by Legalnaija | Aug 18, 2018 | Uncategorized
Distinguished learned members of the inner and the outer Bar, I pay my tributes to you all and most especially our always unjustly […] and impoverished young lawyers who are ironically in the majority but left with meagre resources, briefs and insulting wages.
I beg all of you both the Seniors and the Young lawyers in the spirit of brotherly camaraderie existing among us as learned friends to please VOTE for PAUL USORO SAN as the next NBA President.
I have examined critically all the 3(three ) remaining contestants and I have empirically come to the a firm and resolute conclusion that Paul Usoro Esq,SAN is the best and primus inter pares among the remaining 3 candidates since the unjustifiable and arbitrary disqualification of my original candidate, Mazi Afam Osigwe Esq.
I am happy that when Mazi Afam Osigwe called me on phone on Monday this week , he told me and I verily believe him that HE HAS INSTRUCTED ALL HIS SUPPORTERS TO VOTE EN MASS FOR PAUL USORO ESQ., SAN , but he said that is without prejudice to his pending litigation in court over his disqualification.
WHY ? PAUL USORO ESQ., SAN IS THE BEST AND SHOULD BE VOTED FOR AS THE BAR PRESIDENT
We cannot afford to entrust the NBA to any of the aspirants without tangible visible presence both locally and internationally in terms of professional exposure.
I am a private legal practitioner with bias for civil litigations like Paul Usoro SAN and Arthur Obi Okafor SAN. I have traversed and criss-crossed the 36 states of Nigeria in the course of legal practice pursuits since I started Advocacy under Chief Bayo Aluko-Olokun SAN (of blessed memory) in Kaduna in 1993/1994, the city where I met Masuuud Alabelewe Esq., also a Corp member with Gbenga Atoki Esq. I later joined Dele Akinmusuti Esq from 1994 till 1998 for the best mix of Solicitors & Advocacy practices. In the law firm which was the most organised and structured law firm in Ibadan after the law firm of S.P
A.Ajibade & Co. and Akin Delano & Co., where I was the Practice Manager from February 1995 to September 1998. I left the firm to join the foremost and most successful Partnership law firm in Nigeria, Olujinmi & Akeredolu in October 1998 and I was with the chambers till April 2002 when I was sacked by Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN for an alleged rudeness unbecoming of a legal practitioner.
Kazeem Gbadamosi Esq. (KGB) and my humble self teamed up to establish Adebayo & Gbadamosi, Legal Practitioners in October 2002 and we fashioned the law firm after Olujinmi & Akeredolu.
Lest I bore you with all the above mentioned details, the point that I am trying to make is that i have been a very active legal practitioner since I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 till date and also that I have been a very active Bar Man since NBA was brought to live again in 1999. I make bold to say that I have never heard of Arthur Obi-Okafor SAN and I have never met him throughout my progessional voyages all over the country.
The first time ever i heard about him was in 2017 through my very good friend and soul mate , Emeka Obegolu Esq who asked me to support Artur Obi Okafor SAN for the NBA President.
I know Prof. Ojukwu very well as an erudite law teacher at the Nigerian Law School, a sound and excellent Resource person and astute trainer at NBA conferences, workshops, sections, fora and seminars. Also, he once headed or was one of the leaders of the Eastern Bar Forum which he has now despised and condemned during the ongoing Bar politicking. But, nobody can deny the fact that Professor Ernest Ojukwu SAN is a consummate Bar Man.
I have known Paul Usoro SAN since 1998 when I joined Olujinmi & Akeredolu as I used to follow Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN (Aketi) who is the incumbent Gov of Ondo State to “Paulo”s (as Aketi used to call Paul Usoro Esq,SAN) law office at NIDB Building office on several occasions between 1998 and 2012.
Paulo’s law office at that time was well structured, neat, organised, fully computerised with a functioning website and full internet access that always taunted the legendary Aketi on when the Olujinmi & Akeredolu would rise up to be like his friend’s law firm. Aketi would only retort and dismiss me then with ” Oj , O serious. May be you dont know that Paulo was both a typist and a stenographer before he read law.”
