Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Army Boss Promotes 5,000 Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram
The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, made the announcement on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 2015 Chief of Army Staff third quarter conference held at the Army Headquarters conference hall.
He said the approval of the promotion of the soldiers was one of the many measures introduced by the Army under his command to boost troops’ morale and reposition its operations.
“Since we came on board, we have introduced several measures aimed at encouraging our troops to give their best in the service of their nation.
“The approval of the accelerated promotion of 5,000 soldiers was to redeem the promise made by my predecessor to the troops fighting insurgents in the North-East.
“It is my belief that this promotion, coupled with other incentives, will encourage our troops to fight for our country," he said.
Mr. Buratai said that the Army, under his watch, within the short period, had recorded major successes in the areas of fighting insurgency, improving its human rights credentials as well as improving the welfare of troops.
Man Sent to Prison for Touching Woman’s Private Part in Edo
The accused, who resides at undisclosed address in Auchi, is facing a two-count charge bordering on attempted rape. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
But the prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Mato, told the court that
the accused committed the offences on Feb. 24 at his apartment somewhere in Auchi. According to him, the accused and the woman are living in the same house.
"The accused touched the private part of the woman (names withheld) in an attempt to have carnal knowledge of her."
He said the offences contravened Sections 3,594 and 3,609 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel of 1976 as applicable in Edo.
"The accused touched the private part of the woman (names withheld) in an attempt to have carnal knowledge of her."
He said the offences contravened Sections 3,594 and 3,609 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel of 1976 as applicable in Edo.
Wike Is Spending His Last Days In Office As Governor
The party was reacting to the statement credited to PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who was quoted as saying about the failure of PDP and INEC counsels to appear before the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday, September 18: “Even if our lawyers and witnesses didn’t appear at the Rivers Tribunal today and the remaining days, it doesn’t stop us PDP from winning at the judgment. But should we fail at judgment, we shall win even above 1.5 million votes in Rivers State re-run Governorship and other elections.”
Rivers APC in a statement issued by its Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, dismissed Metuh’s position as mere day-dreaming. The ruling party said:
“While we do not wish to comment on the likely outcome of the current sitting of the Rivers Guber Election Tribunal since the case is sub judice, we find Chief Metuh’s position laughable because the evidence before the tribunal indicates that Chief Wike is spending his final days in office as Rivers State Governor. Just like PDP, we as a political party are equally eagerly looking forward to a re-run of the Rivers State governorship election.
"Contrary to the empty boast of Metuh that PDP shall win even above 1.5 million votes in the envisaged re-run elections, we make bold to tell him that PDP died in Rivers State the day former Governor Chibuike Amaechi in November 2013 led all those who mattered in the party to join the APC and take a front seat in the vanguard for Nigeria’s political emancipation. We are convinced that our candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, shall win the expected re-run guber polls with a landslide as he has the full support of the good people of Rivers State.”
Rivers APC sympathised with Chief Metuh in his tasking new role as an unprepared spokesman of the opposition, telling him to prepare for a big shock as Wike can never be elected by the Rivers State people in any free and fair election devoid of violence, killing and rigging as Rivers people do not only know him but also know what he stands for.
“Instead of dreaming of winning the envisaged re-run election, we expect him (Wike) to explain to the world how he intends to defend the over 100 Rivers people that were murdered to install him as Care-Taker Governor of Rivers State by greedy INEC REC, Dame Gesila Khana, and other corrupt INEC officials who cannot defend their immoral and illegal actions of 1.5 million acclaimed voters is bigger than 273,000 accredited voters in the Register.
“To us, the Biblical book of Hosea Chapter Eight Verse Seven, ‘For They Have sown the Wind and Shall Reap the Whirlwind’ captures the inescapable fate of Chief Wike and his collaborators. They have no one else to blame but themselves, for they have sown the wind and shall reap the whirlwind.”
Rivers APC sympathised with Chief Metuh in his tasking new role as an unprepared spokesman of the opposition, telling him to prepare for a big shock as Wike can never be elected by the Rivers State people in any free and fair election devoid of violence, killing and rigging as Rivers people do not only know him but also know what he stands for.
