Buhari’s Daughter, Halima; 80 Year Old Law Graduate, Called To The Nigerian Bar

July 14, 2016

Daughter of President Muhahhadu Buhari, Halima Muhammad Babagana Sheriff Buhari and an 80 year old Enebeli Pius Chika were among the 2, 259 law graduates that have been admitted into the Nigerian Bar.

The ceremony attracted the presence of the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari and other members of the first family at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Halima and the 80 year old graduate of the Law school were the centre of attraction at the colourful ceremony in Lagos.

While presenting successful candidates for the call to bar, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko, advised the new wigs to strive to ensure that the sanctity of the legal profession was not compromised.

Onadeko said that the candidates were eligible to become members of the legal profession having successfully completed the vocational training at the Nigerian Law School as prescribed by the Legal Education Act.

He drew the attention of legal body to the persistent challenge of violation of admission quotas by some Faculties of Law in the country.

“The allocated figures are a product of empirical evaluation of available facilities in the Faculties.
“Consequently, failure to keep to these numbers impacts negatively on the quality of the products. The extent of violation has been profound in some cases”.

Onadeko appealed to the university authorities to the decision of the Council of Legal Education and the National Universities Commission in this regard.

Onadeko said that the essence of the insistence on good character for eligibility for admission is to shield it from those with propensity to act at variance with the “interest of their clients, the profession itself and the justice.‎”

He congratulated the newest set of lawyers in the country, and reminded them of the challenge of bench marking on minimum international best practices and advised them to aim at the top level in their all endeavours.

This was even as Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Bandele Aiku (SAN), told the new lawyers that success at the Bar demands more than distinction in law examinations, adding: “it demands of correct behaviours, of true and proper professional spirit and of proper understanding and wise use of the tools of the craft.”

Aiku highlighted the codes to include: “respect to the court and seniors, courage and independence, help and advice to colleagues.”

With over five decades of robust legal practice, Aiku told the new wigs that “the path to professional excellence at the Bar is long, tortuous, rough and bumpy.”

He said that, however, the “profession is intellectually exciting and glamourous.” [myad]

South West APC Asks Senator Melaye To Apologize To Senator Tinubu Or…

Greenbarge Reporters

July 14, 2016

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South West Zone has asked Senator Dino Melaye to apologize to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central over his threat on the floor of the Senate that he would beat her and nothing would happen, even as he also threatened to ‘impregnate’ her, or be declared persona non grata in the region.

In a statement on Thursday by the Zonal Secretary, Ayo Afolabi, the Southwest APC warned that Senator Melaye should regard the South West Zone as a no go area if he refused to tender a public apology and desist from such unruly behaviours on any colleague from any party of this country in the future.

The full text of the statement reads thus:

”All Progressives Congress members (South West Zone) feel scandalized and traumatized that we are in the same political party with the likes of Senator Dino Melaye who was credited with using the sovereignty of the floor of the Senate Chambers to address Senator Oluremi Tinubu a Very Distinguished Senator and wife of our Leader Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in very rude, indecent and uncouched language. We are surprised that any person elected into the Nigerian Senate could remind us of the often repeated lyrics “Vagabond in Power” by Fela Anikulapo Kuti at the Berlin festival performance.

On the other hand, going by the antecedents of the undistinguished Senator Melaye, his current conduct in the Senate is predictable, he had “married” and divorced three women who all had stories of violence visited on them by him. We wonder if Dino thought Mrs. Tinubu was in the class of his slave ladies. Dino we know was rejected in 2011 by his constituency at the polls, only for him to clandestinely contest the senate seat riding on the popularity of the All Progressives Congress to climb to the hallowed chambers of the Senate. But the leopard never shed its skin. Melaye is nothing but a disgrace to the Nigerian Senate.

We at the All Progressives Congress (South West Zone) call on the undistinguished Senator to publicly withdraw his tantrums and apologize not only to our own Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu but also to the entire Tinubu Family, Womanhood and the All Progressives Congress in the South West Zone. We invite all our women society organizations to see this as a fight against the denigration of the Nigerian woman.
We call on the National Leadership and indeed the National Chairman of our Great Party, His Excellency Chief John Odigie Oyegun, to call the disgrace of a person in Senator Melaye, a wolf in a sheep’s skin to order. From reports of his performance and activities in the Senate, this incident is typical of Dino’s record. We wonder if Dino will not one of these days carry out his treat of beating up a Senate colleague.

