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Understanding Ebun Adeboruwa’s self-adulation, inconsistencies on Lagos panel’s illogical verdict

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3 years ago

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ARE MUSLIMS SHORTCHANGED IN SANWO-OLU’S CABINET LIST? 

Understanding Ebun Adeboruwa’s self-adulation, inconsistencies on Lagos panel’s illogical verdict 

The report of the Lagos State Panel of Inquiry and Restitution, which was submitted, last Monday, to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has continued to generate mixed reactions from residents and those with vested interests outside the State.
It is not unexpected that the recommendations of the panel, led by Justice Doris Okuwobi, have been trailed by strong statements of support and condemnation by those who, prior to the panel’s final verdict, had locked in protracted arguments to validate or invalidate alleged carnage at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.
Of course, this vexed issue returned to be a dominant topic of debate, despite the latitude of time allotted to the panel to probe into the incident at the toll gate and produce a believable evidence. The report turned in by the panel, sadly, has invoked another round of controversies and brought out more puzzles than answers to claim a massacre.
However, this is not the crux of this piece. Rather, it is the disturbing outburst of a member of the panel, who has been on a binge of self-adulation and pathetic display of self-glorification, speaking from both sides of the mouth as though, he is a Praetorian Guard for the law and morality.
The panel member in question has consistently displayed inconsistencies in his attempts to whip up sentiments, setting aside the basic principle of the law, which is evidence and going for emotions and sentiments.
He is Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN!
No doubt, Adegboruwa is a sound and venerated star in the legal galaxy. His nomination and eventual enlistment into the panel raised people’s hopes and expectations, given his pedigree in human rights activism. But the legal practitioner failed woefully to prove his mettle and support evidence-based report.
That the leaked report of the panel is being torn apart by surfeit of inconsistencies does not come as a surprise. People whose hopes were dashed by the sloppiness of the panel to establish a massacre are beginning to question Adegboruwa’s much-touted professional integrity.
To begin with, since Monday when the panel submitted its report, Adegboruwa had issued series of scathing, yet contradictory statements to railroad Lagos State government into adopting the blemished report which many now describe as “predetermined conclusions”.
The statements are a face-saving attempt by the petulant lawyer to cover for his professional negligence after the reality dawned on him that people would come for the panel members for a report saturated with fundamental errors and unsubstantiated claims.
Less than an hour after Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, received the report, Adegboruwa released a statement on his social media page, threatening to reveal the content of the panel submission should the Governor make an attempt to cover-up.
“I will…keep observing the turn of events and at the appropriate time, one may be forced to state the FULL contents of the report if the promises made are not fulfilled. I can NEVER and will NEVER subscribe to anything that would amount to covering up the report of the Panel,” Adegboruwa wrote.
For any discerning person, that statement came across as hasty and preemptive. Ironically, Adegboruwa, in the same statement, attested that the Governor did not interfere throughout the period of the panel sitting. In one breath, you doubted the integrity of the Government to do the right thing, in another applauded the Governor for his uprightness. Why the inconsistency?
If the Panel members had been accorded such indisputable latitude to be independent, why then would Adegboruwa insinuate and subtly accuse the Government of an attempt to cover up? This is highly offensive.
Let’s now look at the gross display of professional ineptitude by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria when he said in his first press release via his Facebook page that Government should just release the recommendations of the flawed panel report without mindful of an existing law backing the setting up of such panel.
Ebun wrote: “It is my view that Lagos State having appeared before the Panel as a party, having tendered documents before the Panel and led witnesses to take a position on the Incident of the Lekki Toll Gate, it will be unfair and improper for Lagos State to be a judge in its own cause, by seeking to review the report of the Panel. However, the Governor explained to me that this would only be done to enable the government implement the findings and recommendations of the Panel and not to tamper with it or mutilate it. I believe His Excellency.”
But Ebun clearly forgot to read the provisions of the Tribunal Law 2015 in arriving at his conclusion on the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters.
