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New CJN swears in members of 2019 election petitions tribunal

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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New CJN swears in members of 2019 election petitions tribunal

THE controversy over the legality or otherwise of his appointment is still raging, but the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed, has started carrying out official duties with the swearing-in of the members of the 2019 elections petitions tribunal.

A total of 250 tribunal members were sworn in on Saturday at the Supreme Court premises, Abuja.

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Speaking at the swearing-in of the members of the election tribunal on Saturday, Mohammed noted that this is a very trying period for Nigeria’s judiciary, therefore they “must stand to protect and uphold the integrity of this arm of government”.

“I encourage you to uphold and enhance the honour and standing of the judiciary and I pray that the Almighty God will bestow upon you strength, good health and wisdom in the performance of your duties,” TheCable quoted Mohammed as saying.

Out of the total number of 15 justices of the Supreme Court, only one, Sidi Bage, attended the swearing-in ceremony.

On Friday, former CJN, Walter Onnoghen, had announced through his media aide that members of the tribunal will be sworn in on Saturday, but he was controversially suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari, who immediately swore in Mohammed, a former justice of the Sharia Court, as his replacement.

Buhari based his actions on an ex-parte order obtained from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) which directed that Onnoghen should be suspended pending the determination of the corruption allegation against him.

Onnoghen was accused of breaching the Code of Conduct by not declaring some of his bank accounts which, according to FG, contains huge amounts of money in both local and foreign currencies.

However, on Thursday, January 24, the Court of Appeal gave a ruling that the CCT lacks the jurisdiction to try the CJN.

Meanwhile, there have been criticisms from several foreign partners of Nigeria, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, over the removal of the CJN.

A statement issued on Saturday by the UK High Commission in Nigeria noted that that the timing of Buhari’s action, coming so close to national elections, “gives cause for concern” as “it risks affecting both domestic and international perceptions on the credibility of the forthcoming elections”.

Similarly, the US embassy in Nigeria also issued a statement condemning the removal of the CJN.

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

Moghalu, Durotoye’s parties unite, to announce coalition candidate soon

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Moghalu, Durotoye’s parties unite, to announce coalition candidate soon

THE Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) have agreed to form a coalition ahead of the 2019 general election and will in the coming days announce who will be their coalition presidential candidate between their respective candidates, Kingsley Moghalu and Fela Durotoye.

This was contained in a joint press statement signed by the national presidents of the two parties − Bishop Amakiri for the YPP and Emmanuel Dania for the ANN.

The development is coming a few days after the presidential aspirant of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Obiageli Ezekwesili, pulled out of the race. Ezekwesili said she would focus on working for the emergence of a coalition candidate strong enough to defeat the two dominant political parties in the country, namely the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the statement which was issued on Saturday, the development is as a result of the parties’ understanding radical change which Nigeria is in dire need of “cannot happen by wishful thinking but through conscious efforts by selfless Nigerians to disrupt the system in order to end the combined 19 years of inept leadership of the PDP and APC”.

“It is in a bid to end the aforementioned trend and change the current narrative that the joint leadership of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) after painstaking deliberation, decided in the interest of the nation to forge a formidable coalition known as “the Force” in order to help salvage our great country from those who have held it hostage for far too long.

“The Force is expected to be a political point of convergence for all those who truly desire to take back Nigeria from the establishment and birth A NEW NIGERIA.

“While we understand the enormity of the task ahead considering that our failed leaders will not let go without a fight, our conviction is however anchored on the strength of the over 88 million Nigerians living below the poverty mark of $1.90 per day to decide the fate of our oppressors through their votes.

“Furthermore, the Force will in the coming days present a consensus candidate in the February 16, 2019, Presidential election as a mark of our collective resolve to give Nigerians a credible alternative away from the past when Nigerians are faced with the dilemma of choosing between two undesirables.”

Recall that an attempt by some of the young presidential candidates to form a coalition in the past had failed following the refusal of some of them to accept the emergence of Durotoye as the consensus candidate.

However, following Ezekwesili’s withdrawal from the presidential race, Durotoye reiterated that he is open to form a coalition with Moghalu and Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), provided that the process was transparent.

The presidential election will hold on February 16, 2019.

NBA demands reversal of Onnoghen’s suspension

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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NBA demands reversal of Onnoghen’s suspension

THE Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

In a statement issued late Friday, the action of the executive arm of government was described as an “attempted coup against the Nigerian Judiciary and evident suspension of the Nigerian Constitution by the Executive arm of the Federal Government”.

