Headline

Opinion: CJN’s Bench Warrant: Taking A Joke Too Far

Published

7 years ago

February 14, 2019

Editor

By Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN,OFR,FCIrb,Ph.D,LL.D.

It’s quite saddening and abhorent to hear that the CCT has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of CJN Walter Nkanu Onnoghen.For God’s sake,this is bordering on the vendetta,the ridiculous and trivialization of the judicial process.I condemn this unwholesome step which puts the CCT in the public domain as being on a vengeful and extra- legal mission against the CJN. It must be pointed out that this latest step by the CCT which has argued it is solely under the president and not under the judiciary,appears to be teleguided by the dictatorial Executive,especially the presidency.These are my reasons for this strong view:
1.The NJC has since taken over the investigation of the CJN as provided for in sections 153,158,291,292(2) and section 21,parts A and B to the 3rd schedule to the Nigerian Constitution.
2.The EFCC has since written a petition against the same NJC,using the same evidence as that before the CCT.
3.The CCT has itself adjourned the CJN’s matter for argument on whether it even has jurisdiction at all to hear the case against the CJN.
4.There are at least 4 Court orders directing the CCT to halt further proceedings.
5.The CJN has not yet been physically arraigned before the CCT on the charges filed such as to give the CCT and jurisdiction over the CJN.
6.Under the Provisions of the ACJA,a person such as Justice Walter,can even be tried in absentia.He therefore does not therefore have to be humiliated by being bundled to the court for arraignment like a common criminal.So,it is not a question of one being above the law.
7.By virtue of section 8 of the ACJA,every suspect is to be accorded humane treatment,with dignity and no suspect is to be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment.
8.By virtue of section 3(d) of the CCB/CCT Act,the CJN ought not have been charged at all before the CCT, given his admission of mistaken non full compliance with the declaration of his assets.The section provides that he shall not be charged before the CCT once he admits non compliance.The matter ends there, as he shall be made to comply by being given fresh forms to fill and make full disclosure.
9.The earlier order made by the CCT that the CJN shall stepp aside has since been appealed against to the Court of Appeal and the appeal ought to be allowed to run its full course.
It is very clear to me that the CJN is being mob-lynched by the government and a section of the compromised or uninformed members of the public;is being harassed,intimidated and deliberately,painted with the paint brush of shame,all with a view to present a fait accompli.

Headline

Supreme Court Fixes April 22 for Hearing in ADC Leadership Crisis

Published

3 days ago

April 14, 2026

Eric

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.

Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.

The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.

It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.

The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.

Headline

Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention

Published

4 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.

First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.

The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.

The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.

Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.

According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.

The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.

The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.

INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.

Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Guardian

Headline

Shettima Lacks Respect, I Won’t Engage Him, Atiku Responds to VP’s Challenge

Published

4 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at incumbent Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s poser over achievements in office, saying he won’t take the challenge because Shettima was disrespectful.

Shettima had reportedly challenged Atiku to provide details of eight projects he executed for the development of Northern Nigeria during his tenure as vice president for eight years, as well as name eight individuals he empowered while in office.

But, speaking in an interview with GTA Hausa podcast, Atiku said he would not engage the vice president on the matter.

“I will not respond to Kashim Shettima because he is disrespectful. I am older than him and I have more experience in governance than he does, so I will not respond to him,” he said.

The former vice president further argued that cultural values in Northern Nigeria discourage younger individuals from publicly challenging their elders in such a manner.

“It is not part of our tradition in the North to disrespect elders. You cannot look at someone who is above you in both age and accomplishments and start taunting him. That is not our tradition, so I won’t engage with him,” Atiku emphasised.