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Presidency Accuses US, UK, EU of Hasty, Mistaken Reactions over Onnoghen’s Suspension

Published

6 years ago

January 28, 2019

Eric

The Presidency on Sunday heavily criticised the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union for voicing their opposition against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, without allegedly following due process of law.

It said the three did not only act in a haste, but also made “serious mistakes” and “unfounded assumptions” in the stance they took on President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to suspend the CJN.

It noted that the US, the UK and the EU got things wrong when they concluded that the suspension was linked to the February polls.

In a statement on Sunday night by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, the Presidency described the stance of the three as unfortunate.

“The statements by the three seem more driven by unfounded assumptions and to be honest, a certain condescension to this African democracy. This is unfortunate. But this gives us an opportunity to clarify some points in the hope that these three friends reach a deeper understanding of the situation.

“The statements by the US, UK and EU speak of their respect for constitutional practice and fair elections. However, the positions they stake tend to contravene rather than strengthen these laudable objectives”, the Presidency argued.

Defending Buhari’s action, the Presidency claimed that Onnoghen was the architect of his own travails.

It stated further, “CJN Onnoghen’s situation is one of his own making and, to a large degree, his own choosing.

“The CJN was brought before the Code of Conduct Tribunal because of a serious breach of law regarding his assets declaration. This is not a mere technicality like innocently placing a document in a wrong file or mistakenly placing yesterday’s date on a document.

“All credible evidence indicates the CJN owned and operated several secret bank accounts. Unexplained large sums of money, exceeding several millions of dollars have passed through these accounts. Several thousand dollars are currently packed in the accounts. Multiple deposits of equal sums of money were deposited in some of those accounts during the same day. Such rapid and equal deposits are indicative of a person attempting to evade banking reporting laws and regulations.

“Thus far, CJN Onnoghen has given no plausible explanation for the funds or for failing to report the subject accounts in his assets declaration despite having ample time and opportunity to explain the omission. Given the amount of money involved and the CJN’s inability to explain the source of the funds, the most plausible explanation at this point is also the most unfortunate explanation. No one did this to CJN Onnoghen. He and he alone is to blame for this turn of events.”

The Presidency expressed concern that the same US, UK and EU that had before now chided Nigeria on corruption issues, were turning a blind eye to Onnoghen’s case.

It added, “Over the years and with great frequency, the authors of the three statements have advised and even chided Nigeria about official corruption. Now we are presented with the sad and unwanted situation where the CJN is discovered to have a vast, unexplained amount of money in his pocket.

“Because of this, he has been thoroughly discredited. It is untenable that a person in such compromised circumstances would be allowed to preside over the entire judicial system of a great nation. That would travesty the nation and what it stands for.

“Had the situation been reversed and the US, UK or any EU member government found that its chief judicial official is the recipient of large sums of money of questionable origin and Nigeria suggested that you retain the person in that position, you would question Nigeria’s bona fides. You also would swiftly move to suspend the official pending final determination of the causes against him.”

The statement further asked if any of the three would allow an Onnoghen to preside over its judiciary after the latest discoveries.

The Presidency stated more, “Not one of your nations would allow a person enmeshed in legal uncertainty to preside over your legal systems until the cloud has been cleared from him. That would incentivize corruption and assault the rule of law.

“Thus, the CJN should have and could have helped the process in this regard by recusing himself from the bench until this matter is settled.

“Instead, he indefinitely postponed a NJC meeting for no plausible reason except to avoid any consideration of this matter by the NJC.

“Again, this calls into question his motives while undermining the normal operations of the judiciary. The CJN cannot be allowed to use his office to shield himself from the normal operation of the law as applied to any other jurist or any other Nigerian for that matter. Such a ruse is effectively an abuse of office. His position is one of utmost public trust; it is not a shield to protect him from the fair consequence of his own actions.

“Despite these errors and omissions by the CJN, let us make this very clear, he has not been removed from office. Nor has he been permanently replaced. Those who claim that he has been permanently removed, do so out of imprecision of thought or mischief.

