JUDICIARY
Bauchi:Legislatures Decry Negative Indices On Critical Sectors Of Development
By Lateef Taiwo
As part of its oversight function, members of Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) have reiterated their resolve to be engaging the Executive arm of the State Government with a view to bringing Government attention to citizens’ needs for human development.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Abubakar Y. Sulaiman stated this in an interview with Journalists at the ongoing two Days Orientation training on oversight roles, organised by Bauchi field office of the USAID funded State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Program.
The Speaker said that the presentations made so far by USAID implementing partners have revealed disturbing indices specially in critical sectors of health care services, basic education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and public financial management (PFM).
Hon. Sulaiman said that the gaps and challenges enumerated in those critical areas of human capital development,needs the involvement of both State and non state actors to be able to mitigate some of the trends seen in the data presented.
He assured the State legislatures will devise an evidence based approach oversight functions to bring attention of the State executive,on the need to improve and bridge the gaps identified in those areas of concerns as it affects human capital development in Bauchi State.
He commended USAID State2State Activity for organising the capacity building orientation meeting,saying that such engagement will not only strengthen collaboration between USAID implementing partners in Bauchi State, but would further assist legislature in amplifying the needs of citizens to appropriate quarters in line with global best practices in governance.
Earlier in a welcome address, Bauchi State Team Lead (STL) of State2State Activity, Mrs Rabi Ekele said that it was imperative to engage the lawmakers at the commencement of their 10th assembly functions and acquaint them with the activities of USAID State2State and other flagship interventions of USAID.
Ekele also said the the capacity building orientation meeting would further afford the Assembly members to know current status of Bauchi State in the critical areas of health care service delivery, WASH, Basic Education and Public Financial Management which were some of the key areas of focus of State2State activity in Bauchi State.
Ekele then expressed her hope that the synergy between USAID State2State, other USAID interventions and the State legislature would entrench citizens’ driven engagements for accountable, transparent and effective representation.
The Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist of State2State Activity, Mr Habila Salem, while highlighting some of the objectives of the orientation meeting said it was aimed at enhancing knowledge and understanding of the participants on key aspects of state legislative oversight and also introduce them to legislative oversight template for optimal legislative oversight function.
According to Mr Salem, part of the objective also, was to build capacity of the legislators for effective public budget oversight, financial monitoring, project monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
The Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist, noted that the orientation was also aimed at strengthening collaboration among State2State, other USAID Implementing Partners and the State House of Assembly on ongoing governance reform effort in the state.
In a goodwill message, the State Director, USAID funded Integrated Health Program (IHP) Dr Siaka Alhassan said the state health indicators were not encouraging compared to other states in the country pointing out that the lawmakers have a responsibility to reverse the trend.
Dr Alhassan said without the help of the legislators, the USAID Implementing Partners cannot justify the billions of US dollars pooled from American tax payers, to change the negative narratives in health, education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as well as other areas of human interest in the state.
The representative of USAID funded Learn to Read, Abdullahi Abubakar said the project was working in all the twenty local government areas of Bauchi State with particular emphasis on Primary one and two to ensure they can read and write in their mother tongue.
Aljazirah Nigeria reports that at the end of orientation meeting, holding at Tahir Guests Palace Hotel Kano, an action point will be develop to pave the way for further engagement with the legislature, USAID State2State and USAID implementing partners.
Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a legal scholar and judicial reform advocate, has praised the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for her decisive action in addressing misconduct within the judiciary.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) recently sanctioned five judicial officers for professional breaches, including age falsification and other misconducts. The decisions were made during the NJC’s 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
Judges Sanctioned for Misconduct
Among those sanctioned were:
- Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, who was recommended for compulsory retirement effective October 27, 2021. Justice Chikeka was found to have falsified his date of birth, with inconsistencies noted between 1956 and 1958. He was also directed to refund salaries and allowances received after his official retirement date.
- Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State, was also recommended for compulsory retirement after discrepancies in his date of birth were discovered. Records showed three different birth dates, while his actual year of birth was determined to be 1952. The NJC found that he should have retired 12 years ago and ordered him to refund salaries and allowances received during this period.
- Justice G.C. Aguma of Rivers State High Court and Justice A.O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court were suspended from duties for one year.
Odinkalu’s Commendation
Reacting to the NJC’s decision, Professor Odinkalu commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria for her swift and decisive response.
“Madam CJN, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has acted swiftly on this matter of age falsification by the Chief Judge of Imo State. She has done the right thing the right way,” Odinkalu stated.
He expressed hope that this move would signal a new era of improved judicial standards under Kekere-Ekun’s leadership of the NJC.
NJC’s Commitment to Judicial Integrity
The NJC emphasized its zero-tolerance for misconduct, reiterating its commitment to upholding integrity within the judiciary. The council urged judicial officers to adhere strictly to professional and ethical standards.
The actions taken are seen as a bold step toward restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on judges and lawyers to avoid delivering conflicting rulings, which he says undermine justice and governance. His warning follows conflicting judgments that nearly disrupted the local government election in the state.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 Legal Year ceremony in Port Harcourt, Fubara criticized legal professionals who compromise their integrity for personal gain. He emphasized the sacred role of the judiciary in upholding justice and urged judges to remain steadfast in truth.
“You are the god that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us,” Fubara stated, adding that those who compromise justice would face severe consequences, both legally and morally.
Fubara praised the Rivers State judiciary, particularly the High Court, for their support in maintaining stability despite external pressures. He acknowledged threats and assaults faced by judicial officers but encouraged them to remain resolute in their pursuit of justice.
In his sermon, Bishop Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo echoed the governor’s concerns, highlighting the negative impact of conflicting judgments on Nigeria’s unity and governance. The bishop warned that those responsible for such actions would eventually face divine punishment.
Governor Fubara concluded by emphasizing the need for strong institutions to safeguard democracy and ensure societal prosperity.
- Says govt bears no liability for unsigned agreement
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
An Ilorin High Court has struck out a case instituted against the Kwara State Government by the Hon. Moshood Mustapha-owned Crystal Group of Companies Limited over the remodelling of the legacy Kwara Hotel.
Hon. Justice E. B. Mohammed struck out the case after upholding the preliminary objections of the state government on the matter.
The judge said no document was before the court to show that the Crystal Group had any valid contract with the state government to remodel the iconic hotel, shutting down the much-parroted claim that the government had reneged on its commitment with the firm.
The court held that a draft agreement or an unsigned agreement by either of the parties is worthless and cannot cloth Crystal Group of Companies Limited with the legal right to pursue any action against the government regarding Kwara Hotel.
“The claimant’s suit against Kwara State Government on Kwara Hotels is hereby struck out,” the court held, potentially turning the page on the topic.
The government had repeatedly explained that it signed no agreement with the Crystal Group and that whatever talks between them had not reached the level of a legal agreement that is binding on either party.
End
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