Fairness is the most abused leadership
concept, especially in regions where the
judicial system is subjugated by totalitarian
headship. Martin Luther King, Jr. was
absolutely right, that injustice anywhere is
a threat to justice everywhere. But the
current approach of President
Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria in cleansing
his country of corruption makes a mockery
of his designation, and indicates a lack of
knowledge in managing moral philosophy
in the public sector.
For instance, both President Buhari’s Party,
the All Progressives Congress (APC), and
the opposition, the People’s Democratic
Party ran their respective presidential
elections with public funds, improperly
diverted and converted them to campaign
coffers. Former national security adviser,
Sambo Dasuki, allegedly diverted and
apportioned more than 2.2 billion dollars to
politicians and campaign needs. Similarly,
former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike
Rotimi Amaechi who headed President
Buhari’s campaign fund-drive allegedly
stole millions from his state to finance
President Buhari’s Presidential race.
Surprisingly, Mr. Dasuki is currently facing
trial, whereas Mr. Amaechi is rewarded
with a ministerial position.
To make it worse, President Buhari in his
dictatorial fashion had defied court’s order
that granted bail to Mr. Dasuki, and strong-
headedly ordered his re-arrest. In his own
words, here is the reason; “If you see the
atrocities these people committed against
this country, we can’t allow them to jump
bail.” For clarity, this is the President talking
– not the prosecutor. In other words,
besides making himself the overseer of
Petroleum Resources Ministry, the Buhari
has also become the Attorney General and
Minister of Justice. At the moment, all
judges report to him, and all court rulings or
judgements are screened in Aso Rock
before delivery.
Yet we must not forget that failure of
elected officers to abide by the rule of law
is the height of indiscipline and misconduct.
So, how could President Buhari fight
corruption by abusing the judicial arm –
violating court orders, and terrorizing
judges? How does crowding jailhouses with
suspects whose rights of legal
representation are suppressed create an
effective ethical culture? How could an
executive team consisting of the most
corrupt politicians in the country influence
decency in the public service system?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with
fighting corruption in a country where
dishonesty in the system is devastating, but
hiding behind a so called “war against
indiscipline” to profile individuals in the
most tyrannical style is reprehensible.
Nigeria is a country where every single
public officer, including the President has a
looting record. Singling out individuals or
parties as scapegoats may not fix the
structure, but may amorally implant a
retaliatory culture in the governance
system.
Pragmatically, overhauling massive ethical
lapses in the public sector requires relevant
legislations to discourage corrupt attitudes
and gradually reform the system with
effective moral culture. Administration of
justice is the firmest pillar of government.
Unfortunately, a suppression of the judicial
arm in Nigeria leaves a hopelessly corrupt
leadership structure.
Take for instance, the 2010 case of a
Former United States representative,
William Jefferson of Louisiana. Rep.
Jefferson, infamous for having $90,000 in
bribe money hidden in his freezer, is
serving a 13-year prison sentence after
being convicted on a slew of federal
corruption charges. However, one of the
most puzzling and intriguing aspect of the
case is that Jefferson’s partner-in-crime,
Atiku Abubakar, the vice president of
Nigeria at the time was not prosecuted by
his country. Abubakar remained a hero in
Nigeria, still treading on public funds and
running elections to become his country’s
president.
the United States, The anti-corruption
legacy is embedded in the constitution and
enforced appropriately. Various provisions
in the Constitution deal squarely with
corruption, thereby limiting the
opportunities for self-enrichment, and
permitting impeachment of any officer of
the United States, including the President
and Vice President, for “Treason, Bribery, or
other high crimes and Misdemeanors.”
I would say again, that my criticisms of
Buhari’s fight against corruption is not an
attack on implanting moral decency in the
system, but a condemnation of tyranny,
discriminatory justice, and suppression of
the judicial process. What we have
evidenced so far is an angry leader, who in
shear execution of his animosity, is
clamping down on the opposition under the
disguise of wiping corruption in the system.
In a true democratic setting, chasing public
fund lotters with horsewhips and dictating
orders to throw individuals in jail, or
denying them bail are definitely not the
responsibility of this president. Therefore,
we must condemn President Buhari’s
prevalent approach to ethical management
as a primeval jungle justice; a totalitarian
show of senselessness and cruelty.
Sunday, 24 January 2016
Demands For Garri Drops As Lassa Virus Disease Kills One In Lagos
The victim of the index case of Lassa fever in
Lagos State has died.
The patient admitted to LUTH In Idi Araba died
at the treatment center today.