“CJN Onnoghen has been suspended pending the final determination of the substantive issues in his matter. The suspension is only temporary. This is only as it should be. He cannot sit as both defendant and umpire in his own matter. No legal system allows for such self-interested adjudication; the US, UK and EU should not now ask us to embrace such an anomaly.

“While the three friends seem to give much credence to those who question the constitutionality of the suspension, they seem to give less to those who believe what we did is constitutional and protective of the integrity of the judiciary. Only the three can answer why they have assumed this bias.”

On the issue of linking the suspension with next month’s elections, the Presidency replied, “The three make a curious direct linkage between the CJN suspension and the elections. However, in Nigerian law there is no such linkage. The CJN does not run the elections. Nor is he the first arbiter of any electoral complaints. He and the Supreme Court will only get involved as the final arbiter at the end of the appellate process.

“For the authors to link the CJN to the elections in this way is illogical unless they assume that election complaints will be filed and will go all the way to the Supreme Court. Here perhaps they know something about the intentions of certain political actors to which we are not privy.

“Yet, even with that, the US, UK and EU should want any such matters to be heard by a Supreme Court led by a CJN without an obvious and outstanding ethical and legal blemish on his ledger. To have such a person preside over any case, would call into question the impartiality of any decision rendered and undermine the rule of law.

“This cannot be what these three friends of Nigeria intended. Thus, they should do a bit more research on this matter and refrain from being too hastily attracted by the arguments of those who have partisan agenda at odds with the government’s positions on most matters and who thus hope to use this issue as a new arrow in their quiver of partisan contestations.”

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65 Gun Salute to Dele Momodu, A Pen General, Mentor and Reservoir of Knowledge

Published

16 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Eric

By Sunny Irakpo

“A child that washes his hands clean dine with the elders” (Isoko Proverb) .

Bob Dee as we fondly call you sir, You keep dinning with the elders till today because you have washed your hands clean.

You are very Proverbial, so I have come to pay my homage thus, knowing that what we eat surely tells on us.

My path crossed with you 3rd of May, 2010 at the University of Lagos, where a programme was organised by a fellow corper during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days.

As a personality whom I admire so much on National television and long to see, on that fateful day, my joy was endless to see you walked in and after the event boldly walked-up to you to introduced myself and as a sharp Delta boy briefly share my vision to campaign against drug abuse in Nigeria, used a stone to kill two birds by extending an invitation as Guest Speaker for my progam that took place on the 21st May, 2010 at Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, Nigeria.

You replied me immediately, I love your Vision and I will be there.

I kept following up with prayerful text messages though without reply from you, my feeling was in doubt and slimmer resulted me to concluded that this, na one of these Nigerian elites characterized with promise and fail.

To my greatest surprise, 30mintes to my event, Bob Dee gave me a call and said I am close to your event Oga.

He likes to call everyone Oga. A sense of bosslessness to make everyone feel adequate around him.

My heart was merried and excited that a high profile Nigerian like him graced my occassion.

So Dele Momodu landed at the venue with shout of joy from corpers who filled the hall to the brim to welcome him with me. His reply to me after he saw the crowd was “Sunny you are a great man”. I smiled and said Thank you sir. I will support this Nation building cause with the little I have, and through the Ovation media group , I have enjoyed his support, giving media mileage to the SILEC Initiatives that have move from local to become a global brand to the glory of God and benefit to humanity.

You have given me your shoulder to stand to see further in life. Many have that same shoulder but they refused to allow such standing.

From entertainers you have helped in the entertainment industry to the common Nigerians whom you have touched their lives in one way or the other can also testify of your benevolence.

We have not started not to talk of getting there because the journey of success is a long one. For all that you have done to support me and vision, once again I use this opportunity to say thank you in a million times sir. Your birthday is so special because its reminds me of my struggle for the good Nigeria, and coincide with SILEC Initiatives anniversary of 15years campaign against drugs and substance abuse to rescue the Nigerian youth from drug addiction.

As you officially attain the status of an Elder Statesman today being 16th May, 2025, On behalf of my family, friends,partners, the Board of Trustees and Members of SILEC Initiatives, I join men and women of goodwill to celebrate a distinguished Nigerian of International repute, a Pan Africanist, Pen-Tyson, Political J.J, Philantropist, Media Guru, Patriot, Socialite, Nation Builder, Role Model and a Voice to the Voiceless in our society.

