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Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice ..calls on CJN to set review panel

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Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice ..calls on CJN to set review panel By Ifeoma Ikem Civil Society Group, Imo Liberation Movement (ILM), has described as a travesty of justice the nullification of election of Honourable Jonas Okeke of the Ehime-Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency (Okigwe South) of Imo State, in favor of Honourable Chike Okafor of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The justices of the Appeal Court in their judgment, asserted that the appellant in the suit Honourable Okeke was not qualified to contest the said election based on the primary election of the party held outside the constituency which was clearly a pre-election matter. The nullification of the people's mandate to Okeke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to ILM was a misnomer committed by Justices Abraham Georgewill, B. Aliyu and F. Ojo of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State. The Imo based crusaders, the constituents and Nigerians home and abroad have condemned the judiciary for failure to ensure that justice and fairness prevailed in the Nigerian political space. A statement issued by Chuks Obiodu, the Okigwe Zonal Coordinator of the group on the panel's judgment, said the learned justices by the said judgement have thwarted the mandate of the people having departing from existing precedents established by superior court of record (the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) that had clearly started that sponsorship and nomination of a candidate by a political party is a pre-election matter, domestic affair of the party which cannot be adjudicated at the Tribunal as it lacks jurisdiction to entertain such. Regretted that Chike Okafor and other contestants to the seat however admitted that PDP sponsored Hon. Jonas Okeke, as such the issue of his sponsorship can no longer be challenged by interlopers, neither could it be determined by the appeal Tribunal. This perversion of justice the group said had totally contradicted the common law principle of "stare decisis”, which states that when a particular point of law is decided by superior courts, all future cases containing the same facts and circumstances must be bound by that decision. The release read, "It's disheartening that Okeke will be singled out for victimisation when the same court, same prayers, issues and facts, upheld the election of Hon Emeka Chinedu of Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency and Hon Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere of Ideato North/South." These candidates the group argued were also of same PDP, and participated in the same PDP primaries that the APC candidates challenged. So, what really necessitated this miscarriage of justice, they asked. It continued, "There was no other known ground in the matter upon which the judges relied on to murder justice and democracy as there has never been any civil or criminal charge against Hon. Okeke in any known court in the land or overseas. "He won the said election squarely regardless of efforts by the APC government in Imo state to deny him victory. "Worst still, the judges till this day have refused to release Certified True Copy (CTC) of the mockery of judgment delivered on the 4th November, 2023 which Okeke applied for on the 6th of the same month. "Whereas the same court and judges have since 8th November, 2023 signed orders of the judgment which Chike Okafor has used to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain Certificate of Return (CoR). It's laughable that the judgement from which it emanates from is not yet ready, the expressed. "By this particular development, one wonders whether the learned Justices think about the effect of their actions on the image of the country. "We make bold to say that the decision by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to transfer all election petition cases pending before the various divisions of the court to Abuja and Lagos to enable her have a closer and painstaking monitoring of the judges has been defeated. "Fully aware that the Tribunal serves as the final court in this matter, we therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem to immediately set up a review panel to look into the judgment and circumstances that birthed this grave injustice by those entrusted with the power to deliver justice without fear or favour."

Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice
..calls on CJN to set review panel

By Ifeoma Ikem

 

Civil Society Group, Imo Liberation Movement (ILM), has described as a travesty of justice the nullification of election of Honourable Jonas Okeke of the Ehime-Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency (Okigwe South) of Imo State, in favor of Honourable Chike Okafor of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

 

 

 

