Judges Crackdown Confirms Judiciary A Major Concern For Buhari

A Bauchi-based legal practitioner, Barr. Abdull Malle, has described as “hasty”, the reaction of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) over the crackdown on some judges by the Department of State Security Service (SSS).

In an interview in Bauchi on Monday, Malle said the association ought to have taken its time to study the situation carefully before threating the authorities on the issue.
He said although judges were protected within the confines of their duty-post, they could be investigated on behaviours that ran foul of the law, once due process was followed.
According to him, if the investigating authority has been granted search permit by a court of competent jurisdiction, the action of such authority is covered by law.
He therefore advised that the matter be treated with caution in view of its sensitive nature and implication on the image of the Judiciary.
Meanwhile, some residents of Bauchi, Gombe and Yola have hailed the action taken by the Department of Security Services in cracking down on suspected corrupt judges. They said that the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government should be ‘all embracing’.
They said that with the trial of some members of the National Assembly and the current move on the suspected judges, it had become clear that there could be no ‘sacred cows’ in the anti-corruption crusade.
According to them, such move will clear all doubts in the minds of some people about the nobble intention of the present administration to rid the country of corruption.
Malam Usman Aliyu, a civil servant with Bauchi state government, said the measure had made him to have faith in the exercise.
“In the past, the war was just a sweet melody without action; no big fish was ever caught in the net but the story is different today”, he said.
He urged the antigraft agencies to disregard the threat of the Nigeria Bar Association on the matter, describing their action as selfish.
Timothy Abraham, a businessman in Bauchi, noted that the recent clampdown on judges confirmed an earlier complaint by President Buhari that his major headache as far as the anti-corruption fight was concerned, was the Judiciary.
He said any attempt by an individuals or association to scuttle the crusade should be viewed seriously by all well-meaning Nigerians.
He however advised that due process be followed in bringing culprits to justice so as not to give room for any complaints from people with vested interests.
Another resident of Bauchi, Aliyu Bala, a federal civil servant, noted that the sectors considered as ‘untouchable’ had so far been ‘touched’, as such the anti-graft war was on the right course.
“There should be no hiding place for any person, no matter his personality or association; what is happening today gladdens my heart.
“Anybody that is not happy or tries to become a stumbling block, means he or she encourages corruption; it is left for Nigerians to know how to handle him,” he said.
In Gombe, Alhaji Mohammad Wayas, North East Zonal Chairman of Human Rrights Coalition, a non-governmental organization, said that the Federal government was moving in the right direction. According to him, the Judges arrested are not above the law, hence the need for the government to handle them accordingly to serve as lesson to others.
Malam Abubakar Ibrahim, another Gombe resident and a civil servant, urged the Federal government to ignore any threat and ensure that justice was done in the case.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the anti-graft fight to the door-steps of individuals considered as ‘untouchable’ in the past.
Malam Muazu Umar, another Gombe resident, expressed dismay over the threat of the NBA and called for thorough screening of legal practitioners with doubtful character.
In Yola, cross section of commercial drivers and cyclists who spoke to NAN said they were in support of Federal Government’s move to cleanse the Judiciary of bad eggs.
“I am in full support of the move to sanitize the Judiciary and there should be no scared cow.
“If politicians and military men are being arrested for corruption, Judges should not be excluded,” Musa Habu, a driver said.
Habibu Danjuma and Kabiru Mubi, tricycle operators, also declared support for the arrest of the Judges, saying the measure had gone a long way in convincing Nigerians that the Buhari administration was committed to the anti-graft war.
“It’s now that I am convinced that Buhari is committed to fighting corruption; we are with him on this; we voted for him for such change,” Danjuma said.

Mutilated currency scam: Banker jailed 10 years, to forfeit property

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Friday sentenced one Ademola Adedapo to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the N8 billion mutilated currency scam.
The judge held that Adedapo was convicted based on a plea bargain agreement he signed with the Economic and Financial Crimes’ Commission (EFCC).
The judge said the court found Adedapo guilty of five- count charge brought against him by the EFCC based on the agreement.
“Adedapo is hereby sentenced to two years in prison for each of the offence of conspiracy and the sentence commences from February 7, 2015,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the judge as saying on Friday.
“The property mentioned in the plea bargain as stated therein which include; hectares of land, car, building and the over N44 million found in his account, will all be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“His International passport shall be seized until he completes his jail terms and the jail terms are to run concurrently.”

