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Apeeal Court Throws Out Onnoghen’s Appeals, Faults CCT’s Suspension Order
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Friday threw out four appeals filed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, regarding his trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
But the court in one of the four unanimous judgments of the three-man panel, faulted the ex parte order issued by the CCT on January 23, 2019 for Onnoghen’s suspension.
President Muhammadu Buhari acted on the same order to suspend Onnoghen and swear in Justice Tanko Muhammad as acting CJN on January 25.
The three-man bench of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Stephen Adah in four separate unanimous judgments held that three of the appeals had become academic since the trial had been concluded by the CCT.
One of the appeals was ruled to be incompetent.
All the four appeals were filed to challenge various interlocutory decisions of the Danladi Umar CCT before the tribunal handed down its final judgment convicting Onnoghen on April 18, 2019.
Justice Adah said, “Since the substantive matter before the CCT has already been concluded, this appeal is already spent and there is no basis to go into the nitty-gritty of the ex parte order.”
The Federal Government on January 11, 2019 charged Onnoghen with breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by failing to declare his assets between 2005 and 2016 and also making false declaration by not declaring five domiciliary bank accounts as part of his assets in 2016.
Onnoghen remained suspended until April 18 when the CCT convicted him on all six counts and ordered his removal from office.
But Justice Adah said in one of the judgments that the ex parte order for his suspension was not only made when the defendant had yet to be arraigned before the CCT, it was obtained in the proceedings “shrouded in secrecy and clandestine manoeuvre”.
He said while all the parties to the case during the January 22, 2019 proceedings of the trial agreed with the tribunal to have the case adjourned till January 25 for the hearing of pending applications, the prosecution went behind the defendant to obtain the ex parte order on January 23.
“The mode of secrecy the ex parte order has raised some questions,” he said.
He also said courts must be wary not to address the merit of a substantive matter in an interlocutory application.
“The merit of the matter ought not be taken at the interlocutory stage,” he said.
Justice Adah also agreed with Onnoghen’s lawyers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN), that the ex parte order breached the ex-CJN’s right to fair hearing.
“The appellant has said the order was in breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing. This is true and it ought not to be so,” he said.
Justice Olabisi Ige, who read the lead judgment in another appeal, also held that the CCT ought to have suspended proceedings in reverence for the various interim court orders issued by the National Industrial Court and the Federal High Court, restraining the tribunal from going on with the trial.
Justice Ige said, “The judgments, rulings, decisions and orders issued by a court of law are sacrosanct and must be obeyed until set aside.”
He said the tribunal should have obeyed the restraining orders not minding if the orders were illegal or that “the court went on a voyage of its own”.
He added that the only option available to the tribunal was to file an appeal before the Court of Appeal to have the orders set aside.
However, the Justices, including Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson, who delivered the lead judgment in another appeal, held that there was nothing wrong with the CCT’s decision to hear the appellant’s notice of preliminary objection along with the prosecution’s interlocutory motion on notice.
They also ruled that the CCT rightly applied the provisions of section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act by refusing the defendant’s application for stay of proceedings.
Justice Adah, in another judgment dismissed Onnoghen’s appeal challenging the warrant of arrest issued against him by the CCT.
The appeal was struck out on the basis that the appellant failed to present a copy of the arrest before the court.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has yet to fix a date for the hearing of Onnoghen’s appeal challenging his conviction by the CCT.
The Punch
The recent US presidential election should be praised for its credibility and peaceful conduct. The election serves as a model for Nigeria, highlighting the importance of free, fair and transparent polls, according to the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media, Mr. Victor Udoh
The US election saw Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, emerge victorious over Democrat, vice president Kamala Harris. Trump secured 270 electoral votes, surpassing Harris’s votes.
While congratulating Trump on his victory, Udoh noted that the election’s smooth process, devoid of issues like ballot box snatching, violence and technical glitches.
In contrast, Nigeria’s electoral process often faces challenges, including delays, vote-buying and disputes over results, he lamented. Udoh emphasized the need for Nigeria to learn from the US example, ensuring credible elections that reflect the will of the people.
He said: “Nigerians and the international community monitored the outcomes of the US election. You could see that the US electoral process demonstrates the value of credible and peaceful elections, which experience Nigeria can draw lessons from to improve its own electoral system.
“By embracing transparency, accountability and peaceful conduct, Nigeria can strengthen its democracy and ensure governance that truly represents the people’s will.”