However, Ebun made a quick volte-face and called for the White Paper after the erudite lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abiodun Owonikoko appeared on Arise TV to set the record straight and reminded him of the legal necessity for the White Paper.
Another flip to Adegboruwa’s inconsistencies is seen here where he said “it will be unfair and improper for Lagos State to be a judge in its own cause, by seeking to review the report of the Panel”.
Same man later confessed his vested interest in Lekki Toll Plaza. He wrote: “My principled struggles in respect of toll fee collection started way back from 2011, almost nine years before the Panel was inaugurated.”
The above then places huge moral burdens on Adegboruwa on the question of what qualifies him to serve in a committee on matters affecting the Lekki Toll Plaza if he felt, as stated above, that Lagos State Government should not review the flawed report on the same Lekki Toll Gate, because it has interest in it.
Ebun is simply inconsistent!
What about the oath of confidentiality sworn to by members of the Panel? The Lagos Lawyer breached that oath with his rush for media accolades and self-aggrandisement.
Also, the pugnacious lawyer, whom we expect not to be told the procedure of such exercise, made an indicting conclusion when he wrote: “Nigerians should demand for justice against all culprits who have been named in detail, in our report.” Is this to set the tone for the expected White Paper from Lagos Government?
Now that holes are daily being picked in the report, should Adegboruwa still be taken seriously as a lawyer?
The report was ‘leaked’ to the press on the same Monday by a member and less than an hour after Adegboruwa released his press statement! Adegboruwa, who apparently wanted to deflect attention away from himself as the culprit, quickly issued another statement (November 18), saying members of the panel were being vilified unjustly by those suspected to be government agents.
Must anyone work or have affiliation with the government to decipher the falsehood packaged as independent recommendations of the panel? Adegboruwa probably could not adequately dissect the disappointment of his admirers who expected him and other members of the panel to be thorough in their findings and submission.
As it is, the panel’s recommendations are not convincing enough to debunk the growing insinuation that the so-called “Lekki massacre” is nothing but a weaponised narrative being used to blackmail the government.
Given his strong ideological stance, Adegboruwa’s inclusion in the panel was well applauded and expected to stimulate unbiased inquiry and adherence to ethical standards throughout the sitting. But, Ebun was said to have been absent at the panel more than six months consecutively than the time he was present. Yet, he gleefully appended his signature to the conclusions of the panel he barely attended.
While offering weak explanation for his absent days, Adegboruwa claimed it was an understanding between him and the Governor upon his enlistment to be a part-time member at the sitting.
This argument punctured Adegboruwa’s sense of self-glorification which has been on the display, albeit pathetically, after the panel turned in the report last Monday. How sensible does it sound to Adegboruwa himself, that an absentee judge go all out to pontificate over a verdict he was not fully present in deciding?
Those who believe Adegboruwa betrayed the ethical standards of his calling and personal ideology are not necessarily saying that the legal practitioner has curried pecuniary gain; they are rather disappointed by the fact that the panel’s recommendations relied mostly on unsubstantiated narratives which time has exposed as tissue of lies. Yet the ‘respected’ lawyer appended his signature and deployed all his intellect to support, justify and make attempts to railroad the embarrassing claims into becoming content of the government’s White Paper.
We must also not lose sight of Adegboruwa’s attempts to railroad the Government into accepting the garbage he concocted into the failed report hook, line and sinker without interrogation by saying:
“I urge the government to focus on the findings and far-reaching recommendations contained in the report, in order to pursue the laudable objectives of setting up the Panel to achieve true healing and reconciliation, instead of seeking to demonize Panel members and their report or to evade responsibility.”
By every standard, this is an act of professional carelessness on the part of Adegboruwa and being haughty cannot make him to look like someone who has a mind of his own. He pledged to be thorough in the discharge of his duty at the panel, but his involvement has compounded our confusion rather than establishing the truth.
Finally, Adegboruwa should learn something from this exercise that the truth is constant. You cannot manufacture what did not happen. It must have happened before you come forward to report it, with fact based evidence that it truly happened. Ebun should stop his ridiculous tirade in his attempts to cover up the mess he brought upon himself.

