Import bill for petroleum product hits 1.8trillion

The Federal Government spent N1.82 trillion on importation of petroleum products between January and September last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

NBS disclosed in its petroleum products import statistics 2010 to 2015 released recently that the country imported N1.4 trillion worth of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during the period under review.

Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) gulped N305.2 billion while N118.7 was spent on Household Kerosene (HHK).

The country imported N109.1 billion worth of PMS in January 2015; N116 billion in February; N209 billion in March; N178 billion in April; N188 billion in May; N147 billion in June; N182 billion in July; N185 billion in August; and N133 billion in September.

Also, about N29 billion worth of AGO was imported into the country in January 2015; N41.9 billion in February; N21.2 billion in March; N26.1 billion in April; N36.8 billion in May; N45.9 billion in June; N50.3 billion in July; N30.4 billion in August; and N22.5billion in September.

The amount of kerosene imported into the country in January stood at N17.8 billion; N11.4 billion in February; N11.2 billion in March; N21.8 billion in April; N26.1 billion in May; N4.8 billion in June; N2.6 billion in July; N6.7 billion in August; and N15.9 billion in September.

The agency noted that the volume of products discharged within a month was based on actual quantities discharged during the month.

It added that average landing cost per month was the average landing cost of the product during the period of discharged. “The value of the product is estimated value based on the average landing cost of the product as at the month of discharge.

Meanwhile, the declining crude oil prices may have affected the country’s capital importation in 2015.

According to NBS in its capital importation report for third and fourth quarter of 2015, the level of capital imported between 2012 and 2014 was markedly higher than the year under review.

This, it said, may have been due to some external factors, such as the globally low interest rates triggering a search for higher yields from investors over this period.

It added that the drop in 2015 may be partly a result of these factors unwinding, as well as the tougher economic environment in Nigeria resulting from the effect the lower oil price has had on export earnings. Furthermore, the widely anticipated decision to raise interest rates in the United States may have played a part in the drop of capital inflows in the final quarter.

It stated: “The total value of capital imported into Nigeria in the Third quarter of 2015 was $2.7 billion, up 3.07 per cent from the preceding quarter.

“This was followed by a total of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter, a decline of 43.34 per cent from levels recorded in the previous quarter. The total for 2015 was recorded at $9.6 billion. This is represent a 53.53 per cent fall on the previous year, when the total was $20.7 billion. Each consecutive quarter of 2015 saw a larger annual fall than the previous; in the third and fourth quarter, capital inflows were respectively 58.00 per cent and 65.40 per cent lower than in the same quarters of 2014”.

INEC BARRED APC

INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the exclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party from the rerun election in to the Senate for Kogi East/Central Senatorial districts, Okene/Ogorimagogo Federal Constituency and Ofu/Ankpa1 State constituencies respectively.

Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) Mallam Halilu Pai who made the disclosure yesterday said INEC as a law abiding commission was only obeying the directives of the appeal court where the petitions were finally dispensed.

He however pointed out that if there is any contrary judgment and directive from the court before the 20th of February, 2016 date for the rerun , the commission would comply.

According to a document made available during its stakeholders meeting yesterday the REC said, “Election into Kogi Central/East senatorial districts will feature the same political parties and candidates excluding APC and its candidates.
Okene/Ogorimagongo, Federal constituency, Ofu and Ankpa1 State constituencies will feature the same parties and candidates excluding APC and its candidates.

“For the other reruns in Dekina1, Okura and Idah Star constituencies all political parties that participated in the 2015 general elections will participate.”

Pai in response to an observation that the concerned candidates were in court over the issue of their exclusion and whether it would have been wise for the umpire to wait for that judgment, said they will take into cognizance any new issue from court.

According to him 28 petitions were filed after the general elections adding that they received orders that rerun should be conducted.

OBAMA ENTERS MOSQUE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Seven years into his presidency, Barack Obama will make his first trip to an American mosque on Wednesday, offering a high-profile rebuttal of harsh Republican election-year rhetoric against Muslims.

Obama, whose grandfather converted to Islam, will make the short trip to the Islamic Society of Baltimore mosque, where he will meet community leaders and deliver remarks.