Forgery: Court discharges Saraki, Ekweremadu, others

• Dr Saraki

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja, has discharged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and two other persons arraigned for forging the Senate Standing Orders 2011.
The two other persons are – former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy Clerk, Ben Efeturi,
Justice Yusuf Halilu, in a ruling on Friday, accepted the application filed by lead prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar (SAN), seeking the withdrawal of the charge against the defendants over a pending suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the same matter.
Umar told the court that because of the pending case at the Federal High Court, involving Saraki and Ekweremadu, the prosecution decided to withdraw the older charge and the amended one filed on October 5 (Wednesday).
“This government respects the rule of law and the hierarchy of the judiciary. It is obvious from these two applications (filed by Saraki and Ekweremadu) and the similar case before your learned brother, Justice Kolawole, at the Federal High Court, who is dealing with the issue, that we are withdrawing the charges.

“It is trite that two matters of the same subject matter cannot be before different courts of coordinate jurisdiction. Therefore, the amended charge dated October 5, 2016 and also the original charge dated June 10, 2016 and filed the same date, be struck out and all the four defendants be discharged,” Umar said.
Lawyers to the defendants,  Paul Erokoro (SAN), Joseph Daudu (SAN), Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) and Mahmud Magaji (SAN),  did not object to Umar’s application to withdraw the charge, following which Justice Halilu struck it out and discharged the defendants.

Money laundering: Jonathan’s ex-aide loses bid to nullify guilty plea

A former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, on Friday lost his bid to nullify the guilty plea by four companies linked to Jonathan’s wife, Patience.
Justice Babs Kuewumi dismissed the application because it was unmeritorious.
The companies, on September 15, pleaded guilty to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5 billion) when they were arraigned.
They are – Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Limited (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).
Mrs. Jonathan claimed the monies in the companies’ accounts were hers.

The companies, along with a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi.
Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku, however, pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Dudafa and Briggs, through their lawyers, later urged the court to set aside the guilty plea entered on the firms’ behalf by their representatives.
They urged the court to replace the guilty plea and with a “not-guilty” plea for the companies.
They also contended that the court lacks the jurisdiction to accept the companies’ guilty plea.
The defendants said those who pleaded guilty for the companies did not exhibit any letter authorising them to do so by the firms’ board.
They argued that the prosecution failed to comply with Section 477(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which specifies that such a representative must have authorisation.

Fetty Wap flashes $165k cash after paying $360 traffic fine in court(Photos)

He is not even on Forbes top 20 highest earning rappers…However,Fetty Wap turned up with massive stacks of cash to pay a traffic fine.
The rapper – who was appearing at court in Cedar Grovem New Jersey on Wednesday for several offenses including driving with tinted windows – couldn’t stop smiling as he posed with the money for reporters.
According to TMZ,the 25-year-old star turned up with $165,000 in cash – but was actually ordered to pay just a $360 fine after pleading guilty to a number of charges, .

He cut a more serious figure inside court with lawyer Navarro Gray, and pleaded guilty to overly tinted windows, driving with a suspended license and failing to replace lost or defaced license plates.
However, he was smiling outside the court as he joked the problem was “driving while black and rich”.

7 grooms who are hooked on their bride’s butts (photos)

Ladies, the first thing a man notices is how you look. He will study your face and features, what you are wearing and will involuntarily judge you based on this.
Your man may first be attracted to you because of your as sets and beauty but eventually, he will fall in love with who you are and this will make him propose and desire to marry you.
However, just because he has gotten to know you and loves you for who you are doesn’t mean that he will stop admiring you for the thing that attracted him in the first place.
NAIJ.com has compiled seven pictures of grooms who are very in love with their wives bu tts:
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She ordered chicken wings. She would have NEVER imagined what she received instead

Selena Avalos is the manager of a cell phone accessories store, who would never imagine what could happen on an ordinary day when she ordered takeout food.

