ASABA – Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta Central Senator and Leader of Al Progressives Party (APC) in the state, Olorugun O’tega Emerhor has again drawn a battle line.

While Omo Agege says he is a contender for the office of the Deputy Senate President in the ninth Assembly, Emerhor says he expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Omo-Agege.

Omo Agege spoke on Monday while making clarification on the controversial Federal High Court, Asaba, judgment which supposedly recognised Chief Cyril Ogodo-led faction of the APC instead of the current executive of the party led by Prophet Jones Ode Erue, the executive duly recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.

He spoke through one of his legislative aide, Nath Dortie, that contrary to skewed reports in the media, he did not lose any “appeal,” saying his application for joiner to the Asaba lower court case was only disallowed since he is not a party to the suit.

He said that the contentious Asaba judgment which some elements were parading is in violent conflict with the valid, unchallenged and subsisting June 18, 2018 judgment of Hon. Justice Chikere of the Federal High, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ /CS/509/18 which validated, recognised and gave legal life to the Prophet Jones-led executive of the party, a judgment that the plaintiffs in the Asaba court have failed to set aside/ appeal against.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Walter Onnoghen, the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), of refusing to declare his assets upon his appointment as a judicial officer in 1989.

According to the anti-graft commission, there was no evidence that the suspended CJN “ever declared his assets until 2016”.

This was contained in a petition filed by EFCC against Onnoghen before the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The petition read: “Upon his appointment as a judicial Officer in 1989 as justice of the High Court of Cross Rivers State, the Respondent is bound to declare his asset. There is no evidence before this Honourable Panel that the Respondent ever declared his asset until 2016 when he filled annexure E and F of exhibits R 6 and R7.

“My lords, in exhibit R7, the Respondent admitted that he failed to comply with the Constitutional provisions requiring him to declare asset on the ground that he forgot due to pressure of work. My lords, even in the conventional court where rules of evidence is applicable every admitted facts need no further prove. See Agbakoba v. SSS (1994) 8 NWLR (Pt.351) p. 475 and the case of Gov. of Akwa-Ibom State v. John Amah (2002) 7 NWLR (Pt.767) 730 at 778.”

The agency also accused Onnoghen of depositing the sum of $1,716,000 in a United State Dollars account operated with the Standard Chartered Bank in 2009, marked as exhibit P4 C, between 2009 and 2016.

According to EFCC, Onnoghen’s earnings as a judicial officer could not satisfactorily account for the amount found in the account.

The petition continued: “From the evidence on record, it is clear that the Respondent failed to declare all the accounts and funds in exhibit P4-P4D when he declared his 2014 asset in November 2016. Your lordship will observe that the Respondent only declared his Salary account with the Union Bank exhibit P3 and failed to declare P4-P4D, which are the accounts that warehoused funds that are far above the Respondent’s known and provable lawful income.

“My lords, by the provisions of Rule 1.2 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers it is clear that because members of the public expect a high standard of conduct from a judge, the Respondent is under the obligation to avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all his activities both in his professional and private life. It is our submission my lords, that any conduct of the Respondent that give rise to the appearance of impropriety is a judicial misconduct and same is punishable under the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

“It is our humble submission that the petitioner proved before this Honourable Panel that the Respondent was in possession of funds which are fairly not attributable to his known, proveable and legitimate source of income. The evidence shows that my lord earned a monthly salary in the sum of N750,819.87 which is about N9,000,000.00 per annum. My lords, as shown in exhibit P10A page 14 paragraph XXVI the Respondent only earned the sum of N91,962,362.49 as salary between September 2005 and October 2016. It is also on record that the exhibit P3 is the salary account of my lord wherein his salaries are paid.

“My lords, the evidence before this Honourable Committee shows clearly that the Respondent opened United State Dollars account with the Standard Chartered Bank in 2009, exhibit P4 C. This USD account was opened by Mr. Joe Agi SAN and the first cash depositor of United State of America Dollars into the said account. We humbly refer my lords to the entry of the 29th day of June,2009. Though the Respondent claimed that he was the one who gave the learned SAN, Joe Agi the $30,000.00 to deposit to exhibit P4C, the Respondent could not give any reasonable explanation as to source of this money. My lords, the Respondent admitted under cross-examination that the USD was not his salary and that he only received dollars as estacodes which is meant to for his official trips.