Udoh, a publicist and motivator, pointed out that learning from the US experience, Nigeria can address its electoral weaknesses and foster a more robust democracy, which in turn, can lead to better governance, economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“Nigeria must prioritize electoral reform and transparency to ensure that its citizens’ voices are heard and valued,” he stressed.
He, however, warned that “a second Trump term may have significant implications for global issues like dollar value, immigration, energy and geopolitical stability.”
Victor Udoh is the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media
“The revered traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Obi Dr. Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, faces new and intensifying threats as landgrabbers and dissidents launch a smear campaign, weaponizing baseless accusations to discredit his ongoing efforts to secure Ogwashi-Uku’s land and bring justice. This orchestrated attack on the Obi includes recent petitions to the Department of State Services (DSS) accusing him of land grabbing and other unsubstantiated claims, further amplified in the media.
“Spearheading these efforts are Mazi Elue Adigwe, Collins Afuwah, Hycinth Okolie, and Ugo Emordi, whose credibility is under serious question given their own alleged criminal backgrounds.
“These individuals were involved in an attack on the Obi himself in October 2023, when they reportedly stormed his palace with firearms, a violent act which has led to terrorism charges filed against them at the Federal High Court in Asaba. This assault is not an isolated incident; in 2022, during a royal visit to Otulu Ogwashi-Uku, the Obi and his entourage were ambushed by a faction led by Francis Odiwanor, who is linked to these dissidents. The attackers, reportedly trying to distance Otulu from Ogwashi-Uku and obscure extensive land transactions, set vehicles in the Obi’s entourage ablaze and violently molested numerous individuals accompanying him.
“The Palace Secretary, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, condemned the recent allegations as “false, malicious, and part of a longstanding agenda.” Prince Emordi highlighted how these individuals have, for years, peddled baseless stories about the Obi, including false claims of a “killer squad” and fabricated accusations of kidnapping. “This is yet another attempt to distract from the Obi’s mission to root out lawlessness and secure communal resources,” Emordi stated.
“The Obi’s role as custodian of Ogwashi-Uku’s land has led to groundbreaking initiatives, including the unprecedented distribution of nearly 2,000 free plots to Ogwashians—a transformative step to ensure the land benefits the community directly. However, his pursuit of a fair, equitable society has provoked resistance from entrenched groups who have long profited from illegal land sales, pocketing proceeds meant for the community.
“HRM Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II has also dedicated significant resources to local infrastructure and security. New transformers are being installed to improve power access, water restoration projects are underway, and security measures have been bolstered to safeguard residents. According to the Palace Secretary, five transformers have been supplied by the Obi in Council to various communities in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
“Diokpa John Emordi, a community elder, voiced his support, stating, “The Obi’s authority over Ogwashi-Uku’s land is undisputed and longstanding. These accusations are a thinly veiled attempt to undermine him and disrupt his reforms. The Obi remains committed to protecting our kingdom from landgrabbers and criminal elements.”
“As the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku persists in his vision of justice and prosperity, he stands resilient against these retaliatory threats. Despite adversities, the community supports the Obi’s mission and his unwavering resolve to transform Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom into a place of security, equity, and progress.”
From the time that Bello Matawalle was nominated as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023, Dauda Lawal the Governor of Zamfara State has been ill at ease.
The circumstances of his victory at the gubernatorial election as well as subsequent victory at the Election petition Tribunal did not give room for sound sleep. He knew that when pushing comes to shoving, the former Governor held the aces in the State politically.
Dauda Lawal having realised that it would be difficult to keep Matawalle’s new influence under check as Minister of State for Defence hatched another plan after his first moves to indict him through the cargo Airport controversy.This was to hoodwink a former aides to Matawalle who could provide information on his activities while in government.
This was what led to the unveiling of Bashir Hadejia, who we will dwell on later in the write-up
The original plan was to paint Bello Matawalle black over his achievements as Governor of Zamfara between 2019 and 2023. This however failed flat as the people of the state knew the legacies he left. And so they were not buying into that. After failing to achieve this, Dauda Lawal Dare thought out other plans.
Our sources believe that the Zamfara Governor connected with the former Jigawa Governor who is presently the Minister of Defence and both of them agreed that it was in their interests to cut Matawalle to size because of his looming influence and good relationship with President Bola Tinubu.
They found a willing tool in Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide to Jonathan. Jackson Ude is a Nigerian journalist who has made a name for himself as a blackmailer. Not less than twenty different top Nigerians, including the DG of World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala have either taken him to court and won or sued him.
