where the military recently recorded some casualties.

He said that few weeks ago, the country had buried 13 Soldiers and five Airforce Pilots adding that they all died in battle fending off Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa terrorists in the North East.

He noted that in the past few years, Nigeria had seen patriotism at its highest with the help of valiant men and women of the armed forces who had destroyed the backbone of boko haram.

Osinbajo however sought strong unity among Nigerians adding that unity and peaceful co-existence among citizens of the country were the greatest tribute they could pay to the country’s fallen heroes.

According to him, the ordinary people of Nigeria have demonstrated oneness time and time and share common problems and a belief in common destiny.

” Nigerians will forever be grateful to the fallen heroes, veterans and members of the armed forces for availing themselves to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

“There is always a price for peace, which the military have paid, while other citizens enjoy it,” he said.

On his part, Guest Preacher at the event, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan said Jan.15 each year should remind Nigerians that a good end must be pursued by a good means.

Ahead of next month’s election, the Cleric said: “we must shun the futility of violence and struggle to build a great and upright nation”

Cardinal Onaiyekan prayed for God’s blessings and mercy to be upon the armed forces and all those who worked for the peace of the nation.

Present at the event were Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Secreatary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen and Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin among others.

Five out of the six governors of the South-South Governors Forum have asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, not to honour the summons from the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The Bureau had asked the CJN to appear before the Code of Conduct tribunal for alleged non-declaration of assets.

The governors made the call after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Sunday.

“We call on the CJN to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters,” the governors said in a communique issued after the meeting.

“While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such and action must always be anchored on the rule of law.”

The meeting was attended by the governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers with Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State who is a member of the All Progressives Congress absent.

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, who is the Chairman of the forum had summoned the emergency meeting on Saturday after the CCT announced that the CCB had filed six charges against the CJN with the trial scheduled to start on Monday.

In the communique, which was read by Governor Dickson after the meeting, the governors said the move by the CCB was unacceptable.

They argued that the legal procedures for investigating allegations of misconduct against judicial officials were not followed in that matter and accused the executive of targetting other arms of government.

“We note that the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state on institutions of state including the National Assembly and judiciary,” they said.

To them, the move is reflective “of the South-South story of endless marginalization and intimidation”.

“The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh,” they added.

“We not that that unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular, the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law.”

Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), says she will make education as Nigeria’s new oil well and gold mine if elected.

Ezekwesili made the pledge during her Presidential campaign visit to Alhaji Mohammad Baba, the Hakimi of Ushafa, in Bwari Area Council, FCT, on Sunday.

According to her, education will fast-track the quest for all-round development of the country and open doors for various segments of the nation to fully develop.

She said the ACPN government under her would equally give priority to agriculture, security, youth and women empowerment to alleviate poverty in the country.

“I am running so that women, children and young people will prosper and achieve their goals.

“We will liberate Nigeria, rescue the youths and less privileged from sufferings and set the country on the path of prosperity.

“Education will become our new oil wells and gold mines through adequate policies,” she said.

The candidate, however, advised supporters of the party to form a united front to enable the party to attain victory during the general election.

Responding, the Hakimi of Ushafa, said Nigeria at the moment needed somebody like Ezekwesili to rescue it from its numerous challenges for better.

He noted that women were good and had solutions to the problems confronting the country.