“My lords, upon the opening of the USD account exhibit P4C, a lot of cash deposits in Dollars were made to this account. The evidence before my lords is that between 2009 and 2016 a lot of cash deposits were made into exhibit P4C.

“My lords, from the evidence before this Honourable Panel it is clear that these huge sums of money were not earned by the Respondent as his salaries and allowances. It is our humble submission that the burden of proving the legitimate source or origin of the sum of $1,716,000.00 lies heavily on the Respondent.”

The amounts in the said account were deposited as follows: $74,200 (2009); $291,800 (2010); $340,000 (2011); $625,000 (2012); $298,000 (2013); $40,000 (2015) and $47,000 (2016). The total was $1,716,000.

The petition also noted that Onnoghen had attempted to ecxplain the source of the funds, wherein the suspended CJN was quoted to have stated that: “The sources of these are from my savings from my days as foreign student and a successful private legal practitioner, as well as Estacodes for annual for annual vacations, medical expenses, international conferences, my earnings as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia (See Annexure “B” referenced as ZD 129/186/01/P.II/(148), among others; conversion of Naira to Dollars which sometimes ago was very favorable.

“I also have returns from my off-shore investments in the foreign currencies which are clearly documented by the bank. I had an overdraft of $500,000 approved for me in the USD Dollars account in November, 2018. Up till now, the proceeds from the investments are paid into the account as and at when due. My investments with Standard Chartered Bank also include Federal Government Bonds as can be seen from the records for which I received dividends.”

However, the EFCC said Onnoghen’s explanation was “laughable”.

“My lords, the Respondent wanted this Honourable Panel to believe that when he was a foreign student in Ghana he accumulated such amount of money. My lords, how the Respondent accumulated money as foreign student was not stated to this Panel. My lords, the Respondent who purportedly cannot afford to pay N7, 000,000.00 to Joe Agi SAN in 2009 wanted this Honourable Panel to believe that he accumulated dollars to the tune of $1,716,000.00 in his house.

“My lords, the Respondent who never declared having $1,716,000.00 in his asset declaration form as cash in hand wanted this honourable Panel to believe that he accumulated the said sum in his house and only deposited them in the bank between 2009 and 2016 in cash.

“My lords, the Respondent also attempted to suggest to the Honourable Panel that the $1,716,000.00 cash deposit in exhibit P4C was earned by him upon his part-time appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia. My lords, this explanation with due respect is laughable in that the Respondent was appointed on the 22nd day of November 2012. On the face of the appointment letter, it is clear that the Respondent is entitled to the Five Thousand pounds Sterling (5,000 GBP) and Twenty Thousand Dalasis which is payable per session to be determined by the Chief Justice of Gambia in line with the Rules of the Supreme Court of Gambia.

"The Respondent failed to show this panel that consequent upon his appointment in November 2012 and the assumption of that office in 2013 the number of sessions he sat as a member of the Supreme Court of Gambia. The Respondent also failed to state how much he earned from Gambia, how he was paid whether cash or through his account. What is clear is that if the Respondent is to earn any fee from Gambia it will be GBP and not USD. What is in issue is the USD paid in exhibit P4C.

“The summary of our submission is that the Respondent has failed to show with credible evidence how he legitimately earned the sum of $1,716,000.00 which is far above his lawful and provable income.”

By Sodiq Oyeleke



Mr Yekini Nabena, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the party’s decision on the selection and zoning of principal officers for the incoming 9th National Assembly is supreme.

Nabena stated this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the party’s decision must be respected by its legislative caucus and opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly.


He, therefore, cautioned the outgoing President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to steer clear of the leadership in both legislative chambers.

“The APC has learnt its lesson from the outgoing National Assembly when impostors masquerading as party men sabotaged our party and hijacked our mandate; affliction shall not rise up the second time.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to “deal with” issues that involve breach of human rights.

