Groups Celebrate Buhari's Legal Aide, Chief Okoi Obono-obla

Written By Ifere Paul

It was another day of solidarity and felicitation as different groups pour in their congratulations to Chief Okoi Obono-Obla in his appointment as the SA to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution.

The people of Okurubong Council of Traditional Rulers in Ugep had on the 12th of May, 2016 poured their congratulations to Chief Obono-Obla. Speaking on behalf of the Okurubong people of Ijiman, His Royal Highness, Elder Otoh Otoh Arikpo, the Chairman and Obol Kekpatu thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for seeing their son worthy of inclusion in the appointment to serve the good people of Okurubong in Ijiman, the Yakurr Nation, the entire people of Cross River State, and Nigeria in general.

His Royal Highness, Arikpo Omini Edet, who accompanied the Obol Kekpatu, said that the kingdom of God rewards those who worked hard for it. He described Chief Obono-Obla as John the Baptist who has been crying in the wilderness. “Even when people like us didn't believe you, you kept on preaching about the Messiah in Buhari. The victory of Muhammadu Buhari as the President of Nigeria came to pass because people like you refused to be shaken. Therefore, we are here not to praise your dexterity. But to congratulate you on your patience and convictions. This goes to show that those who wait on the Lord, must surely be rewarded. Your appointment is an appointment well deserved“.

In his part, His Highness, Elder Abam Ofem Iwara thanked Muhammadu Buhari and pray that Chief Okoi Obono-Obla remembers that prosecution in Nigeria is very expensive that the poor sometimes are denied justice. He begged that Chief Okoi Obono-Obla uses his good office to reform the justice system and also make sure that poor people gets justice quick and cheap. He noted that some prosecution cases drags on for too long and sometimes, justice is sold out to those who can afford to pay for it. He congratulated Chief Obono-obla and wished him long life and prosperity.

The good people of South-South were not left out. The South-South Consolidated Forum as was represented by the president of the organisation, Comrade Dick Harry and Hon Nfawa Ofegobi also felicitated with their son from the South-South. The South-South Consolidated Forum has the Obong of Calabar as its patron in CRS.

Dick Harry used the occassion to thank President Muhammadu Buhari. “We want to use this opportunity to forward our unreserved appreciation for appointing our respectful son from the South-South into very enviable and hallowed positions in your government. The appointment is indicative of your sincere and unbiased position and interest to take Nigeria to a greater height”. He later charged Barr Okoi Obono-Obla to make sure he served Nigeria without fear or favour. But advised that Okoi should take his people along.

The Umor Otutu Socio Cultural Organization which Chief Okoi Obono-Obla happens to be member did not hold back its appreciations. The organization formally sent its congratulation message to the SA to the President on Prosecution on the 31th of May, 2016.

As if that was not enough, the Umor Otutu Socio Cultural Organization held a get together dinner in honor of their illustrious sons who were appointed in different capacities at Aguta Hotels & Suits, Abuja. The get together dinner meeting which was convened by Director General of the group, Mr Sebastien Eko, was attended by the de la creme of the Ugep people in Abuja. The group also honored Barr Eric Ifere Sr for his appointment as a member of the National Prosecution Co-ordination Committee.

The group presented gifts, exchanged ideas and advised the appointees to serve the President and country in general with fear and favor to anyone.

Responding to all those who visited to congratulate him, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla told his visitors to remain patient with Buhari as he knows that Buhari will not fail Nigerians. He however  acknowledged that he knows that things are difficult with the masses. He assures that “sometimes things gets tougher to get better”.

“I thank you all for finding time in your busy schedules to come and congratulate me. I hold each and everyone of you in high esteem. I may not remember to always call you people. But then, you should not forget to call me from time to time. I will work hard to make sure that I carry everyone of you along. Please advise me when you see me deviates. No man is an island”.

“Thank you all for yoir congratulations”, he concluded.

Strike: NLC Leaders Stoned In Jos, Abuja Judiciary Workers Shun Strike Order

File Photo of Pro-Buhari Protesters in Bauchi
Yesterday. Some Youths in Bauchi Protesting in support
of the Subsidy removal
Source: LIB

Some leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress yesterday got more than what they bargained for as they were heavily resisted by some angry Nigerians at the Terminus main market area of Jos city yesterday when they tried to mobilise traders to embark on a strike action scheduled for today, Daily Trus Newspaper says.

An eyewitness account according to Daily Trust said; the labour union had arrived the market area in an 18-seater bus and a Jeep and began to announce to traders through a loudspeaker not to open their shops today but were told off by the traders.

Auwal Mohammed, a vendor in the area, told our correspondent that some youths had surrounded the union members and began to chant in Hausa, ‘Karya kukeyi,’ meaning, ‘You are liars,’ accusing the unionists of being sell-outs and pelting them.