As it stands, 3 out of the 14 suspected cases had
tested positive to the killer virus.
Investigation in markets across Lagos, showed
that a bag of garri which sold for N3,800 a week
ago now sells for N3,500 due to low demand
after LASG warns indigene to stop consuming
raw Garri and other food that attracts rodents.
Lagos State has died.
The patient admitted to LUTH In Idi Araba died
at the treatment center today.
As it stands, 3 out of the 14 suspected cases had
tested positive to the killer virus.
Investigation in markets across Lagos, showed
that a bag of garri which sold for N3,800 a week
ago now sells for N3,500 due to low demand
after LASG warns indigene to stop consuming
raw Garri and other food that attracts rodents.
Saturday, 23 January 2016
Group condemns Buhari’s N4.8bn budget for clinic and website, saysits embarrasing
The President, Rights Monitoring Group and
Country Director, Centre on Convention for
Democratic Integrity, Mr. Femi Aduwo,
described the N4bn proposed for Aso Rock
clinic and N800m for a website in the 2016
budget as embarrassing and abnormal.
He said, “If N4bn is proposed for Aso Rock
clinic in a year and the facility is meant for
the Very Important People, I want to
believe that the VIPs go beyond the
President and the Vice-President. For
example, if you have an equipped clinic in
Aso Rock, all the former presidents, former
ministers and former governors can go
there for medical checkup, but as it were
today, we know that all the former
presidents and former governors don’t use
Aso Rock clinic. This is an Aso Rock clinic
that could not take care of former President
Umaru Yar’Adua when he was sick.
“So, if you propose N4bn to be spent and
there are elements of trust and
transparency in the spending, there is no
problem with that, but if you propose N10
for the project and the money is looted or
stolen, we will still go back to square one.
He also added that it was embarrassing
that N800m was being proposed for a
website in this modern era, citing that the
website of the United States President,
Barack Obama, cost less than $1m.
The activists claimed that the proposals
were the direct opposite of President
Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra.
Another activist and lawyer, Mr. Ebun
Adegboruwa, recalled how Nigerians were
angry with former President Goodluck
Jonathan who budgeted N1bn for feeding
in 2014. He urged Buhari to be a “shining
example of a Spartan leader who is not
interested in living a life of luxury at the
expense of the people he was elected to
govern. He should let the charity begin at
home.”
“Though I accept the fact that the Office of
the President deserves all the glamour and
the state of the art equipment, the amount
budgeted for Aso Rock renovation, for
website, for Aso Rock clinic, for
maintenance of generator is becoming like
a scandal to us as a nation. This is very bad
and I urge the President to scale down the
items of luxury; the items that have no
explanation.” he said.
Country Director, Centre on Convention for
Democratic Integrity, Mr. Femi Aduwo,
described the N4bn proposed for Aso Rock
clinic and N800m for a website in the 2016
budget as embarrassing and abnormal.
He said, “If N4bn is proposed for Aso Rock
clinic in a year and the facility is meant for
the Very Important People, I want to
believe that the VIPs go beyond the
President and the Vice-President. For
example, if you have an equipped clinic in
Aso Rock, all the former presidents, former
ministers and former governors can go
there for medical checkup, but as it were
today, we know that all the former
presidents and former governors don’t use
Aso Rock clinic. This is an Aso Rock clinic
that could not take care of former President
Umaru Yar’Adua when he was sick.
“So, if you propose N4bn to be spent and
there are elements of trust and
transparency in the spending, there is no
problem with that, but if you propose N10
for the project and the money is looted or
stolen, we will still go back to square one.
He also added that it was embarrassing
that N800m was being proposed for a
website in this modern era, citing that the
website of the United States President,
Barack Obama, cost less than $1m.
The activists claimed that the proposals
were the direct opposite of President
Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra.
Another activist and lawyer, Mr. Ebun
Adegboruwa, recalled how Nigerians were
angry with former President Goodluck
Jonathan who budgeted N1bn for feeding
in 2014. He urged Buhari to be a “shining
example of a Spartan leader who is not
interested in living a life of luxury at the
expense of the people he was elected to
govern. He should let the charity begin at
home.”
“Though I accept the fact that the Office of
the President deserves all the glamour and
the state of the art equipment, the amount
budgeted for Aso Rock renovation, for
website, for Aso Rock clinic, for
maintenance of generator is becoming like
a scandal to us as a nation. This is very bad
and I urge the President to scale down the
items of luxury; the items that have no
explanation.” he said.
