THE LEARNED SQUIB WITH ADESINA OGUNLANA: THE INSPIRING CASE OF AN EMERGENCY JUDGE

 

When the courts failed to open for weeks on end  and Judges couldn't take their seats , a legal practitioner, Anthony Eruaga   called to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria just like regular judges ,   revolutionarily, creatively and temporarily elevated and levitated  himself under the provisions and edicts of the DOCTRINE OF NECCESSITY , to the position of a free lancing judex and  gave such  orders  and further orders ex parte against a financial institution  to cure justiciable ailments and prevent irreparable damage  . Dont forget that NATURE ABHORS VACUUM .

Further note that unliike some tardy judges who hide under the sterile "functus officio" umbrella after making  fatal errors and mistakes  to refrain from effecting due corrections , this emergency  and industrial crisis produced noble Lord has quickly and frankly admitted to his  calamitous faux pas .

 What exemplary nobility !

(FULL TEXT) NBA SPIDEL ISSUES COMMUNIQUE ON STATE OF THE NATION

 COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA) SECTION ON PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW (SPIDEL) AT THE END OF HER PUBLIC INTEREST ANNUAL CONFERENCE WHICH HELD AT JOGOR CENTRE, IBADAN, OYO STATE ON THE 23RD – 26TH MAY, 2021 ON THE THEME: THE ROLE OF PUBLIC INTEREST IN GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

PREAMBLE

The Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) is the 3rd Section established by the Nigerian Bar Association. SPIDEL signposts NBA’s commitment to promote the rule and application of law to economic development and growth of public interest Law in Nigeria. Its vision is to make public interest and development law a fundamental aspect of national life and development; to promote development and practice of public interest law and litigation and to ensure access to effective remedies for victims of violations of the law and abuse of power.

At the Conference, there were lead presentations from eminent speakers, senior members of the Bar, the academic, the political class, critical stakeholders and other renowned jurists.

Speakers at the Conference discussed issues surrounding the imperatives of Public Interest in Governance, internal security as a prerequisite for national development; the Legality and efficacy of Public Inquiry by State Governments; the Role of the Office of the Public Defender; Sustainable Development Goals, Third Party Data Capturing for National Identification Numbers Project, paternity fraud in Nigeria etc.

OBSERVATIONS

Following the presentations, the Conference observed the following:

a. The disconnect between a large segment of the legal profession and the ideals of public interest lawyering, owing to the obvious gaps in the legal education curriculum;

b. The current federating structure of the Nigerian State is clearly unwieldy and the debilitating situation is clearly seen in the spate of security crises in the country.

c. The lack of local laws and an administrative structure for the administration of stolen funds in a manner that ensures that the funds are not re-looted but redistributed in an equitable manner.

d. That it is Constitutional and thus lawful for States Houses of Assemblies to make anti- Corruption laws and to establish State anti-corruption Commissions to fight the menace at the state level.

e. That cases of disobedience to court orders are on the increase. This sad state of affairs must be stemmed as accountability in governance cannot be promoted if court judgments are not obeyed and the rule of law is consistently negated.

f. The conference decries the growing spate of corruption in the nation and the attendant consequences on the common man. 

RESOLUTIONS 

In the light of the observations above, the following resolutions were made:

1. SPIDEL enjoins the government to make people oriented policies which are ultimately for the welfare and security of the people. 

2. SPIDEL expresses deep concern at the spate of insecurity in the nation and calls on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to ensure that the lives of citizens are protected.

3. SPIDEL calls on all lawyers to view public interest lawyering as an avenue to enhance the relationship between the ordinary citizen and the judiciary and encourages all human rights activists to get involved in public interest lawyering irrespective of their area of practice.

4. SPIDEL views with deep concern, the frequent bloodletting in the incessant clash of farmers and herdsmen and recognizes the need for an urgent intervention to stop this ugly situation. To this end, SPIDEL approves the ban on open grazing by some States of the Federation and calls on other States to adopt the ban by the institution of appropriate laws to prevent further clashes and ensure the preservation of lives.

SPIDEL therefore submits that there is the need for the Federal Government to invest in and institutionalize ranching in the country.

 

5. The cardinal duties of the State Governors are to protect lives and properties within their States. To this end, it is proper for State Governors to establish State Policing outfits like ‘Amotekun’ and ‘Ebube Agu’ for the protection of lives and properties of their citizens. SPIDEL supports the establishment of regional vigilantes by State Governors to assist the Nigerian Police protect the lives of all Nigerians.

The Conference urges the Federal Government to champion the creation of state police as a way of reducing over-reliance on national security outfits for preservation of lives and property.

6. SPIDEL calls for a constitutional review and restructuring of the country to ensure that each region is strengthened, security is ensured and all citizens have a sense of belonging. This will take away all feelings of marginalization that several regions are complaining about. 

7. That the provisions of the Constitution in providing for the financial autonomy of the different arms of government be upheld. To this end, SPIDEL calls on State Governors to enforce judicial autonomy in their States and ensure the financial independence of the judiciary and the legislature. This will ensure that the judiciary is poised to deliver justice to the poor and oppressed without fear or favour.

8. The Conference commends the National Human Rights Commission and the various State Governments for the setting up of the various Panels of Inquiry to investigate the human rights abuses which led to the ENDSARS crisis. Every panel of inquiry set up by the Government of a State or the Federal Government is urged to administer justice to the people without being subject to the influence of any external forces.

9. SPIDEL calls on the government to recognise that violent Protests like the #End SARS Protest are not just about complaints against a particular police squad like SARS; but are ultimately about the absence of good governance. SPIDEL therefore calls on government to formulate and implement people oriented policies that are always in the public interest.

10. In relation to the provision of legal services for the indigent, SPIDEL commends the establishment of the Office of the Public Defender in Lagos State and calls on other States of the Federation to establish same, to ensure that legal aid is available and accessible to all especially the poor and vulnerable.

11. SPIDEL decries the increasing spate of corruption by the political class, pointing out that corruption robs the citizenry of the basic amenities to ensure a stable and comfortable life. SPIDEL therefore urges the National Assembly to create guidelines on the Declaration of Assets of public Officers and the adequate interpretation and administration of same by the Judiciary.

12. The Conference identifies the declaration of the assets of Public officers and the publicizing of such declarations as a major tool for combating corruption. It agrees that the publication of such declarations of assets of public officers does not amount to a violation of their human rights but was justifiable in the interest of the public.

13. The Conference agrees that lawyers in representing their clients are social engineers who are merely carrying out their responsibilities as officers in the temple of justice to ensure that their clients’ right to representation is protected. Consequently, the allegation by the EFCC that lawyers aid corruption is misguided as it is in the public interest that anyone accused of financial crimes is entitled to legal representation by virtue of Section 36 of the Constitution.

14. As regards the recovery of proceeds of corruption, SPIDEL resolves that for transparency in the assets recovery process and to make the international community more disposed to releasing stolen funds to the country, government must demonstrate transparency and accountability in the assets recovery processes and they must be:

a. Institutionalization of appropriate mechanism for efficient management of recovered assets.

b. The establishment of a database for all entries and vouchers.

c. Establishment of a Dedicated Fund for the depository of seized and confiscated assets.

15. SPIDEL expresses deep concern that several State Governments continue to disobey court orders and their Attorneys General appear unable to advise them accordingly. To this end, the Conference urges the NBA to amend its Rules of Professional Conduct to include provisions compelling all Attorneys-General to ensure that their governments obey court orders and any Attorney General that fails to do so be heavily sanctioned accordingly.

16. On SDGs, SPIDEL expressed particularly concern about issues of climate change and stresses that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on climate Change by 2030, Nigeria needs to take positive and active steps towards climate resiliency. Climate change directly affects the lives of the people and government must be careful to roll out policies that prevent environmental degradation as most Nigerians are farmers and protecting the environment is key to preserving their means of livelihood.  To this end, SPIDEL calls for the incorporation of climate action education into the Nigerian curriculum and encourages Nigeria’s Economic Recovery Growth Plan (NERGP) to attach importance to climate resiliency.

17. SPIDEL calls on the government to empower women and strengthen existing systems through comparative use of gender budgeting tools. SPIDEL therefore calls for the domestication and implementation of all international treaties relating to gender issues faced by women and girls in Nigeria will go a long way in the society.

18. For the protection and development of the female gender, government is enjoined to:

- Re-orientate the populace to embrace women at decision making tables

- Empower women in order to know and speak of their rights

- Establish gender units in police, judiciary and other first responder agencies on the issue of women.

19. As the biggest challenge for the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria is finance, government must show support by financing the implementation of these SDGs.

20. For protection of the fundamental rights of privacy, government must pass laws penalizing persons and agents who are in breach of the data protection law, particularly those who without authority use the data of citizens.

Furthermore, persons who act as third parties in data collection/analysis and usage should be men of high level of integrity who should also pass proper security checks.

21. While SPIDEL recognises the need for SIM registration, the Section maintains that Nigerians should be given more time for registration and there is no need for any ultimatum for such registration. 

