Corps Member Participating In Election To Receive N35,000 – NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Wednesday said no fewer than 17,000 corps members had been confirmed as adhoc staff for the forthcoming elections in Ogun.

The Ogun NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Josephine Bakare, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta at a sensitisation programme for corps members.

Bakare also confirmed that each corps member participating in the election would receive a total of N35,000 as duty allowances for the Feb. 16 and March 2 elections.

She also assured corps members that adequate provision for welfare and accommodation had been made with the NYSC Local Government Inspectors which they could access.

Bakar, however, appealed to pregnant corps members to refrain from participating in the exercise for their safety and those of their unborn babies.

Nigeria’s ex-army chief, David Ejoor, is dead

A former Chief of Army Staff, David Ejoor, is dead.

Mr Ejoor was army chief between 1971 and 1975 during the Yakubu Gowon military regime.

Mr Ejoor was Urhobo from Delta State.

Already, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed sadness over the demise of the retired major general.

Mr Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, on Sunday in Asaba, condoled with the family, the Urhobo nation and the people of Ovwor-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area over the death of the former COAS.

Mr Okowa added that the news of Mr Ejoor’s death had devastated him, especially as the nation is going into another round of elections but was consoled by the fact that the departed former Chief of Army Staff would remain immortal and never to be forgotten.

According to the governor: “As Deltans we are exremely proud of the outstanding contributions of Gen. Ejoor to the Nigerian Army where he first served as the Governor of Mid-Western Region State from January 1966 – August 1967, first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from January 1969 – January 1971 and later as Chief of Army Staff from January 1971 – July 1975.

“Gen. Ejoor had an illustrious military career and served the nation with all his heart; with full dedication and commitment to duty. His contributions to the end of the Nigeria Civil War remains indelible in the minds of Nigerians.

“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of our dear state, I extend my deepest condolences to the Ejoor’s family, the Urhobo nation and the people of Ovwor-Olomu where he hails from.’’

Governor Okowa prayed almighty God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

     

 Left to right) Hassan Katsina (governor of Northern Nigeria), Adekunle Fajuyi (governor of Western Nigeria), Aguiyi Ironsi (head of state), Odumegwu Ojukwu (governor of Eastern Nigeria) and David Ejoor (governor of Mid-West Nigeria).

Man And Woman Found Dead Inside A Car In Maryland, Lagos

There was confusion at Maryland area of Lagos state after a man and woman were found dead inside a car earlier today.

The pair were found unconscious in the vehicle by a resident who raised an alarm and notified the police.

Police officers who arrived the scene, evacuated the corpses of the dead victims as investigation into their deaths are underway.

Residents were gripped with fear over the incident as many kept wondering what must have led to their tragic and untimely deaths.

A member of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Azeez Adekoya, took to the platform to share pictures from the scene as he revealed that the victims were discussing in the car before they died.

    Investigation's are ongoing to unravel the deaths.

Governor el rufai threatening foreign Nations against intervening in Nigeria's issues.

He said they would leave in body bags.

'After February 8th, we'll recall all uncollected PVCs and keep them in quarantine with CBN till the elections are over' - INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said voter cards not collected by their owners before February 8 will be kept in ‘quarantine’ in the Central Bank of Nigeria.



Speaking with Punch on Friday, the commission’s Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, wondered why those who own the cards had not collected them.

He said, “the reports from different states indicate that many Nigerians have collected their Permanent Voters Cards. Most Nigerians are aware that the commission registered a total of 84, 004,084 eligible voters.

“Out of this number 14, 283,734 million were registered during the Continuous Voters’ Registration. The collection of PVCs is still on and will go on till February 8. Thereafter, the commission will recall all uncollected PVCs and keep them in quarantine with the Central Bank of Nigeria and they will remain there till the elections are over.

 “It is difficult to give the exact number of PVCs that have been collected so far. The collection of PVCs is still taking place in the 774 local government areas. After the February 8, 2019 deadline, the commission will recall all uncollected PVCs and give an account of the number collected and the number yet to be collected.

“Nigerians will be informed about the PVC collection data and the commission is committed to a transparent process. We urge Nigerians to approach INEC offices in their LGAs and collect their PVCs.”
Asked how many PVCs had yet to be collected and what INEC was doing to address the situation, the INEC chief said, “The commission has insisted and will continue to insist that registered voters must collect their PVCs personally and there will not be collection by proxy.

The commission printed 14, 283,734 million voter cards for new registrants and printed replacement cards for those that lost their voter cards and those whose cards are defaced.”

He said INEC had a consolidated register with a total of 84, 004,084 registered voters, adding that since it was a huge database of registered voters, the commission had done well in registering Nigerians.