We call on the Ag. Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to note the threat issued by Dino Melaye, that he will kill anybody who testifies against the accused persons in the Senate forgery case. We think Dino threat is not just running his usual verbal diarrhoea, but his outburst was a demonstration of the hatred he harbors for our Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Meanwhile Senator Melaye should regard the South West Zone as a no go area if he refused to tender a public apology and desist from such unruly behaviours on any colleague from any party of this country in the future. A word is enough for the wise.

Signed:
Ayo Afolabi, Zonal National Secretary, South West. [myad]

We Are Starting All Over Again In Nigeria, Buhari Tells Moroccan Leader

Greenbarge Reporters

July 14, 2016

“For us in Nigeria, it is like starting all over again. There was a time we had so much money and took things for granted. But with the fall in the international price of oil, we are now managing.”
President Muhammadu Buhari made these statements on Thursday when he received in audience at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ambassador Nasser Bourita, a Special Envoy of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
Buhari said that Nigeria is in a hurry to see projects take off in the agricultural sector to enhance food security and create jobs for teeming unemployed youths.
The President appreciated the plan by Morocco to establish a fertilizer plant in Nigeria, which would not only serve the country, but the entire West African sub-region.
The envoy, who is also Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said his country had developed strategy to deal with religious extremism, and had largely been successful in fighting terrorism. [myad]

Buhari Hands Over Magu To Senate For Approval As EFCC Chairman

Greenbarge Reporters

July 14, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has handed over Ibrahim Mustafa Magu to the Senate for confirmation as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a letter to the Senate on Wednesday, President Buhari asked the Senators to screen Magu for confirmation or otherwise.
Magu was appointed the acting chair of the EFCC after the removal of Ibrahim Lamorde on November 9, 2015. Prior to his appointment as acting chairman of the anti-graft commission, Magu was the head EFCC’s Economic Governance Unit (EGU).

Ibrahim Magu attended the University of Maiduguri where he obtained a degree in Accountancy. Hence he is now a certified accountant, a trained financial crimes investigator with background in forensic accounting, and he also trained at the FBI institute and the London Metropolitan Police institute.

Ibrahim Magu served as head of the EFCC’s Economic Governance Unit (EGU) during the tenure of Nuhu Ribadu. He thereafter gained public attention when he led many high profile investigations against former governors including James Ibori of Delta State and the current Senate President Bukola Saraki of Kwara State.

He also reportedly worked with Ribadu to jail his brother-in-law and former Bank of the North chief, Shettima Bulama. Bulama was later pardoned by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ibrahim Magu is a member of the investigative committee convened by National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the procurement of arms in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now.

Ibrahim Magu has been described by Police sources as “a fearless investigator who can stand up to any duty,”.

Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption and was a former Head of the Economic Governance Unit (EGU) of the anti-graft agency.

Magu was one of the early recruits into the EFCC by the pioneer chairman of the commission, Nuhu Ribadu. He is seen by peers as an incorruptible and courageous officer and then made the head of the sensitive EGU, a unit in charge of investigations of senior public officials.

As head of the EGU, some of the investigations Magu spearheaded include the role of former Kwara State Governor and serving senator, Bukola Saraki, in the collapse of Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, and James Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, who was convicted for money laundering in the United Kingdom.

But trouble started for the police officer after the controversial removal of Mr. Ribadu as chairman of the commission in December 2007.

In August 2008, Magu was accused of illegally keeping case files of top politicians being investigated by the commission. His house in Abuja was searched and his property carted away by operatives of the EFCC.

He was subsequently re-deployed to the police after days of detention with nothing incriminating found against him. He was later suspended from the police, going without salaries for several months.

Following his appointment as Chairman of the EFCC in 2011, Mr. Lamorde made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Both men had worked together at the commission when Lamorde served as head of operations of the agency.

