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Contrary to a report by The Guardian on Sunday of yesterday, November 8, erroneously stating that the trial in London of the three women associated with James Ibori had been postponed till November 16, 2009, the trial recommenced as scheduled today in London before Judge Christopher Hardy of the Southwark Crown Court.Last month, the case was adjourned to enable the Federal High Court in Asaba dispense of the application before it asking the court to quash the money laundering charge
s against Ibori, the former Delta State governor. The judge also deferred to the expected ruling from Asaba in adjourning the case today. On Sunday, the Nigeria Liberty Forum (NLF) had asked Nigerians in London to ignore the Guardian report and attend today's trial, describing the misleading report as a calculated attempt to confuse the public about the status of the trial today. Last Friday, the federal judge in Asaba, Justice Mercel Awokulehin, buckled under pressure from the public as it came to light that he had entered into a $5 million deal to quash 170-count ch
arge against Ibori.
Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda visited the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (rtd), at the weekend.
The secret visit might not be unconnected with a petition on the alleged diversion of a N35billion loan the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the ICPC is probing.
Yuguda arrived at the ICPC headquarters, without the paraphernalia of office, at about 11.05am in a blue Honda car last Friday.
He headed straight for the office of the ICPC chairman.
It was gathered that a bewildered Justice Ayoola suspended his official duties for a closed-door 45-minute session with the governor.
Justice Ayoola repeatedly asked some of his close aides what informed the sudden visit, The Nation learnt.
After the exit of the governor, Justice Ayoola summoned some heads of department to find out if they were handling any case involving the Bauchi State government because he could not "fathom what informed the secret visit".
A source said the Head of the Unit told the ICPC chairman of an ongoing probe of a petition on the alleged diversion of a N35billion loan.
According to findings, the petitioner had alleged that the loan, which was meant for infrastructure, had been diverted "under the guise of security vote".
A presentation made to the members of the Justice Development and Peace Commission [JDPC] of Catholic Church at Ibadan on Thursday, October 22, 2009 S. A. Asemota Esq, S.A.N.
IntroductionPermit me to pose the question: Does one compromise one’s Christian faith when one works for the conversion of Nigeria to a Sultanate? Sultanate is defined as – the rank or position of a sultan, an area of land that is ruled over by a sultan. Events however seem to suggest that Nigeria is on the march to becoming a Sultanate, ruled by a sultan.In this presentation I intend to show that from my understanding of events in Nigeria, it would appear that the country is being steered towards becoming a Sultanate.
The conviction of Chief Olabode George, former Chairman Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and four other board members, today at the court of Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole, in Ikeja Lagos, marks another great reference point in the investigation, prosecution, and trial of corruption cases in Nigeria. This is in keeping with the foundation philosophy upon which the EFCC was built at origin.
I salute the courage and intellect of the learned judge who has demonstrated over time that he offers an exemplary model in the fight against corruption and for a true definition of rule of law in the country. This occasion therefore affords us the opportunity to salute other judges in the country that have done well in advancing our jurisprudence on corruption and justice. As is very well known, the successful resolution of cases in favor of justice and equity commence from a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution. In this regard, we must also salute the long and strained investigation leading to the indictment of Bode George in 2005. At moments like this, investigators and prosecutors, stretched out in exhilarating adrenalin, are rightly thrilled that their hard work is rewarded by the society and its best institutions. It is however a measure of our present national dilemma that Chief George could later sue some newspapers for libel on account of the damning indictment report I prepared against him. Nevertheless, his subsequent conviction is evidence that ultimately the law catches up with the bad guys, however long it might take.
Civil rights groups, led by Access to Justice, today in Abuja marked the 4th anniversary of the pre-mediated killing of 6 Nigerian youths by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in what has come to be known as the “Apo Six”.The groups also used the occasion to highlight the desperate attempt by the Police Force to hide the truth of the dastardly murder of the youth who were in their prime. Gory details of the findings by the Federal Government Commission of inquiry, headed by Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, led to the prosecution of the officers involved in the extra judicial murder. Four years later, however, the police personnel identified by the Commission as having been directly involved in the murder of the youths are still undergoing a shame of a prosecution, while the former Garki Police Station Divisional Police Officer at that time, Mr. Othman Abdulsalam, escaped from police custody and is unaccounted for. Another suspect, DSP Danjuma, remains in service and continues to draw a salary. He even has a detachment of Police officers guarding his residence at the Wuse II District of Abuja.
Obasanjo, today lost his case at the special election's appeals panel made up of Court of Appeal justices sitting in Enugu. Spontaneous and widespread celebration broke out in the streets of Enugu and Anambra States as soon as word spread about U
ba’s latest humiliating defeat.The five-judge panel led by Justice J. Sylvanus Ngwuta unanimously dismissed Uba’s application to be declared Anambra’s “governor-in-waiting” based on the fraudulent electoral exercise conducted by the Professor Maurice Iwu-led electoral commission in April 2007.“The justices ha
ve finally rescued their names from ignominy and Anambra from a serious constitutional crisis,” said a lawyer who was present in court to hear the panel announce its decision. The lawyer further stated that several reports by Saharareporters exposing massive behind-the-scene corrupt deals between Uba and some of the justices led to a massive public outcry, including a threat by Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, who said the country could be embroiled in another civil war should the justices sell the judgment to Uba.
Obasanjo, today lost his case at the special election's appeals panel made up of Court of Appeal justices sitting in Enugu. Spontaneous and widespread celebration broke out in the streets of Enugu and Anambra States as soon as word spread about U
ba’s latest humiliating defeat.The five-judge panel led by Justice J. Sylvanus Ngwuta unanimously dismissed Uba’s application to be declared Anambra’s “governor-in-waiting” based on the fraudulent electoral exercise conducted by the Professor Maurice Iwu-led electoral commission in April 2007.“The justices ha
ve finally rescued their names from ignominy and Anambra from a serious constitutional crisis,” said a lawyer who was present in court to hear the panel announce its decision. The lawyer further stated that several reports by Saharareporters exposing massive behind-the-scene corrupt deals between Uba and some of the justices led to a massive public outcry, including a threat by Ikemba Nnewi, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, who said the country could be embroiled in another civil war should the justices sell the judgment to Uba.