“Instead of dreaming of winning the envisaged re-run election, we expect him (Wike) to explain to the world how he intends to defend the over 100 Rivers people that were murdered to install him as Care-Taker Governor of Rivers State by greedy INEC REC, Dame Gesila Khana, and other corrupt INEC officials who cannot defend their immoral and illegal actions of 1.5 million acclaimed voters is bigger than 273,000 accredited voters in the Register.
“To us, the Biblical book of Hosea Chapter Eight Verse Seven, ‘For They Have sown the Wind and Shall Reap the Whirlwind’ captures the inescapable fate of Chief Wike and his collaborators. They have no one else to blame but themselves, for they have sown the wind and shall reap the whirlwind.”
Niger State Governor Under Fire over Chelsea, Arsenal
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani has come under criticism following his trip to London to watch the last Saturday’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Arsenal.
Many residents of the state have described the governor’s visit to Stamford Bridge as 'frivolous' considering the many financial problems currently bedeviling the state.
But the governor claimed that he was at Stamford Bridge to watch the match at the instance of
Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who plans to set up a football academy in the state. “I was at Stamford Bridge to watch the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at the invitation of John Obi Mikel,” he tweeted.
According to him, Mikel approached the state government to partner with the state in developing its sports, stressing that it will be wrong to turn down an investor who is willing to invest in the state.
The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Dooba, said he was in Europe and his visit to Stamford Bridge was part of his itinerary since he was to meet other international development partners, adding that he was invited by Mikel.
But a trader in the state, Moses Akwu said, “Things are hard for us in Niger while our governor is travelling to watch matches. I heard they said he was invited but is it not government resources that he used to go on the trip?
“We did not vote him in to go watch football, we voted him because we want him to work and bring back the lost glory of the state. Watching matches is not governance, it is absolute recklessness.”
Many residents of the state have described the governor’s visit to Stamford Bridge as 'frivolous' considering the many financial problems currently bedeviling the state.
But the governor claimed that he was at Stamford Bridge to watch the match at the instance of
Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who plans to set up a football academy in the state. “I was at Stamford Bridge to watch the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at the invitation of John Obi Mikel,” he tweeted.
According to him, Mikel approached the state government to partner with the state in developing its sports, stressing that it will be wrong to turn down an investor who is willing to invest in the state.
The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Dooba, said he was in Europe and his visit to Stamford Bridge was part of his itinerary since he was to meet other international development partners, adding that he was invited by Mikel.
But a trader in the state, Moses Akwu said, “Things are hard for us in Niger while our governor is travelling to watch matches. I heard they said he was invited but is it not government resources that he used to go on the trip?
“We did not vote him in to go watch football, we voted him because we want him to work and bring back the lost glory of the state. Watching matches is not governance, it is absolute recklessness.”
According to him, Mikel approached the state government to partner with the state in developing its sports, stressing that it will be wrong to turn down an investor who is willing to invest in the state.
The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Dooba, said he was in Europe and his visit to Stamford Bridge was part of his itinerary since he was to meet other international development partners, adding that he was invited by Mikel.
But a trader in the state, Moses Akwu said, “Things are hard for us in Niger while our governor is travelling to watch matches. I heard they said he was invited but is it not government resources that he used to go on the trip?
“We did not vote him in to go watch football, we voted him because we want him to work and bring back the lost glory of the state. Watching matches is not governance, it is absolute recklessness.”
Presidency, Terminate The Chinese Rail Contract
To me and other right thinking Nigerians, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to please terminate this contract and the amount involved be used in completing the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
I believe if completed, the rails and other steel related parts that the Chinese would have brought into the country could be produced here after giving job opportunities to thousands of jobless Nigerians.
Thereafter, the rail project could be renegotiated at a highly reduced cost.
Ibrahim, Ojokoro
Lagos State,
+23480558175
Ibrahim, Ojokoro
Lagos State,
+23480558175
Senate President Saraki Finally Surrenders
His lawyers, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), argued strongly against his appearance at the CCT where he is charged with alleged false declaration of assets, but the tribunal restated its order that the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies should arrest Saraki and produce him before the tribunal at 10am today.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja before which Adelodun argued an ex-parte application for an order setting aside the warrant of arrest issued on Friday against Saraki refused the application.
It ordered Saraki to put the respondents on notice and fixed September 29 for the hearing of his substantive appeal.
