Is The 2022 Police Constable Recruitment Merit-Based And Inclusive?

By Kelvin Adegbenga

I came across a press release from the Police Service Commission titled “PSC HAS NOT CANCELLED 2022 POLICE CONSTABLE RECRUITMENT; SAYS IT'S PORTAL UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE—situation under control; Management.”

What first came to my mind was, why will a recent recruitment portal be going through routine maintenance? Is it to quickly accommodate the genuine candidates or clean up the mess identified by the Nigeria Police? 

Since the Commission is in control of the situation and has since restored the recruitment portal with its original contents, I am expecting the Commission to further train those they have recruited since they are citing the Supreme Court judgement that empowers them to recruit.

I recall that on Monday, 10^th June 2024, the Commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, claimed that the “commission is currently working with the Nigeria Police Force to determine the training colleges and will make a formal announcement at the appropriate time.”

I will be so glad if Mr. Ikechukwu Ani can share pictures and videos of the “PSC working with the Nigeria Police Force to determine the training colleges.”

I laughed loudly when I read a paragraph that said, “It notes that it will continue to ensure that federal character, gender sensitivity, and merit are the bedrock of its recruitment process." What are the parameters used to arrive at the so-called federal character, gender sensitivity, and merit when there is evidence that the recruitment was marred with bribery, corruption, and extortion?

There is no doubt that the disgruntled element of some of the personnel of the PSC in the 2022 Police Constable Recruitment has destroyed what we could tag as “good work” of the Commission in giving the nation a merit-based and inclusive recruitment exercise.

The destiny of thousands of genuine candidates lies in the hands of the Commission, and the earlier the recruitment exercise is reviewed, the better for the future of the Nigeria police and the security of the country.

The recruitment of suitable individuals to the police force is a crucial first step in addressing the country's insecurity problem. In this regard, the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is standing on his well-known integrity and transparency.

As I have previously stated in my article regarding the recruitment exercise, I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lend his support to the Inspector General of Police in this matter.

Kelvin Adegbenga is a public affairs analyst based in Lagos and can be reached through email: kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com

That Determination To Destroy The Police

 

By  Tunji Ajibade 

Worldwide, the police are the face of the government that citizens see the most. It’s the case because they are the primary enforcers of law and order in society. They also come in between the accused and the accuser and thereby forestall citizens from taking the law into their own hands. The police equally ensure that the will of the government is carried out where there is resistance to such. These require that those wearing police uniforms are some of the best a society has, in quality, character, and professionalism.

Pointers though are that over the years this hasn’t always been the case in Nigeria. We see it in the attitude of some in uniform. For me, the root of that problem is what happens at the recruitment stage and it has been the case so for years. This time the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, is personally speaking up on what he regards as a massively compromised recruitment exercise. I don’t know if his speaking up is a first of such by any IG, but we must take note that he does.

Incidentally, I’ve followed the latest recruitment process with interest. I made some reposts online of the information concerning the application and the different stages of the recruitment process for the use of those who may be interested. I do this not because I know anyone who applies. I don’t. I simply want to follow how this one goes under the current IG. As it turns out it is the IG himself who calls attention to another round of mess that has been made of the process by those responsible. In a statement on the latest list of recruits, the IG is quoted as saying thus: “The published list contains several names of candidates who failed either the Computer-Based Test or the physical screening exercise or both.

“There are those who made it to the last stage of the exercise but were disqualified, having been found medically unfit through the standardised medical test but who also made the list of successful candidates as published by the Police Service Commission. Most worrisome is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted”.

To the IG, the power of the PSC does not include the power to recruit unqualified and untrained individuals for the police, noting that it is the police that bears the brunt of the recruitment of unqualified individuals and not the PSC. “The same people who recruited anyhow for the police today will turn round to accuse the police tomorrow of inefficiency when their recruits start messing up,” he added.