22. SPIDEL expresses deep concern at the numerous reports of incidents of paternity fraud in Nigeria and calls for caution in the handling of each such situation. SPIDEL decries the indiscriminate carrying out of DNA tests to determine paternity often without any order of court and maintains that there is a need to have laws regulating DNA testing in order to protect the rights of the Nigerian child. 

23. SPIDEL resolves that rather than concentrating on the criminalization of Paternity fraud, the Nigerian society must deal with the causes of such acts from the root by eradicating certain barbaric laws against women.

24. SPIDEL lauds the launching of the ‘Sorosoke’ human rights reporting app of the NBA and points out that this will aid the general public in tracking and reporting human right abuses. 

DATED THIS 26TH DAY OF MAY, 2021

_________________________ __________________________

PROF. PAUL ANANABA, SAN

CHAIRMAN, NBA SPIDEL

MR. MONDAY ONYEKACHI UBANI

CHAIRMAN, NBA SPIDEL 2021 CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

BREAKING: OGUNLANA LABELS NOTICE OF DENIAL CLAIMED TO BE AUTHORED BY BABA IJESHA AS FALSE, POLICE SET TO RELEASE HIM TOMORROW

 Mr. Adesina Ogunlana,. Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association , Ikeja Branch and Chairman of Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association has issued a press release to clear the air on the notice of denial of legal representation which was claimed to be authored by incarcerated Nollywood Actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka , popularly known as Baba Ijesha.

He clarified that he got representations from Baba Ijesha himself denying authorship of the "Notice of Disownment" and stated that he is staying action on his reply pending the release of Baba Ijesha , which he said he got on good authority will be out tomorrow, Monday, 24th May, 2021.

The excerpts of the Press Release read thus:

PRESS RELEASE : BABA IJESHA'S ALLEGED DISOWNMENT OF MY GOOD SELF , ADESINA ADEMOLA OGUNLANA , ESQ AS HIS COUNSEL .  

Kindly recall that yesterday , Saturday ,  22nd May 2021 , a release was purportedly put out  by Mr James Olanrewaju Omiyinka , stagenamed BABA IJESHA stating that he never briefed me to act counsel in his multi fanged sexual criminality case . BABA IJESHA as you well know ,has been with the police since about a month now and  still there, despite a bail granted him on Monday,  17th  May 2021  by Chief Magistrate Toyin Oghre 

This release which clearly scandalised my name and injured my  reputation in my profession  in no small measure  was widely reported in the press . In consequence of this libelous publication,   quite a lot of concerned friends and admirers have called and still calling to make enquiries  and to express their confidence in my integrity.

You will also kindly recall that  later in the evening  of the same Saturday 22nd May2021 , I reacted briefly   in a Face book live  broadcast  where I queried the authenticity ( authorship) of the  outlandish and offensive  publication generously broadcast by one Jane Ogunbiyi,  one of the three legal practitioners listed in the publication  as the ' accredited  counsel '  of BABA IJESHA , wondering at the possibility of a person in the custodial hold of the Nigeria Police that we all know,  having the latitude to issue press statements on their very matter or any matter  at all ! I asserted that BABA IJESHA cannot deny his clientship with me and that I would respond  fully today . 

 I hereby serve notice to all that I am putting a hold on  giving  a full and comprehensive reply to debunk the FALLACIES in the publication this afternoon for the following reasons :

( 1) BABA IJESHA  as at now  is still in police custody  and ordinarily not in a position to respond to my contentions  about his client - lawyer relationship with me ; denying or affirming  same , if made today 

( 2) There are news from some of  those known  to BABA IJESHA  and my good self(that contrary to the claims of the Lagos State police command  public relations officer,)  that he, BABA IJESHA has fulfilled the terms of his bail conditions and that he would be released tommorow Monday  24th  May 2021 by Chief Magistrate  Toyin Oghre  at the SCID PANTI . The people I refer to here numbering five,( Mr Ikotun , Aare Osibote , President  OPC , Actor Dele Mati,  Otunba Durowoju , Senior Counsel Asanike )  have telephone'conferenced with me this morning for about an hour , pleading seriously  for a stay of my  hand  and keeping my gun powder dry for the sake of the freedom of Baba Ijesha  said to be so imminent . They all assured me that the offensive publication in issue did not and could not emanate from  BABA IJESHA 

( 3) Yesterday evening at about 8 00pm ,  a gentleman who described himself as a  professional colleague , one Mr Akinlade ( not Bayo Akinlade , former Chair , NBA IKORODU BRANCH) called me to state that he was instructed  by the detained BABA IJESHA to express his gratitude for my efforts and intervention  and that I should disregard  the publication or any such news as rumours , not emanating from him .

I wish to thank all those who have risen so robustly  to the defence of my integrity in the past twemty four hours . I deeply appreciate your support  and understand your anxirty to hear from me fully on this issue . However I urge you to exercise patience , joining me to respect the wishes of the concerned friends and well wishers of BABA IJESHA who had reached out to me.  Monday is less than 24 hours away . Let us wait , just for a little while . . THE TRUTH WILL OUT 

ADESINA ADEMOLA OGUNLANA , ESQ

HOT: NBA SPIDEL CONFAB KICKS OFF, DELEGATES' ACCREDITATION AT IBADAN BAR CENTRE

 

THE SQUIB exclusively reports that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest Development Law (SPIDEL) Annual Conference has kicked off in the ancient city of Ibadan.

THE SQUIB is also on ground in Ibadan for media coverage of the Conference. THE SQUIB also obtained that delegates are now at NBA Ibadan Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.

A fresh correspondence to Delegates from the Conference Planning Committee on this latest development reads as follows:

"Dear Delegate,

The NBA-SPIDEL confirms your registration for the Public Interest Annual Conference 2021 that is Scheduled to hold from Sunday 23rd - Wednesday 26th May, 2021 at Jogor Event Centre, Harvester Drive, Liberty Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Please note that the schedule for collection of Conference materials by delegates are:

Sunday 23rd May 2021, 1:00pm - 5:00pm at NBA, Ibadan Branch Secretariat, Aare Afe Babalola, Bar Centre, Opp. Old NTC Factory, Leaf Road, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State. For direction call - 09040000079

Monday 24th & Tuesday, 25th May 2021, 9:00am - 5:00pm at Felicia hall, Jogor Event Centre, Harvester Drive, Liberty Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

You are to tender proof of conference registration or print out of confirmation mail received from NBA-SPIDEL and  means of identification before collection of conference material.

[Kindly disregard our earlier schedule for the collection of conference materials and we apologize for any inconvenience]

We look forward to your cooperation and attendance.

Thank you.

NBA-SPIDEL

BREAKING: POLICE DENY DEMANDING MONEY FOR BABA IJESHA'S BAIL

 

THE SQUIB can report that the Lagos State Police Command has denied demanding money for the bail perfection of popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.

In a media report by PUNCH, closely monitored by THE SQUIB, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, said Baba Ijesha has not met his bail conditions.

“We didn’t demand any money. Ijesha has not met his bail conditions, whenever he meets the conditions, he will be released. So, whoever alleges that the police keep him because we want money from him is a liar and being mischievous,” he said.

Apart from the challenge in perfecting the bail, the Police also alleged that there is disagreement between the legal teams representing Baba Ijesha.

It will be recalled that Adesina Ogunlana, one of the counsel to the embattled actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has alleged that official of the Lagos State Police Command demanded N500,000 to get the thespian released despite a court order granting him bail.

He said this in an interview with PUNCH  correspondent on Thursday, 20th May, 2021 adding that two people are ready to stand as sureties for the actor.

According to Adesina Ogunlana, a senior police officer in charge of Baba Ijesha’s case preferred to work with a “conservative” lawyer instead of a “radical and confrontational” one like him.

In a Facebook video, Ogunlana also accused the police of monetising bail.

He said, “There has been a lot of intervention in this matter. When the news of his being granted bail was broken, a lot of Nigerians reacted with joy and excitement.

“The gentleman is innocent of all the charges, he was unjustly detained in excess of time.

“The problem is not with the judiciary. The judiciary has been proactive, in spite of the JUSUN strike, the judiciary decided to move to where the victims are.

“I was there on Tuesday and the senior police officer was hostile. I had an interesting interface with her. She led me to where Baba Ijesha is and he looked depressed and almost lifeless. He was just nodding his head and the senior police officer attacked me for saying that he is lean.

“I said it was what I saw. She said that I have to work with a particular lawyer. And I queried that. I cannot plead for what is the right of our client. They termed that confrontational.

“I asked Ijesha where are your people? He said his phone is with the senior officer and he could not reach them. I demanded the phone and another drama began. She insisted that a particular lawyer must represent Baba Ijesha.

“I told her that it is not acceptable. She did not allow us to access anything and I left around 1 pm.

“Later, When my team got to the police officers’ office, issues about money came up. They said the bail bond needs to be paid and they had to check Baba Ijesha’s phone to know the amount he has. The police said money has to be paid.

“Meanwhile, the sureties were ready and around. But they insisted that bail has to be paid. I told them this is a bail bond, not physical payment. I challenged the police to refute this.