And I would reply him jokingly too that “Just exactly like your Partner”
Let me state at this juncture that Aketi is best among Nigerian Senior Legal Practitioners as he will always and at all times relate with any lawyer as an equal colleague and a friend. The Principal/ Junior relationship is alien and unknown to the legendary Aketi. I have been told by Samuel Onwukwe Esq. who had his national youth service with us that Paul Usoro Esq is also in the mould of Aketi in terms of that robust and excellent relationship with younger colleagues in chambers. To the glory of God, I relate with my colleagues in chambers in the same manner which I learnt from the duo of Aketi & Paulo.
Let me digress and even talk briefly about Mrs Mfon Usoro who is an even more active Bar person than Paul Usoro’s SAN. She is very prominent and left her indelible footprint on the sand of time of NBA and SBL in particular when SBL was evolving.
She left as DG NIMASA gracefully when she refused to compromise her stoic corporate governance principles. Only very few Nigerians can do such.
In terms of active Bar experience, Paul Usoro Esq, SAN has the best bar experience over and above the other 2(two) candidates.
Similarly, the law firm Paul Usoro & Co. has over the years being one of the Platinum Sponsors of the NBA conferences and programmes just like Wole Olanipekun & Co., Banwo & Ighodalo, Olaniwun Ajayi & Co., Aluko & Oyebode, AELEX, Ajumogobia & Okeke to mention some of those top flying firms who at every conference, seminar, section and forum always sponsored NBA function while some Bar Officers are always waiting in the wings to spend some and pocket most of those donor funds.
The law firms of Arthur Obi Okafor SAN and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN both combined together cannot match a quarter of the funds donated by Paul Usoro & Co. to the NBA over the years.
I am confident that one of the nemesis of the NBA is that those who contribute little or nothing to the Bar in terms of sponsoring of the Bar programmes are in most cases the parasitic beneficiaries of the Bar as they see Bar Offices as an avenue to enrich themselves. Such instances are more common and worst among the occupiers of the office of the General Secretary of the Bar in the last 10 years till date. My great Egbon and reverred Silk, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN is an exception to this general rule as it is on record that that he never engaged in corrupt and fraudulent practices, maladmistration and abuse of office powers when he was the NBA GS. He discharged the functions of that office creditably.
Also, in terms of international exposure, Paul Usoro SAN towers far ahead of the other 2 candidates and that sacred fact cannot be controverted. It was even alleged and being rumoured that a candidate for a particular Bar office totally lacks exposure to the extent that the personality has never travelled out of the shore of this country and yet he is aspiring to be an officer of the Bar in this IT age.
Again, Paul Usoro SAN is the only detribalised Nigerian among the 3 contestants . Though an Akwa- Ibomite , he lives all his life in Lagos and the South-West , he schooled in the South-West and has the headquarters of his top notch law firms in Lagos since he was called to the Bar.
Also, he is ITC savvy which has placed him in the vantage position of being fully ready and prepared to take our Bar to the standardlevel of the International Bar Association.
Finally, all the powers that be within the Bar are opposed to his candidature simply because they believe and are of the firm that he is too independent and would therefore be uncontrollable and cannot be tossed arround as they like.
Let us free and liberate the Bar from the Cabals that had held the Bar by her jugular to ransome by Voting massively for Paul Usoro Esq., SAN for a PUrified Bar.
The dawn of a new era in the Nigerian Bar is here, please VOTE for Paul Usoro Esq, SAN as the NBA President.
I am #PU-rified . I stand with Paul Usoro SAN.
DATED this 16th August, 2018 at Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo Esq,
Immediate Past Hon Attorney-General of Oyo State of Nigeria.
by Legalnaija | Aug 15, 2018 | Uncategorized
In the few days left before the 2018 NBA General Elections, perpetrators of cheap calumny, hatred and barefaced blackmail have fuelled their ever uncultured lying tongues. This time around, they have primed and deployed desperate allegations about the person of the leading candidate of the 2018 NBA Presidential elections, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN.
This glaring desperation emanates from the unfortunate speech affirming the adoption of unpopular candidates. This act was initiated by those bent on abducting the freewill and franchise of Nigeria’s lawyers for sectional politics. Despite a widely accepted universal suffrage system of voting that the Bar aspires to, these set of lawyers would rather stick to a process that has lost popularity and legitimacy.