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

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YOUNG SCULPTOR PRESENTS “SCULPTED FIST” TO CEO OF AFRIQ GROUP OF COMPANIES, JESAM MICHAEL

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10 hours ago

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September 28, 2024

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*YOUNG SCULPTOR PRESENTS “SCULPTED FIST” TO CEO OF AFRIQ GROUP OF COMPANIES, JESAM MICHAEL*

 

 

 

In a remarkable gesture of admiration and respect, Mr. Egele Anwan Enang, a talented young sculptor and graduate of the prestigious University of Uyo, made a special presentation to the CEO of Afriq Group of Companies, Chief Jesam Michael. The presentation occurred during a meeting between the CEO and his age grade, who had gathered to celebrate the successful traditional marriage and bride price payment of Chief Jesam Michael’s younger brother.

 

Mr. Enang, an artist known for his work in fine and industrial arts, gifted a sculpted fist symbolizing leadership and authority to the CEO. During the presentation, Mr. Enang expressed his admiration for Chief Michael’s accomplishments and his respect for Yakurr culture.

“When you were coronated as ‘Chief’ (Obol Opa Oke Yanen I of Yakurr), I wasn’t able to attend, but I saw the news online through a friend. I was inspired by your photos, particularly one where you held a bundle of broomsticks, a symbol of royalty, leadership, and authority in our culture. I decided to sculpt something unique, a fist holding the mantle, as a way to welcome you and honor your leadership,” Mr. Enang explained during the presentation.

Chief Jesam Michael, visibly touched by the gesture, responded with enthusiasm. “I am very happy and this is wonderful. I admire people who are creative and smart. Creativity is something I value greatly, and I have always believed in supporting young talents, whether they have formal education or not, because I am a product of creativity myself.”

The meeting, which was originally a gathering to celebrate a family event, took on an additional layer of meaning as the artistic tribute from Mr. Enang highlighted the significance of culture, leadership, and creativity within the Yakurr community.

Chief Jesam Michael, widely known for his contributions to business and community development, expressed his continued commitment to supporting young creative minds like Mr. Enang, further solidifying his reputation as a champion of innovation and leadership in both business and cultural spheres.

 

YOUNG SCULPTOR PRESENTS "SCULPTED FIST" TO CEO OF AFRIQ GROUP OF COMPANIES, JESAM MICHAEL

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Emerging Details Of How Bobrisky spent jail term in Kirikiri special cell

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16 hours ago

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September 28, 2024

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How Bobrisky spent jail term in Kirikiri special cell

 

More details emerged on Friday on what transpired during the six-month jail term of popular cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky.

Investigations by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the controversial social media influencer after being sentenced for spraying the naira, was taken to the Ikoyi Custodial Centre on April 12, 2024.

Sources confided in our correspondents that the convict, who had prison number S682/2024, was taken to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, as his presence began to attract attention and generate publicity.

A highly credible source said, “He was first moved to the Ikoyi prison where he spent a few days before the controller, Ben-Rabbi Freedman, moved him to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri.”

 

Another top source confirmed Bobrisky’s movement from the Ikoyi facility to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, adding that he spent some days there before he was again moved to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri.

The source explained that he was visited by some relatives in the prison, adding that there was a record of all his activities.

“Many people visited him in the place, including three family members. Those people followed due process and that was why they were able to see and visit him. I also saw him in the prison. He looked gentle and sober,” the source added.

The special ‘cell’

Saturday PUNCH gathered that there was usually provision for some inmates considered to be “Very Important Persons” who might be at risk if allowed to mingle with other inmates.

“The place is like a back cell or a single cell originally reserved for well-behaved inmates. This is in accordance with prison rules. They are put there to compensate for their good behaviour.

“However, when warders bring in certain people, they are taken there. They live whichever way they want. Some of the inmates furnish the place to their taste,” the source stated.

Asked the cost of using the room, the source noted that such was usually determined by the officer in charge of the centre.

“They collect huge sums of money from them, depending on the kind of inmates they have. When you saw the fight between operatives of the DSS and prison service for (Godwin) Emefiele on the court premises, what did you think was the reason? It’s because of the benefits that come with having such a person in custody,” the source added.

The source noted that Bobrisky might have been put in the “special cell” during his time in the Kirikiri prison.

 

Another source, who confirmed the existence of such an arrangement, said negotiations usually start from the court between inmates and prison officials.

The source said the correctional service knew what it wanted to do, hence Bobrisky was allegedly shielded from inmates when he was admitted.

He said, “Inmates who saw him at the medium prison before he was moved to maximum prison were not many. It was all planned.”

But the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, denied the report that there was preferential treatment for VIP convicts.

“We are not aware of such. They are alien to us. However, that information will be investigated. All inmates are given the same treatment. We don’t have any preferential treatment for anybody,” he insisted.

Efforts to get Bobrisky’s reactions proved abortive, as he did not respond to calls to his telephone line and messages sent to his official Facebook handle and WhatsApp on Friday night.

Controversial cross-dresser

 

Bobrisky has been in the eye of the storm since Wednesday, April 3, 2024, when operatives of the Lagos command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested and detained him over allegations of mutilating naira notes worth N490,000 and money laundering.