“How can you be monetising bail? A burden that the magistrate has not imposed. Don’t give the judiciary a bad name. There was no demand for money by the magistrate. She never ordered that money should be paid.”

On the disagreement between Baba Ijesha’s legal team,Mr. Ogunlana complained that he was alleged of attempting to “steal glory”.

“Baba Ijesha has two sets of lawyers. The first set is the conservative group, and the other one is led by me – we are radical and confrontational.

“They said that our crusade is too strong for them and it is antagonising the police. They said the police have been cooperating since we came into the matter. I don’t know why they will say the police are cooperating despite keeping him in detention for up to a month.

“I had spoken with the colleague that the senior police officer preferred to handle the case. While we were speaking, the issue of someone planning to steal their glory came in. I wondered which glory is being stolen.”

It would be recalled that the thespian was granted bail by a magistrate on Monday despite the ongoing strike by judiciary workers.

Baba Ijesha is being detained by the police for alleged sexual assault and defiling of the 14-year-old foster daughter of comedienne, Princess.

JUST IN: NLC MEETS TODAY OVER FUEL PRICE HIKE, KADUNA SACK

 

 The Nigeria Labour Congress will today (Friday) come up with its position on the recommendation by governors that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, be raised from N162/litre to N408.5/litre.

A committee set up by the Nigeria Governor’s Forum had on Wednesday called for immediate removal of petrol subsidy. It recommended a petrol price of between and N380/litre and N408.5/litre.

However, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday advised the Federal Government to be tactful when removing petrol subsidy. They recommended that it be done gradually.

Also, officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation told our correspondent that the oil firm was awaiting the Federal Government’s position on the recommendation of the governors before it would adjust petrol price.

NNPC has been the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria for more than three years running.

When contacted by our correspondent on Thursday for the position of the NLC on the latest recommendation of the governors as touching petrol price, the Deputy President, Joe Ajaero, replied, “Congress will come up with a position latest tomorrow (Friday).”

Officials of both the NLC and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers in separate exclusive interviews had last week argued that the continued imports of petrol by the NNPC was at the detriment of Nigeria’s refineries.

They also insisted that the government should fix Nigeria’s refineries and stop importing petrol to help halt subsidy and save funds for the country, as they opposed subsidy removal now.

Commenting on the matter, the President, ACCI, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, said in an interview that it would be painful to raise petrol price to N408/litre this time and called for gradual increment.

He said, “The subsidy removal can be staggered. They (government) can stagger it by either removing about 25 per cent in the first three months, another 25 per cent next, and so on. They can stagger it.

“But as they remove the subsidy people will also want to see the benefits coming.”

Abubakar said the ACCI was in support of subsidy removal, but stressed that the amount saved must be properly channeled into infrastructure development.

On his part, the Director-General, LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf, explained that the inevitability of the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector had not been in doubt.

He said given the huge financing gaps that existed at all levels of government, it was impossible to continue to sustain the subsidy regime, adding that the opportunity cost of petrol subsidy was huge.

Yusuf said, “But the transitioning process from a subsidy regime to a deregulated policy space calls for a strategy that is inclusive and socially sensitive.

“It is a tricky situation that demands tactful handling. It has profound social dimension. There is a strong economic argument, there is significant investment effect and there is a potential substantial political cost.”

The LCCI DG, however, noted that the bigger conversation should be around what should be done to mitigate the short term adverse social effect on the vulnerable segments of the society.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Kennie Obateru, told our correspondent that the oil firm would await the Federal Government’s position on the governors’ recommendation before changing petrol price.

He said, “We really cannot take a position on that now because we don’t want to pre-empt whatever government is going to decide and it is whatever the Federal Government decides that will come to play.

Obateru said the corporation was aware of the recommendation by the governors and admitted that petrol subsidy had truly been a burden on NNPC.

HOT: JUSUN TO CALL OFF STRIKE SOON, REACHES ACCORD WITH GOVS

 

THE SQUIB exclusively reports that finally the  Governors, the  Judicial and  Legislative Workers has  signed  Agreement on Financial Autonomy.

Sources also confirmed to THE SQUIB that the Union is set  to call off strike after receipt of allocation

State governors and the leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have finally entered into agreement on the modalities and timelines for the commencement of full financial autonomy for various arms of government at the state level.

The deal was brokered by the committee on the implementation of financial autonomy for the state legislature and judiciary arms of government led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting with the unions in Abuja which ended late last night, Ngige said that an agreement had been signed on the implementation of full financial autonomy for the state judiciary and legislative arms of government.

He described the event as historic coming after several attempts and failures to implement the constitutional provision by successive governments.

He said: “At the end of the tortuous journey we had undertaken this evening , we have signed an agreement, not a Memorandum of Action as such but a framework for each of the state governments to grant autonomy to their state legislature and judiciary. As I said earlier the governors have studied this document and they are in agreement with it. “So by Monday or Tuesday, we are going trigger off the section B and D which says governments of the respective states shall credit the accounts of the legislative and Judicial arms or government with a pro-rata amounts due to each arms of government under the 2021 appropriation law,” he said.

Among the signatories to the document are: Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Sokoto state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (for the governors); and the representatives of the unions, including Ngige who signed as a witness to the agreement.

According to the document containing agreement obtained, all states are required to pass and assent to the Funds Management Law and the state House of Assembly Service Commission Law as well as put in place implementation structures within a time-frame not exceeding 45 days from the date of signing this document.

The agreement which has the input and recommendations from all the parties, such the governors, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and JUSUN and the leadership of the parliamentary workers is expected to be signed later by the governors and the leadership of the two unions.

The agreement stated that various Fund Management Laws should mandate the State Accountants General to release appropriated funds DIRECTLY to each arm as statutory transfers beginning with the NEXT  federal Allocation.

The two unions had insisted that they only call off their industrial action once the states transfers funds from the next federal allocation directly to the accounts of the judiciary and legislative arms.

Under the agreement, there will also be a State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) to be given legislative backing in the various Fund Management Laws and charged with the responsibility to oversee the distribution of available resources to each arm of government.

Membership of SAAC will reflect the template of the FAAC as obtainable at the federal level.

In addition, every State Commissioner of Finance and State Accountant General shall on a monthly basis furnish the Committee with the revenue performance of the State within a stipulated timeline not exceeding seven days after each FAAC meeting.

“Based on the revenue receipt, evaluations and the needs of each arm, the committee shall work out an appropriate budget release based on the Appropriation for each Arm of Government for that year”

The Memorandum of Action also stated that every state shall enact Funds Management Laws for their state judiciary and state legislature, which will grant each arm the power to manage its capital and recurrent expenditure in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6(5)(a) – (i), 81(3), 121(3) & Item 21(e) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the country and other relevant laws.

It said that capital expenditure shall include purchase of vehicles, and office equipment, construction of Legislative Buildings, renovations, repairs, maintenance and other incidentals

JUST IN: ARMED THUGS INVADE NLC SECRETARIAT IN KADUNA

 

 THE SQUIB has obtained Information from sources that less than an hour ago, armed thugs have invaded the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State.

These unknown men numbering about 100 occupied the secretariat, the meeting point of protesters partaking in the industrial warning strike.

It was reportedly gathered that the thugs were stopped by a police detachment while about 20 of them were arrested.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammad Jalige, confirmed the arrest saying that security personnel have been deployed to avert the situations of things.

Details later...

MINIMUM WAGE: EKITI WORKERS REJECT REVERSAL, ADJUSTMENTS

 

THE SQUIB exclusively reports that the trade unions in Ekiti State are preparing for showdown with the Governor of the state over reversal to 18, 000 naira minimum wage and consequential adjustments.

The excerpts of the press release obtained by THE SQUIB reads as follows:

Presselease* 

 *Organized Labour in Ekiti State reject withdrawal of minimum wage and consequential adjustment as well as release of subventions to subvented institutions* 

The Organized Labour in Ekiti State met today with Mr Governor Dr John Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on the state of the economy in  the State. 

The Organized Labour comprising NLC TUC and JNC  expressed the position of the entire workforce to  Mr Governor that Workers of Ekiti State rejected any withdrawal of minimum wage and consequential adjustment payment of the State which is a product of a process that has been signed to law. 

In the same vein, the Organized Labour rejected any stoppage of subventions to all the subvented institutions in Ekiti State.

Also, the State Organized Labour,  viewed any attempt under any guise to further impoverish the living standard of workers and all vulnerable groups in Ekiti State as unacceptable.

To this end, the State Organized Labour further advocated for the inclusion of GL 13- GL 17 in the implementation of the consequential adjustment payment among other arrears of workers welfare.