Not surprisingly, defectors from the adoption school of thought have resorted to the use of dark arts for their campaigning efforts. Despite the popular demand of lawyers for Mr Paul Usoro, SAN, it is not unexpected that these attacks are occurring because nobody throws stones at empty trees not bearing fruits.
Mr Usoro, even though he was the last candidate to declare interest to lead the bar, having no godfather and adopters, has surged ahead of the others. How? It’s simply goodwill, the charisma and love of his beaming supporters who read his reflections and listen to his speeches and pure pedigree.
Paul Usoro, SAN has justified as a man trained at the prestigious Harvard on leadership Best Practices graduate, what a leader really should be. He has shown this by continuing in a campaign of love, preaching oneness of the Bar and equality of all lawyers if lawyers vote him in as the next President of the NBA.
He has displayed with a ceaseless staccato on many occasions, what a leader truly should be by not replying calumny for calumny, hatred for hatred but rather talking love back to those who hate to hear about him. It is available even for free to the adopters and mischief makers that the man has undoubtable class, style and gargantuan charisma.
While others engage in fiendishly egregious, desperately Mephistophelean publications about him, he is busy going about branches registering his loveable presence, soliciting for moral support and presenting his well mapped out plans for the Bar to the nation’s learned professionals. They are willing to always hear him speak again and again.
Furthermore, proving his honest and sincere attribute as a leader, he is not engaging in unachievable promise-slinging while visiting branches. He is not making unrealistic pledges achievable only in a state of phantasmagoria, neither does he engage in campaigns of making fortunes out of peoples’ misfortunes, making cheap donations to ailing lawyers and making it a campaign headline – what a gentleman!
Learned friends and colleagues, I implore you all to aspire for the NBA of our dreams as proposed by Paul Usoro, SAN. Remember that a vote for Paul Usoro, SAN, is a vote against the undemocratic spirits and tenets of adoption. Remember that a vote for Paul is a vote for yourself.
I stand with the multitude of lawyers; I stand with the young lawyers; We stand for Paul Usoro, SAN.
PU – PUTTING YOU FIRST
Samuel Obot, Esq.
by Legalnaija | Aug 14, 2018 | Uncategorized
The British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) launches the Family Law Network
Recent developments in Family Law: Focus on UK and Nigeria
Details-
Tuesday, 11
th September 2018
6.
00 pm – 9.30 pm
Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL
Click here to book:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-of-the-family-law-network-recent-developments-in-family-law-focus-on-uk-and-nigeria-tickets-48992072608?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Programme
6:00pm
Arrival & Registration
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Welcome, Introduction and Launch of the Family Law Network
Seye Aina, Chair, British Nigeria Law Forum
Panel of Speakers
- Her Honour Judge Khatun Sapnara, East London Family Court – FGM Orders and Forced Marriage Protection Orders.
- Professor Dame Carolyn Hamilton, Coram International – Family Justice in Nigeria.
- Janet Latinwo, AFRUCA – Modern Slavery in the UK, the work of AFRUCA.
- Lisa Bolger-Smith, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP – Recent Developments in International Divorce.
- Babs Akinyanju, East London Family Court & BNLF Coordinator Family Law Network.
8.30pm – 9.30pm
Networking, Drinks & Canapés
Event ends 9.30pm
Event Organiser: British Nigeria Law Forum established in 2001 is a vibrant professional organisation made up of British and Nigerian Lawyers and Students. The FLN mission is to promote family justice in the UK and Nigeria by keeping practitioner members informed of latest developments in family law and procedure. See the website: www.bnlf.org.uk
Event Host: Bircham Dyson Bell LLP is an award winning top 100 UK law firm with offices in London and Cambridge. Many of the lawyers and advisers are recognised leaders in their practice areas – their knowledge and expertise helps the firm to provide a unique, client-centred approach to law.
by Legalnaija | Aug 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
The extraordinary heritage of gold is one with unique qualities. As an enduring element found naturally in a distinct yellow color, gold is resistant to rust, tarnish, and corrosion. It is learnt, gold is very strong, it is also the most malleable of all precious metals, and this is how I see one of the presidential aspirant to the NBA.