At the Federal High Court, Abuja where Adelodun equally argued another motion on behalf of Saraki, for an order restraining the CCT and the Ministry of Justice from proceeding with the Senate President’s trial, Justice Ahmed Mohammed refused to grant the order. He adjourned till September 30 for the hearing of Saraki’s pending substantive suit and the objection filed against it by the respondents.
At the resumption of proceedings yesterday before the tribunal, prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) on noticing that Saraki was absent, urged the tribunal to inquire from his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), why his client was absent despite the undertaking he gave on Friday to produce Saraki in court today.
Jacobs said he prevailed on his client not to execute the bench warrant on account of the undertaking by Daudu. He said he was taken aback that Daudu failed to fulfill his promise.
When asked by Justice Danladi Umar at the Tribunal why his client was absent despite his (Daudu’s) promise to produce him, Daudu said he was not sure the tribunal actually expected him to produce his client.
He said his client would not appear before the tribunal because he was challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear the charge and that the tribunal was not properly constituted in view of the absence of one of the three judges.
Daudu argued that since the Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal Act (CCB/TA) provided that the tribunal must comprise three judges, including a Chairman, it was illegal for it to sit with just a member and a Chairman.
“Whatever is being done here is illegal. I will not want my client to be part of this illegality. You are sitting illegally. Let us put a stop to this,” Daudu said.
Daudu also urged the tribunal to stay proceedings and await the outcome of an appeal his client filed against the tribunal’s ruling of Friday in which it ordered Saraki’s arrest for not attending proceedings.
He also argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which makes it compulsory for every accused person to first submit himself or herself before a court and take plea before raising an objection to a charge, was not applicable to the tribunal.
Jacobs faulted Daudu’s argument, insisting that the tribunal was properly constituted. He argued that the CCB/TA only provided for the constitution of the tribunal, but that Section 28 of the Interpretation Act, which has the force of law by virtue of the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution, provides that two members of the tribunal form a quorum.
Jacobs argued that the tribunal could not stop its business just because Saraki filed an appeal. “The Supreme Court has held that where you feel the proceedings are wrong, you do not sit in your house to challenge the propriety or not. You should come before the court,” Jacobs said.
Ruling, Justice Umar said the tribunal disagreed with Saraki's lawyer, Daudu’s submissions.
“A cursory look at the 3rd Schedule of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Procedure Sub-Section C17 provides that the Criminal procedure Code (CPC) and the Criminal procedure Act (CPA), are the laws applicable to the tribunal.
“It therefore follows that by the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the tribunal is duty-bound to apply the new ACJA as a law, because it says that the CPC and CPA are no longer valid by the introduction of the ACJA.
“The defence counsel has prayed this tribunal to dispense with the appearance of the accused person and the application of the ACJA on the premise that it is not applicable to the tribunal.
“We have decided to take the position that in the interest of the administration of justice, that the accused person is to be made or compelled to appear before this tribunal consequently. That is the generally acceptable norm – that matters involving criminal element, the accused person must attend court."
At the Federal High Court, Abuja where Adelodun equally argued another motion on behalf of Saraki, for an order restraining the CCT and the Ministry of Justice from proceeding with the Senate President’s trial, Justice Ahmed Mohammed refused to grant the order. He adjourned till September 30 for the hearing of Saraki’s pending substantive suit and the objection filed against it by the respondents.
At the resumption of proceedings yesterday before the tribunal, prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) on noticing that Saraki was absent, urged the tribunal to inquire from his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), why his client was absent despite the undertaking he gave on Friday to produce Saraki in court today.
Jacobs said he prevailed on his client not to execute the bench warrant on account of the undertaking by Daudu. He said he was taken aback that Daudu failed to fulfill his promise.
When asked by Justice Danladi Umar at the Tribunal why his client was absent despite his (Daudu’s) promise to produce him, Daudu said he was not sure the tribunal actually expected him to produce his client.
He said his client would not appear before the tribunal because he was challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear the charge and that the tribunal was not properly constituted in view of the absence of one of the three judges.
Daudu argued that since the Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal Act (CCB/TA) provided that the tribunal must comprise three judges, including a Chairman, it was illegal for it to sit with just a member and a Chairman.