Flowing from the above, the leadership of the Organized Labour promised the entire workers that there is no way we will comprise on the welfare of workers in the State, hence, workers should be rest assured of our commitment at all times to their yearnings and aspirations

Comrade ( Pharm) Kolapo Joshua Olatunde

NLC

Chairman 

Comrade Mrs Akinyemi Taiwo

NLC Secretary

Comrade Sola Adigun

TUC Chairman 

Comrade Kuloogun Lawrence

TUC Secretary

Comrade Kayode Fatomiluyi

JNC

Chairman 

Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo

JNC Secretary

BREAKING: NLC COMMENCES DAY 3 PROTEST IN KADUNA

 THE SQUIB exclusively reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress has commenced protest  in KADUNA, making it the third day running of strike and protests against mass sacking of workers in KADUNA State. 

It will be recalled that the protests by the NLC yesterday was disrupted by thugs, which the NLC claimed were sponsored by Governor El-Rufai. It will also be recalled that the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress was declared wanted by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam El-Rufai.

Several trade unions have issued statements threatening nationwide strike action in condemnation of the attack.

Details later...

HOT: JAF DECLARES EL-RUFAI A CRIMINAL FOR PUBLIC PROSECUTIONI

 

THE SQUIB exclusively reports that the Joint Action Front, the civil society partner of the NLC and TUC in the Labour and Civil Society Coalition has declared Mallam El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State 'a criminal for public prosecution"

This was contained in a press release obtained by THE SQUIB, the excerpts are:

Joint Action Front (JAF)

10, Afolabi Lesi Street, Anthony-Ilupeju, Lagos

08035068524, 08033347962,

E-mail: jnt_action@yahoo.co.uk, www.jointactionfront.blogspot.com

MAY 19, 2021

PRESS STATEMENT

JAF SUPPORTS THE NLC RESISTANCE IN THE KADUNA WORKERS' STRIKE, 

• DECLARES EL-RUFAI A CRIMINAL FOR PUBLIC PROSECUTION,

• URGES NATIONWIDE SOLIDARITY STRIKE OF WORKERS & THE POOR MASSES!

• The Struggle of Nigerian Workers WILL DEFINITELY OUTLIVE El-RUFAI & his Cohort of Anti-Labour, Anti-People Governors & Vagabonds in Power!

1. The Joint Action Front ((JAF) salutes the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the resistance in the ongoing 5-day Warning Strike aimed to compel the arrogant and criminally minded Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, to reverse his anti-people and anti-labour policies of sacking of over 30,000 workers, in the past five years, with the recent illegal sack of 4,000 workers being the latest.

2. However, rather than respond to the legitimate and popular demands of the NLC and the affected workers, the arrogant and criminally incensed El-Rufai adored the destructive and intransigence stance of violent repression of the peaceful protests, that commenced on Monday May 17, 2021 and which have been successful with the shutdown of work services and activities in Kaduna State.

3. JAF commends the NLC leadership and the entire workers in Kaduna for their principled defiance of the pre-strike threats and actual violence unleashed by sponsored thugs and the police attacks facilitated by the El-Rufai dictatorial and brutish government. The attacks unleashed against the peaceful protest marches and defenceless workers since the commencement of the popular strike is despicable and criminal and Governor El-Rufai should be held responsible for the current state of anarchy he is bent on foisting in the state by pitting other categories of workers and working people against workers in the services of the Kaduna State Government, based on his malicious and spurious propaganda of the shares of revenues in the State.

4. JAF enjoins the NLC, the sacked workers and the entire Nigerian workers not to be deterred by the threat of further attacks and illegal imposition of measures being recklessly pronounced by Governor El-Rufai, but rather, the leadership of the NLC should be encouraged to call an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting with a view to declare nationwide strike and mass protest of the working people and oppressed masses.

5. JAF wants to reiterate that the demand by the NLC for the unconditional recall of all the over 30,000 (recently and before) sacked workers should be in focus, in addition, to insisting on the full implementation of the national minimum wage and the reversal of all anti-Labour policies and anti-poor measures in Kaduna State. The demands of the nationwide strike and protest we are proposing should include rejection of any planned increase in fuel prices and electricity tariff and anti-poor policies of Buhari government and the general state of insecurity. 

6. JAF urges the Nigerian working people and the poor to disregard the desperate and illegal declaration of the NLC President Ayuba Wabba wanted by El-Rufai, as an act of INSANITY and of a drowning criminal who ordinarily, shouldn’t occupy public office in a democratic space!

7. Equally, JAF demands that the Inspector General of Police and the Kaduna Commissioner of Police stand culpable and indicted for the degeneration of the peaceful protests by workers into violence. The police from documentary evidence available, rather than protect the peaceful protest from the Hell Rufai’s recruited thugs, joined forces with the thugs to destabilise the protests with their indiscriminate shootings, but for the large turnout of the organised mass of workers, whose courageous and commendable resistance defied and overcame the violence.

8. We in JAF take serious note that the El-Rufai’s violence attack on workers has once more brought to the fore the consistent demand by JAF on why the NLC and the organised Labour should be resolved to organise and mobilize the Nigerian workers along the line of working class ideological direction in the struggle to end the policies of neoliberalism that are manifested in privatisation, deregulation, dependence on IMF and World Bank policies, which are the driving forces of retrenchment of the workforce, mass unemployment, general state of insecurity, lack of commitment by Government to the welfare of the majority of the people, etc.

9. Therefore, JAF urges all the organisations of the working people and the oppressed poor across the country to join forces with the NLC, not only in the ongoing workers’ struggle in Kaduna State but to be prepared to sensitise and mobilize Nigerians in their various constituencies on the urgent necessity to UNITE & ORGANISE on a nationwide struggle for SYSTEM CHANGE!

DARE TO STRUGGLE, DARE TO WIN!

DR. DIPO FASHINA Comrade ABIODUN AREMU

JAF Chairperson JAF Secretary

This is what we meant by SYSTEM CHANGE:

“Nigeria is rich. The wealth belongs to the people. Most Nigerians are hungry, have no jobs, no education, no healthcare, no potable water, no electricity supply and no affordable transportation. Most cannot feed their families or educate their children. Those who are lucky to have jobs are not much different. They also cannot afford a decent living for their families. On the other hand, there is a very tiny group of Nigerians who have cornered the wealth that belong to the working people and the poor, who are in the majority. They loot the treasury and use their stolen wealth to sustain themselves in power through their political parties. They use their power to get richer and richer when the poor get poorer and poorer. This is the system of exploitation and oppression. It is the system that brings out the army and the police to kill poor people when they protest against oppression and exploitation. We want to change that system and replace it with a system where the working people and the millions of people who are sufferings under the system of exploitation will win power and ensure that the wealth of Nigeria is used to ensure a good life for the majority of the people who are now exploited and oppressed. System change is not replacing one exploiter’s government by another exploiter’s government. It is replacing an exploiter’s government by a people’s government to reorganise Nigeria and put an end to exploitation and oppression”.

“The System Change we want will UNITE the vast majority of our people under a government that will organise the working people and oppressed poor to boost our productive capacities and will use the resources for sustainable economic and social advancement; thereby reversing our economic dependency and restoring our dignity as an independent country. The Government of the working people will take care of all Nigerians no matter where they come from, their religion, where they live, and their sex. It will care for all Nigerians dehumanised by the rule of the oppressors”.

OMOLOLA EJIOYE: COUNSEL TO LATE SUSPECT TO MEET DCP PANTI ON THURSDAY

 THE SQUIB exclusively reports that Counsel to Omosuspect alleged to have died in Police Cu

JUST IN: RAILWAY WORKERS' UNION THREATENS NATIONWIDE STRIKE OVER KADUNA ATTACK ON WORKERS

 

THE SQUIB exclusively obtains the Press Release issued by the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers to withdraw services if the attacks on protesting workers in KADUNA State continues unabated .

Please read excerpts :

Tuesday, 18th May 2021

*PRESS RELEASE:*

NASIR EL'RUFAI'S THUGS' PHYSICAL ASSAULT ON NLC: WHAT A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT!*

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers NUR has expressed its dismay and utter disappointment in Mallam Nasir El'Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, for condescending that abysmally low to sponsor his thugs and bandits to attack the peaceful protest of the NLC against his incessant sack and casualization of the workers in Kaduna State civil and public services

Still in dismay, the NUR leadership recalled how El'Rufai's army of thugs accosted the peaceful procession of the Nigerian workers this morning in Kaduna and attacked viciously with missiles, matchers, knives and other dangerous weapons unprovoked. NUR regretted that, rather for Mallam Nasir El'Rufai to seek peaceful and constructive means to resolve these issues with the leadership of the labour, he has resorted to wielding hooliganism and banditry to repel a just and legitimate protest gathering of the Congress. 

This singular act on the part of this diminutive and serpentine Nasir El'Rufai has made him and all he represents a phenomenon to be repudiated with attendant passion and this has also left the NUR, in total solidarity to the NLC and Kaduna State workers, with no  option than to warn that if any member of the Labour Congress is reported to have suffered any injury, fatality, or taken up in another attack again as the 5-day warning mass industrial action against his unpopular government continues into the third day, Nigeria Union of Railway Workers will not hesitate to mobilize its members to withdraw trains services and shutdown the entire Nigerian Railway system in response to his repulsive and tactless approach to the rights and welfare of Kaduna State workers.