He has visited mosques in Malaysia, Indonesia and Egypt as president, but has yet to visit one of America’s 2,000-plus places of Islamic worship.

In 2009, a freshly elected Obama traveled to Cairo to call for a “new beginning” with the Muslim world.

Much of Obama’s foreign policy agenda has focused on improving ties with Muslim nations, from making a nuclear deal with Iran to ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But the effort has been stymied by continued confrontation with jihadist groups and military strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

His latest effort to ease interfaith relations comes as a shrill election debate has sullied America’s image abroad and jihadist attacks in San Bernardino and Philadelphia threatened to shatter post-9/11 religious solidarity at home.

Six days after the 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, then president George W. Bush visited the Islamic Center of Washington, declaring “Islam is peace.”

Today, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has wooed conservative voters by demanding a ban on Muslim immigrants, while frontrunner Ted Cruz has advocated Christian-only admissions and championed “Judeo-Christian values.”

“We’re seeing all this right wing anti-Muslim hate. It’s the perfect time for him to come,” said Riham Osman of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, an advocacy group.

– Law-abiding Americans –
The White House is keen to offer an image of America that stresses the country’s secular tradition and contrasts with Republicans’ “divisive rhetoric.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama will “affirm the important role that Muslim Americans play in our society” and argue that “law-abiding Americans should be able to worship God in the manner that they see fit.”

“And they shouldn’t be subject to ridicule or targeting by anybody, let alone somebody who aspires to leading the country,” Earnest added.

“We have seen an alarming willingness on the part of some Republicans to try to marginalize law-abiding, patriotic Muslim Americans, and it is offensive.”

Obama is also likely to restate his case that organizations like the Islamic State group pervert Islam and do not represent the vast majority of Muslims.

The United States is home to around 3.3 million Muslims.

Around 81 Muslim-Americans were involved in violent extremist plots in 2015, according to the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security.

But Obama is expected to call on Muslim leaders to help tackle radicalization.

“We know that there are extremist organizations like ISIL that are seeking to use social media to radicalize vulnerable members of the population,” said Earnest.

“Certainly the leaders in the Muslim community have a strong interest in preventing that from happening.”

That does not sit so well with members of the Muslim community.

“I know national security will come up in the speech just because of the climate of today,” said Osman. “I wish he wouldn’t.”

“It does upset me a little bit that it is his first time coming to visit a mosque, and there will be kids there who have grown up in this post 9/11 era and their faith is constantly linked to national security and extremism.”

OBASANJO AND ALL OF US ARE GUILTY - SARAKI REPLIES

SENATE President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki declared yesterday that all those who had served in government since 1999, with the inclusion of former president Olusegun Obasanjo had one way or another, contributed to the socio- economic woes currently bedeviling the country.

Saraki who was responding to journalists’ questions at the National Assembly, regarding allegations of corruption levelled against the National Assembly by former President Olusegun Obasanjo,‎ said it was wrong for anybody to hold an individual or group of people solely responsible for the mess of the past.

According to him, rather than trading blame on the woes afflicting the country now, what is needed from all stakeholders is a collective participation in the drive to find solutions to the problems.
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His words :”We have all been here since 1999 up to the recent past when things were not done right. We are all part of it. I was there ,you were there, other political office holders in different capacities were there as well.

“My own view from the Eighth National Assembly is that the time for collective participation for the good of all Nigerians is here ‎with us in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

We are all on the same page that things should be done differently.

“I think what we need now from all stakeholders is more of cooperation, encouragement and participation as opposed to trying to hold one person responsible for the mistakes of the past that we are all part of. It is clearly not the thing needed now.

“I appeal to you, to all Nigerians that we should work together just as I assure you all that we will do well here in the National Assembly to practically complement the change agenda.”

The Senate President disclosed that the National Assembly would soon come up with an amendment bill on the procurement process to e‎nsure strict and transparent implementation of the N6.08trillion 2016 budget.

According to Saraki, the implementation of the 2016 budget proposal as presented by the executive , would be decided at the stage it is now in the National Assembly

“Before we put our signatures to it , we need to be sure that it is implementable”, he said.

