NEWS

Kalu visits Kanu, IPOB leader in prison

  

Gbenro Adeoye
A former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Friday paid a visit to the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, where he said the latter did not deserve to be in detention.
Kalu, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, posted a picture he had taken with Kanu during his visit to Kuje Prison.
In the post, Kalu said, “Today, I visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje Prison and we engaged in a very long discussion. Kanu is my brother and a son of the soil. He shouldn’t be where he is because Kuje Prison is not his home. It is therefore my utmost concern to see him regain his freedom like every other Nigerian.”

However, Kalu’s post generated a mixed reaction on Facebook, as some commenters criticised him while others commended the move.
A Facebook user, Usman Ibrahim, said, “Sir, you made a very good decision by visiting and advising him, peace is better than everything in life.”

Another Facebook user, Chukwuwike Anijunsi, said, “Well done sir! Every great leader is known for what he has done for others (and) not for himself alone. Ndigbo will be happy to see a solution to the unending political neglect of their people.”

But Peter Stone’s comment on the online forum was critical of Kalu, saying, “You have proven several times to us that you are a political prostitute and so you don’t expect Nnamdi Kanu to adhere to your selfish advice. You disappointed me as a fan of yours the moment you joined the APC. You should be ashamed of yourself sir.”

A Federal High Court in Abuja had granted the Federal Government permission to shield the identities of witnesses billed to testify against Kanu.
Kanu, who had rejected the ruling, threatened that there would be no Nigeria by the time he finished giving his testimony in court.
He had said, “This is nonsense. I will give testimony before this court. By the time I finish, there will be no Nigeria. This is no Sharia court. It is a court that operates under the common law.”
Kanu, who is facing 11-counts bordering on treasonable felony and his alleged involvement in acts of terrorism, has been in detention since October 2015 when he was arrested by security operatives.

NJC recommends judges for dismissal, retirement

Acting CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

The National Judicial Council said on Friday that it had sanctioned a judge of Abia State High Court, Justice Ugbo Ononogbo, and a counterpart in the Zamfara State High Court, Justice Nasir Gunmi, for various acts of misconduct.

In a statement by its Acting Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, the NJC said it recommended Ononogbo for dismissal and Gunmi for compulsory retirement.

The NJC also issued a letter of “strong warning” to Justice D. O. Oluwayemi of the Lagos State Judiciary for granting an ex-parte order in Suit No: LD/2393LMW/16 “relying on an affidavit of urgency which disclosed no threat of destruction of rights, or interest, in the subject matter of the dispute without putting the other party on notice.”

It also issued a similar warning to Justice M. A. Savage of High Court of Lagos State, “for holding discussion with complainant’s counsel in Suit No: LD/179/2000, which he had judicially acted upon, and for serving as a bridge between him and the other party’s counsel.”

Oye said the NJC, under the chairmanship of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, took the decisions at its 80th meeting held between December 14 and 15.

Ononogbo was said to have made two orders in a probate case, while lawyers and court officials involved in the case ended up paying to the Probate Registry the sum of N83m instead of N200m. Thus, the NJC said it reached its decision to dismiss the judge following its findings on a petition filed against the judge by Mr. Urum Ifegwu.

In the case of Justice Gunmi, the NJC recommended the judge to Zamfara State Governor, Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar, for compulsory retirement for failing to deliver Chiroma Vs Forte Oil Plc, almost 23 months after the final addresses by counsel.

Apart from recommending the dismissal of Justice Ononogbo to the Governor of Abia State, “the Council also recommended that the Hon. Judge, the Assistant Chief Registrar, Probate Division of Abia State High Court, Udeka N. C., and E. M. Ojiako, Esq., be handed over to the police for investigation.”

“Council also decided to report E. M. Ojiako, Esq, to the Nigeria Bar Association’s Disciplinary Committee for investigation and that Abia State Judicial Service Commission should take appropriate action against Udeka N. C., the Assistant Chief Registrar, Probate Division after investigation of the allegations,” the statement stated.

Justice Gunmi, on his part, was said to have failed to deliver judgment in a case for 23 months in breach of the constitution which provides for a limit of 90 days.

The NJC said the allegations against Justices Ononogbo and Gunmi constituted misconduct contrary to Sections 294 (1) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and Rules 3 (i), 11(ii) and 2 of the National Judicial Council Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The sanctions imposed on the judges, according to Oye, are with immediate effect.