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Probe Justice Abang, Group Urges NJC
Irked by what it described as the plethora of conflicting court rulings rocking the Federal High Court, the Peoples Democratic Party National Youth Frontiers (PDPNYF), a frontline youth group within the opposition PDP, yesterday, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and address the inglorious acts of High Court judges issuing conflicting judgments.
Citing the rulings of Justice Okon Abang, which botched the August 17 National Convention of the PDP, as well as threw Abia State into confusion, the PDPNYF, in a statement by its Coordinator, Austin Okai, said the silence of the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court could only mean a confirmation of “our suspicion that Justice Okon Abang is not acting alone, and our judiciary is no longer an unbiased institution.”
Reacting to the events around the botched PDP August 17, 2016, National Convention held in Port Harcourt, the group said, “we observed in dismay the roles played by various state organs and a judicial officer before, during and after the August 17, 2016, rescheduled National Convention of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
“We condemn the deliberate act of Justice Okon Abang of Federal High Court, Abuja division to assume the role of an Appellate Court to hear a matter brought to him by ousted PDP Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and issued verdict to reverse the judgement of Justice Ibrahim Watila of Federal High Court, Port Harcourt division, who in suit number FHC/ PH/CS/585/2016, had previously issued a verdict stamping legality on the convention after the matter was brought before the learned justice by the Senator Ben Obi of PDP National Caretaker Committee.
“We consider the action of Justice Okon Abang to set aside the judgement of FHC, Port Harcourt, a court of concurrent jurisdiction as an affront to the judiciary and a show of judicial rascality, and we strongly condemn the action of the learned justice.
“We strongly condemn the deliberate act of members of Nigeria Police and the Army to seize the venue of the convention, preventing members and delegates of our great party from gaining access to the stadium despite a valid court order by Justice Ibrahim Watila of Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which mandated them to ensure security and cooperation during the convention.
“It is regrettable that Nigeria has degenerated into a society where a Justice like Okon Abang that is supposed to uphold the tenets of justice will be the person putting himself in a position that suggests a deliberate act to subvert justice.
“It is important to note that the action of Justice Okon Abang was recently described by Justice Ogunwumiju of Court of Appeal as ‘a grave violence against the pillars of justice’ in the case between Uche Ogah and Okezie Ikpeazu.
“It is regrettable that our security agencies that are supposed to execute court judgements will instead flout the judgement by obstructing an important institution in a democracy from carrying out a legitimate task of holding its convention.
“We call on the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of the Federation, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to investigate and address the inglorious act of High Court judges issuing conflicting judgements in a particular subject. The silence of the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court is only a confirmation of our suspicion that Justice Okon is not acting alone, and our judiciary is no longer an unbiased institution.
“While we pledge our support to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee, we appeal to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff group to sheathe their sword and join hands to prepare the party for 2019.
“Finally, we warn the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and its agents to desist from interfering in the internal affairs of our party as we are prepared to resist such undemocratic move. We shall explore every means possible to ensure that our great party is not brought to disrepute by organs and agents of the state,” the group added.
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.