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Weekly political notes

By Samson Ezea
16 December 2017   |   3:12 am
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacks the powers to investigate and prosecute serving judicial officers, the Court of Appeal in Lagos ruled on Tuesday.The court presided over by Justice Adejumo Obaseki held that judges can only be tried after their dismissal by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Willie Obiano

EFCC Lacks Powers To Prosecute Judges– Court
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacks the powers to investigate and prosecute serving judicial officers, the Court of Appeal in Lagos ruled on Tuesday.The court presided over by Justice Adejumo Obaseki held that judges can only be tried after their dismissal by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The court, however, said serving judges can be prosecuted for offences like murder, stealing, among others, committed outside the discharge of their duties.But once the offence was committed in the discharge of their duties, they must be investigated and tried by the NJC first, the court ruled.Justice Obaseki was ruling on an appeal filed by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa-a serving judge of the Federal High Court, who was arraigned by the EFCC for allegedly receiving $260,000 and N8.65 million gratifications to enrich himself as a judicial official.

Hmmm, even though, it is improper to condemn a judgment when there is room for appeal, this particular judgment looks somehow. One needs not to be a lawyer to understand or know the elementary part of Nigerian constitution with regard to immunity clause. With this judgment, it means that judges have immunity from prosecution, just like governors, president and their deputies. It also implies that administrative discipline takes precedent over prosecution.

Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the outcome of the appeal filed by EFCC against the judgment at the Supreme Court. Whatever is the outcome of the appeal will go a long way in enriching the country’s jurisprudence and strengthening or weakening the anti-corrupt fight. It is hoped that the judges are not doing espirit de corps in the anti-corruption fight, thereby robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Court Of Appeal Sends Saraki Back To Tribunal
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, asked the Senate President Bukola Saraki to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and face three-count charge on alleged false assets declaration.The three-member panel led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson unanimously ruled that Saraki should return to the CCT to face trial on three counts out of the 18 initially slammed on him.

The court dismissed the remaining 15 counts and ordered the remittance of the three charges back to CCT for the continuation of the trial.The panel, however, agreed with EFCC that “there was ample evidence” that discrepancies exist in the claims about the acquisition of the Ikoyi properties on the asset declaration forms, which requires the defendant to make further explanation as public servants are not permitted to engage in any form of business venture apart from agriculture.

This judgment has cut short Saraki’s respite after emerging victorious at the tribunal trial some months ago. It will not go down well with Saraki and his cohorts, especially his colleagues in the Senate, who stood by him throughout the trial. Even though Saraki has the right to appeal at the Apex Court, he and his allies may see this judgment as a stumbling block ahead of 2019.

But as a former governor and now lawmaker, Saraki should know that the law must take its course, without minding whose ox is gored. It is left for him to continue to battle until he proves his innocence at the Supreme Court. But what is not known is how long it will take to retry Saraki at tribunal and the drama that will accompany it. But one thing that is clear now is that Saraki is not yet free from the long arm of the law. So, it is not yet Uhuru for Oloye.

2019: Buhari May Pick Tinubu As VP
Ahead of the next presidential election, there are indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have President Muhammadu Buhari-Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ticket, as one of its jokers for the 2019 election.Competent sources close to The Redeemed Church disclosed that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, may have indicated to the church authorities that he would not be averse to return to pastoral life. He is a senior pastor of the church.

Although President Buhari is yet to officially declare his bid for re-election, apart from a recent declaration that he may seek Nigerians’ votes again, it was gathered that Osinbajo’s replacement with Tinubu is being mooted as a way to have a solid South West support for the APC, in the face of a South East-South-South alliance in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While this is still in the realm of speculation, it is a possibility, especially when it is not unconstitutional. This is not the first time the idea of Buhari-Tinubu ticket will be mooted. It would be recalled that ahead of 2015 polls, the idea was seriously mooted and pushed within the APC, but it was opposed by certain elements in the party, who kicked against Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Looking at the political cum religion in the country, nothing has changed. In short, the issue of religious sentiment is not only deep-rooted now, it is always on front burner. So the idea of Muslim-Muslim ticket could have had more chance in 2015 than in 2019. Besides, considering Osinbajo’s role in the Buhari government so far, what value will Tinubu add as a vice president than what obtains now?

2019: APGA To Field Obiano As Presidential Candidate
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has disclosed plans to field a presidential candidate in 2019.The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, who dropped the hint in Awka, on Wednesday at a press briefing, revealed that the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, was top in the party’s consideration for the ticket.He said the party would not make the mistake of the past, where it did not present any presidential candidates in past elections.

Okoye seems to be basking in the euphoria of APGA victory in the last governorship in Anambra State. If not, what is the big deal in fielding Obiano as APGA presidential candidate in 2019, even as a sitting governor? Neither APGA nor Obiano has anything to lose if APGA fails to win the 2019 presidential election. It is possible that Obiano may be handed the party’s presidential ticket in 2019, to secure a bargain with the next administration.

It could be recalled that the highest feat APGA has achieved in the presidential polls since its formation in 2002 was in 2003 polls when its presidential candidate, Late Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu emerged third runner up. Since then, APGA has became more of a subservient party that is always ready and handy to align with the ruling party at the centre to retain the governorship seat in Anambra. That may be the reason the party has remained Anambra’s local champion since its creation.

Reconciliation: Dickson Cautions Wike, PDP Leaders Over Southwest
AGAINST the background of Governor Nyesom Wike’s alleged attack on the South West caucus of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has appealed to party chieftains to be cautious in their utterances in order not to escalate the tension in the party.

Dickson, who is chairman of the party’s Post-Convention Reconciliation Committee, made the assertion just as the new party chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, on Tuesday vowed to ensure that all tendencies in the party were completely accommodated.Wike deserves more than caution, because his statements ahead of the just concluded PDP convention might continue to hunt the party ahead of 2019. Wike should have known that in politics, certain things are better left unsaid. By his outburst, Wike has shown lack of political understanding.

Ahead of 2019 polls, Southeast and Southsouth cannot give PDP the required votes to win the presidency. Southwest by its voting strength has always been a major factor in Nigeria’s political equation and calculation. The region deserves a better deal and respect of every serious political party that wants to make an impact in presidential elections.Meanwhile, It is good that PDP has commenced post convention reconciliation. Such move must be genuine and all encompassing.

Court Orders Return Of Obiora Okonkwo As Anambra Central Senator
An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the immediate return of Obiora Okonkwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.Justice John Tsoho gave the ruling on Wednesday after counsel to other parties in the matter withdrew their arguments against the plaintiff.The judge said he was inclined to grant the request sort by the plaintiff, because all the defendants indicated that they had no objection to the suit.

The defendants who consented to the claims sort by Okonkwo are the PDP; its former chairman, Adamu Muazu; INEC; and Uche Ekwunife, a former senator and former member of the PDP. The judgment came few weeks after INEC fixed January 13 for the election of a new senator to occupy the seat.This judgment has introduced a new dimension to the struggle for Anambra Central senatorial district since its former occupant Senator Uche Ekwunife of PDP was removed via Appeal Tribunal judgment.

Worst hit by this judgment is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA’s) candidate for the election and former national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, who before now looked certain to clinch the seat unopposed before now.With this judgment, it seems Umeh’s long dream of becoming a senator representing Anambra Central has been dashed for now. But who knows whether Umeh will challenge the judgment, since he does not hide his love for litigation.
Note: Dear Esteemed readers, this column will go on break for three weeks

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