In a letter written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on March 19, 2012, and titled “Re: Postings/Transfer and secondments of police officers to the EFCC,” Lamorde put Mr. Magu as top on the list of police officers he wanted to be deployed to the EFCC.

But when the police boss was to confirm the deployment of the officers, Mr. Magu’s name was conspicuously absent.

Lamorde eventually had his way after President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly intervened in Magu’s case.

Following the President’s intervention, Magu was released to the EFCC. He remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde. [myad]

We’ve Moved All Weapons, Officers To Waterways To Eliminate Pirates – Peterside

Greenbarge Reporters

July 14, 2016

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has assured the international shipping community and stakeholders of the country’s determination to eliminate piracy and criminality within her territorial waters.
The Director General who spoke on the sidelines of the on-going IMO/MOWCA sponsored integrated sub regional coast Guard function network in Brussels, Belgium, said that Nigeria is working with both local and international counter piracy partners to eliminate criminality on her waterways.
“We have a close working relationship with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in order to foster an integrated approach to dealing with the menace. We have also increased surveillance and have deployed world class maritime domain awareness assets in conjunction with the Nigeria Navy and the Nigeria Ports Authority to monitor our maritime environment.”
Dr Peterside said that Nigerian government has deployed Maritime Patrol Aircrafts (MPA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force as well as other naval assets to patrol and monitor the country’s waterways.
The Director General said that as a signatory to all IMO instruments and regulations relating to maritime security, Nigeria is committed to their compliance in order to eliminate piracy and criminality on the high seas.
He said that Nigeria is mindful of the serious risk posed by piracy and maritime crimes to life, navigational safety and the environment, saying that this is why NIMASA is strengthening the Regional Rescue Coordination Centre located in the country as well as enhance information sharing activities.
Responding to questions on rising cases of militancy in the Niger Delta region of the country, Dr. Peterside said Nigeria is adopting a multifaceted approach to deal with the challenge and assured the international shipping community that it is being tackled.
He called on the maritime community to draw a distinction between criminality, piracy and militancy, adding that Nigeria is safe for shipping and other commercial activities in the maritime sector.
Dr. Peterside appealed to international development agencies to work with Nigeria in resolving maritime security challenges in the country because of its strategic position to the overall maritime development in the continent given the size of her economy, population and geographical location. [myad]

I Remember When I Was A Soldier…Buhari (PHOTO)

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari, in complete combatant military outfit, interacts with troops of HQ 1 BDE at Dansadau, as part of the 2016 Nigerian Army Day celebration held in Zamfara State on July 13th July 2016. [myad]

Britain Will Bounce Back Stronger In The World Politics, New Prime Minister, Boasts

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Theresa May, has promised to carve out a bold new future for the country and made it to find its feet in strong term, in the world politics once again.

Theresa May, who assumed office on Wednesday after David Cameron bowed out earlier in the day said: “we will rise to the challenge. As we leave the European Union, we will forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world, and we will make Britain a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us.”

The 59 year old new helmswoman is expected to embark on the monumental task of leading the country out of the European Union. She had earlier had an audience with Queen Elizabeth after which she drove straight to her new home of 10 Downing Street.

Theresa May remarked: “when we take the big calls we’ll think not of the powerful but you, when we pass new laws we’ll listen not to the mighty but to you, when it comes to taxes we’ll prioritize not the wealthy but you.”

She is expected to limit the damage to British trade and investment as she renegotiates the country’s ties with its 27 European Union partners. She is also expected to unite a divided ruling Conservative party and a fractured nation in which many, on the evidence of the vote, feel angry with the political elite and left behind by the forces of globalization.

Acknowledging the struggles faced by many Britons, Theresa May declared: “The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.”

The United States congratulated Theresa May and said that it is confident in her ability to steer Britain through the Brexit negotiations.

“Based on the public comments we’ve seen from the incoming prime minister, she intends to pursue a course that’s consistent with the prescription that President Obama has offered,” White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, said.

An official photograph showed May curtseying to a smiling Queen Elizabeth, for whom she is the 13th prime minister in a line that started with Winston Churchill. She is also Britain’s second female head of government after Margaret Thatcher.