On this joyous occassion where we shall be receiving former Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and His Excellency Olusegun Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo (GCFR) respectively to the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture tagged: How to End Hunger & Poverty in Africa ,is a true testament of my earlier proverbial statement as a child who have washed his hands clean, to pull these Heads of State with good State of Heads, we are thus inspired and motivated, as we learn the more from the political fathers of our time at this critical moment of our national life.

You are a beacon of hope, living legend, and an inspiration to many young people like myself.

Heaven and earth knows that you have paid your due.

“Expect God’s Dew.”

It is my prayers that this landmark achievement launches you to another glorious realm to accomplish all that you have dreamt.

May evil nor sorrow finds no expression in your life and family.

Multiplicity of years in good health,God’s mercies and fervent Grace to enjoy your wealth, see your grand/great grandchildren.

Oh Lord be good to them that are good. Dele Momodu is a good man!

My mentor, I rejoice and celebrate you today and always.

You know that I am proud of you sir.

Happiest 65th Birthday to the latest Elder Statesman in Nigeria.

Amb. Sunny Irakpo is the Founder/President, SILEC Initiatives (IVLP USA)

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Tinubu Salutes Osun State Governor Adeleke on 65th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2025

Eric

“President Bola Tinubu extends warm felicitations to the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his 65th birthday on May 13.

“The President notes that the Peoples Democratic Party governor has created a niche for himself as a politician of reckoning not only in Osun State but also across the country and beyond.

“Adeleke was first elected Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District in 2017, taking over from his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, before becoming governor in 2022.

“Commending Governor Adeleke, President Tinubu notes that he has proven to be pan-Nigerian in his way of life and governance philosophy, exemplified by his Yoruba and Igbo heritage.

“The President personally prays for more years, good health and God’s infinite mercies on Governor Adeleke, the Asiwaju of Edeland, his hometown.”

Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information & Strategy)
May 13, 2025

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London: Dr Orlando to Host Elite Cybersecurity Masterclass Amid Soaring Global Threats

Published

2 weeks ago

May 5, 2025

Admin

Dr. Orlando Olumide Odejide, Founder of Transformation College of Business and Technology, is set to headline a high-level cybersecurity masterclass in London on May 9, 2025—an event drawing sharp attention amid rising global digital threats.

With more than 20 years of cybersecurity leadership and frameworks currently safeguarding over $4 billion in assets across three continents, Dr. Odejide’s expertise arrives at a critical juncture. The digital battleground is escalating fast: global ransomware and extortion campaigns spiked by 72% in late 2024, contributing to over 5,000 documented attacks last year alone.

It’s not just the volume that’s increasing—it’s the complexity, and the cost. Cyber-related losses now dominate insurance claims, reshaping the risk landscape for corporations and governments alike.

One particularly sobering incident involved the UK’s healthcare sector, where a targeted attack on a pathology provider triggered major service disruptions. Across the corporate sphere, 43% of UK companies admitted to breaches in the past year. Yet even as threats grow, 68% of organisations say they lack the cybersecurity talent to respond effectively—leaving critical systems exposed and boards scrambling for solutions.

The regulatory noose is tightening, too. PCI DSS 4.0, now mandatory as of April 2024, brings sweeping new controls for payment security, with enforcement deadlines looming in March 2025. Meanwhile, the UK is preparing legislation that will accelerate breach reporting requirements and introduce stiff penalties for non-compliance.

Dr. Odejide’s London masterclass is tailored to this moment. Participants will receive hands-on training in ISO 27001 implementation, practical deployment of the updated NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, and actionable strategies to navigate PCI DSS 4.0.

With just 35 seats available, demand is already high among FTSE 100 security heads, fintech compliance leads, and public sector cyber teams.

Far from a routine seminar, this session offers a tactical edge in a world where cyber warfare is no longer hypothetical. As Dr. Odejide prepares to take the stage, professionals charged with protecting sensitive systems are being offered more than a learning experience—it’s a survival toolkit. Applications close May 7.