News
Lawyers Hail Sack Of Corrupt, Incompetent Judges
Some prominent lawyers in Lagos yesterday urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) not to relent in its effort to sanitise the nation’s judiciary.
The lawyers spoke in interviews with newsmen while reacting to the recent sacking of two judges by the council.
The affected judges, Justices Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court and Ufot Inyang of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, were sacked on February 26 for “gross misconduct.”
Our correspondent reports that one of the reasons given for Olotu’s sack was that she failed to deliver judgment in a suit 18 months after final addresses by counsel in the suit.
The NJC said it was contrary to the Constitutional provisions which states that judgment should be delivered within 90 days.
Inyang was sacked for including in his judgment, references to the garnishee proceedings, which came after a judgment had been delivered on December 20, 2011.
He was also accused of continuing with the garnishee proceedings, despite an application for a stay of execution of the said judgment.
NAN recalls that the NJC had on February 20, 2013, sacked Justices Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court and Thomas Naron of the Plateau State High Court, for similar offences.
The council had also on April 26, 2013 suspended Justice Abubakar Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court for one year.
Talba was handed the suspension for failing to exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously in a matter involving John Yusufu, a Director of Pensions, convicted for theft.
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, commended the NJC for the action, saying it would put judges on their toes.
He said: “If you look at the dismissal of the two judges, you will find out that they were very guilty of the offences they were alleged to have committed.
“One of them even forgot that she had a ruling to deliver which is quite strange because judges are supposed to be effective and efficient.”
Also speaking, Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a rights advocacy group, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said lazy judges had no business being on the bench.
“For failing to deliver judgment 18 months after parties have adopted their final written addresses, that judge does not deserve to continue to be on the bench”, Mumuni said.
However, a human rights lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu, advised the NJC to be careful over sacking of judges.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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