Featured

How Justice Onnoghen Wants To Save His Reputation

Published

6 years ago

April 20, 2019

Eric

By: Oshewa Promise

The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has filed an appeal against the guilty judgement and ban by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

A copy of his Notice of Appeal made available to The Boss indicates that he has filed a 16-point appeal with a view of upturning the CCT and restore what remains of his image. It will be recalled that on Thursday, having found Onnoghen guilty, the tribunal chaired by Justice Danladi Umar removed him from office as Chief Justice of Nigeria, as Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), and as Chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). It also said Onnoghen is to forfeit the money in his five bank domiciliary accounts that were not declared to the Nigerian Government because they were acquired illegally, and as well barred him from holding public office for the next 10 years.

However, in the appeal filed at the Registry of the tribunal shortly after the judgment, Onnoghen faulted the judgement on 16 grounds, and urged the Court of Appeal to set it aside. He asked the Court of Appeal to hold that the CCT lacked the jurisdiction to hear the charge and that the tribunal ought to have recused itself from the trial. He also prayed the Appeal Court to set aside all the orders made by the tribunal in the judgment, including that of forfeiture of his five domiciliary accounts to the Nigerian government.

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it dismissed the Appellant’s application challenging its jurisdiction and thus occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it dismissed the Appellant’s application seeking the chairman to rescue himself from further proceedings on the ground of real likelihood of bias and thus occasioned a miscarriage of justice”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it refused to recuse itself from the proceedings in view of the open declaration by the Chairman of the tribunal that he is only accountable to the President, who appointed him and nobody else, because he is not a judicial officer and thus, occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice,” he said.

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that the appellant confessed to the charges framed by admission and used that as a basis to hold that the appellant did not declare his assets from the year 2005 when he became a justice of the Supreme Court and thus occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice.

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that the evidence of DW1 and exhibit DW2 tendered it has affirmed the statement of the appellant that he forgot to make a declaration in 2009 but did in 2010 when he remembered showing there was a declaration after all contrary to count one of the charge.”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that the appellant is guilty of counts 2 – 6 of the charge in view of the fact that the appellant made an admission that he did not declare the Standard Chartered Bank account numbers in the 2014 declaration and thus occasioned a miscarriage of justice.”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that the appellant made false statement by the omission to declare the account numbers in Standard Chartered Bank in 2014 declaration, the same way he did in the 2016 declaration and held counts 2 – 6 to be proved to be proved and thus occasioned miscarriage of justice.”

“The lower tribunal erred in law and acted without jurisdiction when it ordered that the assets of the Appellant be confiscated and thus occasioned a miscarriage of justice.”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that count one of the charge is valid and proceeded to convict the Appellant upon it.”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that Exhibit 1 is not a documentary hearsay but admissible in law and this occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice.”

“The lower tribunal erred in law when it held that exhibits 4 and 5 are admissible contrary to the provision of the Evidence Act and thus occasioned a miscarriage of justice.”

“The Honourable tribunal erred in law when it convicted the Defendant/Appellant on COUNT ONE of the charge, for failure to declare his assets and liabilities, even when the essential elements of the offence as charged had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.”

“The Honourable Tribunal erred in law when it tried and convicted the Defendant/Appellant for failure to declare and submit assets declaration Forms, between 2005 and 2016, which alleged offence is unknown to law; and in total violation of Section 36 (12) of the 1999 constitution.”

“The Honourable Tribunal erred in law when it convicted the defendant/appellant for false declaration of assets when the essential elements of the offence as defined under Paragraph 11 (2) of the fifth schedule to the constitution (1999) had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt.”

“The lower Tribunal erred in law when it convicted the defendant/Appellant based on an alleged confessional statement, which confession statement did not constitute confession as known as law, as it was not precise, clear and unequivocal as required by law to sustain a conviction.”

“The Honourable Tribunal erred in law when it placed on the defendant the burden of proving his innocence in violation of Section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution, and section 135 (1) of Evidence Act 2011.”

Onnoghen hence seek relief from the Court of Appeal, that to rescue him from the proceeding and also set aside the order to forfeiture his asset by the tribunal and also declare him free.

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US-Based Group Endorses Sunny Irakpo As Brand Ambassador

Published

1 day ago

October 23, 2024

Eric

United States of America based organizations, Dawkins Development Group Inc. and Flip These Bricks Academy have made a renowned Anti-drug advocate, Host/Producer Interview45 and founder/ president Silec Initiatives, a brand Ambassador for Africa, to champion developmental projects and Initiatives that will engage the teeming youth population into meaningful socio-economic activities that has the potential to grow the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of Nigeria.

The Chairman/President, Dawkins Development Group Inc. and Flip These Bricks Academy in New York United States of America, Daniel Salem Dawkins made this known in an official letter addressed to Amb. Sunny Irakpo.

Dawkins Development Group Inc. New York United States of America, is a real estate and property development organization that specializes in design/building residential and commercial construction,land development, building remodeling, Roofing, restoration and handyman services for private and public clients and investors. The management of the organization stated that they are excited about the endorsement of amb. Sunny Irakpo, which to a large extent help create positive investment opportunities in the United States and Africa.

They added that your dedication and commitment to human and societal development which aligned with our organization’s values and vision to impact human lives , empower the younger generations to make the world a better place.