“The action of the Executive portends a slide into anarchy and complete deconstruction of the Rule of Law and due process. It amounts to an absolute breach of the Constitution and the usurpation of the powers of the Senate and the Nigerian Judicial Council,” read the statement signed by the NBA president, Paul Usoro.

The NBA expressed disappointment that the presidency had relied on an ex-parte order issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal as a basis for the suspension of the CJN, even when the same CCT had on Tuesday, January 22, adjourned the hearing of the CJN’s case to Monday, January 28. And on Thursday, the Court of Appeal had ruled that the CCT lacks the jurisdiction to try the CJN.

“The Nigerian Bar Association demands the reversal of the purported suspension of Honorable Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON. We also call on the National Assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the Rule of Law,” the statement read further.

Meanwhile, the presidency has insisted that the suspension of Onnoghen’s suspension “is about fighting corruption”.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday, the president’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, maintained that there is no political motives behinds Buhari’s decision to remove Onnoghen.

“As far as the President is concerned, this is just about fighting corruption,” Adesina said.

“As to what is on the President’s mind, he wrote a speech just before the swearing in of the acting CJN.

“He said the moral authority of Justice Walter Onnoghen has been wounded. He said it’s been so wounded that he should just have stepped down till the case is concluded, and that is why he had to now use the power vested in him, as directed by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

Buhari has since sworn in Justice TankoMohammed as the new CJN.

The argument about whether or not the president has the powers to remove the CJN, who is the head of the Judiciary, an independent arm of government, is still ongoing.

Section 292 of the Nigerian constitution dwelt on how a judicial officer could be removed from office.

It states: “(1) A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – (a) in the case of – (i) Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and President, Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.

“(ii) Chief Judge of a State, Grand Kadi of a Sharia Court of Appeal or President of a Customary Court of Appeal of a State, by the Governor acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly of the State, praying that he be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or contravention of the Code of Conduct.”

ANALYSIS: Five reasons why TraderMoni might just be a vote-buying strategy

'Kunle ADEBAJO
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ANALYSIS: Five reasons why TraderMoni might just be a vote-buying strategy

THE federal government says its TraderMoni programme is aimed at financially empowering as many as two million market women across the country, from a N20 billion fund, using loans that start with N10,000.

The programme has however come under fire in the past few weeks for being much more than that, with many accusing the Muhammadu Buhari administration of using it to sway voters at the grassroots in their favour, as the general elections draw near.

Like the N3000 “stipend” paid into civil servants’ accounts by the Ekiti State government a day to the July gubernatorial election, the APC government critics say is indirectly buying votes with its interest-free loans to traders.

Awwal Rafsanjani, chairman of Transparency International in Nigeria, is one of those critical of the programme. He said, during a television interview on Tuesday, that vote-buying has evolved to have more official recognition as some government agencies now use public funds to promote partisan political campaigns.

“Nigerians are seeing what is going on,” he stated. “For the first time, we have seen official use of public funds in the name of TraderMoni to actually induce voters because this is a programme that is not part and parcel of the manifesto of the ruling party. And it was not done three years ago, it is only done when it is about election time. It goes contrary to our constitution and to having a free and fair election.”

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, in his biting letter to President Buhari on Sunday, went a step further by describing TraderMoni as a “very shallow and lopsided, if not an outrightly idiotic programme”.

In any case, here are five reasons why the TraderMoni project has an undertone of vote-buying and politicking.

1. Belated date of birth, suspect timing

According to Whois, an online identity provider, the programme’s official website was registered on July 18, 2018 — exactly four months to the lifting of ban on political campaign and about seven months to the presidential election. It is also three months and a week after Buhari openly declared his intention to seek a second term in office.

Marketmoni’s website, on the other hand, was registered as far back as February 21, 2017. Also indicative is the fact that while the latter’s domain was booked for two years in advance, TraderMoni’s was only reserved for only a year. Unless it is renewed, the website will cease to exist by August.

In addition to that,  MarketMoni joined Twitter as far back as June 2015, whereas TraderMoni only joined in August 2018.

2. Something isn’t right with the domain, email

It is odd that the domain registrant of TraderMoni is Uzoma Nwagba (for the Bank of Industry), who is the Chief Operating Officer of GEEP and Special Adviser to the Minister of Trade and Investment.

