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Amaechi Tasks NBA On Rule Of Law, N’Delta
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been urged to strengthen the rule of law by encouraging lawyers in the country to interpret the law correctly.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave the charge yesterday while declaring open the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.
The governor who frowned at the manner in which the Ministry of Justice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have interpreted matters of the law in recent times, regretted that it was unfortunate that very respected lawyers were at the helm of affairs at these arms of government.
Governor Amaechi noted that since the EFCC was established by an act of parliament it was improper for the organization to act in contravention of the law, describing its decision to act as accuser and judge as unfair.
He noted that instead of challenging a subsisting court judgment which prevents it from prosecuting public officers before going ahead to tarnish the image of such persons, the EFCC now pronounces people guilty before interrogation.
According to him, the best approach permissible by law was to first challenge the judgment in court, so as to gain unhindered access in arresting and prosecuting suspected corrupt officers.
He said his administration was not against the activities of the EFCC but would no longer allow the organisation to keep harassing serving public office-holders in the state when a court judgment preventing the agency from doing so has not been vacated.
The governor also condemned the action of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kaase Aondoakaa for using his administrative power as Justice Minister to set aside a judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the ownership of oil wells.
While calling on the NBA to rise to the need to save Nigeria and indeed, the Niger Delta from the injustices against them, Governor Amaechi chided the Justice Minister for applying double standard in the issue of oil wells between Cross River State and Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom and Rivers, respectively.
The State Chief Executive blamed the Justice Minister for setting aside the apex court judgment and the political compromise reached on the issue to cause disaffection among the states of the region, when he should be protecting obedience to the law.
Governor Amaechi who spoke on the topic “Physician Heal Thyself” urged NBA members to show more interest and responsibility in protecting the laws of the land especially when such laws were pronouncements of the Supreme Court.
On the neglect of the Niger Delta States by the Federal Government, Governor Amaechi said the Federal authorities have not carried out any meaningful project in the region to justify the huge resources from the area.
He cited the example of abandoned federal roads in Rivers State on which the state government had spent over N50billion in reconstructing to enable the people move in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Earlier, the president of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said the NEC meeting in Port Harcourt, few years after the National convention in the state, shows that the Port Harcourt branch of the body is active.
Chief Akeredolu, acknowledged the challenges before the Rivers State governor to speak louder for the people and promised to live up to the expectation of Nigerians, while assuring that the Niger Delta issue must be re-examined to give the people fair treatment.
Also speaking, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ken Chikere explained that the state government in partnership with other law enforcement agencies in the state has done well in prison decongestion and quick dispensation of justice.
In his welcome address the Port Harcourt branch chairman Chief O. T. K. D. Amachree said the branch is over due for another branch based on its overwhelming membership strengthen of over 2,000 lawyers.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.