In effect, the governors forum leadership and all good and well-meaning Nigerians are hereby implored to pull Nasir El'Rufai back to his senses before he relapses further into self-destructive level of lunacy with consequences to be felt nationwide!

NUR reaffirm its unreserved solidarity and  support to the informed and superior leadership of the Congress as it presses on in its lawful and legitimate duty of compelling Mallam Nasir El'Rufai to reverse all his anti-people and neoliberal policies that have made life and living so difficult for the working people of Kaduna State and their families.

Enough is enough!!!

*Signed.*

*Comr. Amb. Innocent Luka Ajiji President General NUR*

*Comr. Segun Esan, fcipa Secretary General NUR*

BREAKING: NUPENG THREATENS NATIONWIDE STRIKE OVER KADUNA ATTACK ON LABOUR LEADERS

 THE SQUIB exclusively reports that the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened nationwide industrial action over the disruption of the protest by workers at Kaduna State after Governor El-Rufai declared the NLC President and others wanted.

The excerpts of the Press  release :

*PRESS RELEASE*

*NUPENG PUTS MEMBERS ON RED ALERT OVER ATTACK ON NLC PEACEFUL PROTESTS IN KADUNA STATE*

The National Leadership of NUPENG is deeply saddened with the violent turn of NLC peaceful protests by the dictatorial and despotic regime of Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State.

The Leadership of the Union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to order before his arrogance and power drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing.

Consequently, the Union reiterates that no Labour Leaders or workers as the case may be,  be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the State. 

Our Union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President,Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other Labour Leaders to danger in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the State

NUPENG therefore warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized Labour, the Leadership of the Union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shut down of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises

Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong.

SIGNED:

COMRADE WILLIAMS AKPOREHA,

NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUPENG,

COMRADE AFOLABI OLAWALE,

GENERAL SECRETARY OF NUPENG.

EXCLUSIVE: ACTOR, YOMI FABIYI , RAMINBA STORM PANTI, APPLIES FOR BABA IJESHA'S BAIL

 

Nollywood Actor, Yomi Fabiyi and the Leadership of the Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA) stormed the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti , yesterday,14th May, 2021 to demand for the release of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.

It will be recalled that Nollywood actor ,  Yomi Fabiyi , four days ago led a group of protesters to the SCIID Panti to demand the release of the actor , whereupon the Commissioner of Police stated that the Police won't release Baba Ijesha until the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike action of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria is called off for him to be arraigned in Court.

In a related development, the Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA) had earlier written to the Commissioner of Police to demand bail for Baba Ijesha as the ground of the JUSUN strike is not tenable for denying him bail.

However, it was yesterday that the duo of Adesina Ogunlana and Ayo Ademiluyi, Chairman and Secretary of RAMINBA respectively was able to meet Baba Ijesha in person after the discussion with the DCP Adegoke , Head of SCIID Panti yielded positive fruit to the effect that an application for the bail of Baba Ijesha should be brought to the Police.

Consequently, a bail application was drawn up and addressed to the Commissioner of Police and copied to the Deputy Commissioner of Police. 

As matters stands now, the application for bail of Baba Ijesha is being considered.

THE SQUIB will continue to provide exclusive stories on the matter

STRIKE LINGERS AS JUSUN MEETS FG TODAY

 

THE SQUIB gathered that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria is set to meet with the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige  as continuation of talks to resolve the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike action.

It will be recalled that striking judicial and legislative workers have given fresh conditions to suspend their industrial action, insisting that the Federal Government should prevail on Governors to immediately release all outstanding allocations due to the other two arms of government, still in their custody since the beginning of the year, according to media  reports monitored by THE SQUIB.

THE SQUIB also learnt that the workers restated that they would not negotiate the provisions of the constitution on financial autonomy for the two arms of government and demanded that the governors should immediately set in motion the process of establishing the fund allocation committees in all the states.

THE SQUIB  gathered that the leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) made the demands in a written response to the proposals made by state governors and the federal government on how to resolve the dispute over financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature in each state of the federation.

The federal government and the governors of the 36 states had earlier agreed on a revenue-sharing formula to resolve the raging dispute over the full implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries and legislatures.

The new proposal, which was given to the leadership of both the workers’ unions at a conciliatory meeting last Thursday in Abuja, sought to replicate the federal revenue-sharing structure in the states.

Recall that under the new template, the governors would establish, within 45 days of the agreement, States Accounts Allocation Committee (SAAC) to share revenues among the executive, the judiciary and the legislature, the same way the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shares revenue between the federal, states and local government councils.

But in their response to the government’s proposal, which was submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, the striking workers also demanded that a law be immediately enacted to back the implementation of any agreement reached with the governors.

A source expressed the fact  that the workers' demands are “in consonance with the Executive Order 10, that whatever monies that are in the possession of the governors and are yet to be disbursed should be disbursed immediately.”

He added that the unions are also insisting that there should be uniformity of the law setting up the fund allocation committees to ensure a common template for revenue sharing in all the 36 states of the federation.

The source , who is an official of the Union is also quoted by media sources  to have said that : “We demand that there should be a law in all the states to back up the revenue-sharing template. In addition, in consonance with Executive Order 10, the governors should also ensure that whatever that is their hands that they have not disbursed are released. They should disburse it immediately. They should put in motion the process of setting up the State Fund Allocation Committee as proposed.

“There should be uniformity in the law setting up the revenue sharing template in all the states. We don’t want a variant of the law. It doesn’t matter what a state generates. We know that every state will not have the same amount because some of the states earn derivation fund. What is important is that the sharing formula is the same.”

On having the governors as signatories to any agreement reached to resolve the financial autonomy dispute, the source said JUSUN and PASAN insisted that each state governor should sign the agreement by himself and not through a third party.

Meanwhile, in continuation of negotiations to end the dispute, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Tuesday held a meeting with the representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, on how to respond to issues raised by the striking workers.

THE SQUIB learnt that the meeting followed the receipt of a written response by the workers to an earlier offer made by the governors in a bid to resolve the lingering dispute.

It was learnt that Ngige, Lalong and others were not able to trash out the issues and had agreed to meet again yesterday (Wednesday) in order to allow for wider consultation.

THE SQUIB also learnt that a meeting with the leadership of the workers   holding today is  to iron out the remaining issues with a view to secure the suspension of the strike.

JUSUN and PASAN have been on strike for over one month.

 

The unions are seeking the full implementation of the constitutionally guaranteed financial autonomy for state legislatures and judiciaries.

RUMBLE IN THE MILITARY AS RANK AND FILE SOLDIERS CALL FOR HALT OF ALLEGED HOUSING SCAM

 

There appears to be rumble in the military as rank and file soldiers in the Nigerian Army wrote an Open Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to demand that the Nigerian Army Housing Scheme , which they alleged to be fraudulent be stopped immediately. 

The excerpts of the  Open Letter , which was obtained by THE SQUIB read as follows:

05NA/57/2084 SGT YUSUF SHETIMA

04NA/55/0925 CPL JAMES IBOK

09NA/62/5578 LCPL DANLADI IBRAHIM

11NA/66/10622 LCPL AFOLABI SHOWUMI

13NA/70/11034 PTE LUCKY DOLPH

13TH MAY,2021.

THE PRESIDENT,

COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES,

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

Dear Sir, 

REJECTION OF THE PROPOSED NIGERIAN ARMY WELFARE HOUSING SCHEME (NAWHS).

1. On behalf of the entire Non Commissioned Officers (NCO), and the Senior Non commissioned Officers (SNCO), we write to reject the proposed plan of the Nigerian Army to further increase their tempo in a way of continuous swindling and to put us and our family into persistent suffering of hunger and starvation. Putting into consideration, the high rate of inflation in Nigeria market today, we the NCO and the SNCO are finding it difficult to feed our family and as well pay our children school fees from our meager salary. Yet, the Nigerian Army have devised a means of taking or collecting it back from us the Scarce Skill Allowance (SSA) under the guise of a useless, fraudulent and so called Nigerian Army Welfare Housing Scheme (NAWHS).

2. It is pertinent to note that the Army cannot exist or stand in the absent of the NCO and the SNCO, but the Army can stand or exist and function effectively without the commissioned Officers. This is to say that, the SNCO and the NCO are the pillars or the Nigerian Army and without them the NA cannot exist and yet, there suffer the most. 

3. The NCO and the SNCO are not well paid and yet the Army wants to deduct a whopping sum of #15,410.30k, #16,703.92k, #17,103.92k, #18,868.97k, #21,516.27k, #26,732.74k,  #30,000.00k and 49,086.49k on monthly basis  and according to the rank respectively. After this deduction, there still want us to feed and also buy our military uniforms from the remaining change. The officers of the NA are happy seeing us the NCO and the SNCO suffering all the days of our life, there can never and will never come up with a good plan that will ever benefit the other ranks instead, they prefer to cheat without regards to our suffering.