EU leaders, keen to move forward after the shock of ‘Brexit’, want May to launch formal divorce proceedings as soon as possible to help resolve the uncertainty. But she has said the process should not be launched before the end of year, to give time for Britain to draw up its negotiating strategy.

Although she favored Britain remaining in Europe, May has repeatedly declared that “Brexit means Brexit” and that there can be no attempt to reverse the referendum outcome.

The shock vote partly reflected discontent with EU rules on freedom of movement that have contributed to record-high immigration – an issue on which May, as interior minister for the past six years, is politically vulnerable.

But EU leaders have made it clear that free movement is a fundamental principle that goes hand-in-hand with access to the bloc’s tariff-free single market, a stance that will hugely complicate May’s task in hammering out new terms of trade.

“My advice to my successor, who is a brilliant negotiator, is that we should try to be as close to the European Union as we can be for the benefits of trade, cooperation and of security,” Cameron told parliament in his last appearance before resigning.

Appearing later in Downing Street with his wife, Samantha, and their three children, he delivered his parting remarks to the nation after six years dominated by the Europe question and the aftermath of the global financial crisis. “It’s not been an easy journey and of course we’ve not got every decision right,” he said, “but I do believe that today our country is much stronger.”

In parliament, Cameron took the opportunity to trumpet his government’s achievements in generating one of the fastest growth rates among western economies, chopping the budget deficit, creating 2.5 million jobs and legalizing gay marriage.

May is seen by her supporters as a safe pair of hands to steer the country through the disruptive Brexit process. Colleagues describe her as cautious, unflappable and intensely private. [myad]

I Can’t Stop Case Of Forgery Against Senate President, Justice Minister Tells Senate

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has made it clear that since the case of alleged document forgery against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and others has already gone to court, he has no power to now stop it.

Ththat investigation into the case of alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules had been concluded before he was appointed and assumed office as minister.

Malami, who had earlier failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters which invited him, honoured the invitation and appeared before the committee on Wednesday.

Malami appeared before the six –member Senate panel for dragging Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others to court over alleged forgery of the Senate rule. The committee is investigating the allegation of “imminent threat to Nigeria’s democracy” leveled against the AGF.

Malami told the committee that he is under obligation to do whatever that can possibly be done to sustain democracy and the course of justice, saying that he therefore has no desire whatsoever to threaten democracy.

“The issue that constitutes the basis of this invitation is a criminal case instituted against certain members of the Senate. It is an act that predates my appointment. There are series of suits. The date of interest is 23rd of July, 2015.

“I was appointed on the 12th of November, 2015. That is four months after the investigation was concluded by the NPF (Nigeria Police Force).igeria Police Force). I have an obligation in the sustenance of democracy to institute a legal action from an investigation that has been concluded. It was based n this that I took the action.

“The action was not taken to truncate any democratic process, but was taken to protect the democracy. There are now two pending cases in court. One is a civil case instituted by some Senators. The other is a criminal case instituted by the office of the AGF. These two matters are subjudice. When a matter is before a court of law, nobody is entitled to look into it.

“I am guided by the Senate Standing Rules 53. One of the cases was instituted by the office of the AGF. It will be wrong to make any comments on a case still in court. The two matters are pending. Based n that, I will not say more.

“To my mind, the issue had been overtaken by events. I have a tradition of honouring social invitations, much less of an institution like the Senate. I know what they stand for. My inability to come was not out of arrogance or anything. I was out of the country when the invitations were sent.

“As at the time I came to office, there existed report of investigation into the matter. At the time I came to office, I had obligation to file action in relation to the investigation. The suit was filed in furtherance of the concluded investigation.”

The Attorney General reminded the Senate that it has no power to investigate a case pending in court, cautioning the committee that when a case is in court, no arm of government apart from the judiciary should look into it.

“I was appointed on the 12th of November, 2015. That is four months after the investigation was concluded by the NPF. I have an obligation in the sustenance of democracy to institute a legal action from an investigation that has been concluded. It was based n this that I took the action.