However, the State NLC Chairman, Jibril Banchir, later sent a text message, saying the news of attack on his members at the Terminus area was not true.

Meanwhile, feeler from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja suggests Judicial workers at the Federal High Court Abuja were seen this morning going about their normal duties defying the strike ordered by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.

A renown human rights activist, a constitutional lawyer, now Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution at the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Okoi Obono-Obla confirmed that the judicial workers at Federal High Court, Abuja were this morning seen going about their normal duties. The lawyer who posted on his facebook page this morning saying; "Right now I am before Honourable Justice A.F.A Ademola of the Federal High Court , Abuja in respect of the case of Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/319/2015."

"Abuja this morning is peaceful and quiet! Everybody is going about his or her business . Civil servants and workers have determinedly and unequivocally shunned the strike !" Obono-Obla stated.

Also a renown journalist with the Premium Times, Mr. Nicholas Ibekwe also envisaged that the current strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress could fail.

Nicholas, a fearless investigative Journalist who is envisaging the failure of the strike based on what he described as "credibility lost" of the labour union during the 2012 Fuel hike protest, which he said was influenced and hijacked by some politicians. He said; "I hope someone is compiling data and other details on how apolitical activism was gradually but surely killed between 2012 and 2015.?" 

"Today's protest and the strike would likely fail. Labour has a false sense of its base. Sadly, this will embolden this bumbling government. Nigeria's compromised organised labour lost its credibility during the 2012 protests. It created room for politicians to hijack the protests."

"Genuine activists scared of being mocked for openly supporting the opposition in 2012, now merely show apathy toward the failings of this government. Many of them are kicking themselves for allowing political jobbers and mercenaries set the tone of the 2012 protests, as it has now become clear."

"As a result, these impostors, who were doing the bidding of their paymasters, became influencers on social media and other places. We see them everyday, cooking up spurious excuses for these failings of this government. Their vile knows no limit. Now their stock in trade is to lampoon voices of dissent."

"One day we shall wake up with deep regrets for this generation of young Nigerians who prefer to defend power rather than speak truth to it", Nicholas posted on his facebook timeline this morning.

APC Abolishes Govt. Funding Of Political Parties

The National Executive Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC decided today that no longer will the party be funded by government both at the state and the national level.

At a meeting attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, his Vice President Prof Yemi OSIBAJO and other party leaders it was decided that henceforth the party will funded by membership dues.

Other sources of financing identified by the parties financial secretary are dues and levies by elected and appointed members; sales of membership cards to every member of the party; compulsory and regular subscription payment as the criteria for eligibility for appointment as well as sales of party constitution and other publicity items.

Speaking with News Punch Correspondent on the APC stance, Barr. Okoi Obono-Obla, a legal luminary and Special Adiser to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on prosecution, said the decision  of the APC is in line with the anti-corruption stance of the party and was widely applauded by party members and leaders gathered in Abuja from across the country.

Why State of Emergency Should Be Declared In Rivers State, By Barr. Okoi Obono-Obla

Okoi Obono-Obla

Last Saturday, the 19th march, 2016, a National and State Assemblies re-run elections took place in Rivers State of Nigeria. 

However, the elections were marred by violence, killings, shooting and snatching of ballot papers. 

Also, there were reported arrest of fake military and police officers dressed in uniforms recruited by desperate politicians by security forces during the elections.

Also during the election, the Secretary to the Rivers State, Kenneth Kobani was arrested together with bands of well-armed thugs on a mission to kill and maim. 

An assassination attempt was made on the life of the former All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr. Peterside Dakuku by supporters of the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike yesterday in Port Harcourt.

So fa, the Independent National Electoral Commission has cancelled elections in eight Local Government Areas of the State because of violence. The Independent National Electoral Commission has gone farther to suspend all further action concerning the exercise as a result of continued threats,violence and intimidation of electoral officials and voters by well armed thugs and miscreants allegedly acting on behalf of unscrupulous politicians which marred the election in some areas. 

Undoubtedly, Rivers State has been in a state of turmoil for the past few weeks. There have been random and gruesome killings, be headings and wanton destruction of property are carried out by militants armed with lethal weaponry. Generally a great sense of insecurity pervades in the State. 

President Muhammadu Buhari has shown great patience and restrained in dealing with the situation in Rivers State but the time to take tough measures to bring to an end the civil war between militants, secret cultists and desperate and roguish politicians has come now. 

I therefore urge President Buhari to exercise the powers vested on him by Section 305 subsection 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State to save lives and property and restore peace and stability. 