You see, gold comes in arrays of forms such as yellow gold, white gold, white gold with black rhodium, rose, vermeil, etc, and so is this gentleman.
Long before biblical times, gold was held in awe by those who came in contact with it, it has been used to trade and was currency well before the present legal tender. Gold has been used for jewelry, used for dentistry, home decor and the interior of palaces and holy shrines. It is a symbol of love, marriage and fidelity and has been for hundreds of years.
The period of the gold standard spelt prosperity for the United States, which at the time was stabilizing its economy with gold. The preservation of and stabilization of the economy with gold did reward the more productive nations.
Amongst other things, it discouraged inflation and government budget deficits and debt, which can’t exceed the supply of gold. This gold standard has spurred exploration. It’s why Spain and other European countries discovered the New World in the 1500s. They needed to get more gold to increase their prosperity. It also prompted the Gold Rush in California and Alaska during the 1800s.
These features endowed on gold surpasses other minerals and precious stones irrespective of their glitters and use.
The antecedents of Paul Usoro, SAN unveils him as the pure gold in issue. With his personal thriving and contributions to the legal society and the economy, his value and worth continues to soar above the rest of the presidential aspirants. His quality and expertise led him into servicing various clients in the banking sector. This appreciating value has led to his ability to maintain old and new clients who have continually valued his service compared to others’. Having dominated the Communications and Maritime sectors, nothing is best compared to PU than gold. A man who harmers on good quality delivery of work and effective planning and has equally demonstrated same.
No doubt, there is a lamentable need for a responsive member-oriented and vibrant Bar that will, in addition to propagating the fundamental objectives of NBA, also represent the interest of majority of members. That’s why PU is set, amongst others, with reforms to:
a. bring transparency to the NBA;
b. engender confidence in the NBA;
c. institutionalize the NBA; and
d. give the NBA moral equity.
The Bar needs a reserve of high quality material if it must flourish and appreciate in value; it must attain perfection, nothing is better than pure gold, none as *Paul Usoro, SAN* as the *NBA president!*
Paul Usoro, SAN . is the right candidate ✅✅✅Kunle Edison
by Legalnaija | Aug 12, 2018 | Uncategorized
As ECNBA/Crenet resume verification, they must ascertain these two things publicly to ensure transparency
Pursuant to Paragraph 7 of the Statement of the President of Nigerian Bar Association dated 6th of August 2018 postponing the verification, stating as follows “Upon collation of all data from the submitted forms, CRENET shall thereafter review and verify the details with support from the annual Practicing fees list, NBA Bar services Unit and Supreme Court records”
As a follow up to the many unanswered question previously raised, Some of the candidates are still weary of the probability of finding names that were not otherwise qualified to be on the list. Crenet must do these two things publicly to allay their fears.
The ECNBA must remain faithful to the agreement in the last stakeholders meeting of 6th August 2018 in ensuring that Crenet receives the original lists (Voters register, Original Annual Practicing Fees list and the Original Supreme Court records i.e the bank statement as agreed to ascertain that those who paid not later than march 31st are on the list) and prevent interested parties from getting involved in the collation.
Crenet must ascertain and state publicly that they have received the original Annual Practicing fees list, Voters List and the original supreme court records(the bank statement as agreed to ascertain that those who paid not later than march 31st are on the list)
To ensure transparency, the ECNBA must comply with the above publicly
by Legalnaija | Aug 11, 2018 | Uncategorized
My family and I, express our commiseration with the wife and family of the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, Chief, Hon. Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, and the good people and the Government of Rivers State, on the sad demise of their illustrious Son.
Hon. Aguma was a quintessential gentleman who, until his sudden demise, served his people with a great sense of responsibility, passion and competence as the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State. His death is certainly a colossal loss, not only to his immediate family but to the people of Rivers State, and indeed the legal profession. We would sorely miss you, Brother Silk.
It is my fervent prayer that God accepts Hon. Aguma in paradise and rests his soul well. May God also grant his family and relations the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. Adieu Emmanuel.