Usually, government-owned websites have their domain registration and web maintenance outsourced to private companies. For instance, Marketmoni, a programme also said to be executed by BOI, has its domain registered by Meka Olowola, Managing Partner at Zenera Consulting, a reputation management consultancy that provides communications services. Asides this, federal government websites generally make use of Galaxy Backbone, a government-owned Information and Communications Technology Services provider.

It is also observed that while the official email address of MarketMoni is stated as marketmoni@boi.ng (that is connected to the bank’s domain name), that of TraderMoni reads as support@tradermoni.ng.

3. Simply too risky

TraderMoni shares common features with Marketmoni, besides the logo. Both loans range between N10,000 and N100,000, but they are miles apart when it comes to structure and rigidity.

“With TraderMoni, you can receive interest-free loans starting from N10,000 and growing all the way to N100,000 as you pay back,” says the site’s about page. “Getting the next loan is automatic. As soon as you pay back any loan within three months, you dial a code on your phone and you get the next higher loan immediately.”

For MarketMoni, on the other hand, beneficiaries must belong to a registered and accredited market association, cooperative or trade group; they must have a valid Bank Verification Number; they must be nominated and guaranteed by the market association or group must nominate a cooperative or trade group; the market association or group must be registered with BOI; and they must have a business location to be verified by MarketMoni agents.

The implication of this is simply that loans given under MarketMoni can easily be tracked and refunds can be enforced by the government. However, under TraderMoni, the risk involved is huge. It is not only the N20 billion required to pay N10,000 to two million Nigerians that is at risk of not being retrievable; this loss can stretch from this figure to as much as N200 billion.

The reason for this is that beneficiaries may hack the system by regularly returning the loans within three months until they get N100,000, and then refuse to pay back. Considering the attitude with which many Nigerians approach other social investment programmes such as the N-Power programme, the scheme can thus be largely likened to a gratuitous package.

4. Quickened, flawed manner of execution

With the way the presidency is going about executing the programme, it is almost like a market-centred campaign rally. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been to nearly all the benefiting states in the past few months to mix with the traders, making sure to blow the administration’s trumpet at each opportunity.

To inaugurate and monitor the programme, Osinbajo has been to Lagos, Ekiti, Benin, Edo, Delta, Niger, Oyo, Cross River, Abuja, Imo, Kwara, among others — mostly states in the Southern region — between September and January.

There are also indications that the implementation is, for some reason, hurried. It has gone on with a relentlessly swift pace, despite reports of corruption, kickbacks, fraud and partisanship marring the project.

An investigation by Sahara Reporters has revealed that staffers at “Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Polaris Bank Limited, and Standard Chartered, all said they had not received instructions on repayment of the Trader Moni refunds,” contrary to what the Vice President would have Nigerians believe.

The report also exposed “numerous fraudulent activities that make repayment almost impossible”, as many of the traders are not directly linked to the loan but benefit through middlemen who take a cut, sometimes as high as 50 per cent. Some traders, in fact, bought new SIM cards to apply, in order to avoid having to repay, and many others see the cash simply as their share of “government money”—not a loan.

Errors on the programme’s website also support the position that its implementation has been shoddy. One that stands out is how exactly the same answer is provided to three unrelated questions under the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) session.

5. No progress on MarketMoni?

Finally, as the beneficiaries of the TraderMoni scheme continue to rise on a weekly basis, not much progress seems to have been recorded for MarketMoni in the past few months.

In May 2018, it was said that the MarketMoni “interest-free loan scheme has now successfully reached over 350,000 beneficiaries in all 36 states of Nigeria, and the Federal Capital City”. Eight months later, the same figure is still quoted by the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed.

The question begging for explanation here is: why the stagnation? Or has focus shifted away from the programme because it is not as populist and does not give immediate results on the largest scale possible?

Wrapped in mystery — like the others

Just as other social investment schemes funded by the federal government, including the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme and school-feeding programme, the financial and other details are not readily available to the public for perusal. Also, checks by The ICIR show that the breakdown of financial expenses on the various programmes, including GEEP, are not contained in the federal budget.

Though said to be executed by the Bank of Industry, there is strangely nothing on BOI’s website that suggests this as there is no mention of the project there, especially under managed funds and products. The only link to the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) is this form for the nationwide registration of market associations, women, cooperatives, artisan groups, trade associations, and trade cooperatives.