Group mocks judiciary over miscarriage of justice ..calls on CJN to set review panel By Ifeoma Ikem Civil Society Group, Imo Liberation Movement (ILM), has described as a travesty of justice the nullification of election of Honourable Jonas Okeke of the Ehime-Mbano/Ihitte-Uboma/Obowo federal constituency (Okigwe South) of Imo State, in favor of Honourable Chike Okafor of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The justices of the Appeal Court in their judgment, asserted that the appellant in the suit Honourable Okeke was not qualified to contest the said election based on the primary election of the party held outside the constituency which was clearly a pre-election matter. The nullification of the people's mandate to Okeke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to ILM was a misnomer committed by Justices Abraham Georgewill, B. Aliyu and F. Ojo of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State. The Imo based crusaders, the constituents and Nigerians home and abroad have condemned the judiciary for failure to ensure that justice and fairness prevailed in the Nigerian political space. A statement issued by Chuks Obiodu, the Okigwe Zonal Coordinator of the group on the panel's judgment, said the learned justices by the said judgement have thwarted the mandate of the people having departing from existing precedents established by superior court of record (the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) that had clearly started that sponsorship and nomination of a candidate by a political party is a pre-election matter, domestic affair of the party which cannot be adjudicated at the Tribunal as it lacks jurisdiction to entertain such. Regretted that Chike Okafor and other contestants to the seat however admitted that PDP sponsored Hon. Jonas Okeke, as such the issue of his sponsorship can no longer be challenged by interlopers, neither could it be determined by the appeal Tribunal. This perversion of justice the group said had totally contradicted the common law principle of "stare decisis”, which states that when a particular point of law is decided by superior courts, all future cases containing the same facts and circumstances must be bound by that decision. The release read, "It's disheartening that Okeke will be singled out for victimisation when the same court, same prayers, issues and facts, upheld the election of Hon Emeka Chinedu of Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency and Hon Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere of Ideato North/South." These candidates the group argued were also of same PDP, and participated in the same PDP primaries that the APC candidates challenged. So, what really necessitated this miscarriage of justice, they asked. It continued, "There was no other known ground in the matter upon which the judges relied on to murder justice and democracy as there has never been any civil or criminal charge against Hon. Okeke in any known court in the land or overseas. "He won the said election squarely regardless of efforts by the APC government in Imo state to deny him victory. "Worst still, the judges till this day have refused to release Certified True Copy (CTC) of the mockery of judgment delivered on the 4th November, 2023 which Okeke applied for on the 6th of the same month. "Whereas the same court and judges have since 8th November, 2023 signed orders of the judgment which Chike Okafor has used to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain Certificate of Return (CoR). It's laughable that the judgement from which it emanates from is not yet ready, the expressed. "By this particular development, one wonders whether the learned Justices think about the effect of their actions on the image of the country. "We make bold to say that the decision by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to transfer all election petition cases pending before the various divisions of the court to Abuja and Lagos to enable her have a closer and painstaking monitoring of the judges has been defeated. "Fully aware that the Tribunal serves as the final court in this matter, we therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem to immediately set up a review panel to look into the judgment and circumstances that birthed this grave injustice by those entrusted with the power to deliver justice without fear or favour."

 

 

 

The justices of the Appeal Court in their judgment, asserted that the appellant in the suit Honourable Okeke was not qualified to contest the said election based on the primary election of the party held outside the constituency which was clearly a pre-election matter.

The nullification of the people’s mandate to Okeke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to ILM was a misnomer committed by Justices Abraham Georgewill, B. Aliyu and F. Ojo of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State.

The Imo based crusaders, the constituents and Nigerians home and abroad have condemned the judiciary for failure to ensure that justice and fairness prevailed in the Nigerian political space.

A statement issued by Chuks Obiodu, the Okigwe Zonal Coordinator of the group on the panel’s judgment, said the learned justices by the said judgement have thwarted the mandate of the people having departing from existing precedents established by superior court of record (the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal) that had clearly started that sponsorship and nomination of a candidate by a political party is a pre-election matter, domestic affair of the party which cannot be adjudicated at the Tribunal as it lacks jurisdiction to entertain such.

Regretted that Chike Okafor and other contestants to the seat however admitted that PDP sponsored Hon. Jonas Okeke, as such the issue of his sponsorship can no longer be challenged by interlopers, neither could it be determined by the appeal Tribunal.

This perversion of justice the group said had totally contradicted the common law principle of “stare decisis”, which states that when a particular point of law is decided by superior courts, all future cases containing the same facts and circumstances must be bound by that decision.

The release read, “It’s disheartening that Okeke will be singled out for victimisation when the same court, same prayers, issues and facts, upheld the election of Hon Emeka Chinedu of Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Mbaise federal constituency and Hon Imo Ikenga Ugochinyere of Ideato North/South.”

These candidates the group argued were also of same PDP, and participated in the same PDP primaries that the APC candidates challenged. So, what really necessitated this miscarriage of justice, they asked.

It continued, “There was no other known ground in the matter upon which the judges relied on to murder justice and democracy as there has never been any civil or criminal charge against Hon. Okeke in any known court in the land or overseas.

“He won the said election squarely regardless of efforts by the APC government in Imo state to deny him victory.

“Worst still, the judges till this day have refused to release Certified True Copy (CTC) of the mockery of judgment delivered on the 4th November, 2023 which Okeke applied for on the 6th of the same month.

“Whereas the same court and judges have since 8th November, 2023 signed orders of the judgment which Chike Okafor has used to approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain Certificate of Return (CoR). It’s laughable that the judgement from which it emanates from is not yet ready, the expressed.

“By this particular development, one wonders whether the learned Justices think about the effect of their actions on the image of the country.

“We make bold to say that the decision by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, to transfer all election petition cases pending before the various divisions of the court to Abuja and Lagos to enable her have a closer and painstaking monitoring of the judges has been defeated.

“Fully aware that the Tribunal serves as the final court in this matter, we therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to direct the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem to immediately set up a review panel to look into the judgment and circumstances that birthed this grave injustice by those entrusted with the power to deliver justice without fear or favour.”