Members of the committee are -Senator David Umaru (Chairman), James Manager, Joshua Lidani, Babajide Omoworare, Chukwuka Utazi and Ovie Omo-Agege. [myad]

No Guarantee For Constituency Projects In 2016 Budget, Babachir Tells Senate

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has painted a gloomy picture on the 2016 controversial federal budget, telling the Senate that there is no guarantee for the implementation of constituency projects in the budget.

“We cannot guarantee the implementation of constituency projects in the 2016 budget. As a government, constituency projects are championed by members of the National Assembly. Like the legislature, members of the executive are politicians who canvassed for votes.

The SGF who appeared on Wednesday before a joint Senate committee on Appropriations, Finance and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, made it clear that the Federal Government cannot fully implement the N6.06 trillion 2016 budget as passed by the National Assembly because the projected revenues of the government had dropped by 50 to 60 per cent.

Babachir Lawal who was invited by the Senate to explain his comment that the 2016 constituency projects as captured in the budget would not be implemented said: “The statement is correct. That is my statement, we cannot guarantee the implementation of constituency projects in the 2016 budget. As a government, constituency projects are championed by members of the National Assembly. Like the legislature, members of the executive are politicians who canvassed for votes.

“Lawmakers are aware that oil barrels had dwindled to about 800,000 per day. This has led to the inability of government to finance the budget. It is the duty of government to prepare the minds of Nigerians ahead that there will be challenges in implementing the budget.

“Government based its principle on zero budgeting this year. Funds will be released to finance key projects in line with the implementation plans of the government. I will explain why it will be hard for the government to implement the budget.

“I spoke with the Minister of Budget this morning and I asked him the revenue base of the government. We are now receiving about 50 to 60 earnings from what we projected.”

“Some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) might find it impossible to implement projects appropriated in their budgets. We have to re-prioritize. I like us to understand that this is the background upon which I made that statement. “

He pointedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s revenue on activities of militants in the Niger Delta even as he said that the oil benchmark of $38 per barrel fixed by the Federal Government has been drastically dislocated.

He added that the benchmark has been grossly affected by activities of militants in the Niger Delta. [myad]

Immunity Allows Me To Say Anything, Governor Fayose Tells Aisha Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

July 13, 2016

Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has made it clear to the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari who is threatening to sue him for libel, that immunity in the Nigerian constitution, allows him him as governor to say anything and get away with it.

The governor was reacting to a letter written to him by Counsel to Mrs. Buhari, Mary Ekpere & Co, dated June 22, 2016, demanding a retraction of the governor’s statement that her client was involved in the Halliburton scandal, threatening a legal action if the retraction is not made within five days.

Fayose responded by saying that for now, he is enjoying the immunity granted to him as governor by the Nigerian constitution and therefore asked the President’s wife to wait until the end of his tenure on October 16, 2018 when his tenure expires before going ahead with a defamation case on her alleged link with the Halliburton scandal.

In a letter by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, the Ekiti state governor emphasized that he is enjoying constitutional immunity from civil and criminal proceedings during the period he occupies the office of the governor.

The governor maintained in the letter that the statement he made regarding the alleged involvement of Mrs. Buhari in the Halliburton scandal was “correct and justified in law, having regards to a court judgment convicting one Mr. William Jefferson of bribery in the case.”

The governor’s lawyer insisted that the statement of his client was correct and justified, having been factually premised on an existing court judgment.

The letter reads: “Our client has referred to us your letter dated 22nd June, 2016, on alleged defamation of the character of your client , Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with firm instructions to reply to and reject same in its entirety.

“Our client states and reaffirms categorically that the statement he made as regards the involvement of Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Buhari, in the Halliburton scandal, is correct and justified in law; having regards to a court judgement convicting one Mr. William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case.

“Therein, the name of the President’s wife featured conspicuously. At page 22 of the said judgment delivered by the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, USA, in criminal No 1: 07CR209, the said Mr. William Jefferson was sentenced at 9:00am on November 13, 2009, by Mark D, Lytle. Your client, Mrs. Aisha Buhari was specifically mentioned in the judgment.” [myad]

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