That this is a strong attack by a government institution on a sister body is unmistakable. But to me, it speaks to the determination of the current IG to sanitise that one crucial instrument of the state and I think he should be supported. Why?  It’s not all the time an official in government speaks up. This current IG has the backing of the president to do the right thing so he speaks to what is right. Who benefits when the right thing is done? You and I. It’s a harrowing experience for citizens when the state’s means of enforcing law and order is bad, and corrupt through and through. I have my experience which I stated on this page in the past.

Nothing was wrong with my vehicle papers over a decade ago when I was stopped somewhere in Osun State on my return journey to Abuja. I was made to go to the police station with this weather-beaten, mean-looking officer. In their office, he asked me for money which I refused to give. Other motorists gave. I didn’t. When I reported the matter to his Divisional Police Officer some six hours later, he said nothing was wrong with my vehicle papers; he collected them from his officer and handed them back to me. Not too long ago also, I reported a case of armed robbery at a Divisional Police Office where the officer who took my report asked for money. I refused and left after I asked them, “Is this what you people do here, asking me for money for reporting a case of armed robbery?”

More than this, my ears are full of stories of what some unscrupulous officers do. In a recent high-profile case, one wealthy Nigerian was able to bribe everyone in the hierarchy in order to have his ex-wife extradited from the United Kingdom to Nigeria over false charges of unauthorised use of their company’s funds. The UK court which reviewed the case gave a verdict, stating that the police system was compromised to ensure such a frivolous extradition claim was made in the first place. It then gave a verdict in favour of the ex-wife. Other court judgments in Nigeria in favour of the ex-wife have been ignored by the ex-husband, including a pronouncement of maintaining the status quo over some properties owned by the ex-wife which the ex-husband wanted to seize. The ex-husband has severally breached such orders using known police officers whose names have already been ingloriously mentioned in court papers by lawyers to the ex-wife.

The grudges Nigerians had against compromised police officers were manifested in the ENDSARS protest. Nigerians were so frustrated by the treatment they got from officers who engaged in extortion that they took to the streets in protest. When the police are so hated by citizens the consequences are not advisable for any nation. But this is what we have on our hands. I’ve been at events where questions are asked as to what the problem with the nation is such that things are the way they are. I’ve explained that the problem is systemic; that the problems are interwoven, interconnected with no single solution that can take care of all issues. No one answer fits all situations.

That may sound hopeless. But as the regular reader of this page knows, I don’t intervene with the intention to present a hopeless situation. There is always a way out if we carefully think through the layers and wilderness of dilemmas that the nation finds itself in. For instance, one problem in Nigeria is insecurity. If we want to attend to it and secure our nation better, the police are a core factor. I refer to the personnel now, not even strategy, adoption of technology or intelligence gathering to fight crime. Personnel. I’m convinced that when the personnel is right, of the right quality, the right character, and the right education over 80 per cent of the problem of policing would have been taken care of.

Does it occur to us that sometimes the level of intelligence of an officer, their capacity to take on-the-spot decisions that are spot on can just prevent a crime or help get a criminal arrested? Give a dull and unmotivated officer the best digital device and nothing will change. This is where the system needs to support a recruitment process that places emphasis on the right kind of recruits. I think this is what the current IG is doing; the reason he’s been so different in his comments since he came to office regarding what the police force should be like. I think he’s reflecting the said and unsaid disposition of the president in this regard. Do we want to solve one major problem in the aspect of insecurity in the nation? Recruiting the right quality of persons into the police force is where to start. Then every other thing can be added from there.

It’s been a while since we got an IG that speaks in the manner the current one does. It’s high time he did for it was not today we began to have a flawed recruitment process that Nigerians complained about.  If this one is addressed and a pattern is laid for the future the nation will benefit from it. I think the latest infractions that attend the recruitment process into the police force are a determination to further destroy the police force by some unpatriotic elements. To stop them, therefore, I urge the President to support the IG on this issue as well as in the recruitment processes into the other Armed Forces.

