JUDICIARY
CSOs Slam Akpabio Criticism, Warn of Threat to Tinubu’s Administration
A coalition of civil society organisations have described the criticism of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio as an affront on the administration on the credibility rating of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying the decision to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was in good faith to restore public order and discipline in the Senate.
Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), Guardians of Democracy and Development (GODD) and Partners for a Legislative Agenda for Nigeria (PLAN) a coalition of Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) with interest in monitoring political developments and policies across the country have called on Senators to eschew divisive tendencies and support the Senate President in the discharge of his duties for the overall development of the nation rather than the tilting towards regional segmentation of the Senate.
This is coming after media reports indicated that some interest groups in the north have begun a clandestine move to agitate and protest the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District over the unfounded claims he made in his Senate budget padding allegation.
Addressing the Media via a press statement signed by the trio of Amb. Solomon Adodo, Mallam Suleiman Musa, and G. C. Oluoha Esq., Conveners of RUN, GODD and PLAN respectively, the group cautioned against the existence of splinter groups and blocks in the Senate which are to say the least detrimental to unity in the Red Chambers and Nigeria at large, with a call for their immediate disbandment.
According to the statement, “the Senate is the highest legislative body in Nigeria. The presence of blocks such as the Northern Nigeria Senators’ Forum which Ningi chaired before his uncharitable outing is nothing but a divisive body that should be scrapped. The Senate should not be about North and South. It cannot afford to allow factions and parochial interest groups to dominate its ranks especially now that the country needs unity to survive more than anything else.
“The agitations from interests groups with their varied threats and hate against the no-nonsense personality of the Senate President makes bare, the insidious motives of these blocks. The fact that Senator Ningi spoke on behalf of the Northern Senators’ forum, alleging a plot against the North speaks for itself. What Senator Ningi did actually went beyond the bounds of his legislative office and duties. He deserves the suspension and no group should try to intimidate the Senate and indeed Nigerians”.
On the issue of budget padding which was unanimously and roundly debunked for lack of facts to back up Senator Ningi’s claims, the Coalition observed that, as a Senator, Ningi had no moral justification to attack a budget he actively participated in its passage.
“The 2024 budget was passed on the floor of the Senate, in the presence of all Senators and the Media. There was nothing like budget padding. The fact that Ningi who is now playing the ostrich was actually present when the budget was passed has come to expose the barefaced lie of a possible padding. Why didn’t Ningi raise objections on the floor of the Senate as to his suspicions whilst the budget was being deliberated upon? Why did he not approach the Senate Committee on Appropriation to table his complaint rather than going to the press to make his bogus accusations which he has now denounced?”, the statement queried.
The Coalition also outrightly accused Senator Ningi’s outburst as “a deliberate attempt by him and his cohorts to embarrass the Senate President, distinguished Senators and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a desperate attempt to diminish the credibility rating of the current administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government”.
It further called on Nigerians to disregard those bent on destabilising the current administration urging all patriotic citizens to rather support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate on this year’s epic budget “as they work harmoniously in restoring Nigeria’s lost glory and charting a course towards economic recovery and prosperity”.
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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