“Whatever is being done here is illegal. I will not want my client to be part of this illegality. You are sitting illegally. Let us put a stop to this,” Daudu said.
Daudu also urged the tribunal to stay proceedings and await the outcome of an appeal his client filed against the tribunal’s ruling of Friday in which it ordered Saraki’s arrest for not attending proceedings.
He also argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which makes it compulsory for every accused person to first submit himself or herself before a court and take plea before raising an objection to a charge, was not applicable to the tribunal.
Jacobs faulted Daudu’s argument, insisting that the tribunal was properly constituted. He argued that the CCB/TA only provided for the constitution of the tribunal, but that Section 28 of the Interpretation Act, which has the force of law by virtue of the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution, provides that two members of the tribunal form a quorum.
Jacobs argued that the tribunal could not stop its business just because Saraki filed an appeal. “The Supreme Court has held that where you feel the proceedings are wrong, you do not sit in your house to challenge the propriety or not. You should come before the court,” Jacobs said.
Ruling, Justice Umar said the tribunal disagreed with Saraki's lawyer, Daudu’s submissions.
“A cursory look at the 3rd Schedule of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Procedure Sub-Section C17 provides that the Criminal procedure Code (CPC) and the Criminal procedure Act (CPA), are the laws applicable to the tribunal.
“It therefore follows that by the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the tribunal is duty-bound to apply the new ACJA as a law, because it says that the CPC and CPA are no longer valid by the introduction of the ACJA.
“The defence counsel has prayed this tribunal to dispense with the appearance of the accused person and the application of the ACJA on the premise that it is not applicable to the tribunal.
“We have decided to take the position that in the interest of the administration of justice, that the accused person is to be made or compelled to appear before this tribunal consequently. That is the generally acceptable norm – that matters involving criminal element, the accused person must attend court."
Sources in Abuja told OluFamous.Com that some senators are joining Saraki to the Tribal.
Senate President Saraki Finally Surrenders
His lawyers, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), argued strongly against his appearance at the CCT where he is charged with alleged false declaration of assets, but the tribunal restated its order that the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies should arrest Saraki and produce him before the tribunal at 10am today.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja before which Adelodun argued an ex-parte application for an order setting aside the warrant of arrest issued on Friday against Saraki refused the application.
It ordered Saraki to put the respondents on notice and fixed September 29 for the hearing of his substantive appeal.
At the Federal High Court, Abuja where Adelodun equally argued another motion on behalf of Saraki, for an order restraining the CCT and the Ministry of Justice from proceeding with the Senate President’s trial, Justice Ahmed Mohammed refused to grant the order. He adjourned till September 30 for the hearing of Saraki’s pending substantive suit and the objection filed against it by the respondents.
At the resumption of proceedings yesterday before the tribunal, prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) on noticing that Saraki was absent, urged the tribunal to inquire from his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), why his client was absent despite the undertaking he gave on Friday to produce Saraki in court today.
Jacobs said he prevailed on his client not to execute the bench warrant on account of the undertaking by Daudu. He said he was taken aback that Daudu failed to fulfill his promise.
When asked by Justice Danladi Umar at the Tribunal why his client was absent despite his (Daudu’s) promise to produce him, Daudu said he was not sure the tribunal actually expected him to produce his client.
He said his client would not appear before the tribunal because he was challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear the charge and that the tribunal was not properly constituted in view of the absence of one of the three judges.
Daudu argued that since the Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal Act (CCB/TA) provided that the tribunal must comprise three judges, including a Chairman, it was illegal for it to sit with just a member and a Chairman.
“Whatever is being done here is illegal. I will not want my client to be part of this illegality. You are sitting illegally. Let us put a stop to this,” Daudu said.
Daudu also urged the tribunal to stay proceedings and await the outcome of an appeal his client filed against the tribunal’s ruling of Friday in which it ordered Saraki’s arrest for not attending proceedings.
He also argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which makes it compulsory for every accused person to first submit himself or herself before a court and take plea before raising an objection to a charge, was not applicable to the tribunal.
Jacobs faulted Daudu’s argument, insisting that the tribunal was properly constituted. He argued that the CCB/TA only provided for the constitution of the tribunal, but that Section 28 of the Interpretation Act, which has the force of law by virtue of the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution, provides that two members of the tribunal form a quorum.