“The law provides the period for those that want to change their polling units to do so. The PVCs of these category of persons are different. They must comply with the provisions of the law before they will be cleared to move to new polling units.”

 

The Secret To #bbnaija No One Will Ever Tell You By Ajayi Tobbi:

THE SECRET TO #BBNaija NO ONE WILL EVER TELL YOU
Ajayi Tobbi brilliantly analysed the selection process

Onnoghen’s Response To Code Of Conduct Bureau Query Revealed: INNOCENT

Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen’s response to the query by Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has been revealed. Onnoghen in his response said

‘My Asset Declaration for Nos. SCN000014 and SCN.0000 5 were declared on the same day, 14th December, 2016 because I forgot to make a declaration of May, 2005 declaration of my assets after the expiration of my 2005 declaration in 2009.

Onnoghen also said that he cannot remember the total amount he had in his reserve at the time but it spread from his practice days as a private legal practitioner from 1979-1989.

Some of the deposits were result of forex trading. AGRICODE and other investment returns were from proceeds of his investments .

Read full statement below DATE: 1st January, 2019 I WALTER S. N. ONNOGHEN of THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA hereby voluntarily depose to the statement averred herein knowing that whatever I write or state may be tendered against me as evidence in court.

I also volunteer to state that the statement was not taken in evidence from me under duress but after the administering officer has explained and made known the details of the allegations against me.

Rank/Position: CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA Date of Birth: 22nd DECEMBER, 1950 Residential Address: CTN DRIVE ASO VILLA, ABUJA

Date of 1st Appointment into Service: 1st OCTOBER, 1989 Date of Substantive Appointment: 7th March, 2017 Category of Appointment: TENURED Duration of Tenure (if Applicable): FOUR YEARS Date of Declaration of Assets: 14TH DECEMBER, 2016

Details of Companies/Enterprises: NONE Bank account Details: STD. CHARTERED 0001062667 AND OTHERS AS PER MY ASSET DECLARATION FORM

No of Children: FOUR State any other full Time Employment (if any): NIL Name (s) of Spouse/Date of Birth: MRS NKOYO W. N. ONNOGHEN 11TH JULY, 1957 Name of Children/Date of Birth: ORIMINIWEFA N. ONNOGHEN EWUWUNI N. ONNOGHEN EFA N. ONNOGHEN TITE N. ONNOGHEN

Response to the Allegation(s): My Asset Declaration for Nos. SCN000014 and SCN.0000 5 were declared on the same day, 14th December, 2016 because I forgot to make a declaration of May, 2005 declaration of my assets after the expiration of my 2005 declaration in 2009.

Following my appointment as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria in November, 2016 the need to declare my asset anew made to realize the mistake and then did the declarations to cover the period in default.

I did not include my Standard Chartered Bank Account in SCN. 000014 because I believed they were not opened during the period covered by the declaration. I did not make a fresh declaration of assets after my substantive appointment as CJN because I was under the impression that my SCN. 000015 was to cover the period of four years which include my leave as CJN.

The deposits made in my US Dollar account No. 87000106250 with STD. Chartered Bank of $10,000 at different intervals of 28/6/11 were sourced partly from my reserve and saving from my estacodes including medical expenses.

The same applies to my deposit of 27/7/11 of the sum of $10,000 twice. It is important to state that prior to my opening the US dollar account I had foreign currency which I kept at home due to the fact that there existed a government policy that proscribed the operation of foreign currency account by Public officers including judicial Officers.

It was when I got to know that the policy had changed that I had to open the said account. Upon opening the account, I was made to understand that I cannot pay in more than $10,000 at a time and per payment slip.

I cannot remember the total amount I had in reserve at the time but it spread from my practice days as a private legal practitioner from 1979-1989. Some of the deposits are a result of forex trading. AGRICODE and other investment returns were from proceeds of my investments into them. The withdrawals in the account are partly to pay children fees and upkeep abroad and further investments.

My British Pound and Euro accounts with Chartered Standard Bank are savings accounts. WALTER SAMUEL NKANU ONNOGHEN

EU ‘very Concerned’ Over CJN Onnoghen’s Suspension

The European Union has expressed deep concerns over the process and timing of the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The European Union Election Observation Mission on the Nigeria 2019 General Elections in a statement on Saturday by Press and Public Outreach Officer, Sarah Fradgley said the suspension raises the question of ‘whether due process was followed’.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Onnoghen on Friday and appointed Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as CJN in Onnoghen's stead.

The EU calls on all parties to follow all legal processes in line with the constitution of the country.

The statement read: “The European Union was invited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the 2019 general elections.

“The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is very concerned about the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, on 25 January.


“With 20 days until the presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties, candidates and voters must be able to have confidence in the impartiality and independence of the judicial system.

