Sen Orji Kalu, Others Disagree with the FG on Tax Reform Bills

The President Tinubu administration has been advised to follow the due process and not rush the passage of the Tax Reform Bills into law. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and other discussants who spoke on Thisday Live, an Arise TV talkshow, yesterday berated the Federal Government for not consulting adequately before presenting the proposal to the national assembly. The panelists wondered why, for instance, neither the Council of State nor the Nigerian Governors Forum was consulted, seeing as the reform has implications for constitutional review. READ ALSO: Tinubu Rejects NEC’s Advice, Won’t Withdraw Tax Reform Bills The programme which was anchored by Dr. Reuben Abati also featured Barr Jide Ologun and human rights activist, Opeyemi Adamoleku, Executive Director, Enough is Enough. Senator Kalu said the “Federal Government erred by not seeking the buy-in of the Council of State, the Governors Forum and the public before coming up with the bill.” He remarked that the Presidency even had to break ranks when it disagreed openly with the National Economic Council (NEC) that is chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, when the body called for caution. He explained that it is for that it was for those reasons that he supports the position canvassed by Senator Ali Ndume and some other northern Senators who called for more time for consultations and consensus building. Senator Kalu commended the stance of senator Ndume because, as he argued, “that’s what democracy is all about.” Sen. Kalu was however, optimistic that all the grey areas of the Bills will be cleaned up during the public hearing, even as Dr. Abati wondered if there would be a “proper public hearing that can pass the integrity test.” LONG READ: VAT, Vassal States and Restructuring (2) Regarding the accusation by some analysts that President Tinubu has a “Lagosnisation Agenda.” By which they imply that the Bills and other policies of the government are geared towards empowering Lagos, the home state of the President, Senator Kalu replied: “The bill is very progressive and brings back Fiscal Federalism. There will be no kangaroo public hearing. Any part of the bill that conflicts with our constitution will not fly.” According to him, “Tinubu needs to work on the integration of the country.” In her reaction, Ms. Adamolekun said, regardless of the nobility or otherwise of the proposed tax laws, since it relates to constitutional amendment, it should have been passed through the Council of States and subjected to a thorough engagement with the people. She added that not doing so gave rise to the present emotive outbursts on the matter. READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills: The Beginning of Fiscal Federalism? On his part, Barr Jide Ologun said he aligns with the northern senators and governors that aspects of the laws have the potency to pauperise the people, if implemented as proposed, even though it is an aspect of fiscal federalism. He argues that “our ultimate consideration should be the national interest.” He contends however, that the speed at which the Bills are being processed is a bit too much. He admonished that the government should “consider the interest of the nation before you do this, because the country is in dire need.” PLEASE READ ALSO: Only Lagos Will Benefit From Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, says Zulum

Provide Emergency Relief to Flood Victims: Senate Urges Federal Government

Respite may soon come the way of victims of recent flood disasters in parts of the country as the Nigerian Senate has called upon the federal government to swiftly enact emergency provisions to ease the pain of victims of recent floods in several communities within Abia North Senatorial District, Abia State. The Senate resolution follows a motion calling on the Federal Government to urgently make Emergency Provisions for victims of flooding in some communities in Abia North Senatorial district of Abia State. The motion was sponsored by Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, representing Abia North who made an impassioned plea, saying that heavy rainstorms accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms had ravaged the region, resulting in tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to property. Support for the motion was resoundingly echoed by Senators Austin Akobundu of Abia Central, Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South, and Osita Izunaso of Imo North, who joined in urging the Federal Government to intervene urgently and provide relief to the affected communities. Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin commended Senator Kalu for bringing the motion forward, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of the federal government in infrastructure development and pledging thorough consideration of the motion’s demands. The Senate observed a minute of silence in honor of those who perished in the disaster. The Senate further mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance and Environment to ensure swift implementation of the emergency provisions and to report back to the Senate within four weeks.

Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has expressed dissatisfaction over recent developments surrounding the N6.7 billion fraud case involving former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Jones Udeogu. The right group held that the situation has exposed serious deficiencies in the criminal justice system of the nation. The Director General of the group, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, on a press statement released on April 19, informed that the utilization of technicalities and procedural loopholes to evade justice in the matter is deeply troubling and undermines the principles of accountability and fairness. The convener recall that the Supreme Court, had on the 8th of May, 2020, nullified the conviction by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, holding that the Constitution does not permit a judge elevated to a higher court to return to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case. Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment of the panel led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour (retd.), also declared as unconstitutional the provision of Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (retd), relied on to authorized Justice Idris to return from the Court of Appeal to the High Court to conclude the trial. The decision by the Court of Appeal to dismiss the EFCC’s appeal based on insufficient records highlights how technicalities are being exploited to thwart the judicial process. Instead of addressing the substantive issues of fraud and corruption, the focus has shifted to procedural irregularities, allowing the accused to evade accountability and delay justice for the people of Abia State. The group insisted that Sen. Orji Uzor has been tried, found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and convicted accordingly, consistent with the extant laws as provided by the Constitution of Nigeria. According to Nwambu, the interpretation of legal provisions, such as the constitutional limitations on judges returning to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case, has been used to create confusion and delay in the adjudication of this case. He said that the insistence on strict compliance with procedural requirements, to the detriment of addressing the actual allegations of financial misconduct and massive fraud, is a disservice to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. “It is unacceptable that technicalities are being prioritized over the merits of the matter, especially in a case as serious as an alleged N7.6 billion fraud. The manipulation of legal loopholes to avoid facing the substantive allegations undermines the integrity of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the ability of our institutions to hold the powerful accountable.” Consequently, our coalition here by call on all stakeholders in the legal system to prioritize the fair and expeditious adjudication of cases involving financial crimes and corruption. The focus should be on addressing the substantive issues at hand and ensuring that justice is served without being derailed by technicalities and procedural obstacles. The coalition thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his willingness and determination to combat the hydra- headed monster of corruption, which has held the Nigerian nation on her knees for several decades. The group informed that the pronouncement of the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice on the current case of the former Governor of Kogi State has shown Mr president’s determination to ensure that every alleged corrupt Nigerian citizen irrespective of creed, religion or office held is made to face the law is a clear testament to this fact The group therefore informed that it is time to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those accused of financial misconduct are held accountable, regardless of the legal maneuvers they may employ to evade justice.

Alleged N7.6B fraud: Appeal court strikes out move to retry Gov, Orji Kalu

The Federal Government move to retry the former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, in the N7.6billion fraud and money laundering, had been strike out. Justice Joseph Kayode Oyewole of the Appeal court, court sitting in Abuja dismissed the suit for incompetent and unreliable for any court to use to grant the request of government. Among others, Justice Oyewole said that the record of appeal was not compiled, signed and certified by any person known to law. Specifically, Justice Oyewole said that the name of the person who compiled, signed and certified the record were not reflected as required by law. Recall that a Federal High Court had on December 5, 2019, jailed the former governor now s a senator representing Abia North for 12 years for stealing N7.6billion from the Treasury of Abia State as a governor. However, the supreme court voided the judgement of the lower court on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris who delivered it was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal having been elevated. The Apex court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Ejembi Ekwo held that Justice Mohammed Idris cannot operate as a Federal High Judge and Justice of the Court of Appeal at the same. Consequently, the Apex court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to give the trial to another Judge for a fresh trial. Kalu however went back to the Federal High Court and and Justice Inyang Ekwo granted him an order prohibiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from instituting a fresh prosecution. The Judge held that Orji Uzor Kalu was not expressly stated in the judgment of the Supreme Court. Not satisfied with the decision of Justice Ekwo, the prosecution appeal against the decision of the high court. The matter was Wednesday, dismissed for the failure to produce proper records of proceedings of the high court.