The Chief Operating Officer’s defence

Uzoma Nwagba has in a recent article come to the defence of the TraderMoni project. His argument: the first GEEP programme commenced in May 2016, long before re-election campaigns started; and TraderMoni came late to the party because it was borne out of direct field lessons from implementing the Marketmoni project.

He wrote: “Moreover, for those who still push the vote-buying narrative, it is important to always ask: is GEEP (either MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, or TraderMoni) a wrong programme? In other words, is it impacting millions of Nigerians or not? If it is, then why would there be a wrong time to do the right thing?

“It is impressive to see the results so far. Over half of these 1.5 million beneficiaries are first-time operators of bank accounts or mobile wallets. Seeing them use these tools even after receiving their loans is a testament to the power of financial inclusion for our economy. The Bank of Industry is committed to targeting everybody who is not financially included.”

Nwagba, however, added a statement which appears to unintentionally lend credence to the vote-buying narrative. “As a matter of fact,” he said, “it is noteworthy that some of the states with the largest beneficiaries are not even states that politically align with the party in power.” Reasonably, if this outcome was intended from the outset by the project managers, it would indeed be a convenient political scheme.

I was fighting Boko Haram during 2015 election, says army officer suspended for alleged partisanship

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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I was fighting Boko Haram during 2015 election, says army officer suspended for alleged partisanship

THE court case between the Nigeria Army and Abdulfatah Mohammed, one of the 38 army officers that were disengaged in 2016 for alleged gross misconduct, continued on Friday at the National Industrial Court Abuja, with the cross-examination of the claimant witness.

Mohammed’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, narrated to journalists how his client was alleged to have been in Edo State during the 2015 election period, but that they were able to provide evidence that he was actually in Borno State taking part in the counter-insurgency operations.

“What happened today was that the defence counsel, Ibrahim Etsu further cross-examined the applicant.  Etsu put a number of questions before the applicant.

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“One of the questions was intended to put to the applicant that he was in Edo state during the 2015 General elections. But the applicant was able to put forth documents that showed that he was in Borno State during that period.

“He (Etsu) was trying to put it to the colonel that he was in Edo state during the elections. But from the records, including the posting signal and others, it was clear that he was in Borno State at the time.”

It would be recalled that at the last adjourned date, counsel to the Nigerian Army, Jibrin Okutekpa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had insinuated that Mohammed was disengaged from the army because he had served the 18 years period that was indicated in his letter of commissioning and posting.

But Mohammed explained that there are provisions in the Nigeria Army Terms and Conditions of Service that allows them to continue in the service even after the initial 18 years, without applying for re-engagement.

Even at the period when the disengagement of the 38 army officers was announced, the Nigerian army claimed the affected officers had displayed partisanship during the elections.

Many of the officers said they were not given any query and were not tried before any panel or court-martial, but were just served their compulsory retirement notice.

Mohammed said he had read about his disengagement from the newspaper before the letter got to him.

Also during Friday’s hearing, Okutepa, counsel to the Nigeria Army, pleaded with the court to allow him substitute the witness he had intended to call to testify in the matter. Okutepa said this has become necessary because his initial witness, an army officer, has been transferred out of Abuja and will no longer be available to attend the trial.

The trial judge, Justice R.B Haastrup granted the plea and subsequently adjourned the case till February 22.

FULL TEXT: Buhari’s speech during swearing-in of Acting CJN, Tanko Mohammed

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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FULL TEXT: Buhari’s speech during swearing-in of Acting CJN, Tanko Mohammed

PRESIDENT Mohammadu Buhari has appointed a new Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in the person of Justice Tanko Mohammed, following the suspension of Walter Onnoghen.

Mohammed, from Bauchi State, was sworn in at a brief ceremony at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Friday, during which Buhari explained that Onnoghen was suspended following the recommendation of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) had dragged Onnoghen before the CCT accusing the CJN of false assets declaration. The trial has since been put on hold following a ruling by the Court of Appeal on Thursday that the CCT lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

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Speaking on Friday, Buhari expressed disappointment that Onnoghen, who holds such an esteemed position of Chief Justice could himself be accused of corruption.