4. We are using this medium to call on the Federal Government, the house of representatives, the Senate and all other stakeholders to come to our aid and stop the Army under the leadership of Lt Gen. IBRAHIM Attahiru from the proposed fraudulent plan. And if there must continue, it must not be compulsory.                                                                                                                                                            Thanks.

POLICE BRUTALITY: NBA BENIN BRANCH DEMANDS URGENT REMOVAL OF THE DPO ETETE POLICE STATION

 

The Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch has called for urgent removal of the Divisional Police Officer of the Etete Police Station, Benin City over harrasment and extortion.

 

In a Statement issued in Benin City by the Nigerian Bar Association,Benin Branch ,the Lion Bar and obtained by THE SQUIB , the Benin Bar stated  thus:

"The Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch-the Lion Bar  calls for the urgent removal of the DPO -Adesuwa Omoruyi and some Officers of the Etete Police Division,Benin City  for extortion and harassment of Citizens passing through Etete Road ,GRA,While causing a huge gridlock on the road ,which some times leads to avoidable Accidents .

 There have been several complaints against the Etete Police Division,Benin City , over the manner the DPO, Adesuwa Omoruyi and other policemen are extorting and harassing citizens at the Etete Axis of the GRA,Benin City ,Edo State . The DPO Etete Police Station  , Adesuwa Omoruyi who has turned the station into a Cash Cow and  an ATM machine has continued in her nefarious activities with impunity .

 On the 13th of  May, 2021, in attempt to extort money from the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association,Benin Branch ,,the Lion Bar -Mrs Paul Agbale who incidentally is the Chairman of the NBA Benin Human Rights Committee,one ASP  Ebenezer Oru  maliciously damaged the side mirror of her car,with out any provocation. The Benin Bar is worried that the already battered image of the Nigerian Police is further brought to the fore by the activities of the Etete Police Division, as the station has continually engaged in  Illegal traffic causing  road blocks,while  collecting money from vulnerable citizens who ply the Etete Road ,in GRA,Benin City . We hereby call on  the Commissioner of Police, Edo State,who has been a willing partner with the Bar  in the fight against corruption and indiscipline  in the Police in Edo State and all concerned authorities to remove the DPO Etete Police Station , Adesuwa Omoruyi, the DCO,who is very uncouth and unprofessional, Oru Ebenezer and Osas Imariagbe ,who knowing that we are Lawyers and Members of the NBA Benin Exco  brandished his gun at the NBA Chairman,the  immediate past chairman and the full compliment of NBA Benin EXCO.

 The unprofessional  conduct of the these aforementioned officers and rank and file are condemnable in view of the fact that they did all these to the full  compliment of the NBA Benin  Exco,only God knows what they do to  ordinary and vulnerable  citizens ,if they could show such naked impunity to the full complimentof the NBA  Benin Branch Exco.

The NBA Benin Bar is also  inundated with complaints of extortion of  huge amounts of money from citizens at night around the Etete Police Station ,after the curfew period ,for which the DPO  and her men use the Curfew as a commercial venture ,where they cash out from vulnerable,helpless and hapless citizens,when caught some times by unavoidable by the Curfew  .

 We call for a total overhaul of the Etete Police Division, especially a redeployment of the DPO, ,the DCOs   Ebenezer  Oru and Osas Imariagbe -the gun wielding trigger Happy Police Officer .The DPO has  shown by her reprehensible  conduct,when called by authorities to intervene,but she excerbated the situation by her aloof and impudent mien , that she is the one who gives an official imprimatur to the impunity of her Officers  and men .The Apple does not far from the Tree .

Even when NBA Benin  Bar Officials led by the Chairman of NBA Benin Branch -the Lion Bar ,-,Pius Idemudia Oiwoh Esq., introduced ourselves as Members of  the NBA Benin Exco ,Oru Ebenezer dared the Bar Exco to call whoever we  want to call and that nothing will happen ,as their DPO is very powerful and connected.We however believe that justice will be done in this Matter as this Matter is a Metaphor for all the extortions and harassment perpetuated by the DPO Adeduwa Omoruyi and her men ,which has reached Edo Citizens plying the Etete Road in their Neck .

The Benin Bar condemns the reprehensible conduct of the DPO of  Etete  Police Division and her men and we call on the total over haul of the Division for the benefit of Society as the Etete Police Division is now a problem to the inhabitants of the neighborhood .

*Peace is not just the absence of War , but the presence of Justice*

-Dr. Martin Luther King .

Signed:

Dr S.O. Gavin Daudu,

Legal  Adviser ,

Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch,the Lion Bar .

Dated this 13th Day of May,2021."

SQUIB EDITORIAL: WHY SCIID PANTI DETENTION FACILITY NEEDS TO BE OPENED FOR INSPECTION BY NBA, MAGISTRATES

 

THE SQUIB is concerned about the plight of detainees in the detention facility of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State.

Apart from the spectacular case of Omiyinka James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, the Nollywood comedian who is being denied bail , the case of Omolola Ejioye, a deceased  detainee at the facility who the family and his counsel claimed died in the detention facility raises a cause for alarm.

THE SQUIB is worried about the statement credited in the media to the DCP Adegoke, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department , who asserted that detainees like Baba Ijesha are not being released because of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike action of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) which have shut the courts.

We call on the Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos State, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe Branches to rise in unison and demand an inspection of the detention facility. The Branches will be acting in compliance with the directives of the National Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association that directed Branches to visit Police facilities during the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike action in a bid to provide pro Bono legal services to detainees who could not be taken to Court.

Equally, we call on serving Magistrates in the Lagos State Magistracy to invoke their powers under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act(ACJA) to inspect the detention facility.

LEKKI 40: ACTIVIST, ADEOLA SOETAN WRITES LAGOS STATE CP, REQUEST REPORT OF INVESTIGATION

 

An activist, Adeola Soetan, who is also the National Coordinator of Democracy Vanguard, has written an Open Letter to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu to demand the report of  investigation into the brutality of the #OccupyLekki 40 , including the popular comedian, Mr. Macaroni, Debo Adeyemo. 

The excerpts of the Open Letter reads as follows:

Attention: CP, Lagos State Command.

Mr. Odumosu.

Topic: Still on police torture of Mr. Macaroni & others.

You promised the nation that you would investigate police brutality of EndSars - Lekki re-opening peaceful protesters after you condemned the action of policemen at Adeniji Adele police torture chamber.

Days have climbed days, months have climbed months, you have failed to probe your  men and officers of the notorious torture chamber, and if you had probed, you have failed to tell the surprised  public who watched the video of torture which was  boldly released by the torturers. That's bad of you. An officer's promise is his honour. You have showed honour in this case. 

You, as the head of the Lagos  police command, should show good example to your junior officers and men by fulfilling your promise voluntarily made and must always show that you are against police brutality.

Police torture is a crime against humanity. We, the conscientious Nigerians, still look forward to you to walk your talk. And we will not forget your promise, it's time government and its agencies don't take Nigerians for a ride.

 EndSars protest was partly as a result of cumulative anger of victims and  Nigerians  against police brutality of many years that was not treated by those who should look into it.

Mr. CP, we are waiting for your probe and we won't be tired of waiting before we take the issue of your comnand's police torture of peaceful protesters to higher and global level.

With regards.

Adeola Soetan

National Coordinator

Democracy Vanguard 

08037207856"

BABA IJESHA: ACTOR, YOMI FABIYI AND OTHERS STORM PANTI WITH PROTESTS AS RAMINBA DEMANDS HIS BAIL

 

THE SQUIB gathered that Nollywood actor,  Yomi Fabiyi and others stormed the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria  Police Force to demand the release of Omiyinka Olarenwaju, popularly known as "Baba Ijesha".

It will be recalled that 

 Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, a popular Nollywood actor  is being detained for  molesting a minor. The Ministry of Justice has also issued a legal advice upon which Baba Ijesha will be prosecuted. 

However, THE SQUIB gathered that the Lagos State Police Command has been utilising the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike as an excuse for not granting bail to him.

THE SQUIB also gathered that during the protest, Yomi  Fabiyi and other protesters marched from Casino Bus Stop to Panti Police Station on Wednesday.

They demanded that Baba Ijesha should be released from detention on bail  pending his prosecution in  court.

The protesters carried placards and banners with various inscriptions such as ‘denial of bail of bail of bailable offence is human rights violation’, ‘Nigeria police, please allow the law to dictate to you, not Iyabo Ojo, Princess and co’, ‘release Baba Ijesha’, and ‘Nigeria police must respect human rights and honour bail for bailable offence’.

Fabiyi, who has been supportive of Baba Ijesha, described the continuous detention of Baba Ijesha as “illegal”.

It will be recalled that the duo of Iyabo Ojo , another Nollywood actress and Princess, the complaint led others in protest to State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department ( SCIID) to oppose the earlier attempt of the Police to release Baba Ijesha.