Once again, accept our heartfelt and sincere condolences.
Paul Usoro, SAN
by Legalnaija | Aug 10, 2018 | Uncategorized
The event will see legal and justice sector experts, both within and outside Nigeria, discuss how the Nigerian justice system can be improved.
The HiiL Justice Accelerator (HJA), a part of the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), will host the Lagos Justice Innovating Conference on the 21st of September 2018 at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, to discuss how the justice system could be made more accessible and user-friendly, through the combination of big data, technology and innovations in Nigeria.
This conference is described as the biggest of its kind and caliber to take place in the country, the conference will combine data and innovation to not only figure out ways to improve Nigeria’s justice system but also tackle making justice more friendly.
In panel discussions at the conference will be legal and justice sector bigwigs within and
outside Nigeria such as the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice for Lagos State – Mr. M. Adeniji Kazeem, Joe Odumakin – President, Women Arise for Change; Anthony Ojukwu – Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); James Peters – Vice President, New Market Initiatives, LegalZoom; Michel Deelen – Netherlands Deputy Ambassador, Laure Beaufils – British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department – Yetunde Longe, Lola Vivour Adeniyi – Coordinator, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT)
and more.
Speaking on the significance of the event, HiiL’s CEO Sam Muller said, “The data we will share at this event on Nigerian justice needs will be a gamechanger for anyone working on justice in this country. What makes it even better: the region’s best justice innovations are there too. This could be a historic moment of a new justice movement in Nigeria.”
Sam Muller and Vice President His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN will give the opening remarks at the event while His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, Governor of Ondo State will give the welcome address.
Asides the panel discussions, other events lined up during the conference includes the release of the Justice Needs and Satisfaction Survey (JNS), a first of its kind, massive survey of the justice needs of the average Nigerian. Also, the best Nigerian justice innovators from the 2018 Innovating Justice Challenge will pitch their innovations for a chance to win 20,000 EUR in funding from the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law.
Event Details
Date: 21s t of September, 2018
Time: 9am
Location: Landmark, VI, Lagos State Registration: www.innovatingjustice.com/lijc
About HiiL Justice Accelerator (HJA)
The HiiL Justice Accelerator is a part of the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) based in the Netherlands. The HJA scouts and supports the best justice innovators around the world in order to create justice for all. Particularly in Africa and the Middle East but also across the world, through local partners and supporters. By offering seed funding as well as follow up funds, HJA funds justice entrepreneurs with cash they need to grow their innovation. Through HJA’s acceleration programmes and business services justice innovators get the right help to scale their innovations.
For more information or questions, please contact:
Olufunbi Falayi
Innovating Justice Agent, West Africa olufunbi.falayi@hiil.org
+2347033579178
by Legalnaija | Aug 10, 2018 | Uncategorized
Leadership is wrought with highs and lows, bright and dim days. Times are when the moments swell with an air of success and shone on by fortune’s sun; yet at other times, challenges may whirl in like a storm or the bubble of many years’ work prickled by a thorn of chance. Yet and in all these, a leader maintains the same comportment as when the organization was in great shape.
Leadership position is a very complex affair and leadership must be by example if one is to have his team suspended in high spirit for a very long time and deliver on their given tasks. The team naturally follow his lead as his undaunted character and firm resolve automatically rub off on them; and its ripple effect accordingly affects the morale and sales of the organization.
Leadership isn’t everything, leadership by example is. He lives out that which he expects to see in his team. His competence and influence endears him to all and his team pick up on his positive cues. This is a leader who in fact, has advised a wide range of blue chip Nigerian and foreign companies in the areas of project finance and development, equity raising,infrastructure development and management buy-outs.
This is a leader who knows the nitty-gritty of corporate investments and negotiations, using his financial skills to earn multiple returns for clients.
The largest Bar in Africa, having been faced and battered over the years with a lot of challenges, needs to take its rightful place among the distinguished body of professionals. This is only possible with great hands with an excellent track record of success even in challenging circumstances; a leader who is led by high and tested principles and work ethics. A leader who is himself an example to all.
Leadership is no gamble; its either by example or its nothing.