He, however, stated that rather than the falling oil price benchmark, the two critical issues to be monitored and managed for the successful implementation of the budget were issues of expected revenues from non-oil and independent sources aside from that of funding the huge deficit.

EFFECT OF DECLINE IN CRUDE OIL PRICE

West Texas Intermediated (WTI) crude oil declined by 6.33 per cent at $31.62 a barrel and Brent fell by 0.14 per cent to $34.69 a barrel as hopes for a deal on production did not scale through.

Russia had last week sent mixed signals about possible cooperation with Organisation of Petroleum Corporation (OPEC) to support prices. It first suggested it should start talking to the cartel before saying there was no decision to do so.

As crude oil prices continued to fluctuate, oil giants are counting losses in their respective financial results.

Specifically, British Petroleum (BP), yesterday reported yearly loss of $6.5 billion for 2015.

It noted that despite strong operational performance and growing cost reductions, the lower underlying result was predominantly driven by the impact of steeply lower oil and gas prices on BP’s upstream segment, which reported a pre-tax loss for the quarter.

BP said it would cut 3,000 jobs in its downstream unit by the end of 2017 on top of 4,000 cuts already announced in oil and gas production as part of a $2.5 billion restructuring programme announced last year.

The company’s Chief Executive, Bob Dudley stated: “We are continuing to move rapidly to adapt and rebalance BP for the changing environment. We’re making good progress in managing and lowering our costs and capital spending, while maintaining safe and reliable operations and continuing disciplined investment into the future of our portfolio.

“Our plans set out a clear course for BP for the medium term and will allow us to deliver growth in the longer term. All of this underpins our commitment to sustaining our dividend and then growing free cash flow and shareholder distributions over the long term.”

Also, Exxon Mobil on Tuesday, posted a 58 per cent drop in quarterly profit as the languishing oil price continues to eat into the performance of the company.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the company, Rex Tillerson, stated: “While our financial results reflect the challenging environment, we remain focused on the business fundamentals, including project execution and effective cost management. The scale and diversity of our cash flows, along with our financial strength, provide us with the confidence to invest through the cycle to create long-term shareholder value.”

Another Bristow Helicopter Crash in Lagos.

A Bristow helicopter with registration No. 5NBJQ has crashed in Lagos. The helicopter was on its way from an offshore platform in Port Harcourt before it landed in water.

Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited, the owner of the helicopter, confirmed the crash in a statement, but said the aircraft did not crash but landed in water.

“The aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76C++, had departed on a routine crew transfer flight offshore with nine passengers and a crew of two,” Bristow Helicopters said in the statement.

Eleven people including a two-man crew survived the crash as they floated on the water with help of their life jacket.

However, the identities of the affected persons were unknown at the time of this report.

Bristow said, “all persons onboard are accounted for and in the process of being transferred to a nearby installation.

“The company is in the process of collecting pertinent information and will release more details as soon as it is available.”

More IDP Returns To Nigeria from Cameroon

The Borno Government said on Monday that it planned to provide emergency relief package for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Gamboru-Ngala town who had just returned home from Fotokol in Cameroon Republic.

Malam Satomi Ahmed, the Executive Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

Ahmed said that the package would include food and non food items aimed at providing succour to the returnees.

“Actually, it was the Borno Government that facilitated their return from Cameroon about two weeks ago from Fotokol where they had been taking refuge.

“We provided a heavy duty vehicle to clear the bush around the place so that the IDPs can stay.

“Even the roads linking Cameroon and Gamboru had to be cleared because they had been overtaken by weeds over a long time,” he said.

He said that government provided some relief materials to the IDPs at their arrival from Cameroon.

“We gave some of them relief materials when they went back.The items were distributed by the caretaker committee chairman of the Local Government Council.

“But I think it was just not enough at that time, so we are mobilising more items for them,” Ahmed said.

Malam Mohammed Kanar the Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA‎), also confirmed the plans to send aid to the IDPs in Gamboru to cushion their hardships.

Kanar said that the materials would be provided in collaboration with the state government.

“We are awaiting the state government to finalise arrangements for the delivery of the materials to the IDPs in Gamboru,” he said.