According to Section 305 (3) of the Constitution, the President shall have the power to Issue a Proclamation of a State of Emergency only when-

(a) the Federation is at war; 

(b) the Federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war; 

(c) there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;

(d) there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger;

(e) there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation;

(f) there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation; or

(g) the President receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.

Undoubtedly there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State of Nigeria to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security. 

There is also is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State of Nigeria requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger. 

The procedure for proclamation of a State of Emergency by the President is outlined in Section 305 subsections 1 & 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria thus: 

“(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by instrument published in the Official -Gazette} of the Government of the Federation issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.

(2) The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official -Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the Proclamation”.

In the event a State of Emergency is declared in Rivers State, it will not be the first time such will be declared in the country. The country has experienced four or so declarations of State of Emergency in the past 50 years. 

In the 1962, a State of Emergency was declared in the defunct Western Region to stem an intractable political crisis. The then Prime Minister, Sir Abubukar Tafawa Balewa appointed Dr Moses Majekodunmi Sole Administrator and the then Premier, Chief S.L.A Akintola was suspended from office. 

On the 18th May 2004, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a State of Emergency in Plateau State by invoking Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 suspending the then Governor Joshua Dariye and the Plateau State House of Assembly following protracted sectarian violence that erupted in the State.

In 2006 , also the then President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a State of Emergency in Ekiti State and appointed retired Brigadier General Tunji Olurin as Sole Administrator following the refusal of 24 legislators of the Ekiti State House of Assembly to allow the then Deputy Governor, Mrs Olujimi take over after the then Governor, Ayo Fayose fled the State

On the 31st December, 2011, the then President Jonathan declared State of Emergency in some Local Government Areas in Bornu and Plateau States. 

In May 2013, the then President Jonathan declared State of Emergency in Adamawa, Bornu and Yobe States following unprecedented bombing of places of worships, markets and public places by Boko Haram insurgency.

Note the views expressed herein are strictly my personal opinion.

IMPUNITY In Cross River: Brother Rules, Deputy Idle As Governor 'Goes Missing' Since January

The Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has reportedly abandoned his duty post since the last week of January, without formally informing the House of Assembly and transferring power to his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu.

The Governor who opted to be Away Without Official Leave, AWOL, reportedly failed to tell Cross Riverians or transmit a letter to the state House of Assembly to let them know that he was leaving the state and his whereabouts. Instead, his younger brother, Dr Frank Ayade has reportedly been de facto ‘acting governor’, leaving the deputy governor in the cold as he pulls the power strings on behalf of the Governor.

PM News reports that a concerned citizen of the state, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla sounded the alarm about this development that has made Ayade’s whereabouts a matter of intense speculation and conjecture in the State.

“The Governor did not tell the people if he was proceeding to leave or going for vacation! Section 190 subsection 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), stipulates that if the Governor is going on vacation or in the event he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he must transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly to that effect, and until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary the Deputy Governor shall perform the functions of the Governor as Acting Governor.

“Since Governor Ben Ayade travelled out of the country nearly ten weeks ago without transmitting a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, that he is proceeding on vacation or he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office to enable the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu assume office as Acting Governor, there can be no doubt the Cross River State has no leader presently.

“This is so because the Deputy Governor, Professor Esu cannot rightly assume the position of Acting Governor since Governor Ayade failed to invoked Section 190 subsection 1 of the Constitution, by transmitting a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly that he would be going on leave or vacation or he would be otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.

“In the light of the constitutional vacuum created by the failure of Governor Ayade to transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly that he is on leave or vacation or he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office within 21 days; I therefore urge the Cross River State House of Assembly to immediately invoke the provisions of Section 190 subsection 2 of the Constitution and by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of the House, mandate Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Ejemot Esu to perform the functions of the office Governor as Acting Governor, until when Governor Ayade transmit a letter to the Speaker that he is now available to assume his office as Governor of the State.

“The Cross River State House of Assembly must act now or otherwise the people will be entitled to dismiss it as lackey or stooge of Governor Ayade! It is simply absurd, ridiculous, charade and a constitutional aberration for the House of Assembly to allow one Frank Ayade to continue to present or hold or masquerade as “Co-Governor” or “Acting Governor”.

Meanwhile, Governor Ayade has been active on Twitter, where he has used his handle to parry questions, explain issues of governance in the state as well as early payment of last month’s salary.

The Vindictiveness of the Government of Cross River State knows no Bound, By Obono-Obla

The judiciary has proven to be the bulk wart against the depotism,oppression and tyranny  and injustice in Cross River State! God bless the Honourable Justice Obojor Ogar of the High Court of Cross River State for exercising his discretionary power to order the Chief Magistrate's Court, Calabar to suspend the purported trial of the indefatigable Barrister Venatius Ikem on a trumped charge! 