One afternoon, she ordered a chicken wings portion from the known Domino’s Pizza in San Jose, California; when the order arrived she noticed the boxes were different and thought they have sent her bread sticks, but what really was inside shocked her…


Thousands of dollars in perfectly stacked bills!

Contrary to what many may think, Selena quickly tried to localize the restaurant manager. When she couldn’t reach him, she decided to contact a television network, and they finally reached the manager.


Her boss rewarded her honesty and gave her a paid vacation week. Domino’s Pizza also rewarded her: they will give her free pizza for a year!

20 funny pictures of Buhari that will kill you with laughter

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari like any other President has been the subject of a lot of funny memes, here are the best Buhari memes you will come across on the Internet.
1. This meme about who to blame for Nigeria’s problems is the absolute best.

2. Then somebody obviously decided to make a joke about Buhari’s visit to Germany and Angela Merkel.

3. This meme is just perfect to make fun of anybody, you should save it. I am sure you have, just look at your life. Smh

4. People of the internet do not want to leave Buhari and Merkel alone. This was really funny to see.


5. This meme is for all those who keep thinking Buhari is shy.

6. If you have seen ‘White House Down’, this particular meme will make you laugh.

7. Someone made a meme out of the most famous line in the president’s inaugural speech.

8. And another meme about his performance in various aspects. We did not say anything o.

9. Buhari here in his role as Buharlin, in a land of no fuel, the fate of …….

10. This meme was quite relevant when the president was searching for his result.


11. The Buhari ear infection saga led to a whole batch of new memes like this

12. Buhari’s many trips caused Nigerians to plan giveaways based on them. Predict and Win!!

13. When she cannot even cook like your mum, this is the perfect facial expression

14. The beauty of Aisha Buhari was perfectly described with this meme

15. When you ask for a loan in Nigeria right now, this is the most likely answer you will get

16. The smile on Buhari’s face perfectly fits this tweet. Nigerians are hilarious.

17. Indeed the president was a good, bad guy during his youth.

18. The face of the Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal in this picture will absolutely make your day.

19. The recent campaign launched by the president has not seen spared in the creating of cartoons

20. The reaction of Obasanjo to Buhari’s speech was hilariously shown in this meme

APC or PDP? Obasanjo finally speaks about his future plan for politics

Twitter

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– Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he has no plan to join any political party
– He spoke to motorcycle operators in Ogun and advised them to shun drug and alcohol
– The former president advised them not to allow politicians use them as stepping stone
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has put to rest any idea that he might re-join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or move to the All Progressives Congress by declaring that he was not interested in being a member of any party in the country.
The former president who was a chieftain of the PDP ceremoniously tore his membership card after he blamed the party for going against some of the party’s code.

There was speculation that due to the closeness between Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari, the former president may join the APC.
Daily Post reports that the former made the declaration not to join any party when he received members of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
He also advised the commercial drivers to shun the consumption of alcohol when driving.
He said: “As for me now, I don’t belong to any political party and I will not belong to any political party. The only thing that is of concern to me is the greatness of Nigeria. But let me tell you that I am always available to you for pieces of advice just as I promise to talk to you the way I would talk to my own children.
“You should be rest assured that I will advise you honestly and sincerely. You know that I am not usually afraid to tell anyone off, you know I am not afraid to do so. Let me also advise you against drunkenness and drug. Don’t get involved in them, because most of the accidents on our roads have been traced to abuse of drug and drunkenness among drivers.
“Before the existence of your organisation, what we knew in Nigeria were taxi drivers. But because of hard economic situation in the military government days, Keke NAPEP came in. I even mandated and made provision for Keke NAPEP all over the country, because where ever we may be, we need a means of transportation.
“As our population increases, so much more efforts will be needed to move people from one place to the other as our urban areas multiply so much that we need to move people from urban and sub-urban areas.
“Let me tell you that the two and the three wheelers means of transportation will continue to be relevant in the country because of the situation we find ourselves.
“If you want me to always be proud of you as members, you must always be organized, decent and disciplined among other members of the society as well as be law abiding.
“Don’t let anyone misuse you as an organisation as a stepping stone to become candidate of this party and the other. I am not saying you can’t join any political party of your choice as an individual, but not as a group.”