Speaking, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulkareem, the Caretaker Chairman of the Local Government Council, appealed to donor agencies to provide relief materials to residents of the area who had just returned from Cameroon after fleeing their homes due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said that a large number of them were faced with humanitarian problems after returning home from Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) camps in Cameroon.

“Currently 50, 000 returnees are living in their houses in Gamboru, while over 5,000 others are residing in the IDPs camps in Gamboru town.

“But these people require urgent help as they are in dire need of food and other essentials,” Abdulkareem said.

He said although the federal and state governments had provided some help, there was still lot more to be done.

The chairman, however, expressed happiness that the returnees were trying to adjust to the situation in spite of the hardships being faced.

“I am happy to see commercial activities picking up at the Gamboru main market.

“It is a sign that things will pick up in the next few days,” he said.

Trump lost to Cruz and Clinton did better than 2008

Ted Cruz felled long-time Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton was battled into a virtual tie with rival Bernie Sanders on Monday, as Iowans held the inaugural vote of the 2016 White House race.

Republicans in the rural midwestern state backed the ultraconservative Cruz for their party’s nomination, leaving a humbled Trump in second place just ahead of Senator Marco Rubio, according to nearly complete results given by the party.

Iowans flocked to churches, gymnasiums and libraries to be the first voices officially heard in the boisterous months-long nominating process that leads to Election Day on November 8.

“To God be the glory!” exclaimed Cruz, claiming victory with 27.7 percent of the vote and staking his claim to be the new standard bearer of the right.

“Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives across Iowa and all across this great nation,” he said, clearly pleased that his heavy investment in campaigning in the deeply conservative state had paid off.

For Trump, a modest vote tally — just above 24 percent — raised deep questions about whether showmanship can take him all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The real estate mogul who has centered his campaign around being a “winner” tried to brush off the steep loss, saying he had been given no chance to win Iowa at the outset.

“I was told by everybody, ‘Do not go to Iowa. You couldn’t finish in the top ten’,” he told supporters. “I said ‘I have to do it’.”

Rubio, whose star has risen in recent weeks, tried to capitalize on a strong showing and his status as the top mainstream Republican. He earned more than 23 percent, according to the nearly complete party results.

“Tonight here in Iowa, the people of this great state sent a very clear message,” he said, training his fire on Democrats. “Tonight we have taken the first step but an important step towards winning this election.”

– Trash the establishment –
Iowa Democrats also showed their doubt in their party frontrunner, with Clinton in a dead heat with Sanders, who has railed against Wall Street and money in politics.

With more than 95 percent of precincts reported, Clinton was on 49.9 percent and Sanders 49.6 percent.

“What Iowa has begun tonight is a political revolution,” said Sanders, a Vermont senator, as he focused on building a movement around campaign finance reform and a more equitable society.

“So you guys ready for a radical idea? Well, so is America,” Sanders said to cheers. “We are going to create an economy that works for working families not just the billionaire class.”

Clinton had been looking to lay to rest the demons of 2008, when she lost in Iowa to now-President Barack Obama, and pursue her quest for history by dealing a solid blow to her upstart challenger.

But she now faces another tough battle in Sanders’ backyard, New Hampshire.

The former first lady signaled that would be a bruising battle.

“It is rare that we have the opportunity we do now, to have a real contest of ideas — to really think hard about what the Democratic Party stands for and what we want the future of our country to look like,” she said.

– Get out the vote –
Experts had predicted that high turnout would benefit political outsiders, who have dominated the 2016 race so far. And so it proved.

“This is very chaotic but I’m happy that so many people showed up,” said Aaron Menick, a 21-year-old at a Democratic caucus at Drake University.

Activists in one Des Moines precinct reported turnout was three times higher than expected.

Armies of campaign volunteers have fanned out through the state in recent days, knocking on doors or manning phone banks to get out the vote, while candidates dominated the air waves with talk show appearances and a relentless barrage of campaign ads.

For many long-shot candidates, Iowa has spelled the end of the road.

Republican Mick Huckabee announced he was dropping out of the race, and sources close to Democrat Martin O’Malley said he would follow suit.