 You can imagine a situation where power is concentrated in the hands of one single individual, how people who disagree with the powers that be would have been mercilessly dealt with! The government of Cross River State is becoming increasingly paranoid, petty,  tyrannical and intolerant of any form of dissent and oppression! 

Even when the trumped and contrived charge against Barrister Vena Ikem was pending in the Chief Magistrate's Court, the government lodged a spurious complaint of attempted murder and stealing of government property against him; and compromised the Cross River Police Command which threw professionalism and decency to the winds by rushing to the press to declare Barrister Ikem wanted just to destroy his reputation and standing and portrayed him as a criminal! 

You can imagine how wicked, asinine and mean the government of Cross River State under Ayade has become ! 

You can imagine the pettiness and immaturity shown when some simple tons working in the officialdom decided to post some meaningless writings and mumbo jumbo castigating and insulting  my person just because I was a guest of the African Independent Television,AIT on Thursday the 4th March 2016 to talk about political development in Cross River State .

 Not yet done, the increasingly paranoid and vindictive government of Cross River State went to shameless and ridiculous level of sacking my brother, Obono Ofem Obono ( a member of the PDP)  working with an agency (Cross River State Waste Management Board) of the government of Cross River State just to get at me! Is Governor Ayade suggesting that because I am his critic , members of my family belonging to his Party who contributed to his victory should not survive? What low thinking ! Even if I committed a crime against the government of Cross River State how is my brother to be punished for my own sin? Is there vacarious resposibility in criminal law ? 

The answer is in the negative .  It is a shame that we have just a juvenile, infantile and vindictive government in the State! The Government of Cross River State ought to know by now, that no act of vindictiveness,oppression , blackmail and chatacter assassination would break the resolve of the  opposition in the State .
Okoi Obono-Obla

CORRUPTION: NSCDC Boss, Muhammad Abdullahi In Secret 3000 Jobs Racketeering Scandal

The Commandant General of Nigerian security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, Mr. Muhammad Abdullahi Gana has been accused of job racketeering within the corp.

The accuser, one Mr. Salisu Muhammad, in a letter sent to a Human Rights Activist and President Muhammadu Buhari's close ally, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, alleged that the NSCDC boss currently in secret employment of over 3000. The employment, the accuse said was been shared among politicians and top ranks of the corp.

Salisu Muhammadu in the letter to Obono-Obla said such practice at the corp nagates the ant-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

He alleged that employemet letters are been distributed to the beneficiaries of different cadre  at one of the corp training school located at Batsari road, Katsina. In short, the prospective officers are to start training on 13 /03/2016.

Describing the act as heinous against the Nigerian youths, Salisu said; "I regret to inform you that three thousand (3000) slots or so, have been shared among top government officials, and politicians. This is indeed contradicts the socio-political, and economic reforms champion by anti-curruption crusader ; President Muhammadu Buhari."

"I would like to confirm to you that NSCDC has been issuing Offer of Appointments into different cadre since 15/02 /2016 at one of her training school located at Batsari road, Katsina. In short, the prospective officers are to start training on 13 /03/2016.", he revealed

BELLOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER SENT TO BARR. OKOI OBONO-OBLA

THE FRAUDULENT NSCDC RECRUITMENT (PART 2)

Barr. Okoi Obono-obla,
Cross Rivers,
Calabar, Nigeria.

Sir,

THE COVERT MOVE BY THE COMMANDANT GENERAL OF THE NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC) TO TRUNCATE PRESIDENT BUHARI'S SOCIAL REFORMS.

I hereby send this note to you. 

There has been massive recruitment in the name of replacement currently going on under the watch of the CG NSCDC ; Muhammad Abdullahi Gana. 

I regret to inform you that three thousand (3000) slots or so, have been shared among top government officials, and politicians. This is indeed contradicts the socio-political, and economic reforms champion by anti-curruption crusader ; President Muhammadu Buhari. 

You, as a person who stand with Buhari for a decade shall know about this heinous act against Nigerian Youth in general.

I would like to confirm to you that NSCDC has been issuing Offer of Appointments into different cadre since 15/02 /2016 at one of her training school located at Batsari road, Katsina. In short, the prospective officers are to start training on 13 /03/2016. 

Lastly, the Millions Youth that voted for Buhari could not get access to those appointments because they don't have any political office holder who would facilitate for them to get enlisted. All what they have is Muhammadu Buhari who stands as the hope of the hopeless. Therefore, you are in the best position to take legal action against this odd development. 

I am ready to present my self at any point to defend this short note.

Thank You.

Salisu Muhammad,
Kofar-kaura, Katsina.
08069156969