Jacobs argued that the tribunal could not stop its business just because Saraki filed an appeal. “The Supreme Court has held that where you feel the proceedings are wrong, you do not sit in your house to challenge the propriety or not. You should come before the court,” Jacobs said.
Ruling, Justice Umar said the tribunal disagreed with Saraki's lawyer, Daudu’s submissions.
“A cursory look at the 3rd Schedule of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Procedure Sub-Section C17 provides that the Criminal procedure Code (CPC) and the Criminal procedure Act (CPA), are the laws applicable to the tribunal.
“It therefore follows that by the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the tribunal is duty-bound to apply the new ACJA as a law, because it says that the CPC and CPA are no longer valid by the introduction of the ACJA.
“The defence counsel has prayed this tribunal to dispense with the appearance of the accused person and the application of the ACJA on the premise that it is not applicable to the tribunal.
“We have decided to take the position that in the interest of the administration of justice, that the accused person is to be made or compelled to appear before this tribunal consequently. That is the generally acceptable norm – that matters involving criminal element, the accused person must attend court."
At the Federal High Court, Abuja where Adelodun equally argued another motion on behalf of Saraki, for an order restraining the CCT and the Ministry of Justice from proceeding with the Senate President’s trial, Justice Ahmed Mohammed refused to grant the order. He adjourned till September 30 for the hearing of Saraki’s pending substantive suit and the objection filed against it by the respondents.
At the resumption of proceedings yesterday before the tribunal, prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) on noticing that Saraki was absent, urged the tribunal to inquire from his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), why his client was absent despite the undertaking he gave on Friday to produce Saraki in court today.
Jacobs said he prevailed on his client not to execute the bench warrant on account of the undertaking by Daudu. He said he was taken aback that Daudu failed to fulfill his promise.
When asked by Justice Danladi Umar at the Tribunal why his client was absent despite his (Daudu’s) promise to produce him, Daudu said he was not sure the tribunal actually expected him to produce his client.
He said his client would not appear before the tribunal because he was challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear the charge and that the tribunal was not properly constituted in view of the absence of one of the three judges.
Daudu argued that since the Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal Act (CCB/TA) provided that the tribunal must comprise three judges, including a Chairman, it was illegal for it to sit with just a member and a Chairman.
“Whatever is being done here is illegal. I will not want my client to be part of this illegality. You are sitting illegally. Let us put a stop to this,” Daudu said.
Daudu also urged the tribunal to stay proceedings and await the outcome of an appeal his client filed against the tribunal’s ruling of Friday in which it ordered Saraki’s arrest for not attending proceedings.
He also argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which makes it compulsory for every accused person to first submit himself or herself before a court and take plea before raising an objection to a charge, was not applicable to the tribunal.
Jacobs faulted Daudu’s argument, insisting that the tribunal was properly constituted. He argued that the CCB/TA only provided for the constitution of the tribunal, but that Section 28 of the Interpretation Act, which has the force of law by virtue of the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution, provides that two members of the tribunal form a quorum.
Jacobs argued that the tribunal could not stop its business just because Saraki filed an appeal. “The Supreme Court has held that where you feel the proceedings are wrong, you do not sit in your house to challenge the propriety or not. You should come before the court,” Jacobs said.
Ruling, Justice Umar said the tribunal disagreed with Saraki's lawyer, Daudu’s submissions.
“A cursory look at the 3rd Schedule of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Procedure Sub-Section C17 provides that the Criminal procedure Code (CPC) and the Criminal procedure Act (CPA), are the laws applicable to the tribunal.
“It therefore follows that by the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the tribunal is duty-bound to apply the new ACJA as a law, because it says that the CPC and CPA are no longer valid by the introduction of the ACJA.
“The defence counsel has prayed this tribunal to dispense with the appearance of the accused person and the application of the ACJA on the premise that it is not applicable to the tribunal.
“We have decided to take the position that in the interest of the administration of justice, that the accused person is to be made or compelled to appear before this tribunal consequently. That is the generally acceptable norm – that matters involving criminal element, the accused person must attend court."
Sources in Abuja told OluFamous.Com that some senators are joining Saraki to the Tribal.
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