Even as votes came in, fourth place Ben Carson was forced to deny reports he was dropping out of the race.

“Contrary to false media reports, Dr. Ben Carson is not suspending his presidential campaign, which is stronger than ever,” said campaign spokesman Larry Ross.

Death toll in Borno attack hits 101

BORNO State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, has said that the number of residents of Dalori villages who died in the attack perpetrated at the weekend by suspected Boko Haram gunmen has risen to 101.

According to him, 16 villagers were still missing and 85 bodies have been deposited at the morgues of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and State’s Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.

The commissioner disclosed these yesterday in Maiduguri, while briefing the Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, and the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Umaru Hassan, on the casualty figures and 59 victims who are being hospitalized at the two hospitals.

His words: “A total of 65 bodies were deposited at this Specialist Hospital, 10 others are being deposited at UMTH, while another 10 were buried yesterday evening at the Dalori community cemetery.”

An eyewitness, Bulama Malum, also yesterday said that he saw more than 20 bodies burnt beyond recognition in the torched Dalori village, before fleeing to Maiduguri on Sunday morning. He also said 15 other villagers are still missing 24 hours after the insurgents attacked Dalori village along the 40-kilometre
Maiduguri-Konduga road on Saturday night.

There are other unofficial sources that said that the death toll was over 100. A rescue worker with one of the humanitarian agencies, who was not authorized to speak with the press, disclosed that more than 100 people were killed during the night attack.

A member of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who identified himself as Musa Adamu, in Maiduguri also told The Guardian yesterday that the death toll in the attack was over 100 even as at Saturday night when the incident occurred.

Fugu Ajari, who escaped the attack, told our correspondent on phone in
Maiduguri, that the insurgents came and were shooting sporadically and people started running from all direction.

Also yesterday, the Borno State Police Command said its Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD) “identified and demobilized” two cylinders of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at State’s Pilgrims Welfare Board office in Maiduguri at 10.35pm on Sunday.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri on the averted bomb blasts, the Police Public Relations Officer, Isuku Victor, said the explosives were planted at the entrance of the board’s office by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
He said the demobilization of the IEDs was successfully carried out by a joint team of military and police personnel.

Wike: Finality of Supreme Court decision is sacrosanct

“My simple answer is that it is not part of the jurisdiction or duties of this Court to go on looking for imaginary conflicts. We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final”.- Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, J.S.C.

The above notable and profound pronouncement forms part of the ipsissima verba of My Lord, the Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, (late), most blessed and remarkable memory when he delivered the leading judgment (to which Obaseki, Nnamani, Karibi-Whyte and Agbaje, JJSC all agreed) on Friday 19th day of May, 1989 in the popular case of ADEGOKE MOTORS LTD v. DR. BABATUNDE ADESANYA & ANOR (1989) 3 NWLR (pt 109) 250 at 274; (1989) 5 S.C 113 at 129 in response to the issue whether there is a conflict between the Supreme Court cases of SKENCONSULT (NIG.) LTD and ANOR v. UKEY (1981) 1 SC 6 and EZOMO v. OYAKHIRE (1985) 1 NWLR (pt 2) 195, each decision having been made on its own peculiar facts.

This article seeks to demonstrate that the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the final Court of last resort has done an inestimable good to Nigeria and the good people of Rivers State through its wise decision handed down on Wednesday 27th day of January, 2016 when it overturns the concurrent decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Election Tribunal and upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State. Although, the reason for its decision is reserved for February 12, 2016, the Supreme Court have always drawn their inspiration and their strength for the judgments from the very facts and peculiar circumstances of each individual case before it which framed the issues for their decision.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria as the apex Court in Nigeria enjoys the singular privilege under the law to give its decision on a matter on a particular day and reasons on different days. That law is to be found in Section 285 Subsection 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The Subsection provides that:
“The Court, in all final appeals from an election tribunal or Court may adopt the practice of first giving its decision and reserving the reasons therefore to a later date”.