Nigerian Actor John Okafor Mr Ibu To Buhari: It Is Too Early To Fight Corruption
Hear what comic Nollywood actor John Okafor has to say about Buhari’s anti corruption drive in a recent interview
“It is too early to fight this. I would have preferred the government to set their house in order first. Set the administration going,make the people who voted you talk good of you as you are coming in. The corrupt people know themselves. While your good work is going on,you can then start picking them one after the other. Whoever that has offended government knows he or she has done so.
Government should set its house in order first. Let the good things about this administration flow first before the arrests. Let Nigerians talk good of you first, then you can now tell them,there are people who did this and that,that need questioning. But starting with this quarrel,fighting as a new government,I do not think it will help.
Many people are talking about hunger,no money,collapsed businesses among others. They would have first of all laid good foundation about their administration so that people will feel them first. The change should be seen in the peoples’ welfare and every other thing will follow. That’s my own idea.”
“It is too early to fight this. I would have preferred the government to set their house in order first. Set the administration going,make the people who voted you talk good of you as you are coming in. The corrupt people know themselves. While your good work is going on,you can then start picking them one after the other. Whoever that has offended government knows he or she has done so.
Government should set its house in order first. Let the good things about this administration flow first before the arrests. Let Nigerians talk good of you first, then you can now tell them,there are people who did this and that,that need questioning. But starting with this quarrel,fighting as a new government,I do not think it will help.
Many people are talking about hunger,no money,collapsed businesses among others. They would have first of all laid good foundation about their administration so that people will feel them first. The change should be seen in the peoples’ welfare and every other thing will follow. That’s my own idea.”
Olisa Metuh locked up with 419 Bad Boys
Olisa Metuh Locked Up With 419 Bad Boys In Prison
There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party spokesman, Olisa Metuh, is being kept in a prison cell where financial scammers and some bad boys who had committed frauds were being held.
Nigerian Prison authorities usually isolate high profile inmates from other criminals who had committed violent offences like armed robbery, murder and other heinous crimes.
The prison officers are said to be keeping a tight watch over Metuh to prevent any foul play...
It was learnt that Metuh, who was remanded at Kuje Prisons, Abuja on the order of a Federal High Court, was isolated from other awaiting trial inmates to protect him from being harmed.
It was gathered that the prison authorities were following the standard laid down protocol in Metuh’s case by shielding him from violent inmates who could attack him at night.
The source explained that Metuh had not been eating prison food, adding that he had made arrangement for his feeding, which he said was allowed.
A source said, “The prisons service has a standard procedure they follow when it comes to high profile inmates or VIP detainees as you call them. One, we don’t allow them to mix with other inmates for safety reason. Secondly, we don’t keep them in crowded cells, but they are kept with those who may have committed a similar offence or offences.
“In Metuh’s case, we are observing the same protocol; he is being held in a cell where people who had committed similar offences were being kept, that is, those who did not commit violent crimes and we are keeping a serious watch over him to prevent any foul play.”
When Punch asked if the prison service was giving Metuh special treatment, the Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, said all inmates were treated fairly and equally, stressing that “there is no VIP treatment for anyone in prison custody.”
There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party spokesman, Olisa Metuh, is being kept in a prison cell where financial scammers and some bad boys who had committed frauds were being held.
Nigerian Prison authorities usually isolate high profile inmates from other criminals who had committed violent offences like armed robbery, murder and other heinous crimes.
The prison officers are said to be keeping a tight watch over Metuh to prevent any foul play...
It was learnt that Metuh, who was remanded at Kuje Prisons, Abuja on the order of a Federal High Court, was isolated from other awaiting trial inmates to protect him from being harmed.
It was gathered that the prison authorities were following the standard laid down protocol in Metuh’s case by shielding him from violent inmates who could attack him at night.
The source explained that Metuh had not been eating prison food, adding that he had made arrangement for his feeding, which he said was allowed.
A source said, “The prisons service has a standard procedure they follow when it comes to high profile inmates or VIP detainees as you call them. One, we don’t allow them to mix with other inmates for safety reason. Secondly, we don’t keep them in crowded cells, but they are kept with those who may have committed a similar offence or offences.
“In Metuh’s case, we are observing the same protocol; he is being held in a cell where people who had committed similar offences were being kept, that is, those who did not commit violent crimes and we are keeping a serious watch over him to prevent any foul play.”
When Punch asked if the prison service was giving Metuh special treatment, the Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, said all inmates were treated fairly and equally, stressing that “there is no VIP treatment for anyone in prison custody.”
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