NEWS
Osun CJ: Actors Take Turns In Firefighting Style
The swinging of the pendulum on the matter of the Chief Judge (CJ) of Osun State appears to point to a house on fire.
The dramatis personae, on the Osun State Government (OSG) side appear to have been enjoying so much dribbling with their mastery of the pen that not a few were swayed and swayed again on the basis of stories they churned out.
The two principal perception executioners, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun State, Hon Kolapo Alimi, and Spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, might have been enjoying dishing out stories and counter-stories, in a manner akin to skillful footballers passing the ball to one another after dribbling an opponent. The opponent on this case, happens to be the public.
However, what look to have torn the masquerade’s attire in the market-square turned out to be the firm position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Osun State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The NBA only had to insist on constitutionality and due process, while the JUSUN had to troop out as ‘ordered’ by the ‘powers that be’.
On its part, the JUSUN opened its act by demonstrating at the court premises on Monday.
A popular adage has it that he who pays the piper dictates the tune. However, the JUSUN protests gave away a little more than desired, probably only to discerning eyes.
Prominent banners and placards displayed by the JUSUN protesters include, ‘Unlawful Suspension of Judiciary Staff Without Recourse to (the) Judicial Service Commission is Barbaric’, ‘We are Tired of Oppression and Stagnation’, and ‘Judiciary Staff Deserves Better’.
Watchers are wondering where to place these messages. How do the organisers of the protest want the public to interpret such messages?
Public perception has it that, either the JUSUN led by Gbenga Eludire came out in solidarity with the NBA, or to demonstrate support for the embattled Chief Justice (CJ) of Osun State, Hon Justice Adepele Ojo.
Recall that the NBA made its position known in a statement last Saturday, that the process of changing the CJ in Osun State had fallen short of constitutional standards and thus, would not acceptable to the bar.
National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Akorede Lawal, cited the constitutional principle of the separation of powers and the crucial independence of the judiciary, as informing their position.
He said, “The tenure of a judicial officer cannot and should not be subject to the mood of politicians.”
The embattled CJ, Justice Ojo has laid her complaints to the courts of the land.
The National Industrial Court, sitting in Ibadan has already given her a reprieve, through an injunction.
However, what transpired on Monday tends to indicate that the JUSUN was either infiltrated or not convinced on the job they were called out to do.
Interestingly, the faulty interpretation of the script by JUSUN was not just discernible to those who spoke to Biztellers, as the industrial union has on Wednesday had to take more drastic action to rectify what many considered their failed attempt on Monday.
In the instant, Eludire had to shut down the courts using his position as Chairman, JUSUN, Osun State by calling the workers on strike.
He cited unfriendly action by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), who he alleged fired teargas at protesting members of JUSUN.
He said, “Following the action of the police and the attitude of the Chief Judge, I, Comrade Gbenga Eludire, hereby ordered that workers in the sector should withdraw their service till further notice.”
The Spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun State Chapter, Kola Olabisi told Biztellers that even the simplest of minds could discern that the Osun State JUSUN was piping the tune of politicians.
He admonished Eludire and his people to consider their place in history before lending themselves as pliable tools in the hands of the political class.
Olabisi considered it, “a pity that some people under the guise of unionism could allow themselves to be used by some disgruntled and desperate politicians.
“One does not need to be a soothsayer to observe and conclude that the JUSUN protest at the State High Court was sponsored and politically motivated.”
Not seeing any need for the involvement of the JUSUN in the crisis, Olabisi pointed out that, “The protest wasn’t necessary as it was needless and diversionary. Discerning minds would probe the timing of the said protest by the Osun JUSUN.
“What could have been the monetary attraction for some unionists to have deliberately mortgaged their future for an ill-motivated political errand?”
He expressed concern at the timing of JUSUN’s involvement and warned that posterity would hold them accountable.
“Why now? We write history every day and the right-thinking members of the society are curiously watching,” Olabisi noted.
Which Way Forward?
A statement from Hon Alimi had clearly pointed the way the OSG was going on the matter, by making strong recommendations while referring the matter to the appropriate authorities.
He wrote, “Governor Adeleke has only duly notified the Chief Justice as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in writing about the resolutions of the House of Assembly following a series of petitions made against the sitting Chief Judge of Osun State.
