NBA-SPIDEL lauds Emefiele’s suspension, urges Tinubu to probe Sirika
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) on Friday applauded the suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Association urged President Tinubu to initiate a probe to thoroughly investigate Emefiele for his alleged role in the mismanagement of the Nation’s economy.
On the scam perpetrated by the immediate past Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, the Association urged President Tinubu to look into the scam and bring the perpetrators to book so as to save Nigeria from public and international ridicule.
The NBA-SPIDEL expressed these positions on Friday June 10 at a press conference held to herald the forthcoming Annual Conference of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) billed to take place at Citadel Complex, Oregun, Ikeja from June 20 to 23, 2023.
The theme of the conference is “Post-Election Nigeria: The Judiciary in the eye of the storm.”
The conference will attract lawyers and judges from various States of the Federation. It will be an intellectual feast featuring eminent jurists from the Bar and Bench.
Addressing the press on the above issues, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani said, ” In addressing matters that touch on the public interest, we applaud the suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and urge that his regime be thoroughly investigated for his alleged role in the mismanagement of the economy.
“In the same vein, Mr. President is being called upon to look into the scam of “Air Nigeria” which the immediate past Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika perpetrated before his exit. If the assertion by the Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Dayo Olumide, during a Senate hearing that the aircraft said to be for Air Nigeria was merely a chartered flight from Ethiopian Airline to hoodwink Nigerians, we enjoin Mr. President to institute a high-powered panel of investigation to unearth this large-scale scam that has turned Nigeria into a laughing stock in the global aviation community.
“This matter is a litmus test for the new administration, especially if President Bola Tinubu wants to be seen as desirous of combating corruption in the polity.
The Association strongly advised Tinubu Administration to develop a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
“The government must respect the rule of law and avoid executive lawlessness and impunity. These are acts that will bring his administration into collision course with the civil society and human rights community.
“If the government abides by the rule of law, respects human rights, ensures transparency and accountability as fundamental objectives of state policy, it should be rest assured of tremendous goodwill from majority of the citizens of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu has a choice to make; may God guide him to make the right choice.
On the removal of fuel subsidy, Dr Ubani noted that though majority of Nigerians do not understand the huge scam that subsidy represents in the oil sector, the process and procedure for the removal was faulty.
He faulted the process, stressing that it has caused severe consequences and taken a toll on the hapless citizens who are always the victims of such government policies that are not well thought out.
“We welcome efforts by the government amid consultations to birth palliatives aimed at alleviating the harshness of the sudden removal. This should have preceded the announcement of the removal of subsidy. Sadly, that was not the case.
Mr. President was told in clear terms that Nigerians are groaning in pains, especially with the sudden removal of the fuel subsidy.
Ubani expressed that salary increase for civil servants – whose population is infinitesimal compared to millions that are outside government employment, will not be enough to solve the present crisis. He posited that More drastic and well-thought-out economic packages should be put in place to cushion the harsh effects of the new policy.
NBA-SPIDEL Chairman Dr Ubani implored President Tinubu to seek wisdom and the right kind of advice to navigate out of the present quagmire the country has found itself. “I do not envy him at this time.” Ubani said.
He announced that the keynote Speaker for the conference will be foremost human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), while the Opening Session will be chaired by former NBA President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba OON. Recall that Dr. Agbakoba has the singular honour of being the NBA President who established NBA-SPIDEL during his Presidency. Hon. Justice Amina Augie of the Supreme Court will equally feature as a Guest Speaker during the Opening Ceremony.
Also expected at the opening ceremony are the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Alex Otti. Senators and House of Representatives members are also expected at the opening ceremony.
The technical sessions will witness the presence of leading jurists and speakers such as Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr. Austin Alegeh (SAN), Chief J-K Gadzama (SAN), Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), Mr. Olumide Akpata, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), Ms. Boma Alabi (SAN), Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), Mr. Samson Itodo (YIAGA Africa), Mr. Festus Okoye (INEC), Justice Taiwo Taiwo (rtd.), Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri, Mr. Gilbert Tor, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), amongst many others.
“We believe that our Guest Speakers will adequately interrogate the theme of the Conference which bothers on the Judiciary’s intervention in the electoral process.
“Presently, all eyes are fixed at the various Election Petition tribunals where those who were aggrieved with the outcome of the elections are ventilating their grievances lawfully and seeking judicial redress.
Dr M.O. Ubani whose tenure as Chairman of the Section will end after this conference used the occasion of the press conference to thank the former Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) for being a Bar-man in deed He appreciates his assistance towards the success of the forthcoming Annual Conference.
“We also appreciate the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon Justice Kazeem Alogba for his commitment to the success of the forthcoming conference.
“We thank His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his kind hospitality.
“We shall be welcoming all members of the Bar and Bench from across the country to this very important conference kick starting from the 20th of June, 2023.”