Paul Usoro, SAN is a worthy example!
by Legalnaija | Aug 9, 2018 | Uncategorized
Dear colleagues,the latest development on the postponement of the election has given us more steam to keep pushing for a cause very dear to our heart.
I am grateful for all supporters of PU for their consistency,persistence and enthusiasm in this process. Like we say,we will leave no one behind and no vote behind. I can assure you that we mean it and we will remain steadfast to that until the end.
We appreciate all our supporters and we are proud of you especially the calmness we have exhibited amidst the turmoil of the electoral process and the muds thrown at us. We have emerged stronger and more resolute to ensure that our vote do not only count but are counted.
Desperation has set in as we can all see from the unfortunate fake news that broke out this morning and another follow up notice alleging that some lawyers are agitating for the return of Chams. That is a malicious propaganda and a figment of the imagination of the writer who has failed to understand that we are confident of winning irrespective of the vendor because our candidate is the most qualified, most competent,most capable for the job and presently the most popular. We will not be shaken because we have seen worse accusations.
This election is a call for duty and we will continue to heed to it until we see the new regime we all desire.
I will enjoin all PU supporters to continue to remain calm no matter what stone is thrown at us.It is not in our character to deviate from issues and we will remain like that to the end.
In view of the new dates for verification and election, let us continue to work as a team to ensure that we all verify.Let us encourage and remind ourselves that we are pursuing a noble cause.
I have never been more optimistic about the end.If we all take this remaining one step to ensure that all our supporters and allies complete their verification,we will have a happy ending where we will have a bar that will PUt you first.
My name is Anthony Atata and I will vote for Paul Usoro SAN
by Legalnaija | Aug 8, 2018 | Uncategorized
1. It is a matter of record that yesterday, lawmakers and staff of the National Assembly were prevented from entering the National Assembly Complex by heavily armed security agents of the Department of State Services (DSS). All entries to the Complex were blocked. The National Assembly, the seat of democracy in Nigeria, was under lockdown. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives were prevented from gaining access.
2. The ensuring standoff was a show of shame that played itself out over several hours in full view of the country. In no circumstances should this have happened. And we as a nation reaped the bitter fruits instantaneously, as evident in media images relayed around the world, images that shame us as a democratic nation. The siege was also an act of cowardice by those seeking to carry out an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the Senate in flagrant disregard of the law. People who seek control at all costs, by whatever means, never minding the injury to democratic norms.
3. I have to say that this is not about me – Abubakar Bukola Saraki as an individual. It is not about Ike Ekweremadu, nor is it about Yakubu Dogara. I am speaking for my colleagues when I say that this is about the soul of Nigeria, what we represent as a country, and our standing in the comity of nations. This is a country where so much is expected of us, so many rungs of the ladder that we are supposed to have ascended as a nation. Instead we are wallowing in impunity and illegal show of force, all of which retard our progress.
4. This is most disheartening. I don’t get any joy in saying: I said so. I don’t. However, some of you may recall that about two years ago, I stated that there was a government within this government, to a purpose that was not in the interest of what the people voted for. I said it then, and now we are beginning to see the manifestations of that government within a government. It beats one’s imagination how the head of an agency could have authorized the brazen assault on the legislature that we saw yesterday. Despite the threat to our lives, we shall continue to fight impunity and injustice in this country.
5. Happily, by the actions that Nigerians took yesterday, they demonstrated our strong resolve as a nation not to give ground to oppression. The legislature, more than any other institution in this country, more than any other arm of government, represents the will of the people. We are elected by the people, and an assault on the legislature is an assault on the people of Nigeria. The forcible shutdown of the legislature was an unconscionable assault on a national institution, and thanks to all your efforts, the aggressors have been put to shame.
6. The resistance mounted by staff of the National Assembly, my colleagues in both chambers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who refused to leave the entrance of this Complex until the siege was broken, strengthens my faith in the people of this country. The rain fell, the sun rose, but Nigerians stood their ground in defence of democracy. With the strength of will demonstrated by everyone against unwarranted and unconstitutional militaristic might, the siege could not stand.