Here is the full text of Buhari’s speech during the swearing-in of the new CJN:

Fellow Nigerians,

  1. A short while ago, I was served with an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal issued on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen from office pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
  2. The nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago.
  3. Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.
  4. Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing ’’mistake’’ and ’’forgetfulness’’ which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.
  5. One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.
  6. Unfortunately, he has not done so. Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.
  7. Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we have all seen the full weight of the Chief Justice of Nigeria descend on the tender head of one of the organs of justice under his control. There is simply no way the officers of that court, from the Chairman to the bailiffs, can pretend to be unaffected by the influence of the leader of the Judiciary.
  8. Not only the trial court, but others have been put on the spot. Practically every other day since his trial commenced, the nation has witnessed various courts granting orders and counter-orders in favour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, all of them characterised by an unholy alacrity between the time of filing, hearing and delivery of judgment in same.
  9. The real effect has been a stalling of the trial of Justice Onnoghen, helped along by lawyers who insist that these orders, whether right or wrong are technically valid, and must be obeyed till an appellate Court says otherwise. No doubt that it is the proper interpretation, but is it right disposition for our nation?.
  10. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law. Unfortunately, the drama around the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has challenged that pillar of justice in the perception of the ordinary man on the street. For it is certain that no ordinary Nigerian can get the swift and special treatment Justice Onnoghen has enjoyed from his subordinates and privies in our Judicature.
  11. In the midst of all these distracting events, the essential question of whether the accused CJN actually has a case to answer has been lost in the squabble over the form and nature of his trial. This should not be so.
  12. If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos. As a Government, we cannot stand by wailing and wringing our hands helplessly but give our full backing and support to those brave elements within the Judiciary who act forthrightly, irrespective of who is involved.
  13. As you are all aware, the fight against corruption is one of the tripod of policies promised to Nigerians by this administration. Needless to say that it is an existential Policy which must be given adequate attention and commitment by all the three arms of government. The efforts of the Executive will amount to nothing without the cooperation of the Legislature and especially the Judiciary.
  14. It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.
  15. Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.
  16. It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.
  17. In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.
  18. Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
  19. In further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I hereby invite Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC, being the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court, to come forward to take the Judicial Oath as Chief Justice of Nigeria in an Acting Capacity.
  20. Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

Thank you and may God bless our country.

Increasing minimum wage could lead to 400 per cent hike in govt wage bill, El-Rufai warns

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Increasing minimum wage could lead to 400 per cent hike in govt wage bill, El-Rufai warns

GOVERNOR of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai says increasing the national minimum wage could lead to an upward of 300 to 400 per cent spike in the wage bill of the federal government.

El-Rufai also said that it could discourage investors and private sector practitioners as they could be frightened by the fact that labour costs more in Nigeria than in other countries in Africa.

The governor expressed these opinions during Channel Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Friday. He recalled that a similar move by the federal government during the military regime of Abudulsalami Abubakar had led to a tripling of the government wage bill at the time.

“It’s not just the minimum wage,” El-Rufai explained. “Now we have moved the minimum wage by 50 per cent, but if you allow that increase to translate at all levels, allowances (housing allowance, transport allowance) are linked to the minimum wage as percentages.

“What will happen is that you are not (just) getting a 50 per cent increase on the wage bill, but 300 or 400 per cent increase.

“We have to be careful about that. State government must look at this very well. Even the federal government must look at this very well and ensure that the impact of this increase in the minimum wage and other increases for other grade levels does not translate into a level of wages that the country or the state governments cannot sustain, or even the private sector cannot justify for Nigeria to be competitive in the global economy.

“Because the cost of labour is an input in determining the price of good and services and we are operating in a global economy and we will lose out if our cost of production ends up being too high.”

Speaking further, El-Rufai said he believes there should be drastic reforms that would bring about a reduction in recurrent expenditure − personnel and overhead − both at the federal and state government levels.

He said there are many people working in government establishments that are not needed whereas there are other sectors, like the health and education sector, where there is a lack of adequate personnel.

For instance, he said there were still typists in government offices even though nobody uses typewriters anymore.

On personnel costs, El-Rufai said “we have to sit down with labour unions and have a very mature conversation about the size of the public service, the kind of government that is lean and fit for purpose. We have to have a sensible conversation about that, that puts the state and national interests ahead of any narrow interests”.

And on overhead costs, he said there is room for reduction as there is a lot of waste in the government.

“There is too much travelling, there are too many conferences discussing over and over issues that are settled. What Nigeria needs is not more conferences and more discussions but implementing already agreed policies.