Nobody can force Oyegun out of office – APC

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun

– Chief Francis Inegbeniki, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, has warned that no amount of calls can remove the national chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun from office
– Inegbeniki, in a statement said: “It is unfortunate that our national leader, whom we all respect so much and Timi Frank, have asked Oyegun to resign from office, without disclosing the offence that he committed to warrant his resignation
Chief Francis Inegbeniki, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, has warned that no amount of calls by some leaders of the party can remove the national chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun from office, Vanguard reports.
Inegbeniki, on Thursday, October 6, in a statement on behalf of “APC Disciples in Edo,” said: “It is unfortunate that our national leader, whom we all respect so much and Timi Frank, have asked Oyegun to resign from office, without disclosing the offence that he committed to warrant his resignation.
“Our national leader’s anger against Oyegun is related to the just concluded Ondo State APC governorship primaries, while Timi Frank’s anger is the unfortunate crisis rocking the National Assembly. Oyegun is not the cause of the crisis in the National Assembly and cannot take decision alone without other members of the National Working Committee.
“Oyegun was not an aspirant in the Ondo APC primaries, so, it is unnecessary for anyone to direct his anger at Oyegun. It is not fair to put all the blames on him. Nobody should use Oyegun as the sacrificial lamb.
“We are therefore, calling on the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and members of the National Working Committee to call Timi Frank to order.”
Meanwhile, the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has reacted to the call for his resignation by the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, October 4, Odigie-Oyegun said that he cannot be removed from office on the pages of newspapers.

How Jonathan shared part of $1bn oil savings to Amaechi, other governors

– Rotimi Amaechi says that governors demanded the sharing of money from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) under the last federal government because it was not properly managed
– The Transport minister says former president Goodluck Jonathan shared part of the $1billion from oil saving to him and other governors
Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, has responded to claim by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance, that governors in the last administration lacked the political will to save.
Speaking in an interview on NTA and cited in a report on The Cable, Amaechi said the Okonjo-Iweala’s statement was 30% correct and 70% incorrect.

Rotimi Amaechi says that governors demanded the sharing of money from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) under the last federal government because it was not properly managed

According to him, governors demanded the sharing of money from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) under the last federal government because it was not properly managed.
Amaechi said: “I heard Mrs Okonjo-Iweala say that in the past administration, governors were unwilling to save; she is 30% correct and 70% incorrect.”
He explained further: “In 2009, we had an economic crisis so President Yar’adua put $1billion in the economy so no one felt the crisis. I can’t remember what was left in that account, the excess crude account.
“During Goodluck Jonathan, every month when the governors went for the economic council meeting, the amount in the account kept dropping. If we asked about what happened to the money, the response we got was that the president approved for it to be spent.
“So we said can we please share this money because the rate at which it was going, the president would have continually approved $1billion to spend and we won’t know what we are spending for and they won’t give us an account.
“So we told the vice president and the minister for finance that there was a need for us to share part of this money and we began to agitate. They now agreed to share part of the money and they did. In the first six months of Goodluck Jonathan, oil subsidy increased. Governors started complaining and then we had a meeting in the office of the president’s wife.
“At the meeting, we asked for assurance that the presidency would no longer collect for oil subsidy and he promised. It is not right for Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to say governors were not willing to save; governors were willing to save but we insisted on sharing the money when we saw that the money was not properly managed.”
The former governor of Rivers state said he agreed to serve as a minister because he believes in the administration’s capacity to serve.
“Refusing to serve when the president invited me to serve would mean that I did not have confidence in him. I am serving under the president because I believe that he is the man to help us at this particular time.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former minister of finance, had on Thursday, April 14, said the zero political will to save under former president Goodluck Jonathan is responsible for Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Speaking on “inequality, growth and resilience” at George Washington University, USA, Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria was able to save $22 billion under former president Olusegun Obasanjo, which saved the country in 2008, when there was global economic meltdown.
And according to her, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) must seek means to embed savings in national constitutions devoid of political manipulations.