Responding to the endorsement, amb. Sunny Irakpo, thanked the Chairman of Dawkins Development Group Inc. and Flip These Bricks Academy for considering him for the noble venture to drive the next generation in job creation opportunities.

As part of his efforts to rid the country of drug abuse and addiction, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State His Excellency Sen Douye Diri through the office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Investment to the Governor of Bayelsa State Mrs Owanari Rowland Harry recently , approved SILEC partnership to build the capacity of youth in the state.

Irakpo is of the view that with the endorsement by Dawkins, a testament that hard work and patience pays.

Irakpo added that the opportunity provided by Dawkins Development Group Inc. and Flip These Bricks Academy, development will further address social vices such as drugs and substance disorder amongst youth in Bayelsa State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Featured

Springs of Joy Launches, Storms Ogun, Lagos for Widow’s Welfare, Distributes Wholesome Palliatives

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

In furtherance of her activities geared towards affecting lives of the indigents, with special emphasis on widows, the Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation has once again spread its wings of kindness and passion to the widows of Nigeria. This was a follow-up to its earlier reach out conducted in May 2024 where over 250 widows were presented with food items in an event tagged Food Pantry and Medical Checkup for Widows.

In August 2024, the Founder of the Foundation, Mrs Anastasia Daniel, in company of her husband, arrived Nigeria from their base in the United States of America, and stormed some nooks and crannies of the nation with bags of smiles and hope for widows following a well attended launch of the Foundation in Surulere, Lagos.

It would be recalled that earlier in the year, at a well organized event held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ Disciples Parish, Surulere, Lagos, which the Resident Pastor, Richard Umoren, graciously gave out, the Foundation released diverse and assorted food items to deserving widows, as well as conducted free medical checkups to ascertain the state of the health of the widows, using the best of medical personnels, drawn from the Christian Medical and Dental Association, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) chapter.

Kickstarting the avalanche of humanitarian efforts, Mrs Daniel and her team of Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation caregivers embarked on several impactful events to support widows in different parts of Nigeria, thereby furthering its mission of empowerment and care.

At a Food Pantry Event held at Ilogbo, Ogun State, the foundation conducted a food distribution event, where 133 widows were empowered.

According to Mrs Daniel, who consistently told her story of growing up with her widowed mother, each widow received essential food items, including rice, beans, garri, noodles and bags of sachet water.

“This initiative was aimed at addressing the immediate food needs of the widows and providing them with a sense of relief and support during these challenging times,” Mrs. Daniel said.

At the official launch of the Foundation, which was juxtaposed with a Fundraising ceremony in Surulere, Lagos, with about 100 guests in attendance, Mrs. Daniel assured stakeholders and guests of her Foundation’s readiness to spread good tidings to as many Nigerians in need as possible, maintaining that the day was specially designed to raise awareness about the foundation’s cause and generate financial support for its ongoing and future initiatives.

The event drew together notable television personalities, founders of other organizations, and influential individuals, giving it a high-profile status.

As a followup to the Launch, the Foundation undertook a Food Pantry Event at the Assemblies of God Church, Coker Orile, Lagos, where a remarkable 310 widows received free food items, ranging from rice, beans, garri, spaghetti, to bags of sachet water. Each widow present at the event received a generous helping of all the items. This event further extended the foundation’s reach, ensuring that more widows received the support they needed.

ABOUT SPRING OF JOY FOR WIDOWS FOUNDATION

The Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation is a non-profit organization established to empower and uplift widows by providing them with basic necessities, emotional support, and opportunities for a better future.

Through these empowerment events, the foundation aims to ease the burden of widowhood, provide food security, and foster a sense of community and belonging among widows.

According to the Founder, “Each initiative is a step towards achieving a long-term empowerment opportunity for widows, ensuring they have the resources and support to lead dignified lives.”

The Foundation is an NGO committed to making a profound difference in the lives of widows, addressing their unique challenges, and ensuring they lead lives of dignity, independence, and purpose.

It is further rooted in a deep sense of compassion, equality, and social justice, with the goal of creating a world where widows are not marginalized, but celebrated for their resilience and strength.

Mrs Daniel, a Nigerian citizen of Enugu extraction, is an embodiment of compassion, who has taken it upon herself to contribute to the upliftment of the indigent, using the widows as a starting point.

She strongly believe that the fact that a woman has lost has husband, does not mean that she has lost her purpose, self-will and destiny goal, maintaining that “Every widow is still destined for greatness no matter the circumstances.”

Featured

Connect Initiative Begins Membership Revalidation and Recruitment Exercise

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2024

Eric

Connect Initiative, a socio-political organisation based in Akwa Ibom State has launched a thorough membership revalidation and recruitment exercise aimed at enhancing its membership and impact on the society.

The group whose main aim is to support and promote the projects and programmes of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno as encapsulated in his economic blue print, ARISE Agenda, intends to use this exercise to re-energize its membership.

According to the group’s International Connector, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, “This exercise demonstrates our commitment to open our membership to persons that share our goal of supporting our Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

Furthermore, it seeks to revalidate existing membership to ensure alignment with its standards., attract new talents to join the group and strengthen the organization’s capacity to deliver on its aims and objectives.

To participate in the exercise, which is strictly for registered voters in Akwa Ibom State, you are expected to click this link: https://support.umoeno.com and use the code: SG-CNRGKFF8SE.