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Tension Over Looming Constitutional Crisis in Nigeria

Published

6 years ago

February 5, 2019

Eniola Olayemi

Since the suspension of Walter Onnoghen as the chief justice of Nigeria, and appointment of Tanko Mohammad as the acting CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian polity is mired in controversy and fear of the impeding constitutional and political crisis

IT has been a trying week for Nigeria and Nigerians across the world. The controversy over the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the chief justice of Nigeria, by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, January 25, and the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad in acting position, has helped to raise some constitutional issues about its legality and otherwise. Buhari’s action has, no doubt, raised some dust in polity and scepticism among the members of the comity of nations, which if not carefully tackled may lead to serious crisis in the country, especially now that the nation’s general elections are now just a matter of days away.

The matter is raising so much controversy that many political watchers are afraid that the coming elections may not hold or delayed if all the issues are not carefully and legally addressed to give hope to Nigerian electorate that their votes would count in the elections.

While the situation was spinning into a dangerous bend, the Nigeria Judicial Commission, NJC, mercifully stepped in and on Tuesday, January 29, queried Onnoghen and Muhammad. The two justices were given seven working days to answer the query. The NJC also queried Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, who is said to be under investigation for corruption. Onnoghen is facing trial for his alleged failure to declare certain parts of his asset.

The legislative arm of the government, on its part, filed a suit before the Supreme Court on Monday, January 28, praying for among others, an order reinstating Onnoghen as the chief justice of Nigeria.

Onnoghen

The suit was filed by Paul Erokoro, SAN, counsel to the Senate, came after it cancelled its scheduled plenary earlier billed for Tuesday, January 29. Nelson Ayewoh, the clerk of the Senate, who announced the cancellation in a statement signed by him, did not give reasons for the action. But he explained that the federal lawmakers would resume on February 19.

In any case, the Senate asked the Supreme Court to declare the suspension of Onnoghen without support of two-thirds majority of the Senate as a violation of section 292(1)(a)(i) of the constitution.

The suit also asked the court to issue an order restraining the two defendants in the suit – President Buhari and Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation, from continuing or repeating the violation of the constitution and disregarding the power of the Senate in respect to the suspension of the CJN.

In any case, both the NJC’s action and the Senate suit appear to have given a temporary respite to the public debate on the issue of the constitutional right of the president to suspend the CJN when the law saddles the NJC with such a responsibility, including appointment of any judge.

The manner in which Buhari suspended the CJN and appointed an acting CJN has been a big concern for Nigerians and members of the international community that the nation might be heading towards a major political upheaval.

Perhaps, feeling the heat, the federal government has reportedly decided to seek for a political solution to douse the rising tension in the polity. The Nation newspaper report on Thursday, January 31, disclosed that a 12-man Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, team had met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on how to resolve the row over Onnoghen’s suspension.

Mohammad

The newspaper quoted sources close to the talks that the NBA team, led by Paul Usoro, SAN, its national president and two former presidents had with Osinbajo on Sunday, January 28, night till the wee hours of Monday in a frank session. Also, at the meeting were senior lawyers, including A. B. Mahmood, SAN, an ex-NBA president, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, and others.

The leaders of the NBA at the meeting were said to have restated the fact that they disagreed on the procedure adopted by the government in the suspension of Onnoghen. The NBA representatives also reviewed the case and charged that the NJC should have been allowed to handle the matter as required by the law. “They also faulted the government for a allegedly trying to desecrate the Judiciary since Onnoghen symbolises the highest authority in this arm of government.

“At the end of the day, they sought for soft landing for the CJN who has no immunity under the 1999 Constitution.

“They also explained that it was wrong for the Acting CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to have made himself available for inauguration when a ruling of the Court of Appeal was being awaited,” the report said.

Nevertheless, the meeting at the Presidential Villa was regarded as a means to seek a “soft landing” for the CJN, who is expected to resign in what a source described as a “win-win” situation.

According to the report, there is a six-point terms of resolution to be delivered to Onnoghen through his confidants, relatives and friends, who will be expected to persuade him to resign from office or go on retirement.

Indeed, the terms discussed by the NBA at the session were given as follows: the CJN to resign or retire without coercion; Government to withdraw all charges against Onnoghen; no molestation of CJN under any guise; Acting CJN should quit; the NBA team to prevail on relatives, friends to persuade Onnoghen to resign; and consensus on the need to clean up the Judiciary (long term measure).

The VP is said to have assured the NBA team that he will convene their requests to the government.

Osinbajo

A minister in the Buhari government was reported to have confirmed that some representatives of the CJN had opened talks with the federal government on “how to resolve the crisis in the bench” by the two arms of the government.

