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NJC Okays Six Chief Judges, 30 Others For Appointment
The National Judicial Council (NJC), has recommended the appointment of chief judges and 30 others as judicial officers to beef up judicial functions in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
At its 95th meeting held on September 15 and 16, 2021, the council considered the list of candidates presented by its Interview Committee, and recommended the 36 successful candidates to their respective state governors for appointment as heads of courts and other judicial officers in Nigeria.
They are Hon. Justice Richard O. Olorunfemi as chief judge, Kogi State, Hon. Justice Joe Itsebaga Acha for Edo, Hon. Justice Akintoroye Williams Akin for Ondo, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf for FCT, Hon. Justice Ekaette Francesca Fabian-Obot for Akwa Ibom, and Hon. Justice J. O. Adeyeye for Ekiti State.
Others are Hon. Kadi Baba Gana Mahdi as Grand Kadi, Yobe; Umaru Ahmad Liman as Grand Kadi, Bauchi; Hon. Justice Osagede Osado Emmanuel as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Nasarawa; Hon. Justice Mashud Akintunde Akinfemi Abass as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State; and Siyaka Momoh Jimoh Usman as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Kogi State.
Three judges are recommended for High Court of Gombe, and they are Zainab Abdulkadir Rasheed, Abdussalam Muhammad, and Daurabo Suleiman Sikka.
Akwa Ibom has Effiong Asukwo Effiong; Bauchi has Nana Fatima Jibril; while Kaduna High Court has Abdulkarim Mahmud.
The three candidates recommended for Katsina State are Kabir Shuaibu, Ibrahim Ishaku Mashi, and Ibrahim Abubakar Mande, while Prof Alero Akeredolu was recommended for Ondo State.
Four successful candidates for Oyo State are Olusola Adebisi Adetujoye, Folabimpe Beatrice Segun Olakojo, Prof Taiwo Elijah Adewale, and Kareem Adeyimika Adedokun.
Kogi State has three candidates, and they are Abubakar Sule Ibrahim, Abdullah Sulyman, as well as Aminu Ali Eri.
Two Kadis for Sharia Court of Appeal are Adamu Kuna Jibril and Ahmed Baba Bala, while the four for Bauchi are Musa Sani Abubakar, Mahdi Manga, Khamis Al-Hamidallah Muhammad and Sani Musa with Ondo State having one in the person of Orimisan James Okorisa and Oyo Customary Court of Appeal having Ajadi Olubukola Omolayo.
A statement by the NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, and released in Abuja, yesterday, said that all the recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by President Muhammadu Buhari, and their respective state governors, and confirmation by the respective state Houses of Assembly.
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Let Your Name Open Doors With Life You Lead -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that it is imperative for people to reflect on the kind of life they live and make amends if it will not open doors of better opportunities for their children, and others who have encountered them.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, gave the advice at the funeral service of his late mother-in-law, Mrs Adeline Ndalu Jaja, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the State on Saturday.
The governor noted that it is very disastrous for parents or leaders to conduct their lives without regard to building a good name that will become valuable currency for their children and those who associate with them to use as a lifeline when in challenges.
“We are all here this afternoon to say bye-bye to Mama. But I want you to go home with something. And by the grace of God, I don’t think there will be any counter to the point I will make.
“How do we live our lives? Can we live in such a way that when we are no more, our names can open doors for our children? That is what I want you to go home with,” the governor said.
Fubara noted that “Mama has lived her life, and it has opened a lot of doors for her biological children. Even those people that are close to Mama, when you mention that you know so and so person, doors will open.
“So, I want everybody here to go back and reflect on it. You must live life so that when you are no more, and our children who are left behind mention our names, those names open doors for them. I feel that is the greatest virtue parents should leave for their children.”
He further said that Mama was a good example because she lived a good life, simple, and promoted justice.
The governor declared that his confidence is in God who is the foundation on which his administration is anchored.
He assured that despite the contending challenges, the State and his administration have triumphed.
“I want to thank everyone of you this afternoon, more especially our leaders, true leaders of our dear State. Leaders, because one of the reasons why one is called a leader is your experience and age.
“True leaders are here to support us in these our trial times. I want to thank all of you, and to say, continue to stand for what is right and what is true”, he said.
Fubara expressed appreciation to his brother Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for his show of love by being physically present while he buried his late mother-in-law.
He also thanked the true leaders of the State who have stood with him to promote what is right and to protect the interest of the State.
Fubara particularly acknowledged the fatherly role played by the Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, for ensuring that peace continued to prevail in the kingdom.
In his speech, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, conveyed the condolences of sister States in the region to Fubara, his family and Rivers people for the loss they have suffered.
Diri said it is always sad to have a loved one die, no matter the age, adding that he wished that late Jaja would have lived longer, especially now that her daughter is the First Lady of Rivers State but quickly pointed out that death is a pointer to how temporary life is on earth.
Diri, who attended the burial with his entourage, extended the deepest condolences of government and people of Bayelsa State to the Rivers First Family.
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, read the biography of the late matriarch, which was a testimony of a courageous leader who rose from a humble beginning and disciplined parentage to success, with a career in the Nigeria Police Force that spanned years of active service till her retirement in 1997.