In a tweet sighted by MandyNews.com,

He wrote:

"Let me make it clear that the Government will not tolerate in any way the brutalization of Nigerians or the violation of their rights. Any law enforcement officer or government functionary caught in this act will be visited with the full weight of the law.
The recent unfortunate action of SARS operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, which led to the avoidable death of Mr. Kolade Johnson, is deeply regretted. Once again, our condolences to the family of the deceased. I’m aware the Police authorities have visited them.
While important steps have been taken by the Police leadership to restructure and reform SARS, in line with presidential directives, more needs to be done. I assure this will be done. We will continue to work to ensure that we have a Police Force that adheres to the rule of law."

DEMAND FOR CHRISTIANS AS LEADERS IN NASS: CAN LAYING BAD PRECEDENT

PRESS RELEASE:
DEMAND FOR CHRISTIANS AS LEADERS IN NASS:
CAN LAYING BAD PRECEDENT


The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle has written the National Assembly (NASS) demanding the position of senate president or speaker of the House of Representatives. The request was contained in a letter signed on the CAN president’s behalf by his special assistant, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji.


However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused CAN of setting a bad precedent. The human rights organization stated this in a press statement signed by its Founder and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019.


According to MURIC, “CAN is setting a very bad precedent. CAN is simply manifesting symptoms of acrobatic religiousity. Nigeria will not move forward until merit becomes the determining perimeter. Sensitive positions in the NASS should be given to those who deserve it based on experience, competence, antecedence and loyalty to the party.


“These are not posts of commissioners or chairmen of government agencies. The posts of senate president and speaker of the House are too important to be determined on the pulpit or mimbar. We should not be looking at religion here. Our focus and interest should be Nigeria.


“Why is CAN agitating now? Where was CAN when Christians took all the principal offices in the NASS not too long ago? Where was CAN when David Mark was senate president, Patricia Ette was speaker of the House and Aloysius Katsina Alu was the Chief Justice of Nigeria parri pasu? Was it so long ago such that we could become overwhelmed by collective amnesia?


“No, sir. We have not forgotten even if CAN decides to twist the facts of history. Neither was it too long ago. It all happened during the tenure of ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. So what are we saying? That precedent alone is enough to debunk CAN’s latest demand.


“If there was a time all those offices were occupied by Christians, then CAN has no moral basis to complain today if Muslims should emerge as the new occupants. The only ground on which CAN can complain now is if the Muslims complained at that time. So we should ask CAN to tell us and to provide evidence that the Muslims complained.


“We call on the All Progressive Congress (APC) to ignore CAN’s latest demand. It is an unworthy distraction. It is unworthy because it was the same CAN that campaigned vigorously in the churches against the emergence of the APC as winner in the 2019 general elections. Therefore, CAN does not deserve APC’s attention.


“This is the moment of truth and we must not shy away from the truth no matter how bitter. The Bible says, ‘You will know the truth and the truth will set you free’. Who told Nigerians not to vote for a Muslim as president? Who told us not to vote for a Fulani man? CAN should answer those questions. CAN drove itself into a political conundrum by starting an anti-Muslim and anti-Fulani campaign in the churches. It should have known that it shot itself in the foot when the leading opposition candidate turned out to be a Muslim and a Fulani as well.


“We were told that Buhari had Islamised Nigeria. There is no need denying because there is no Nigerian using android phone who does not have the video clips where those vexatious hate speeches were spilled out right inside churches. So why is CAN now interested in having its members in high positions in an ‘Islamic government’ under a Fulani man if indeed APC government is an ‘Islamic government’? Many of the new governors-elect are Christians yet CAN calls APC an Islamic party.


“The bulk of the votes that gave President Muhammadu Buhari his second tenure came from the North and Muslims. Figures do not lie. How can CAN start an agitation for parity so soon? Is it because nobody demanded an apology for the campaign of calumny and hate speeches? Is it fair to reap where you did not sow?


“Or to put it more clearly, is it fair to demand equal share from the same APC whom you sought to destroy? What will be left for those who were loyal to them if you get what you want? Can CAN eat its cake and still have it? No, CAN cannot. CAN did not vote for APC. The North, majority of Nigerian Muslims and a few Christians who refused to listen to CAN did. These were the people who stood with integrity when the chips were down. These were the people who weathered the storm.