“The decision to suspend the Chief Justice has led to many Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society observer groups, to question whether due process was followed. The timing, just before the swearing in of justices for Electoral Tribunals and the hearing of election-related cases, has also raised concerns about the opportunity for electoral justice.

“The EU EOM calls on all parties to follow the legal processes provided for in the Constitution and to respond calmly to any concerns they may have.

“The EU EOM will continue observing all aspects of the election, including the independence of the election administration, the neutrality of security agencies, and the extent to which the judiciary can and does fulfill its election-related responsibilities.”

Femi Falana Reacts To CJN Onnoghen Suspension

Legal Luminary, Femi Falana has finally reacted to the suspension of the CHief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement sent to PoliticsNGR, Falana stated stated that the Illegality of the suspension should not be allowed to stand. Read the full Statement below;

"I have had cause to call on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN to withdraw the charge of false declaration of assets filed against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The call was without prejudice to the merit of the serious allegations levelled against the Chief Justice. In line with decided judicial authorities I had wanted the National Judicial Council to investigate the allegations. Unfortunately, the 88th statutory meeting of the NJC scheduled to hold on January 15, 2019 which could have deliberated on the matter and take an informed position was postponed indefinitely on the directive of the embattled Chief Justice."

"As the battle shifted to the courts, both the Judiciary and the Executive were forum shopping for court orders from the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. In the process, settled principles of law were sacrificed for the exigency of the moment."

"Thus, at the 15th annual Gani Fawehinmi lecture which held in Lagos on January 15 2019, I was compelled to warn against the dangerous trend. Regrettably, the warning fell on deaf ears. Curiously, in an act of brazen impunity, the Executive procured an ex parte order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the immediate suspension of the Chief Justice from office. In his purported compliance with the ex parte order, President Mohammadu Buhari has announced the suspension of Justice Onnoghen as the Chief Justice and appointed Justice Tanko Mohammad as the Acting Chief Justice."

"It is unfortunate that the Bar and the Bench have played into the hands of the sponsors of incipient fascism in the country. For reasons best known to them, the stakeholders in the legal profession stood by and allowed the Office of the Chief Justice to be completely desecrated. It is intringing that the 12 lawyers including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the federal cabinet did not deem it fit to disuade President Buhari from carrying out the illegal suspension of the Chief Justice on the basis of an ex parte order issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. In particular, they ought to have reminded the President of the compulsory retirement of Justice Stanley Nnaji and Justice Wilson Egbo-Egbo for issuing illegal ex parte orders for the removal of Dr. Chris Ngige as Governor of Anambra State. It is sad to recall that it was the federal government superintended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that instigated the illegal removal of the governor at the material time."

"However, notwithstanding the inauguration of Justice Tanko Mohammad as the Acting Chief Justice the legal profession should not hesitate to review the entire Onnoghen saga in the interest of the nation's judiciary. In Elelu-Habeeb v AGF (2012) 40 WRN 1, the Supreme Court held that by virtue of section 292 of the Constitution the heads of the judicial arms of the state and federal governments in the country cannot be removed without a prior investigation conducted by the NJC. Consequently, the apex court set aside the purported removal of the appellant as the Chief judge of Kwara State upon an address forwarded to the house of assembly by former Governor Bukola Saraki. Therefore, the National Judicial Council should convene and constitute a committee to investigate the allegations leveled against the Chief Justice and make appropriate recommendation to the relevant authorities."

"Meanwhile, the legal team of the Chief Justice should proceed to challenge his suspension from office either at the Code of Conduct Tribunal or the Court of Appeal."

Despite the gravity of the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice the illegality of the suspension should not be allowed to stand. The ex parte order is a suspect document as the motion ex parte on which it was predicated was allegedly filed on January 9, 2019 while the substantive charge against the Chief Justice was filed at the registry of the Code of Conduct Tribunal on January 11, 2019. Furthermore, the counsel who argued the motion is not indicated in the ex parte order. However, in view of President Buhari's belated fidelity in the rule of law the federal government should comply with all valid and subsisting orders of competent municipal and regional courts made against the federal government. President Buhari should not be permitted to choose and pick orders of courts to obey."

US Embassy Reacts To The Suspension And Replacement Of Chief Justice Of Nigeria

“The Embassy of the United States is deeply concerned by the impact of the executive branch’s decision to suspend and replace the Chief Justice and head of the judicial branch without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections.

We note widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch. That undercuts the stated determination of government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful – leading to a credible result.

We urge that the issues raised by this decision be resolved swiftly and peacefully in accordance with due process, full respect for the rule of law, and the spirit of the Constitution of Nigeria. Such action is needed urgently now to ensure that this decision does not cast a pall over the electoral process.”