The only lesson at the funeral service anchored on divine atonement and respite for those in grief was taken by Mrs Vanessa Apiafi Banigo.
In his sermon, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta of the Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, exhorted on the need why people should reflect on the life that they live when they behold or hear that someone had died to help them reconcile their life with God.
He drew attention to the promise of a new heaven wherein God has prepared mansions that will serve as eternal abode for those who had lived life of faith in Him, hoping to be where He is.
Bishop Oko-Jaja said only those who die in Jesus Christ have the assurance of rest from their labours in eternity with God.
He said Mama, whose life of discipline, devotion to God, bravery, outspoken nature and peaceful disposition, should motivate everybody to be solutions rather than problems in the society.
Top dignitaries from the political class, business community, traditional leaders, clergies, captains of industry, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, parastatals, commissions, among others, attended the funeral service, which was followed with a reception.
Among other key stakeholders who joined to pay their last respect are: former governor of Rivers State, Sir Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili, JSC, (rtd); State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; former National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; Senators John Azuta Mbata and Lee Maeba.
Others include former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara; Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka; Chief Emeh Glory Emeh; National and State Assembly members from both Rivers and Bayelsa.
Some of the traditional rulers are: immediate past chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja; Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom; and others.
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NASU, SSANU Begin Seven-Day Warning Strike, Today
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU), has directed members to commence on a seven day warning strike from today.
The directive indicates that there will be complete blackout in all the universities, water treatment plants and clinics will be shutdown, while those involved in the proposed matriculations in some universities are to stay away from any activities.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had recently directed that university workers that were on prolonged strike in 2022 and their salaries stopped by the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after the invocation of “No work, no pay” policy, should be paid four months of the withheld salaries.
While the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), members have since been paid, the non-teaching staff comprising SSANU, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), are yet to receive any payment.
To express their dismay, SSANU and NASU through JAC, issued an ultimatum to the government, but the ultimatum expired without any action from government.
The two unions thereafter, gave a seven day warning strike notice to commence on March 18 if the government failed to attend to their demand.
In a statement on Friday March 15, JAC of the two unions lamented that the government had remained adamant to the strike notice and therefore directed that the warning strike should commence today.
A statement signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, explained that all the notices to the relevant government officials have produced no positive results.
The statement titled, “Commencement of a 7-day warning strike,” read: “The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld 4 months’ salaries of our members in the Federal Universities and Inter-University Centres as done for our Academic counterpart to no avail.
“As a matter of fact, the attention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, OON, the Honourable Minister of Education was called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.II/277 dated 13th February, 2024 and to also inform them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to unnecessary upheaval in our University Sector.
“In a similar vein, a press release was issued on 1st March, 2024 and the Federal Government was given 7-days ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the payment of the withheld 4 months’ salaries but nothing was done on same.
“Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without positive response to our demand by Government, this is to direct our members in the Universities and Inter- University Centres throughout the country to commence a 7-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March, 2024 in the first instance.
“Please note that the 7-day warning strike should be comprehensive and total as no concession should be given in any guise.
“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in the Universities and Inter-University Centres.”
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NHRC Blames Nigeria’s Policing System For Abduction Of School Children
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has attributed the incessant kidnappings in the country including the recent abduction of 286 students and teachers from two schools in Kaduna to the failure of the federal policing system in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ dialogue on state police organised by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre in Abuja.
Recall that bandits invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 7, shooting indiscriminately at people before whisking away the victims.
The incident has since triggered a national outrage, with Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Amnesty International, the Parents-Teachers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the House of Representatives condemning the attack.
But Ojukwu emphasised that such disaster could have been averted if the nation had not prioritised protection of the elite and affluent in society at the expense of the masses.
He also drummed support for the introduction of state police to tackle banditry and general insecurity ravaging the country.
He said, “Insecurity in this country is a result of bad governance; there is no argument about that. However, do we have to wait until there is good governance? Even in societies where you have good governance, they don’t joke with the issue of security.
“We are at a crossroads where every aspect of our life as Nigerians is not working. For me, the greatest attraction was the issue of state police tackling insecurities.
“We have so many complaints about the federal police. Look at the origin; it started from being something the colonial master introduced to force us to pay taxes. So ab initio, it was formed to protect the authorities.
“When we now got our independence, there was no concerted effort to re-orientate the Nigerian police. That was the issue. These guys are just protecting the elite, particularly the executive and legislature. Governors have a convoy of 1,000 policemen leaving the rest of us unprotected.”
Speaking on the abduction of the pupils, Ojukwu said, “That is why you can go on a road that stretches about 10 kilometres and you won’t see one single policeman. That is also why you can come into a secondary school and take away 282 students.
“Do you even know what 282 students look like? If you want to bring in luxury buses, you will need about three or four of them to pack them. And if you decide to use motorcycles, you need about 200 to lift these children.
“How did these people go about it without being noticed? Well, I am not a data analyst. But from what I heard, the number of policemen guarding all these rich individuals is far more than the ones left to look after the rest of us.”
A professor of Criminology and Sociology of Law at the University of Jos, Etannibi Alemika, however, disagreed with the call for state police.
Alemika wondered why Nigerians should be talking about deploying police at the state level when it was obvious their functions would be hijacked by the governors and influential figures within the domains.
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