Sen Natasha Akpoti: N/Central women write Tinubu

Decry strong arm tactics. Say FG lawsuit sends wrong signal North Central women on Saturday urged the Federal Government not to trample on the rights of citizens. ‘’Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights are slowly extinguished. Her complaints, protests and appeals are now treated as seditious murmurings’’ They also advised the Federal Government not to provide a justification for political anarchism. The women in a statement in Lafia said the lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan was capable of sending wrong signals of political oppression of women in Nigeria. They urged President Bola Tinubu to prevent the 10th Senate from being ill governed. The zonal women advised President Tinubu to go to the root of the matter involving the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Senator representing Kogi Central, Chief Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The statement issued by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu, described the recent case filed by the Federal Government against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as a desire for conquest and a bad way of maintaining or restoring stability, patriotism and morality among the people. ‘’The problem in the Senate cannot be resolved in this manner. It is in going to the root that you will find the solution of a number of problems of the 10th Senate which the leadership cannot settle’’. The statement counseled Tinubu not to yield to the fatal temptation of oppressing women in the country. Particularly, the women urged Tinubu to apply human wisdom, follow public reason and act aright by asking the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to quickly withdraw the lawsuit from the court. The statement emphasized sincere reconciliation and the question of morality. The women praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for her honest heart. They also underscored shameful methods in conflict resolution and the activities of fierce and brutal men in the country.

Health, welfare of judges topmost priority, FG assures …Justice Orji-Abadua, jurist of unimpeachable character – Justice Dongban-Mensem

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has assured of the federal government’s commitment to improving the justice system and enhancing the capacity of the judges. The AGF spoke at a valedictory court session held by the Court of Appeal for the late Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua, who died on March 8 as the presiding justice of the Benin division of the court. Fagbemi said: “The federal government will continue to support to support the judiciary and ensure that the health and welfare of the judges remain the priority of this administration.” Fagbemi, who, like every speaker at the event, eulogised the deceased, said her keen and brilliant insight into legal matters, earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and colleagues. He added: “It is indeed, safe to say that throughout her professional journey, Honourable Justice Orji-Abadua not only achieved brilliant success, but also served as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring legal professionals in her exceptional demonstration of the importance of integrity, diligence, and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice. “Her contributions to the Judiciary, at the different levels of the Nigeria Judicature, indeed stands as a testament to her exceptional legal prowess and unwavering commitment to upholding the Rule of Law.” The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said Justice Orji-Abadua was a jurist of unimpeachable character who had a very simple and humble nature. Justice Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by the Presiding Justice of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, noted that the deceased was in the service of the Judiciary for 27 years, 16 of which were spent at the Court of Appeal. She added that although Justice Orji-Abadua was no longer around, her “contributions to the development of the law will remain and continue to help our jurisprudence to grow.” The chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who spoke for the Body of Senior Advocates, Paul Usoro (SAN) equally spoke glowingly about the deceased. Awomolo described the late Justice Orji-Abadua as a fair and thorough jurist who served without blemish. The deceased’s widower, Dr. Benjamin Abadua expressed delight about the beautiful things he said about his late wife. Abadua said his late wife was a forthright personality who was always conscious of the truth and justice.

AGF faults Gov Ododo, asks Yahaya Bello to submit self for probe

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe. Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State. In the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment this Thursday. Reacting to the development, the AGF, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, said EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation. He also described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’,. According to the Minister, embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go. He reiterated his stands for the rule of law and will ensure no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon. The AGF said in the terse statement: “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern. “It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation. “A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it. “I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection. “I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”

New Jersey To Return $8.9m Looted Under Jonathan To Nigeria

Jersey’s Royal Court has ruled in favour of returning stolen assets valued at £6.9 million ($8.9 million) to Nigeria. The decision comes after Jersey’s Attorney General issued a forfeiture notice in November, asserting that the funds, deposited in a Jersey bank account, were likely misappropriated by Nigerian government officials in 2014. The illicit transfer of funds was reportedly disguised as government-sanctioned contracts for arms purchases during Boko Haram incursions in Nigeria between 2009 and 2015. Former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power between 2010 and 2015. It will also be recalled that a lot of controversy had surrounded the purchase of weapons in the fight against insurgency with the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, being accused of diverting funds meant for security equipment. Also in late 2014, a private jet belonging to the-then President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, was arrested in South Africa with $10m cash, which was allegedly meant for the purchase of military weapons. The Jersey court found that most of the funds, initially intended for legitimate arms deals, had been diverted through foreign bank accounts and shell companies linked to the former ruling party in Nigeria.   Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, noted the collaboration between Jersey and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the recovery process. Temple stressed the effectiveness of the 2018 Forfeiture Law in combating corruption and restoring funds to victims of crime. Plans are underway to negotiate an asset return agreement with the Nigerian government. He said: “This case again demonstrates the effectiveness of the 2018 Forfeiture Law in recovering the proceeds of corruption and restoring that money to victims of crime. “I now intend to negotiate an asset return agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Tinubu’s Reforms Will Bring Prosperity To Nigeria -AGF

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said ongoing reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will bring economic prosperity and stability to Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to be patient with the president and support the reforms being introduced across the board. Fagbemi spoke during a prayer organised in his honour by his family in his Ijagbo country-home in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State on Friday. The event was attended by the state governor, Abdurrazaq Abdurrahman; monarchs, friends and well wishers. A statement signed by the S A Communication & Publicity to AGF& Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, stated that the minister assured Nigerians of the president’s determination to take the country out of the woods. He said, “The president is not looking for self aggravadisement. He’s seeking a better future for the country. ” Immediately after his swearing in, he has been all out to seek investors’ buy-in. As a result, positive responses have been trailing his discussions with foreign investors. The only thing we need is to exercise some patience. Even if you plant a tree, it won’t grow into fruition until after a while. “Nigerians need to be patient; things will improve greatly in the coming days. The sacrifices of today will translate to a greater future for the country. I know with prayers and support of Nigerians, the country will emerge stronger.” The AGF commended the governor for his giant strides in the state.