In a related development, the Radical Agenda Movement of the Nigerian Bar Association has also demanded the release of the actor. In a live Facebook telecast by Adesina Ogunlana, the Chairman of the Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA) today, 13th May, 2021, he expressed the fact that the organisation had earlier written the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID)  demanding the bail of the actor. He said this was done after consultation with Baba Ijesha himself , who referred the organisation to his counsel, Mr. Olu Akande. He said Mr. Olu Akande and Yomi Fabiyi are currently in touch with RAMINBA , arising from today's protest to demand the release of the actor.

He condemned the continuous detention of the actor on the ground of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and called his release on bail as the offences with which he is to be charged in his legal advice are bailable offences.

CP LAGOS STATE TO MEET WITH COUNSEL TO OMOLOLA EJIOYE, SUSPECT FAMILY CLAIMS DIED IN SCIID PANTI

 

THE SQUIB exclusively reports that Commissioner of Police of Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu is set to meet with Mr. Yakubu Eleto ,  Counsel to the late 

 Omolola Ejioye ,  whom the family alleged died in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Lagos State Police Command.

It will be recalled that the family of Omolola Ejioye claimed that the young man was allegedly tortured and killed  in Police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) over a matter he allegedly knew nothing about and are demanding justice for his death.

In an exclusive interview with THE SQUIB,  Counsel to late Ejioye, Mr. Yakubu Eleto informed THE SQUIB that he  was arrested on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Ladega, his area of residence by Police officers attached to the Ikorodu Division Police Headquarters and was later transferred to SCID Panti on Tussday, May 4.

In a related development, Yakubu Eleto Chambers, the law firm handling the matter for the Ejioye’s family, in a release on Monday, May 10,2021  and signed by Madu Ozioma Nwogu, Esq, the Deputy Head of the Chambers, narrated how the late young man was arrested, detained, tortured and died in police custody.

The release revealed that :

“Our brief reveals that late Omolola Ejioye was unjustly arrested at Ladega, Ikorodu, around 8pm on Sunday, the 2nd day of May, 2021, where he was whisked in a commando manner and later detained in Igbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu till Tuesday morning when he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Adekunle, Lagos State, on the 4th day of May, 2021″, the release said.

It was alleged that the police demanded and collected sums of money at different times for different purposes when Ejioye’s family and friends visited Panti to secure his release.

“Our brief reveals further that one Inspector Bisi took him from Ikorodu to Panti and handed him over to one Babatunde in Panti D4 department and the same Babatunde collected some amount of money to open a file for the case in Panti.

“We were also briefed that Supol Bola also on Tuesday collected another sum of money from the family to carryout coroner inquest on the person who earlier died in the Okada riders clash in Ikorodu and it should be noted that the deceased was unjustly arrested due to the death of one Okada rider in Ikorodu”, the release alleged.

“On Thursday, the Investigation Police Officer collected another sum of money for mobilisation to Ikorodu to investigate the scene of the death of the Okada rider.

“Our client’s family and friends, thereafter, visited the SCIID Panti where they requested for the release of the deceased on the 5th day of May 2021 but all efforts were to no avail”.

Yakubu Eleto Chambers, in the signed statement, said that the family discovered that their son had been subjected to torture by inmates and all efforts to get his administrative bail proved abortive.

 

“Few days before the untimely death of our client, the family and friends further requested for the administrative bail of our client but the police asked them to bring #100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) which they couldn’t produce.

“They firmly told the police officer that they had just #28,000 (Twenty Eight Thousand Naira) which the officer on duty rejected. Hence, they denied the deceased bail but the family insisted on seeing the deceased to appraise his health conditions.

“Eventually, when the family was able to see him, they noticed he had been subjected to torture by inmates and soaked with bruises and blood stains”, the law firm further alleged.

Unfortunately, on May 7 when the family and friends again visited the SCID, Pant, to further press for administrative bail of Ejioye, they were told that he died in the middle of the night.

“Our clients on that premise requested for the bail but the Inspector Bola of D4 further denied our clients administrative bail on the night of 6th May, 2021, despite the deteriorating health condition of our client and upon getting to the SCIID, Panti, on Friday the 7th day of May, 2021, our clients were told that the OMOLOLA EJIOYE died in the middle of the night. TEARS!!!”.

While calling for justice in the death of Ejioye, Yakubu Eleto Chambers also called for thorough investigation  into what actually led to the death of their client and vowed to challenge what they termed unprofessional conduct of Inspector Bola.

The family also requested an autopsy examination to determine Ejioye’s death and the release of his remains for proper burial.

 

“While we condemn in its entire entirety the facts leading to the death of Mr Omolola Ejioye, we vow that this unprofessional act of Inspector Bola will never go unchallenged.

“We are, therefore, forced to make this public in a bid to inform the general public of the real circumstances that led to the death of our client and to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Having seen clearly that our client died unprecedentedly in the hands of the police, we are, hereby, requesting for an autopsy report on the cause of the death of our client.

“We are also requesting that police release the corpse to the family for befitting burial for our clients and furnish us with the police investigation report”, the family lawyer said.

In a related develooment, the Lagos State Police Command, in a release with Reference Number REF NO CZ:5650/LS/PPRO/VOL.3/94 entitled , 

POLICE PRESS RELEASE, LAGOS STATE COMMAND, DATED 10TH MAY, 2021" has denied that OMOLOLA EJIOYE died in their custody but stated that he fell ill.

The excerpts of the release are as follows:

POLICE NEVER TORTURED OMOLOLA EJIOYE TO DEATH, HE FELL ILL...CP LAGOS 

The Lagos State Police Command has deemed it necessary to refute and clear the air on the alleged torture and killing of one Omolola Rotimi Ejioye, aka Eji, by the operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba on Sunday 9th May, 2021, contrary to the news making waves on the social media.

The Command wishes to state in clear terms that a case of suspected murder was transferred from Ikorodu Division of Lagos State to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba-Lagos on 4th May, 2021 for discreet investigation. One Rotimi Omolola, the deceased, was equally brought along with the casefile and other suspects.

On 7th May, 2021, at about 4am, the attention of the officers on duty at the State CID, Panti, was drawn to a strange behavior of the suspect, Omolola, suggesting an underlining illness and he was quickly rushed to Falomo Police Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos where he gave up the ghost while on admission. 

The corpse has been deposited at mortuary for the performance of Autopsy to ascertain the probable cause of death.

The Command therefore urges the general public to disregard the fake, unfounded and mischievous news which has been in circulation by certain individuals to distort the fact and escalate misinformation on the incident, for reasons best known to them.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, while commiserating with the family of the deceased suspect, reiterates that the suspect was neither tortured nor maltreated by the police, at any point, despite his alleged involvement in the murder case under investigation.

The Commissioner of Police also reaffirms and assures the general public that the Police Command, under his watch, will continually discharge its duties in line with the provisions of the law and kick against violation of human rights as well as abuse and misuse of power in the state.

E-SIGNED 

CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI(mnipr)

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER 

LAGOS STATE COMMAND 

IKEJA-LAGOS 

DATED 10H MAY, 2021"

THE SQUIB will continue its investigation of the matter until conclusion

NBA SPIDEL HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE ,GIVES ASSURANCE ON ANNUAL CONFAB

 

The Section on Public Interest and Development Law of the Nigerian Bar Association held a Press Conference on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021 at The Secretariat of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja ahead of her Annual Conference holding between 23rd and 26th May, 2021 at Ibadan, Oyo State.

The excerpts of the Press Conference are as follows:

ADDRESS BY MR. MONDAY ONYEKACHI UBANI, CHAIRMAN, CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION ON PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW (NBA-SPIDEL) ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2021 AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021 AT IKEJA, LAGOS

Protocols 

Gentlemen of the Press,

I am delighted to welcome you all to this Press Conference on the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference 2021.

The Annual Conference will hold from Sunday, May 23 to Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the world-class Jogor Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The theme of the conference is “The role of public interest in governance in Nigeria.” Aside from the eagerly awaited opening ceremony, a plenary session on “The imperatives of public interest in governance in Nigeria” will hold immediately afterwards. 

The technical sessions will hold on May 24 and May 25 with varying sub-themes including “Internal security: a prerequisite for national development (legality and efficacy of regional vigilantes and other security frameworks);” “Internal security: A prerequisite for national development (legality and efficacy of public inquiry by state governments – issues on violent protests and recovery of assets),” and “When the state truly defends: Assessing the role of Office of the Public Defender of Lagos State & other institutional schemes for access to justice by the public.”

Other sessions are “Anti-corruption model: assets declaration, public access and emerging issues;” “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Assessing Nigeria’s progress - focus discussion on gender equality, climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions;” “Third party data capturing for national identification numbers project: national security and privacy issues ;” “Paternity fraud in Nigeria: Legal and social implications;” “Showcase session on public interest lawyering: Capacity building and enhancement of practice skills on public interest lawyering – a continuing professional development perspective,” and “NBA Public Interest Litigation Committee:  Broadening the strategy for NBA’s intervention in public interest lawyering.”

With over 60 leading speakers having confirmed their participation, the annual conference promises to be highly intellectually rewarding. Some of the speakers include Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, and House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Other speakers are the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN); NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata; former Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu; EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa; INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu; ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN); Legal Aid Council Director-General, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Ojukwu; Oyo State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo (SAN), and leading political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi.