7. By this, we have shown that Nigerians can resist government within government in whatever guise, and this is humbling for me. Those who sought to attack the National Assembly under my leadership for their selfish ends have only affirmed my belief in this country. They attempted to execute an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the Senate without the backing of the law, but they faltered. I am confident that, together, we shall always defeat acts of unconstitutionality. The rule of law shall always prevail.
8. I want to thank Nigerians, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and National Assembly Staff, for standing up to be counted for democracy during yesterday’s siege. I thank the thousands who monitored the situation on radio, television and social media, voicing their outrage at the siege, thereby sending a clear message to those that hatched the plot that the Nigerian public would not buy this act of gangsterism using instruments of state such as the DSS.
9. I also thank the international community – particularly the European Union – and the international press, for their prompt reactions to the invasion of the National Assembly. CSOs and Socio-cultural groups were emphatic in their statements during the crisis, and we very much appreciate their vigilance.
10. Among the many that come up for special mention, I believe that Honourable Boma Goodhead, a member of the House of Representatives, stands out. She looked a masked security operative in the eye and dared him to shoot. She let it be known that Nigerians would not stand for the barricade at the National Assembly, that we would not be cowed. It was another pointer to what is possible in this country when women take their place in leadership.
11. I applaud all who kicked against the atrocity and who stood firm until sanity prevailed. I am proud of how everyone conducted themselves in what was no doubt a tense standoff. The principled stance and defiant reactions to the ugly incident, proved crucial to the failure of the plot. This is what we have been saying about the power of the people. The role of the people in defending democracy is paramount.
12. I thank the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his handling of the situation we were all confronted with yesterday. His decisive action went a long way towards restoring confidence. It sent a powerful message – that the DSS cannot be recklessly deployed against institutions of our democracy. The path of leadership is not by party, and we must commend it wherever it is found. Mr. Acting President did the right thing. However, the damage control so far does not address the question of how this atrocity happened in the first place.
13. This is an incident concerning which we have it on good authority that it has been in the planning for months, and yet it was allowed to happen. How is it that such an atrocity was not prevented? How is it that the masterminds were not deterred? Very serious questions remain that can only be answered by a full investigation. We call for an investigation, and we demand that all perpetrators are brought to book. We owe it to ourselves to ensure that such a situation never occurs again. Many agencies have abused their powers and acted outside the ambit of the law on occasion. Where abuses occur, similar actions must be taken immediately and full investigation instituted.
14. I must say that when we fought for Change, we could not have envisaged a scenario such as unfolded yesterday – an atmosphere where people cannot tolerate dissent, or mere differences of opinion as to the future of our dear country. This is not the Change we fought for. We did not fight for instruments of state to be used to oppress Nigerians and their lawmakers. I know that I, certainly, did not fight just so the legislature could be undermined and subjected to this onslaught.
15. There are many lessons to be drawn from the ugly incident we all witnessed yesterday. For one, government must ensure that security agencies remain neutral and act in line with the position of the constitution as well as their enabling laws. Heads of Agencies should be accountable, and those who step out of line must be held responsible for their actions. Enough with impunity. Enough with the reckless and senseless deployment of militaristic force. Enough.
16. In this dark cloud, we can see the silver lining, and that silver lining is the commitment of Nigerians to defending their hard-won democracy. I am more than encouraged by the strength, the determination and the resolve of ordinary Nigerians to see to it that democracy survives and thrives in this country. I am also strengthened by the determination of the media to report and analyse the truth as they see it.
17. I want to reassure Nigerians that, on our part, we remain committed to working for a country governed by the rule of law. Our desire is to have a society where there will be equity and justice, not oppression. We stand committed to doing our utmost as lawmakers to ensure that the responsibility and functionality of governance are met. Although we are on annual break, we are daily reviewing the situation and are alive to the responsibility to take action as necessary. Unfortunately, yesterday’s shutdown prevented us from meeting with INEC, as scheduled, to address funding concerns. We will continue to look into the matter. In the spirit of that, we also appeal to Mr. President to sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill which has been sent for his assent.
18. I remain confident in the support of my colleagues and their focus on the job at hand, which is to serve the Nigerian people. My confidence is unshaken. I remain committed to the success of the historic 8th National Assembly, and to the continued progress of our country.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