In CHIEF GREAT OVEDJE OGBORU v. DR. EMMANUEL EWETAN UDUAGHAN & 2 ORS (2012) 11 NWLR (pt 1311) 357, the Supreme Court of Nigeria was confronted with the meaning of the word “final appeal” in Section 285 (8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the issue of whether the Court of Appeal can deliver judgment and reserve its reasons therefore to a later date in governorship election petition appeal. Delivering the lead judgment in the OGBORU’S CASE (Supra), IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD, J.S.C held on the meaning of final appeals on page 388, paragraphs B-C as follows:

“Final appeals from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal to my understanding, is one which has disposed of the rights of the parties thereto. That is the final bus stop for that Court as far as that case, issue, or matter is concerned. Nothing further can be done as there is no avenue for appeal”.

On the question whether the Court of Appeal can deliver judgment and reserve its reasons to a later date in governorship election petition appeal, His Lordship, MUHAMMAD, J.S.C had this to say on page 388 paragraphs C-D as follows
“Thus, a Court of Appeal sitting on appeal on a governorship election from an election tribunal, which now serves as an intermediate Court (and not final), can only give its decision within time stipulated, along with reasons thereof. It has no power to defer giving reasons to a later date as both the judgment and its reason thereof have to be delivered at once within the stipulated time frame”.

Perhaps, her Lordship, ADEKEYE, J.S.C was more apposite on the point when the learned jurist reinstated the position of the law in a most lucid manner on page 391, paragraphs D-E as follows:

“The learned Senior Counsel for the Appellants submitted that the Court of Appeal gave judgment in the appeal before it on 5/12/11 and adjourned reasons for the judgment to 27/1/12. As at the time the Court gave reasons for the decision of 27/1/2012, the appeal was statute barred. The decision was given outside the statutory period. By virtue of Section 294(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a Court must give reasons for its judgment in law. By virtue of Section 285(8) of the Constitution as altered the Court of Appeal is only an intermediate Court in matters relating to Governorship election petitions and so cannot enjoy the privilege under that law”.

Consequently, the legal changes introduced by the alteration of the 1999 Constitution in 2010, vide the second amendment, the Supreme Court of Nigeria is now vested with appellate jurisdiction to hear final appeals in gubernatorial election dispute by reason of Section 233(2) (e) (iv), (v) and (vi) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). This jurisdiction, the Supreme Court has justifiably exercised in the Wike’s case and has reserved its reasons pursuant to powers conferred on it by Section 285(8) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The Supreme Court, no doubt, scarcely interferes with the concurrent findings of Court. However, where the decisions of the lower courts are shown to be perverse, the Supreme Court will not hesitate to intervene. As AYOOLA, J.S.C would say in AGBANELO v. UNION BANK PLC (2000) FWLR (pt 13) 2212, there is no need to follow their Lordships of the Court of Appeal into error. Agreed that the justices of the Supreme Court are human beings, capable of erring, they are mostly constituted by men and women of first talents who can help discern when principles are being violated.

They are men, learned men with deep understanding who appreciate the fact that the law should not be regarded as a brooding omnipotence in the sky but the prophecies of what the Courts will do in fact and nothing more pretentious. Like the children of Issachaar who had an understanding of the times, the Justices of the Supreme Court have better understanding that the law should not be regarded as an end in itself but as a means to an end in a good society.

They are men who are alive to the circumstances of the time, the justice of any particular matter and their responsibility not to exist as a mere dictionary of words, to borrow the words of KAYODE ESO, JSC in the case of AWOLOWO v. SHAGARI (1979) 6-9 SC 51.

Commenting on the reason for the decision in AWO’S CASE, Chief (Dr.) Nabo Graham Douglas, SAN noted that: “Against this background, if the judgment of the Supreme Court had been other than it turned out to be, this would have been not just an occasion of purposeless crass legalism but an abdication of one of the cardinal purposes of judicial functions”.

In his lecture, “Legal and Judicial Activism in an Emergent Democracy: The last hope for the common Man? delivered at the First Justice Chike Idigbe Memorial lecture on 8th January, 2004 at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on page 22-23, Oputa, J.S.C. noted as follows:

“Justices of our Court of last resort should therefore be philosophical judges moving in the spirit of the classical Roman jurists. They should be able (and our justices have shown that in countless occasions) and willing to react with creativity and depth to cases coming before them especially those with massive conceptual, philosophic or social implications. Creativity is but another name for activism… The judiciary has rightly been called “The Last Hope of the Common Man”.