“All these investment summits that we attend in foreign countries, they are a total waste of time. If you want to do investment summits, do them within Nigeria, invite the investors to come here.

“We can reduce the number of aides we have. We can reduce the number of ministries, we can do all that and the recurrent component can reduce.”

The issue of an increase in the national minimum wage has been ongoing for some time now especially as the general election draws nearer.

A committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the issue came up with a report recommending the sum of N30,000 as the new minimum wage, despite the fact that state governments said they would be able to pay only N22,500 and the FG agreed to pay N24,000.

However, the Council of State (comprising former presidents and heads of states) reviewed the report and approved the sum of N27,000 for state and private sector workers and N30,000 for federal workers. This was forwarded as an executive bill to the National Assembly for passage into law, passing a second reading on Thursday, albeit with a slight amendment that all workers, whether in federal, state or private sector employment, are to be paid N27,000.

 

Buhari suspends Onnoghen, appoints new CJN

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Buhari suspends Onnoghen, appoints new CJN

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, and has appointed Justice Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN.

Justice Mohammed was sworn in on Friday shortly after Buhari signed the Executive Order 007.

Buhari said the suspension of the CJN is based on the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Wednesday, January 23, 2018, pending the determination of the case of false assets declaration against him.

“The nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago,” Buhari was quoted as saying during the swearing-in ceremony of the new CJN.

A copy of the speech was shared on Facebook by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai

“Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.

“Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing ’’mistake’’ and ’’forgetfulness’’ which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.”

Onnoghen’s suspension came barely hours after his media aide, Awassam Bassey, issued a statement saying that the CJN will swear in members of the various 2019 election petition tribunals on Saturday, January 26.

In that statement, Bassey also refuted the reports that the CJN had resigned from office.

“There’s absolutely no truth in the rumours making the round that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Hon. Mr Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has resigned his office. It is fake news!” the statement read.

“The Hon CJN was in the office all through yesterday (Thursday) and sat in court. As part of his duties, the Hon CJN will be swearing in members of the 2019 National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals tomorrow (Saturday 26th January 2019).”

Onnoghen is being accused by the federal government of false assets declaration. The matter is currently before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), but the Court of Appeal had ruled that the CCT does not have jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

This recent development of the CJN’s suspension is sure to further heat up the polity especially given the controversy surrounding whether the president has the powers to suspend the CJN who is the head of the judiciary, an independent arm of government.

Though the CJN is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the confirmation of the Senate, it is not clear whether he has the power to unilaterally remove him from office.

FG and ASUU reps did not engage in a brawl

Crosscheck Nigeria
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FG and ASUU reps did not engage in a brawl

THE negotiating committees of the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been in a fight, an online video alleges.

Shared on the 17th of January by Hope For Nigeria, a Facebook page, the 20secs video had been viewed 52, 297 times five days later.

A verification check by CrossCheck Nigeria, a collaboration of newsrooms in Nigeria which includes The ICIR, however, reveals that the mentioned parties were not involved in the video being circulated.

“Free for all Fight as ASUU AND FG’s negotiators engages in boxing Match,” the caption read. The post had garnered 2,022 shares and 158 comments as at 19:45 pm on January 22.

Using an online video verification software designed by Amnesty International, Youtube DataViewer, CCN found the date and time of upload and thumbnails.

A reverse image search on the thumbnails then revealed the brawl as one between supporters of Abdul’aziz Yari, governor of Zamfara state, and Kabir Marafa, a senator from the state, disrupting an APC election committee sitting.

This was reported by The Cable newspaper, who is also a member of the CrossCheck Nigeria coalition.

The oldest version of the video was posted by journalist, Kadaria Ahmed on her twitter handle on October 7, 2018.

She said in her post: “Just a few hours before @OfficialAPCNg has to submit the names of its candidates to @inecnigeria for #NigeriaDecides2019 the situation in Zamfara has deteriorated. Clashes between Gov Yari’s supporters & that of Senator Marafa, disrupt sitting of the election committee”

The video has since been published on several Youtube channels and most of them dating three months ago.

Investigated CrossCheck Nigeria

2019 Elections: “Why I withdrew from the presidential race” – Ezekwesili

Amos ABBA
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2019 Elections: “Why I withdrew from the presidential race” – Ezekwesili

OBY Ezekwesili, a former presidential aspirant under the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in a press release on Friday, revealed her reasons for pulling out of the presidential race.