“In the communication, Mr Governor intimated the CJN of the recommendation of the House that the Chief Judge should step aside and included his own submission for an acting appointment to fill the vacuum while the NJC reviews and decides on the petition.
“To that end, the Governor in the same letter recommended to the CJN, the appointment of the most senior judicial officer, Hon. Justice Olayinka David Afolabi for thorough consideration and further processing by the same NJC through the CJN.”
Analysts can discern between the OSG referring the matter to the NJC and CJN as required by law, and recommending Justice Afolabi “for thorough consideration and further processing by the same NJC through the CJN”.
This is why the restiveness in the JUSUN, Osun Chapter, has set tongues wagging, with public perception holding that it is probably with a view to swaying the NJC and CJN.
What would seem good for the public is a restoration of the status quo and constitutional resolution of the matter.
However, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is of the view that the dramatics surrounding the office of the state’s CJ “ridicules Osun among the comity of states”.
The view of the Osun APC, expressed by its chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, is that it “has further exposed Gov Adeleke, his co-travellers and the lawmakers as a bundle of entities abundantly lacking what it takes to increase the fortune and prosperity of the state”.
The state’s main opposition party does not heap blames on the governor alone, voicing the belief that those acting in concert with him ought to have guide him right on this.
“If Governor Adeleke is uninformed about the constitution,” it would have been expected that “those who are parading themselves as lawmakers would have guided the accidental governor aright,” Lawal maintained.
On his part, Olabisi would want the actors to allow the NJC and CJN to play their constitutionally assigned roles on the mater.
On how to resolve the matter, Olabisi responded, “It’s simple. The state House of Assembly and Governor Adeleke should stop usurping the statutory functions of the National Judicial Council on the issue of the bungled illegal sack of the Osun CJ.”
It is left to be seen if the actors would heed this advice or not.
Nigerian national Ekene Chukwuma has said he returned to Nigeria with assistance linked to Oseni Rufai rather than the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), while renewing allegations against the commission’s chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over his travel documents.
Chukwuma made the remarks in an interview in which he explained how he returned to Nigeria after spending months at a deportation camp in India.
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“My name is Kenneth Chukwu, from Enugu State,” he said, introducing himself before explaining how he returned to the country.
“I came back here with the assist of Osini Roufai, a good friend of him,” he said.
Chukwuma denied that NiDCOM facilitated his return, alleging that the commission had published false information about his case.
“NiDCOM made a lots of false, uh, news acquisition against me, which is still in Abike Dabiri handle in Twitter,” he said.
He also accused Dabiri-Erewa of sharing his expired international passport and a travel certificate he claimed was issued six months after he entered the detention camp.
“He also, she also posted my international passport that expired. He also, she also posted my TC that issued after 6 months,” he said.
His comments renew questions surrounding the handling of his case and the circumstances under which he obtained the documents needed to return to Nigeria.
Chukwuma’s detention in India previously sparked a public disagreement between ARISE News presenter Oseni Rufai and Dabiri-Erewa over NiDCOM’s response to reports of his situation.
Oseni raised concerns about Chukwuma’s detention and the commission’s handling of the case, while Dabiri-Erewa defended NiDCOM’s position and explained the process for submitting information to the commission.
NiDCOM subsequently issued its account of Chukwuma’s detention, stating that he had been arrested in India over a visa overstay and addressing the circumstances surrounding his travel documents.
The differing accounts prompted public debate about the commission’s response to Nigerians facing immigration difficulties abroad.
Rufai Oseni has challenged political analyst Olabode Sowunmi over the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount, questioning whether the intervention amounts to a return of fuel subsidy despite claims that the discount is being borne by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
The exchange occurred during an edition of The Morning Show on Arise News, where Oseni questioned Sowunmi about the financial implications of the petrol discount and other measures introduced to cushion the impact of fuel prices.
Oseni argued that several elements of the government’s intervention could be regarded as forms of subsidy, insisting that NNPC’s ownership structure must be considered when determining who ultimately bears the cost.
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“No matter how you try to explain it away, a subsidy is a subsidy,” Oseni said.
He challenged the argument that the discount should not be classified as a government subsidy simply because NNPC was responsible for providing it.