Jackson Ude has since become a major ally of Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal. Together, they allegedly decided that the best way to tackle Matawalle growing influence in the Tinubu government was to continue to label him as backing the bandits and terrorists terrorizing the State he once governed.
Bello Matawalle’s rise in status and having become the poster boy of the Tinubu administration’s success in the Defence sector did not make his co-minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar comfortable. What you don’t have, you cannot give.
Many sources in the media confirmed that the two Ministers seemed to be opposites hence it was only a matter of time that their differences became obvious. According to our sources, while Matawalle would come to state what the Ministry was doing and encourage the troops and it’s leadership to do more, Badaru has never been a man who wanted visibility. He has always been too taciturn and withdrawn, as if sulking. So when the story came out that he was not too happy with the Minister of State for taking the shine off him, and aligning with Dauda Lawal to undermine Matawalle, not many people doubted it.
Sources claimed Badaru has grouses, with Tinubu appointing him as Defence Minister and not putting the Chiefs of Staff under him. It was also alleged that he was angry with the president because he wanted the FCT Ministry portfolio, which was given to Nyesom WIKE, a non- partyman. Abubakar Badaru, according to our sources felt he should have been given the portfolio of the FCT Ministry because he dropped his presidential ambition to support Tinubu when the President indicated interest in contesting.
Our source further revealed that Badaru, and Governor Lawal have teamed up to work and ensure that Matawalle is frustrated out of the Tinubu government so as to further dent whatever achievements the Tinubu government can claim to have while also denting Matawalle’s achievements.
Governor Lawal’s romance with terrorists is well known in the State despite all the air of arrogance he surrounds himself with as several pictures of his meetings and discussion abound everywhere on the social media.Impeccable sources gathered that Bello Turji works for the Zamfara Governor and the friends and allies of the bandits leader know this.
Sources confided in us that this is why it has been impossible for Bello Turji to be captured or killed as the State government virtually protects him, leaks information about troops movement if they have them and also support them with logistics. This explains why he makes so much noise and boasts of his invincibility.
Bello Turji’s MEN and other bandit leaders are also said to enjoy the same status as he enjoys..
Our sources also confirmed that Turji and a few other top bandits work for Dauda Lawal by ensuring his firm grip on the mining business in Zamfara.
Through them, the governor is alleged to have controlled a large chunk of the mining fields and also collected royalties on the governor’s behalf.
It is even alleged in some circles that some of the late bandits leaders eliminated by the military in its recent onslaught were bagkeepers for the governor who kept his money especially from the mines hence the reason why he was not too happy with their death and their elimination was not celebrated by the state.
Our sources also linked a powerful former NSA from the state with the gold mining business in the state. According to the sources, because of their vested interest, the powerful NSA who retired from the military as a general would do anything to ensure that his mining interests are protected in Zamfara hence the move to support the Governor and ensure that the top bandits who protect their vested interests are not touched. These gang-up believe that any attempt by Matawalle to upset the applecart in the mining sectors of the state will affect their vested interests since it is the bandits who are protecting their interests there and they need the continued presence of the bandits to ward off government prying eyes.
The implications of all these are germane here.
Key stakeholders in Zamfara state who ordinarily should be working for the success of the military are working at cross-purposes with the security apparatus of the state. They are not ready to allow the
security agencies operate. Rather, they work against them. They not only do this, they give out information against the security agencies to bandits and terrorists who through this organise ambushes for the security agencies all ina bid to paint the Minister of State Defence in bad light as well as maintain their strangle hold on the mining sector in the state.
Frightening Dimensions
The recruitment of Bashir Hadejia as well as the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, into this dastardly group constitutes a frightening dimensions to a problem that was hitherto localized. Our sources revealed that Bashir Hadejia was born in Niger Republic and maintains a home there just like the Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru. Having worked with Bello Matawalle, he understands the workings of the former Governor’s network as well as what he did to curb the excesses of the bandits while in power.
That Bashir Hadejia, working with Governor Dauda Lawal were able to cladenstinely sponsor anti- Nigerian protests during the August 1-10 protests in Nigeria signify the extent of their hatred for the country and its constitued authority. Though they set out to embarrass the Minister of State for Defence, and by implications the Tinubu government, the move showed the extent the Dauda Lawal gang-up could go in portraying Matawalle in bad light and their cause. Having recruited a notorious journalist who does not operate in the country, yet spews outright lies and also thrive on blackmail, no wonder they have dominated the cyber space with unverifiable stories upon stories against the Minister of State, Bello Matawalle.