In the statement, she explained that the transactional mindset within the ranks of the party which betrayed her personal values triggered her withdrawal from the presidential race as well as her exit from the ACPN.

According to her, the ACPN’s vision was contrary to her’s which was focused on mobilising citizens to disrupt the old order of politics of the APC/PDP.

She, therefore, stated that upon realising this, she decided to discontinue her membership of the party.

“The values and vision divergence with the party was a key factor that triggered my withdrawal from the presidential race on their ticket prompting me to dissociate immediately in order to help build a coalition for Good Governance.

“It is why I was instant in sacrificing my candidacy to uphold my values by withdrawing,” she said.

However, her decision didn’t go down well with the party, the National Chairman of the party Ganiyu Galadima accused her of sabotaging the efforts of the party with her actions of dishonesty to negotiate a ministerial position with the ruling party.

He said the party had withdrawn its support for her and thereafter, endorsed the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari, who they believe would take the nation to the next level.

Ezekwesili, who is currently outside the country, denied all the allegations, saying there were malicious lies without truth in its content.

She stated, she would hold a World Press Conference upon her arrival to give details of the actions she would take going forward.

Below is the press release :

NO AMOUNT OF LIES CAN STOP THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW POLITICAL MINDSET AND ORDER

Some hours ago, I arrived far-flung Cabo in Mexico where our Albert Einstein’s Genius100 Visionaries meeting is holding. I was delighted to read reactions of real patriots to my announcement that I have decided to withdraw from the 2019 presidential race and end my membership of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN). I have also seen the reaction of ACPN leadership to my decision.

Fortunately, they have divinely helped me by making the Nigerian public now fully understand why I had to swiftly depart from their midst. How could I upon realising the divergence of values and vision with the leadership of the party continue to stand on such a political platform? My abiding vision has been to mobilise citizens to disrupt the old order politics of APC/PDP.

Nigeria and Nigerians deserve a New Order of ethical, competent and capable leadership. I had earlier assumed the ACPN was aligned with me to offer that until it proved otherwise. The values and vision divergence with the party was a key factor that triggered my withdrawal from the presidential race on their ticket prompting me to dissociate immediately in order to help build a coalition for Good Governance. It is why I was instant in sacrificing my candidacy to uphold my values by withdrawing.

The party’s decision to immediately today endorse the candidate of APC, which was announced by my erstwhile VP candidate who is also the Chairman of ACPN was their classic political entrepreneurship in full display for Nigerians to see. It is instructive.

The party leadership’s transactional approach to politics began to manifest in their attitude following after the convention that adopted me as their presidential candidate. All who know me can attest that I detest transactional mindset. I would have none of such and therefore extremely delighted to part ways after a tumultuous three months of hoping that the ACPN leadership would elevate to the new values of disruptive politics that it once had desired for and preached within the party.

As for the defamatory statements made against my person by the ACPN leadership in their malicious statement, I want Nigerians to know that there is NO IOTA of truth in any of them. Everything ACPN wrote or said of the campaign donations is fabrication and outright lies. Our campaign was conducted with the highest level of transparency and accountability with impeccable evidence. I know and can guarantee that at all times because these standards firmly underpin my commitment to lasting values and professionalism.

Only those who desperately wish to believe falsehoods would lend any credence to such puerile accusations by the leadership of ACPN. Only those who pretend ignorance of my legendary and uncompromising passion for accountability would give heed to such baseless statement.

I have declined any interviews until my return to Nigeria upon which I shall hold a World Press Conference to engage Nigerians on the actions I shall take even as we present a full report of our three-month-old campaign for the 2019 presidential election to the public.

I want to again thank all who supported us in the last three months with their talent, time and treasure to run a formidable campaign. Without your support, we would never have attained the height #Hope2019 achieved. You gave our disruptive Campaign real VALUE.

We shall at the World Press Conference also provide insights into the citizen’s movement that we are energised and committed to build. There is no end to our zeal to end the reign of Bad Politics in our country.

Finally, take it from me that WE shall definitely build the Coalition force that will terminate the poverty escalating governance of the two dominant parties in the 2019 election.

We are citizens of Nigeria.

And we are resolved.

Obiageli K. Ezekwesili.

January 25, 2019.

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