This aphorism should be conspicuously evident in a democracy. The judiciary in a Democracy should be the hope of the hopeless, the help of the helpless, a safe hospice for the legally injured; in short, the last hope of the common man”.

By the finality of the decision of the Supreme Court in Wike’s case, the Supreme Court has again demonstrated that it is not just the last hope of the common man but also the last hope of the mighty and movers and shakers of our Democracy to borrow the words of Justice S.C. Amadi, J. of the High Court of Justice, Rivers State. The judiciary can no longer be emasculated any longer. The days of self-imposed impotence of the judiciary and intentional subservience are over in our democracy.

Whilst we look forward to the reason for the decision in Wike’s case, may we draw conclusion from the words of OKORO, J.S.C delivering the lead ruling in BARRISTER ONKER JEV v. SEKAV DZUA IYORTOM (2015) 15 NWLR (pt 1483) 484 at 503 paragraphs D:

“Let me state clearly from the outset that by virtue of Section 235 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Supreme Court cannot sit on appeal above its own judgment. The provisions give a stamp of finality to any decision of the Supreme Court.

There is no constitutional provision for the review of the judgment of the Supreme Court by itself or any other body. And that is without prejudice to the powers of the President or the Governor of a State with respect to prerogative of mercy. See ELEAZOR OBIOHA v. INNOCENT IBERO & ANOR (1994) 1 NWLR (pt 322) 503”.
Gabriel is of Lord Denning Chambers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

PMB Went To Ogun State Instead Of Bornu State.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday ‎began a two-day official visit to Ogun State where he is scheduled to inaugurate key projects to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the creation of the state instead of visiting borno state where Boko haram killed over 85 Nigerian over the weekend when he was in Ethiopia.

PMB and the APC party had attacked the previous administration for not paying a visit to borno when Boko Haram attacked the state in 2014 when life and properties were lost but instead the former president Jonathan went for a party in Abuja.

The president decided to meet with notable personalities in Ogun state, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and traditional rulers.

Before the president’s arrival, Governor Ibikunle Amosun , had at a special Executive Council meeting with many of those who have governed the state at one time or other either as civilian governor or military administrator. yesterday commended his predecessors , saying they laid a solid foundation for the state.

Those in attendance were Lt Col. Seidu Balogun, Brigader-General Oladipo Diya, Navy Capt. Oladeinde Joseph, Lt.Col Daniel Akintonde, Group Capt. Sam Ewang, Navy Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin and Brigader-General Oladayo Popoola all of who have governed the state.

Buhari’s first port of call was Ijebu-Ode where he held a closed-door meeting with the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
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The president, who arrived at about 6:20pm in company of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, flew into the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode in a chopper where he was received at the palace by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Solid Minerals Minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

After his meeting with the Awujale‎, which lasted about 20 minutes, Buhari was hosted to a luncheon by Oba Adetona where he briefly addressed eminent personalities and monarchs in Ijebuland telling them also that he would be meeting with ex-president Obasanjo later in the night.

In his remarks, the Awujale described Buhari’s visit as a homecoming and prayed for the success of his administration.
Oba Adetona, who praised the president for his “visionary leadership”, endorsed his fight against corruption.

“If we don’t face corruption, corruption will kill us. And we don’t want corruption to kill us. So, Nigerians must support your efforts,” the monarch added.

Buhari thereafter left the Awujale’s palace in company of Amosun and travelled by road from Ijebu-Ode to Abeokuta.
Dignitaries at the event included former governor Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni; Oba Otudeko, Otunba Mike Adenuga, Senator Adegbenga Kaka; Chief Judge of Ogun, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade and Olorogun Sunny Kuku among others.

Others were incumbent senators Lanre Tejuoso, Gbolahan Dada and Buruji Kashamu; Senator Lekan Mustapha, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Alhaji Agboola Alausa, Vice Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Yemisi Obilade; Vice Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Saburi Adesanya, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Biodun Sobanjo, Chief Kesington Adebutu and Otunba Subomi Balogun.