Aside from Minority Senate Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Dino Melaye, the human rights community is fully represented by fiery human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN); Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Aisha Yesufu, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, Mr. Liborous Oshoma and Mallam Mahdi Shehu among others.

Among the Governors that have committed to attend the annual conference are the host Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and his Bauchi State counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed. Other speakers are Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, and pioneer NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) among others.

The hybrid conference will host delegates at the expansive Jogor Centre in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols while several sideline social events and a State Banquet have been planned to ensure that delegates experience the best that the ancient city of Ibadan can offer. 

It is recalled that Governor Makinde had during a courtesy visit by NBA-SPIDEL delegation assured that adequate security would be provided for the delegates throughout their stay in Ibadan.

Curtains will be drawn on the conference with the election of a new leadership to take over from current NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN) following his outstanding revival of the once moribund but influential NBA section.

I invite you all to attend this highly promising conference which will be followed by a policy document on governance challenges in Nigeria.

Thank you.

MONDAY O. UBANI

Chairman

NBA-SPIDEL Central Planning Committee

JUSUN GIVES CONDITIONS TO SHELVE STRIKE AFTER PARLEY WITH FG, NBA

 

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has given conditions under which it will shelve the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike action being conducted by the Union.

THE SQUIB exclusively gathered that  the leadership of JUSUN made this known in a  meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association, after the parley with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Minister of Labour.

Sources also expressed to THE SQUIB that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has reportedly accepted the proposals made by Governors in their quest for a resolution of the industrial crisis caused by the clamour by judicial workers for the implementation of financial autonomy for the judicial arm of government.

THE SQUIB gathered that the Union disclosed that it has accepted the proposal of the Governors during a meeting between its leaders and the representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, which held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Abuja.

THE SQUIB further gathered that  the Union has agreed to shelve  the indefinite strike subject to few clarifications and guarantee from the Governors.

THE LEARNED SQUIB WITH ADESINA OGUNLANA: THE APPELLANT PRESIDENCY

 

Dear and wonderful  BANDITS,

I am on my knees

appealing to you in the name of Allah 

to release those varsity students now in your care ,

My namee is simply  BUHARI 

Please forget the President  title part of it 

As for the COMMANDER - IN-CHIEF thing 

Na mere decoration o , 

I ,myself have long thrown it away,

I only use the title and decoration 

do SHAKARA 

Against activists , protesters and ordinary , yeye fifu 

Not before GREAT and SUPERIOR  personalities like YOU 

Please consider  the prayers of your humble APPELLANT 

An old , sick , just "manage- manage" tired Bubu 

And it will continue to be well with you ,

NAGODE ,

Thank you SIRS ,

Be assured of my highest esteemed regards.

SIGNED 

Buhari Daura

JUSUN, FG MEETS TOMORROW AS GOVS SET TEMPLATE

 

THE SQUIB can exclusively report that the  striking Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria 

will meet with the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige tomorrow in a bid to resolve the ongoing industrial strike action in the Judiciary in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Labour met with both Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) , who are both on strike, last week  and there was a resolution to meet on 11th May, 2021, which is tomorrow.

In a related development, 

THE SQUIB also gathered that the Federal Government and Governors of the 36 States of the Federation have agreed on a revenue-sharing formula to resolve the raging dispute over the full implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries and legislatures.

Sources expreessed to THE SQUIB the view that the if at  tomorrow's meeting,  the template is accepted by judicial and parliamentary workers, who have been on a strike for over one month to press home their demands for financial autonomy for the two arms of government in the 36 states of the federation, funds from the Federation Account due to each state are to be jointly shared among the executive, legislature and judiciary in each state.

 

The new proposal, which was given to the leadership of both the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) at a conciliatory meeting last Thursday in Abuja, seeks to replicate the federal revenue-sharing structure in the states.

THE SQUIB gathered that under the new template, the Governors will establish, within 45 days of the agreement, States Accounts Allocation Committee (SAAC) to share revenues among the executive, the judiciary and the legislature, the same way the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shares revenue between the federal, states and local government councils.

The proposal also stipulates that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) will invoke Executive Order 10 against any state that fails to abide by the terms of the agreement.

THE SQUIB gathered also  that among the new offers made to the judiciary and legislative workers by the federal and state governments was a reassurance that state governors are committed to implementing full financial autonomy for the two arms of government.

Information available to THE SQUIB is that the Governors also agreed that they will set up all the structures necessary for the implementation of the financial autonomy, including the budget committee where the judiciaries and state legislatures will forward their expenditure estimates. That will be based on the budget envelope of the projected annual revenue earning for the arms of government as is being done at the federal level.

Equally,  when the executive, judiciary and legislature prepare their annual budget estimates, they will forward them to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approvals.

In effect,  when the revenue comes from the federal and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the State Fund Allocation Committee will now convene the State Accounts Allocations Committee (SAAC), which will now oversee the disbursement of money to different arms of government.

In summary,  each state will ensure that it establishes Fund Allocation Committee for its legislature and judiciary to be headed by the head of the courts and the legislature.

The two arms of government will also be expected to set up a tenders’ board to be headed by the court registrar and clerk of the state Houses Assembly.

It is also gathered that the  same structure at the federal level would be transposed down to the states. The  template used by the National Judicial Council (NJC) at the federal level would be adopted in disbursing funds to the judiciary in the states.

Under the new arrangement, state Fund Allocation Committee would be headed by the state Commissioner for Finance. Also, state Houses of Assembly will be allocated funds in the same manner that the National Assembly receives its allocation after the budget approval.

In effect, if there is a breach on the part of the state government that will trigger off Executive Order 10, which empowers the Accountant-General of the Federation to remit funds directly to the state judicial and legislative arms of government.

Sources expressed  the fact that the target of Governors is to do all  that is provided in the proposed template such that there will be no need to invoke the Executive Order 10 of the President.

IBADAN 2021: NBA SPIDEL SET TO HOLD ANNUAL CONFAB, INVITES EXHIBITORS TO REGAL 2,000 CONFEREES

 

The Section of Public Interest Development Law of the Nigerian Bar Association is now set to host the Annual Conference of the Section in the ancient city of Ibadan , Oyo State from 23rd to 26th May, 2021. 

THE SQUIB gathered that in a related development, the   Central Planning Committee (CPC) for the eagerly awaited Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference has invited exhibitors to add more value to the conference by providing services to conferees.

A statement obtained by THE SQUIB issued by   the Media & Publicity Sub-committee said: “We therefore write to invite you to showcase your Company during the conference through exhibition and screen adverts on montage during the conference which will garner over 2,000 participants.”

The statement added that there are “limited booths” available for hire and urged potential exhibitors “to clearly write the name of their company and the amount on the teller. Payment should be made on or before the 15th May, 2021.”

It is recalled that many leading speakers have been lined up for the first-ever in-person annual conference since the corona virus pandemic, with many conferees very eager to reconnect with peers among others at the world-class Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

To register for the conference, please click on https://nbaspidel.ng.

The full text of the message is below:

Dear Sir/Madam, 

 

THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION ON PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: INVITATION FOR EXHIBITION AND ADVERTS. 

We write to inform you of the NBA-SPIDEL forthcoming Annual Conference 2019 which comes up from the 23rd to 26th of May, 2021 at the world-class Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State with the theme, “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria”. 

In the NBA there are 3 Sections to which the over 140,000 members of the Association belong; they are (i) Section on Legal Practice, (ii) Section on Business Law and (iii) Section on Public Interest and Development Law.  The activities of the NBA are structured through these Sections. 

 

We therefore write to invite you to showcase your Company during the conference through exhibition and screen adverts on montage during the conference which will garner over 2,000 participants. 

The exhibition and advert rates are as follows; 

1.      EXHIBITION BOOTHS           

Regular Booth:   3/3 metres –   N80,000 

Premium Booth: 3/6 metres  –   N150,000 

VIP Booth (only 2)                   -     N100,000            

2.      SCREEN ADVERTS/MONTAGE 

25 seconds screen advert on montage– N80,000 (Eighty Thousand Naira) 

40 seconds screen advert on montage– N120,000 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) 

60 seconds screen advert on montage- N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) 

3.      ADVERT RATE FOR CONFERENCE LANYARD:  N1,000,000 (One Million Naira)

NOTE: There are limited booths and interested exhibitors should ensure to clearly write the name of their company and the amount on the teller. Payment should be made on or before the 15th May,2021 to:

Bank Name: Access Bank

Account Name: Nigerian Bar Association (SPIDEL) Account

Account Number: 0775676671

Upon Payment, kindly scan and send proof of payment to info@nbaspidel.ng  and copy nbaspidel@nigerianbar.org.ng

The content of the email should state the name of the company, the phone number of the contact person and details of the staff (maximum four persons) that will be in the booth. For further enquiries contact Edidiong Peter – 08069566120

Accept the assurances of our highest regards as we look forward to hearing from you soonest. 

 

Thank you. 

NBA-SPIDEL