Judiciary

AGF Solicits Judiciary’s Support in Fight against Corruption

By Web News 370

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi SAN has admonished the judiciary to assist the government by being objective in the fight against corruption.

The AGF stated this at the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch 2024 Professional Bar Dinner organised in his honour held at the Aare Afe Babalola  Bar Centre, Iyaganku Quarters, Ibadan.

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who noted that the Constitution gives serving governors immunity against prosecution, stressed that the law does not, however, absolve such person from being investigated.

The minister of justice however frowned at legal practitioners, who are aiding such persons by rushing to court to abuse the law.

Mr Fagbemi maintained that he would always apply the law without sentiment whenever the need be.

The AGF also noted that certain appeals should be pegged at the court of appeal to allow the Supreme Court to adjudicate on more serious cases.

In a remark, Ibadan-based legal luminary, Mr Niyi Akintola SAN frowned at the defiance of a former governor, who did not make himself available to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for interrogation.

Delivering the dinner speech, Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluwashina Ogungbade, SAN pointed out that some legal practitioners abuse the criminal justice system in the country as they sometimes encourage clients to take matters that is not necessarily a subject of litigation to court.

In an address of welcome, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ibadan Branch, Mrs Folashade Aladeniyi, while thanking the AGF for honouring the event,  said the association would continue to uphold the highest ethical standard of the legal profession.

The highlight of the event was the honouring of members of the association who were recently elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria. 

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Governance

AGF Visits Ogun, Commends Governor’s Infrastructure Initiative

By Web News 560

By Abimbola Bamgbose

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reiterated that his administration will focus on strengthening technical and vocational training as part of efforts to address unemployment in the State.

Governor Abiodun, who stated this when he received the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein in his office, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said unemployment had become an issue that needed urgent attention.

Governor Abiodun noted that not every university graduate would desire to work for someone else, hence the need for technical and vocational training.

According to the Governor, Strengthening the technical and vocational subsector of education would create employment opportunities and reduce the crime rate in the state and the country.

While maintaining that significant progress had been made by imparting on every sector of the State, as encapsulated in his administration’s development agenda, the state helmsman called for a synergy with the AGF’s office to continue to implement the “Building Our Future Together” agenda.

Earlier, the AGF, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, lauded the present administration in Ogun State for its efforts at attracting more investors, noting with delight the giant strides the State was making in the area of industrialization.

She said Ogun State had become home for those who work in Lagos because of the proactive steps of the government in providing needed infrastructure, including security of lives and property.

Mrs Madein also commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for making the provision of infrastructure like good road network, its priority.

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Economy

Pension: Reps Summon HOS, AGF over Non-Payment

By Web News 389

The House of Representatives has summoned the Head of Service of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) over the non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired Federal Civil Servants for nine months.

Others summoned include the Director-General of the National Pension Commission and the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to provide an explanation.

This followed the adoption of a motion by a member from Edo state Mr Sergius Ogun during the plenary.

Mr Ogun noted that pensioners under the defined benefits scheme of PTAD were reportedly owed monthly pensions and gratuities for a cumulative period of nine months.

He stated that the claim by PTAD that the technological glitches which caused it to be in arrears of pension and gratuities in the domain of the AGF and Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), was unacceptable.

Adopting the motion, the House, therefore, directed PTAD to appear before the Committees on Pension and Public Service Matters and provide an explanation.

The House also mandated the Committees on Pension, Public Service Matters, and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with this resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

Crime

Malami Identifies Igboho’s Sponsors, Reveals Igboho’s 43 Bank Accounts

By Web News 1229

Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney-General of the federation, has disclosed the major financier of Sunday Igboho’s identity

The Attorney-General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami disclosed on Friday that the Federal Government has found that the major financier of the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Igboho is a member of the National Assembly.

Malami, who was silent on the identity of the federal lawmaker, said a report by a security committee constituted by the FG also revealed that Igboho allegedly received funding from a firm – Abbai Bako and Sons – allegedly being probed for terrorism financing activities.

“Abdullahi Umar Usman is, by way of financial transaction, connected to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism Boko Haram,” Malami said.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Malami said the committee also made damning discoveries about the activities of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and his following, noting that there was information that Kanu was receiving supports from both within and outside Nigeria.

Malami gave details of persons allegedly killed and property destroyed by Kanu’s associates his inciting comment

“We have also established that KANU is not alone in its subversive activities.

“Some of the state actors aided KANU, even as a fugitive, in his destructive mission, ignoring the terrorist nature of his activities.

According to Malami, a committee set up by the government found out that Igboho is linked to 43 bank accounts in nine banks.

“We call on these countries to desist from aiding subversive acts by KANU and IPOB against the state of Nigeria and its people,” Malami said.

Ridwan Fasasi/Intel Region

Judiciary

Court Adjourns Hearing on Fundamental Right Suit Filed By Sunday Igboho

By Web News 704

The Oyo State High Court hearing the fundamental rights suit filed by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Igboho on Tuesday has adjourned its ruling and judgment of the suit till September 17.

Justice Oladiran Akintola, while adjourning the ruling and judgment also ordered the extension of the injunction order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, the DSS, their agents or privies from arresting Sunday Adeyemo till September 17.

At the resumption of the Counsel to the AGF, Abdulahi Abubakar, who stressed that the court should set aside the August 4 injunction restraining the first defendant Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Mallami, said his motion was based on four grounds, supporting it with five paragraphs affidavit in response to counter affidavit. 

Abubakar urged the court to disregard the counter affidavit and written address as well as setting aside subsequent extension of the interim injunction order filed by the applicant.

Counsel to Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, Chief Yomi Alliyu said the file was counter affidavit and written address on 24th August 2021, and that he was adopting and relying on the written counter affidavit.

Chief Alliyu, (SAN), argued that the application filed by Counsel to the AGF was not properly filed before the court as it was brought outside the 7 days stipulated by Order 4 Rule 6 of the fundamental human rights procedure rule 2009.

He stated that Defendants reply on point of law was an admission that they were not within time, adding that as at present, there was no motion for the extension of time from them, saying, the Court was not a Father Christmas and that the oral application cannot replace the process mandated by rules of Court.

The counsel to the DSS T.A Nurudeen insisted on his opposition to the originating summon dated 9th August 2021, and prayed the court to dismiss the application of the applicant.

Earlier, Nurudeen presented some exhibits tag Ds1, Ds2 video clip as an evidence, which showed some outburst of Sunday Adeyemo on the need for a Yoruba nation.

Nurudeen prayed the court to dismiss the application filed by the applicant, stressing that there was no expert report to back up the claims on the clips by the applicant.

Responding to the video clip by the DSS, Chief Alliyu noted that the clip language was not a Court language, urging the court to grant the prayers of applicant, adding that the defence brought evidence not known to the law.

 Therefore Justice Akintola extended the Interim order restraining the Attorney General of the Federation, DSS, their agents or privies till next date of adjournment.

Funmi Obagbayegun

Politics

Our decision is irreversible and will be enforced – Akeredolu replies Malami

By Web News 599

I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States.

The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country and is unconstitutional.

“It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting.”

This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.

Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.

Comparing this anachronism, which has led to loss of lives, farmlands and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.

Mr Malami is advised to approach the court to challenge the legality of the Laws of the respective states banning open grazing and decision of the Southern Governor Forum taken in the interest of their people.

We shall be most willing to meet him in court.

The decision to ban open grazing stays. It will be enforced with vigour.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN

Governor, Ondo State