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ASR AFRICA HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A N250 MILLION ABDUL SAMAD RABIU MEDICAL SCIENCE LABOURATORY FOR CRESCENT UNIVERSITY

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

ASR Africa has commenced the construction of a N250 Million medical science laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

From Right: Mr. G. T. Ogunmefun (University Acting Bursar); Barr. A. M. Ajiobla, SAN (Proprietor); Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila (Vice- Chancellor); Dr. Ubon Udoh (MD/CEO, ASR Africa); Barr. Z. A. Ajibola (Registrar) and Prof. M. K. Momodu (Dean, College of Law) at the ground breaking ceremony of the Medical Science Laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta.

August24news.com gathered that the laboratory will enhance the capacity of the institution in meeting the National Development Plans and Transformational Agenda (NDTA) of the Federal Government of Nigeria, whilst filling the gap created by laboratory scientists who have left the country recently.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, expressed gratitude for the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGs).

He applauded ASR Africa for the award of the grant and noted that the project is the university’s topmost priority, considering its drive to expand its College of Health Sciences programs.

In his response, the MD CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, commended the management of the university for their academic achievements and systematic growth which is evident by the addition of three new colleges recently.

These colleges include the College of Environmental Sciences (COES), Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW) and the College of Health Sciences (COHES). Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of ASR Africa in ensuring a timely completion of the project.

The N250 Million grant will provide fixtures and fittings for the medical science laboratory which features a 300 sitting capacity auditorium, offices for Head of Departments and lecturers, lecture /seminar rooms.

It will also cater as laboratories facility for Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Biology, Hematology, Pharmacology/Therapeutics and Chemical Pathology.

The ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme is targeted at supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and so far over 30 tertiary institutions in Nigeria have benefitted from this grant which ranges from N250 million to N 2 billion.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

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Olusunle, Now Fellow Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (FNMGS)

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

…As Society Celebrates 64 Years of Existence

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

A research Director of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Dr. Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle has been conferred with the prestigious Fellow of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), one of the oldest professional bodies in the history of Nigeria.

NASENI Research Director, Engr. Dr Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle, FNMGS, (right) receiving the Conferment Award plaque and Certificate from Prof. Akinade Sadrach Olatunji, the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society(NMGS)(left) during the Awards Night which took place at the Chida International Hotels Abuja on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

The Nigeria’s late sage, Pan Africanist and President during the First Nigerian Republic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first patron of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

The Society yesterday in Abuja concluded its 60^th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), and it was time for the body to honour and recognize its members who had contributed tremendously not only to the growth and development of the Mining and Geosciences profession in the country, but the accomplishments of the honourees having direct bearing on the general socio-economic development of the country.

The event which was held between 16^th to 19^th February 2025 at the Chida International Hotel Abuja, came to a climax with Awards Night and recognition. Dr. Olusunle and 42 other members were honoured with the prestigious fellow category, which is the highest election attainable in society.

This conferment has added new appellation to Engr.Dr. Olusunle’s name as FNMGS. In 1977, the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) succeeded the Nigerian Mining Geological and Metallurgical Society (NMGMS) which was founded on 15th January 1961 and officially inaugurated on 17th December, 1962.

The society is an international professional organization. Its Objectives include: Advancement and practice of Mining, Earth sciences and Metallurgy, Acquisition, preservation and dissemination of mining geoscientific and metallurgical knowledge, publication of an interdisciplinary learned journal of Mining and Geology (JMG), the CRUST, periodicals and specialized books including annual books of abstracts and programmes of the society’s conferences and activities and upholding the ethics and safeguarding the interests of the professionals covered by the society.

The society also has statutory representation in the council of the Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) established by the Federal republic of Nigeria Decree No. 40 of 1990. The categories of membership are Fellow, Corporate, Graduate, Students, Affiliate, Institutional and Honorary fellow, the highest of all is the Fellow category.

When asked to speak on the significance of the society’s recognition to him and NASENI where he serves as Director Research, a highly elated Olusunle had this to say: “I give God the glory and I am really humbled to be elected FELLOW of NMGS. It should be noted that the mandate of NASENI and the core concerns of NMGS are knittingly related. NASENI has one of its institutes operating within the purview of solid minerals exploitation (SOMMEDI).

NASENI also under wonderful leadership of the EVC/CEO, Khalil S. Halilu, is actively involved in the CNG project of the Federal Government. These and other notable activities/intervention of NASENI are collaborative windows between the agency and NMGS”.

Before he became research director, Dr. Olusunle was former Managing Director, Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) Akure, one of NASENI Development Institutes. Also, he is a FELLOW of the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN), the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), The Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), The Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS)and many others.