“We’re talking like NNPC is not owned by [the government] and heavily equity-based by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated,” he said.
Oseni identified the 30-day discount, forward sales of crude oil to domestic refineries, a proposed price ceiling, the removal of road levies and the consideration of an excess-profit tax among the measures he believed could amount to different forms of subsidy.
He argued that forward sales of crude oil to domestic refineries, with increased volumes as production grows, could help shield petrol pump prices from fluctuations in the international market.
Oseni also questioned the proposed negotiation of a price ceiling of ₦1,350 on landing and ex-country costs, arguing that government intervention to moderate prices contradicted the principle of allowing market forces to determine them.
“You are not supposed to come in to do this. Let me go back to your words: forces of market supply and demand should do this, but you have now come in to do this. That’s another form of subsidies,” he said.
He further cited the removal of road levies and cooperation with state governments under new tax laws as part of the measures requiring scrutiny.
After listing the interventions, Oseni demanded that Sowunmi explain their financial implications and identify who would ultimately pay for the petrol discount.
“But tie this with the most important question, actually, that you skipped: How much will this cost NNPC, and who pays for it? Don’t evade that question. Tell us the cost item and how much, who will pay for it,” Oseni said.
Sowunmi Defends His Position
In his response, Sowunmi argued that a government subsidy should be determined by whether the government bears the difference between the total cost of a product and its selling price.
He explained that a subsidy occurs when the government assumes the financial burden created by the gap between the cost of a product and the price at which it is sold.
“In the case of the discount that has been announced, it is borne by NNPC. So that cannot be…” Sowunmi said before Oseni interrupted.
Oseni challenged the distinction, insisting that NNPC’s ownership made it necessary to establish whether the cost could ultimately be linked to the government.
“Wait, not—who owns NNPC? Please answer. No, no, a straight question, and you can go ahead. Who owns NNPC?” Oseni asked.
Sowunmi responded that he had been invited to contribute to the discussion and should be allowed to complete his explanation.
“You asked, you asked NNPC because you believe—you asked me a question because you believe I have something to say. You cannot—you cannot tell me how to talk, so just be…” he said.
Oseni subsequently repeated his question about NNPC’s ownership, prompting Sowunmi to urge him to exercise patience.
“Basically, you need to be a bit patient and just…” Sowunmi responded.
The available transcript ends during the exchange, with no further explanation of the financial arrangements or conclusion to the discussion provided.
Human rights defender and Amnesty International volunteer, Lawrence Zongo, has been released from the custody of the Nigerian Army in Jos, Plateau State, after spending 10 days in detention.
His release comes after Amnesty International and the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement demanded his immediate release, raising concerns over his alleged incommunicado detention at the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division headquarters in Jos.
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“Zongo is out,” a source privy to the information said on Thursday.
Zongo was arrested on October 5 while visiting relatives receiving treatment at a military hospital within Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, the headquarters of the Army’s 3 Division.
He had reportedly gone to the facility to assist family members who were attacked by gunmen in Meyango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday night.
Sources familiar with the incident said one of Zongo’s first cousins died from injuries sustained in the attack before he arrived at the hospital late Monday morning.
Following his arrest, sources alleged that Zongo was held without charge and denied access to his lawyers and family members.
Sources also claimed that he was wearing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses when he visited the military facility, suggesting that this might have contributed to the soldiers’ decision to detain him. However, the claim had not been independently verified.
On October 8, Amnesty International raised the alarm over what it described as the arbitrary and incommunicado detention of its member, demanding that the military either release him immediately or hand him over to the appropriate civilian authorities.
The organisation said efforts to gain access to Zongo had been unsuccessful and called on the Army to clarify the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.
On October 13, the Take-It-Back Movement’s Plateau State chapter also demanded his release, alleging that he remained in military custody without a clear explanation.
The movement said its members and executive committee representatives had discussed the matter during an appearance on JayFM Jos, insisting that the military should disclose the offence Zongo was suspected of committing and provide evidence justifying his continued detention.
The group also called for respect for Zongo’s fundamental rights and urged the Army to follow established legal procedures if there were allegations against him.
His release comes after days of pressure from rights advocates and activists over the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.
The Nigerian Army’s reasons for detaining Zongo and the circumstances surrounding his release were not immediately available.
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