FG Set To Appeal Bakassi Ruling …As Jonathan Names New Service Chiefs

President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to look
at the option of appealing the judgment of the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) on the Bakassi peninsula.

The decision was reached at a meeting between the President,
the leadership of the National Assembly and other stakeholders at the State
House in Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that the meeting which started
late Wednesday night ended in the early hours yesterday.

Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke, told State House
correspondents after the meeting that the committee would also consider how to
take care of the displaced people of Bakassi.

Imoke who did not disclose the composition of the committee
said it would work within a specified time.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria has an October 9
deadline to appeal the ICJ ruling which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to
neighbouring Cameroon. The judgement  was
delivered on October 10, 2002.

Imoke said Jonathan had shown great leadership quality by
convening the meeting and standing firm on some of the decisions taken.

Speaking also, the Senate President, Senator David Mark,
said the executive arm of government and the lawmakers were now on the same
page on the Bakassi issue.

He said they would work together to achieve results.

A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince
Bola Ajibola who was at the meeting, said the Federal Government had shown
candid concern on the Bakassi issue.

He commended the move by government to follow dialogue, the
rule of law and diplomacy in ensuring that Nigeria gets justice and the people
were not wrongly dealt with.

Ajibola expressed optimism that the committee would handle
the matter accordingly and in good time.

Our correspondent reports that the meeting was attended by
Vice President Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.
Aminu Tambuwal, and other principal officers of the National Assembly.

Also in attendance were Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill
Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius
Anyim, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation
(AGF), Mohammed Adoke.

Some leaders and representatives of selected groups from
Bakassi, as well as presidential aides, were also in attendance.

Our correspondent recalls that the Senate had last week
unanimously passed a resolution mandating the Federal Government to appeal the
ICJ ruling because of the new facts which had emerged over the matter.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan yesterday in Abuja approved
the appointment of Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim from Kwara State as the new Chief
of Defence Staff.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President
on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said Rear Admiral Dele J. Ezeoba from
Delta State was appointed as the new Chief of Naval Staff.

The statement said that Air Vice Marshall A.S. Badeh, from
Adamawa, was also appointed as Chief of Air Staff.

“The incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike
Ihejirika, retained his position.”

The statement said Jonathan thanked the outgoing service
chiefs for their meritorious and commendable service to the nation, and wished
them well in their future endeavours.

Ihejirika and the three retired service chiefs were
appointed by Jonathan on September 8, 2010.

The retired service chiefs are former Chief of Defence
Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall
Mohammed Umar.

Before his new appointment, Ibrahim was Chief of Naval
Staff.