“It was the deep-seated resentment which CAN leaders have for this government that led to the delay in congratulating Buhari after the latter won the 2019 presidential election clearly and convincingly. They later claimed that they were under pressure to congratulate him. Come to think of it! Can CAN tell Nigerians who put it under pressure to congratulate Mr. President? CAN hid behind the alibi that there is a case in court. Is that not ludicrous? CAN should reveal the names of those who pressurized it to congratulate Buhari.


“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), several professional groups in the country, Nigerian traditional rulers, National Association of Nigerian Students, the United Kingdom, United States, European Union, African leaders, etc have all congratulated the winner. Is CAN telling us that all these groups are unaware that there is a court case? Has CAN been charged for contempt of court since its belated congratulatory visit to Aso Rock a few days ago?


“Our consolation is that not all Christians share the same thinking with CAN leaders. There are many objective Christians who wish Nigeria well. We therefore appeal to CAN leaders to join hands with those objective Christians and Muslim leaders in the quest for peaceful coexistence and better living conditions for the Nigerian people.


“Our strong suspicion is that attempts at installing Christians in political posts are more often than not driven by the hope of returns, particularly in form of fatter tithes. It is hardly ever driven by the quest for raising the standard of living of the ordinary Nigerian and good governance.


“For the purpose of clarity, MURIC is not interested in whether a Muslim or a Christian is senate president or speaker of the House. What we care about is good governance. We came out openly to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the last election not because we care for his political party or because he is a Muslim, but because he is the personification of integrity, discipline and honesty. We have also seen good governance under him. Any candidate who is an embodiment of these qualities will be supported by us in future no matter his creed or ethnicity. All we care for is Nigeria.


“To conclude this advocacy, we urge APC to ignore CAN’s demand for Christians as leaders of the NASS. We urge CAN leaders to think first of Nigeria, to eschew half-truth, hate speech, arm-twisting, blackmail, intrigue and subterfuge. We can all live in peace in this country. All we need is to be prepared to drop the desire to dominate and to take all. We must love and share. We must be prepared to give and take, to live and let live”.


Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

Collation of the Rivers State governorship election resumed in Port Harcourt today, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collating four more Local Governments.

As at yesterday, results in 15 Local Government had been collated.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Nyesom Wike is comfortably leading with 763,603 votes while his closest rival, Mr. Awara Biokpomabo of the African Action Congress (AAC) polled 161,407 votes.
19 out of 23 LGAs announced. PDP’s Wike is eading with 602,196 votes.
See detailed results.
1. Port Harcourt LGA
AAC 11,866
PDP 40,197
———————————————
2. Ikwere LGA
AAC 5,660
PDP 14,938
———————————————-
3. Andoni LGA
AAC 5,335
PDP 92,056
———————————————-
4. Oyigbo LGA
AAC 32, 026
PDP 8,652
————————————————
5. Opopo Nkoro LG
AAC 3,888
PDP 6,314
————————————————
6. Bonny LGA
AAC 3,046
PDP 10,551
————————————————-
7. Eleme LGA
AAC 2,748
PDP 9,560
————————————————
8. Okrika LGA
AAC 3,803
PDP 25,572
————————————————
9. Akuku/Toru
PDP 25,765
AAC 36,661
————————————————
10. OMUMAH LGA
AAC 1,853
PDP 15,792
————————————————
11. Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni (Onelga) LGA
ACC 8,423
PDP 31,277
————————————————

12. Tai LGA
AAC 540
PDP 47,653
————————————————
13. Etche LGA
AAC 7,437
PDP 11,842
————————————————
14. Emohua LGA
AAC 2,856
PDP 71,522
————————————————
15. Ahoada East LGA
AAC 3,713
PDP 14,589
————————————————
Asari Toru LGA
AAC 18,945
PDP 32,172
————————————————
Obio-Akpor LGA (Gov Wike’s LGA)
AAC 7,495
PDP 281,164
————————————————
Degema LGA
AAC 5,071
PDP 12,133
————————————————
Ogu-Bolo LGA
AAC 814
PDP 11,855
————————————————
#TOTAL Votes from 119 LGs
AAC 161,407
PDP 763,603
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Margin 602,196
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