Former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar and Governor
of Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambwal have called for the
removal of all impediments militating against full autonomy for the
judiciary.
They pointed out that the clamour for a corrupt-free and
effective judicial system can only be achieve in the face of
improved funding and access to same.
They spoke at opening of the training for Magistrates/District
Court Judges organized by the Department of International
Development, Role UK, Judicial College, London and Africa House in
collaboration with the Niger state government, in Minna.
The former head of state who is the chairman of the occasion,
said providing the enabling environment, especially in relation to
the welfare and workplace for the judiciary to function optimally
is very fundamental to the independent of the third arm of
government.
The former leader decried the rot and dilapidation in courts
especially magistrates across the country and called for
intervention by state governments.
“In terms of the welfare and working places, as you go round the
country, you will see dilapidated court buildings needing repairs.
I think we need to look into that and tried to do the repairs in
order to encourage their performances,” he noted.
He called for peaceful coexistence among all segments of the
country, adding that the country can never developed in atmosphere
of chaos and unrest.
On his part, Governor Tambuwal said the judiciary as the last
hope of the common man must be encouraged to deliver on its
services.
“If we don’t give them the training, if we don’t give them the
funding we shouldn’t expect them to perform magic,” he noted,
adding that a situation whereby the third arm of government go
“cap-in-hand” to executive for fund negates its independence.”
He commended Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello for
granting partial autonomy to the judiciary, while urging other
colleagues to tow the line.
“If we want a corrupt-free judiciary, we must ensure that they
have their independence in terms of financial autonomy and also
well remunerated as at when due, ” advised.
Also, Governor Bello called for necessary judicial reforms to
make the administration of justice easier and quicker.
He said the training which is the first in the country, is apt
and handy as it provides rare opportunities for the lower court
judges to tackle the new challenges confronting them through the
judicial activism.
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Dasuki’s ONSA: EFCC Arraigns Woman, Oshodin over
Security Vote
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday,
August 19, 2019 arraigned Mrs. Isabella Oshodin and Bob Oshodin
Organisation Ltd before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High
Court, Abuja on a 25-count charge bordering on money laundering to
the tune of N22,964,228,414 (Twenty-two Billion, Nine Hundred and
Sixty-four Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousand Four
Hundred and Fourteen Naira).
Oshodin is alleged to have on 16 occasions, received the sums of
N500,000,000; N750,000,000; N125,000,000; N350,000,000;
N170,000,000; N85,000,000; N60,000,000; N50,000,000 and others
which totalled N2,366,000,000 (Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty
Six Million Naira) from the Office of the National Security
Adviser, ONSA under then NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
Investigations further revealed that the defendant on eight
occasions received from Dasuki’s ONSA sums totalling $57,217,301.15
(Fifty-seven Million, Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Three
Hundred and One US Dollars, Fifteen Cents) into the Escrow accounts
of Bob Oshodin Organisation Ltd.
Count two of the charges reads: “That you, Mrs. Isabela Mimie
Oshodin, Bob Oshodin Organisation Ltd and Mr. Robert (Bob) Oshodin
(still at large) on or about 22nd June, 2014 in Abuja within the
jurisdiction of this honourable Court directly transferred the sum
of $7,712,598 (Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Twelve Thousand,
Five Hundred and Ninety-eight Dollars) to one Portfolio Escrow
Company with account number 3102004330 domiciled in California
Republic Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably
ought to have known to be proceed of an unlawful act of Sambo
Dasuki (rtd), the then National Security Adviser to wit: criminal
breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to
Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Provision) Act, 2011as
amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same
Act.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when read to
her.
In view of her plea, prosecuting counsel, Aisha Tahar Habib
prayed the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
“I have noticed my lord the second defendant is not represented,
notwithstanding, in view of the first defendant’s plea of not
guilty, I will like to ask for a date for trial,” she said.
However, counsel for the defendant, Osahor Odemodia, informed
the court of the bail application for his client, and urged the
court to grant her bail on liberal terms, pending the commencement
of trial.
But Habib opposed the application for bail, informing the court
of a counter-affidavit filed on July 10, 2019, and so urged the
court to refuse her bail, and instead, give the case accelerated
hearing.
The trial judge, thereafter, adjourned to August 21, 2019 and
ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the
ruling on the bail application.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
August 19, 2019