Judiciary are my headache – Buhari.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described the judiciary as he his major “headache” in his administration’s onslaught against corruption. For him, the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria could only be effectively tackled with the strong supportive judiciary.

Speaking on Sunday in Addis Ababa at a town hall meeting with Nigerians resident in Ethiopia, the President said far-reaching reforms of the judiciary remained a key priority for the present administration.

“On the fight against corruption vis-à-vis the judiciary, Nigerians will be right to say that is my main headache for now.

“If you reflect on what I went through for twelve years when I wanted to be the President, I attempted three times and on the fourth attempt through God and the use of technology, it was possible for Nigerians to elect an APC candidate as President.

“In my first attempt in 2003, I ended up at the Supreme Court and for 13 months I was in court. The second attempt in 2007, I was in court close to 20 months and in 2011, my third attempt, I was also in court for nine months.

“All these cases went up to the Supreme Court until the fourth time in 2015, when God agreed that I will be President of Nigeria,’’ the President said.

Buhari assured members of the Nigerian community that with the support of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Mahmud Muhammed, he would continue to do his best to improve the nation’s judicial administration system.

On urban development and infrastructure, Buhari announced that the Federal Government had ordered a review of several railway transport projects signed by the previous administration with the Chinese government.

“The Chinese government was very generous to Nigeria on the projects signed with the previous government because they agreed to pay 85 per cent of the project.

“But the Nigerian government was unable to meet up with its counterpart funding of 15 per cent, so the Chinese government was unable to make any impact on the project,” he said.

The President said he had directed the Ministers of Transportation, Finance, Power, Works and Housing, to revisit the agreements and explore ways of re-approaching the Chinese government for assistance.

He added that the Chinese government had indicated interest to assist Nigeria on project financing through its Export-Import Bank.

Commenting on the proposed N6.077 trillion 2016 budget submitted to the National Assembly, the President said for the first time in Nigeria, the budget will be largely financed from non-oil revenue.

He identified the collapse of the international oil market and oil theft in the Niger Delta as main reasons for projecting more revenues to fund the budget from the non-oil sector.

“The theft of the oil market by some Nigerians that happen to live there who feel that the oil belongs to them and not the country is an irritating thing for those of us who participated in the civil war for 30 months in which at least 2 million Nigerians were killed,” he said.

The President also said that the proposed budget would focus on increasing efficiency and transparency in government operations and the blocking of leakages from revenue generating agencies.

He added that the recovered assets of the country would also be used to reduce the budget.

We will continue to guarantee the economic rights of women – President Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration will continue to guarantee the economic rights of women in the country.

He made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

Adesina said Buhari made the remark at the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on
Saturday night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He added that the President had assured increased budgetary allocation to projects specifically targeted at improving the lives of women.

According to him, the Federal Government under his watch has demonstrated its commitment to the rights of women by appointing women of proven integrity to key positions within the cabinet.

We have increased the budgetary allocation of ministries that have direct bearing on the lives of women, particularly health and education, with greater emphasis on girl-child education.

As you all know, the terrible activities of the Boko Haram sect led to destruction of thousands of lives and property in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, displacing millions from their respective homes, most of who are women and children and are now at various IDP camps across the country.

In order to fully restore and protect their rights, government is in the process of massive rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of the affected victims in the North Eastern part of the country with the ultimate goal of restoring normalcy in full to that region, as well as improving the wellbeing of the affected persons.”

President Buhari welcomed the AU decision to declare the year 2016 as “The Year of Human Rights in Africa with Special focus on the Rights of Women”.

He said Nigeria had amply demonstrated its commitment to issues relating to rights of women by upholding several human rights treaties and conventions specifically targeted at women.

In guaranteeing the economic rights of women, the Federal Government of Nigeria is embarking on massive employment programmes that will promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), in order to provide succour to our teeming women and youth populations,’’ he said.

The President also used the occasion of his address to the AU summit to congratulate President Idris Deby of Chad on his election and assumption of office as Chairperson of the Union for 2016.

According to President Buhari, Deby’s appointment is a clear attestation of the confidence reposed in him to steer the ship of the continental organisation. (NAN)