A group under the umbrella of Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations in Nigeria has threatened to occupy courts presided over by the seven federal judges accused of judicial corruption, if they failed to step down within seven days.
The Chairman of the forum, Wole Badmus, issued the threat at a news conference in Abuja today, Wednesday after the group’s match to the Supreme Court was truncated by security forces.
Badmus said the group, consisting of 50 non-state actors, had mobilized to express its displeasure at the manner in which the National Judicial Council handled the allegations against the accused judges.
“We have a protest letter which we want to submit to the CJ, unfortunately the security arm of the government prevented us from matching down to the Supreme Court.
“Failure of the NJC to stop all the judges under investigation from sitting, we would have no choice than to occupy the courts – the courts that these judges are sitting because, when we are talking of rule of law, you have to obey the rule of law first before we can obey your rule of law.”
Badmus said that the consequences of the continued adjudication of cases by the accused judges could be dire, adding that it is time for them to step aside.
“You cannot be presiding over cases. You have been accused of doing certain things; the first thing for you to do is to step aside and let investigation be concluded.
“If you are found clean, you will come back. If you are not found clean, you will be prosecuted.
“So you cannot continue sitting there, perverting the (course of justice).
“From today, we are giving a one-week ultimatum for the judges and justices, who are under investigation to step aside.”
Badmus called on the NLC, the TUC and other trade unions to join in the battle, adding that judicial corruption is worse than economic corruption.
“Judicial corruption is worse than terrorism, judicial corruption is worse than armed robbery and kidnapping because, with corrupt judiciary, all categories of alleged offenders cannot be made to face justice.
“We need to ask the question: Why the Special Anti Robbery Squad are killing armed robbery suspects on the spot. This is largely because such cases are always frustrated in courts.
“Unreasonable bails are granted these armed robbery suspects and they have to go back to kill, loot and use the proceeds to pay lawyers and judges.”
The Department of State Services (DSS), in what it termed: “sting operation” raided the houses of five Federal High Court judges and two justices of the Supreme Court, following allegations of corruption.
In his reaction, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, expressed displeasure at the manner in which the operation was carried out.
The CJN and the Chairman of National Judicial Council insisted that the council has its internal mechanism to deal with erring judicial officers, saying that the council would resist attempts by external forces to dictate to it.
The NJC on Tuesday unveiled a National Judicial Policy that will regulate the conduct of judicial officers. [myad]

Prominent Northern politician, Usman Bugaje, has turned down President Muhammadu Buhari offer of ambassadorial position on the ground that he preferred to remain in Nigeria to nurture a project he is developing for the development of the North.

Bugaje said on his Facebook Wall: “Regarding the published nomination for an ambassadorial posting, I have not spoken to the press and may not do so anytime soon.
“I thank those who think me fit for the job, but I have so much in my hands already, especially the Arewa Research and Development Project, which is the only broad platform in the north driving development.
“I have weighed the options and have decided to remain home and continue the struggle for development and good governance.”

Bugaje’s position is coming on the heels of two others who have similarly turned down Buhari’s appointment. They are the former Minister and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen; a Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States of America, Akintunde Akinwande. [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he is determined to restore the country to the “good old days of accountability” and leave a big footprint on the sand of time when he is long gone.

Speaking at a meeting Tuesday with the Director, Global Upstream of Shell Oil Company at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Buhari emphasized that he is determined to leave a legacy of improved infrastructure, particularly in the power sector, and also ensure better security in the Niger Delta.

“It is only by doing this that investor morale and confidence will return, and the economy will be positioned on the path of growth,” the President said.

President Buhari, who commended Shell for their faith in the economy and staying power, gave assurances on some issues of concern raised by the company.

On the protracted issue of cash calls, the President assured that the Federal Executive Council will soon consider a proposal for the easing of unpaid arrears owed by the government.

President Buhari said that the security of oil infrastructure will continue to be prioritized side-by-side with dialogue with the stakeholder-communities in the Niger Delta.

He, however, urged oil companies to take more responsibility in the protection of oil installations to complement the efforts of Nigerian Navy in the region.

In his remarks, the Shell Director, Mr. Andrew Brown, informed the President of the resumption of oil exportation through the Forcados terminal following its restoration.

He called for continued protection by the Nigerian Navy in view of repeated threats of attack by militants.

Brown commended the anti-corruption posture of the Buhari administration as well as the efforts to streamline and stabilize the economy for long term projects, saying all the efforts will go a long way to reinforce Shell investment plans in Nigeria. [myad]

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has confessed that most of the major decisions he had taken so far were as a result of encouragement from his friends in the media.

The minister, who received in audience, members of the Forum of FCT Broadcast Editors in his office, stressed that media people have been part of his guiding principles

Muhammad Bello acknowledged that every stakeholder in the project Nigeria has done its bit in one way or the other but that the role of the media since pre-independent Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.

“The Nigerian media has tremendously contributed to the socio-economic and political development of the country just as it has remained the conscious of the nation.

Acknowledging also that he has been enjoying what he called ‘robust’ partnership with the media, he said that some of his policy decisions have been greatly reinvigorated by the feedback he received from journalists covering the FCT Administration. 

He described the media as the eyes and ears of the society saying that their profound knowledge of the city is one that generates a lot of vibrancy in both the public and private sphere. 

He called for continuous support and collaboration from the media practitioners to strengthen institutions in the FCT, adding: “you have been and will continue to be the eyes and the ears of the residents of the FCT. Your knowledge of the city is obviously much deeper and I have had course to follow the activities of most of your organizations, the feedback and the support you give, the vibrancy that you generate in our beautiful city and community.

“Since I came on board as the Minister, we have tried as much as possible to convey a message to the wider community that Abuja is for all and therefore, Abuja should reflect the standard of a city that we all aspire to say it is ours. That is why in all of the policies we initiate, we try to encourage people to own it, simply because we have realized that a Minister and a team of 50 or hundred senior officials cannot run the city alone. It has to be something that all of us should consciously believe in.” 

Earlier, Head of News, Rhythm FM, who is the Convener and Chairman of the FCT Forum of Broadcast Editors, Mr. Tijjani Yunusa, said that the Forum is ready to partner with the FCT Administration.

He said that the Forum has found Malam Muhammad Bello to be a silent achiever and would continue to collaborate with his Administration. [myad]