The arrest followed a viral video that showed him spraying naira notes at the premiere of the movie Ajakaju at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos, on March 24, 2024.

He was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos on six counts. The first four counts involved the abuse of the Nigerian currency, while the last two were on money laundering.

However, before the charges were read, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Sulaiman Sulaiman, requested the court to strike out counts five and six.

“We have an agreement with the defendant to withdraw counts five and six. Therefore, we humbly urge the court to strike them out, leaving counts one to four,” he said.

The court then dismissed the two counts, and scheduled April 9, 2024, for judgement.

Bobrisky pleaded guilty to the remaining charges, and on Friday, April 12, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro sentenced him to six months in prison without the option of a fine for abusing the naira.

 

 

While many Nigerians expected Bobrisky’s appearance to change following his time in prison, the controversial social media personality hosted a celebratory party just hours after his release on Monday, August 5, 2024.

Appearing more radiant than before, Bobrisky, in a viral video, boasted, “I came back from jail with a nice body,” prompting doubts about whether he truly served his sentence at a custodial centre or not.

The cross-dresser landed in fresh trouble on Tuesday when a social media activist, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, called him out over an unpaid debt.

In a trending video, VDM said a creditor approached him, pleading for help in recovering N4m that Bobrisky borrowed.

The creditor reportedly sent Bobrisky the sum when the latter was desperate to raise money for a private apartment in prison. He, however, allegedly refused to repay the loan after his release.

VDM subsequently played an audio clip in which the ex-convict purportedly admitted to paying unnamed EFCC operatives N15m for dropping the money laundering charges against him.

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Veteran Fuji Icon, Aare Sir Shina Akanni Declares Readiness To Lead The Fuji World

Published

2 days ago

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September 26, 2024

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Veteran Fuji Icon, Aare Sir Shina Akanni Declares Readiness To Lead The Fuji World

*Veteran Fuji Icon, Aare Sir Shina Akanni Declares Readiness To Lead The Fuji World

 

Veteran Fuji icon, Aare Sir Shina Akanni, has boldly declared that he is ready to take his rightful place as the leader of the Fuji music scene. In a recent statement, the celebrated Fuji maestro expressed his determination to reign supreme, urging other Fuji musicians to give him the necessary space as he ascends to the throne of the genre.

 

 

Sir Shina Akanni, who was crowned the “Aare of all Fuji” by the legendary Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, the founding father of Fuji music, is no stranger to the spotlight. His title of *Aare*, which signifies his leadership and excellence in the Fuji genre, was bestowed upon him as a symbol of his influence, mastery, and the trust Barrister placed in him to uphold the legacy of Fuji music. This endorsement from Barrister has placed Akanni in a unique position within the Fuji world, making him a figure of authority and respect among his peers and fans.

In his recent proclamation, Sir Shina Akanni made it clear that the Fuji music scene is entering a new era, one that will be defined by his leadership. With a touch of wit, he remarked that it’s time for other Fuji artists to give him “space,” hinting both at his readiness to dominate and the pun that reflects his humor.

Akanni’s journey in Fuji music has been one of consistency and excellence. For decades, he has been a torchbearer for the genre, blending traditional Fuji rhythms with modern flair, thereby attracting a wide audience that spans generations. His dynamic performances, powerful vocals, and innovative compositions have cemented his place as one of Fuji’s leading lights.

As the Fuji world evolves, the Aare has promised to steer the genre into greater heights. He emphasized the need for collaboration and unity among Fuji musicians but also reminded them of the legacy he carries, being the anointed leader by the very pioneer of the genre. “It is my time to rule the Fuji world,” Akanni confidently declared, leaving no doubt about his intentions to lead with authority, creativity, and passion.

Fuji fans and musicians alike are eager to see what the future holds under the leadership of Aare Sir Shina Akanni. As he takes the helm, it’s clear that the Fuji genre is in for an exciting new chapter—one where tradition meets innovation, and where the Aare of Fuji reigns supreme.

For Akanni, this isn’t just about ruling; it’s about honoring the legacy of his mentor, Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, and ensuring that Fuji music continues to thrive, inspire, and captivate audiences both in Nigeria and across the globe.

As the Fuji world watches in anticipation, one thing is certain: Aare Sir Shina Akanni is ready to lead, and his time is now.

 

Veteran Fuji Icon, Aare Sir Shina Akanni Declares Readiness To Lead The Fuji World

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