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

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10 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON), has flagged off the construction of a N280 million Abdul Samad Rabiu Integrated Publishing House for Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. This project will enhance the capacity of the University from basic press status to a modern, integrated publishing house to encompass publishing, print production, and other related diversified services. The one-storey building facility will serve as a laboratory and studio for training students of communications, media studies, and allied disciplines as well as other disciplines.

 

 

 

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

At the groundbreaking event, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ademola S. Tayo, expressed satisfaction at the nomination by ASR Africa, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme. He added that the choice of the project was a response to the vision to take the Mass Communications Department of the University to a whole new level. According to him, the university’s vision is to produce young men and women capable of critical thinking, and problem-solvers capable of proffering innovative solutions to problems of everyday life, be it social, political, and cultural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his response, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, expressed his delight at the University’s choice of establishing an Integrated Publishing House. He added that when information is appropriately applied, human society is empowered to liberate itself from limitations and attain its full potential. Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and urged the institution to focus on the sustainability of this noble project. He also reiterated the importance of cooperation and collaboration between the university and the contractor for the timely delivery of the publishing house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About ASR Africa

ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

 

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

Published

13 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST! by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

 

It’s no longer story that the preparation for the EndSars carnage went on for a while before its actual implementation.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST! by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

But lack of proactive approach on the part of some people in the government of the day became a recipe for the actualisation of the dastardly act. History is about to be repeated, but I do not expect this to happen under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.

I do not say that people should not be allowed to protest if they have any reason to do so. But given the fact that the country does not have the capacity to separate genuine protesters from hoodlums, unnecessary protest should be curtailed.

Some people may be surprised that I call it unnecessary protest.

Yes, it’s unnecessary because this government has never displayed any act of rigidity since it took the mantle of leadership. It responds even to mere comments on social media expressly within. It is clear to every discerning and positive citizen that this government has become one of the most engaging one since 1999.

It has engaged with the organised labour on the minimum wage and it’s being passed to law. It has won autonomy for local government councils. It is on course for disbursements of students’ loans. It has given tax waiver for certain commodities and goods. You only protest against a government that is either passive, incorrigible or rigid. How can a government that is barely a year in office be protested against even when it has surpassed many of the past ones within one year? That cannot be called a protest but a mischief.

President Bola Tinubu should not be deceived by those who harp on funny fundamental human rights to cause mayhem. America is the country they use as a reference point. But American government does not take untoward attitude from anyone. If you want some you will be given some. There is no way for avoidable discomfort.

Kenyans are licking their wounds at the moment. We must not allow our own case to get to that point. I believe that many of those who are planning for the protest are children who do not know the implications of such a protest. Those who are old among them are those who would gladly set their universities’ libraries on fire in the name of students’ demonstration just because water tap didn’t run at the expected time.

Please, begin to show us that we have someone in charge of our affairs. Be more presidential Your Excellency. We know that it’s those who lost elections in 2023 and those they have recruited among those who think you have not compensated them among your conditional supporters that are behind the protest.

Please, refuse to be blackmailed. No matter what you do, there is but one mind in those people and it is turned against you. Please do everything humanly possible for PH REFINERY to work. Support Dangote Refinery to get crude oil locally.

We must not be importing fuel forever. Therefore, you should beware of the sinister motive of the August 1 planned protest, Your Excellency. May you continue to succeed and may all patriotic Nigerians continue to progress in all spheres of life in the mighty name of God.

Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi is an entrepreneur, opinion leader and a security analyst.

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Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training

Published

18 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

 

 

The Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) begins her Annual Mandatory Training Exercise for the year 2024 for Law Officers across the state.

The exercise, which will run for a duration of six weeks brings together officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( Lastma ), the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps ( Kai ), the Vehicle Inspection Service ( Vis ), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps ( Lnsc ) and the Central Business District ( Cbd ) law Officers.

In her opening remarks, the CEO / Head of Leti Mrs Abiola Adeyinka emphasised on the importance of continual training for Law Officers to ” be at their best” and to ” embrace the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.” she stressed the need for professionalism, integrity, and respect for the Rule of Law in the discharge of their duties as respectable officers of the state of excellence. The training program will cover a wide range of topics to include:
* Traffic management and Enforcement.
* Public safety and security.
* Human right and law enforcement.
* Conflict resolution etc.
* Interpersonal relations to mention but few.

Mrs Adeyinka reteirated the State government commitment to ensuring that Leti delivers on its mandate of providing high quality training to Law enforcement Officers in the state.

According to the Ceo, “The Governor of Lagos State has pledged the full support of his administration to Leti in its efforts to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of Law enforcement in Lagos State. The annual mandatory training exercise is a testament to the Lagos State government commitment to ensuring a safe, secure and well- managed environment for all residents.

Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

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