Tunji Ajibade is an author at Punch Newspapers and can be reached at 08036683657

How Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso’s Appointment As DG Of RMRDC Violates The Nigerian Constitution Of 1999 (As Amended) And The RMRDC Council Act 2022

 

Controversy has trailed the appointment of Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso as Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council as the staff of the Council says that Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso remains the Technical Adviser to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who hails from the same community with the Minister.

One of the issues is that Chief Uche Nnaji is an economist with no basic experience in raw material acquisition, exploitation, conversion and development.

Looking at the background information on RMRDC. Its primary objective for the establishment of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, as stated in Sections 2 and 3 of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act, 2022. Section 2 states that the RMRDC is “to develop local raw materials and coordinate research efforts about raw materials acquisition, exploitation, conservation and development”, while Section 3, subsections (a) to (n) includes “undertaking measures to ensure the systematic exploitation, development and utilization of Nigeria’s raw material resources, review raw material resources availability and utilization to advise the Federal Government on strategic implication of depletion, conservation or stock-piling of resources” among a host of other functions.

The above-listed provisions elucidate the sensitive functions of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council and underscore the stringent legal requirements for appointment of its Director-General as provided in Section 9 subsection 2 (b) of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act, 2022, which stipulates the such a candidate, must be one who “possess at least 18 years post qualification experience in science, engineering and technology subjects with vast cognate experience in raw materials acquisition, exploitation, conservation and development”.

Furthermore, the critical and central role of an agency like the RMRDC is equally aptly captured in Section 16 (1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which states that: “The State shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this constitution

(a) harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy;

(b) control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen based on social justice and equality of status and prosperity”.

Now, the facts about the newly appointed Director General is that Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso who was appointed/imposed as Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council has been and remains the Technical Adviser to the Hon. Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, hails from the same community with the Minister, Chief Uche Nnaji and is an economist with no basic experience in raw material acquisition, exploitation, conversion and development.

He has no record of experience in public service of the Federation and hence could not be properly appointed as Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.

Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 1992 with a BSc in Economics; obtained his MSc degree in Economics from the same university in 1996 and has, from his public records spent most of his working life in the area of investment banking, economic development and strategic focused consulting in new business development and management training in business environment.

Those who are familiar with the Council gave some reasons why an unqualified person should not head a critical agency at this material time in Nigeria such as the qualifications which are been circulated about the newly appointed Director-General seem to be a deliberate attempt to present him as a scientist and a professor engaged in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) whereas there are no records of him from the Nigerian Professors Register of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) or the staff list of the Enugu State University (ESUT), just as there are no publications in any academic journal in his name;

b) It is also our view that this appointment which is carried out without observance of statutory provisions and the administrative infractions complained of, is the outcome of a desperate move to stultify, shield and stop the Ag. Director General who upon assumption of office had set up several steps to review the operations of the agency and alleged mismanagement of public funds, which would call maladministration for your excellency’s intervention to forestall such further abuses.

c) In light of the above, it is our view that this wrongful appointment/imposition of an economist with no experience in raw material acquisition, exploitation conversion and development to head a critical agency like the RMRDC at this material time, could and will indeed impact the Agency’s productivity and staff morale, more so with the abrupt removal of the highly respected Ag. Director-General who is a consummate scientist and equipment design engineer with numerous patents developed over his thirty-one years of service in the council.

The Council staff are calling on President Bola Tinubu to have the courage to do the right thing once again just as he did in the case of Chukwuemeka Woke whose appointment on the 9th of May, 2024 as the managing director of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority was met with stiff opposition from Nigerians because he is not from the South West region.

Justice Must Protect The Weak Against The Strong – Ndarani

 

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Ndarani, says the hallmark of justice, is to guarantee the possibility that the weak could win against the strong, even against the state itself.

Ndarani said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the law is the mechanism for reducing the level of grievance in a society.

He said that unless there is confidence in the system, both in its rules and the officials that apply them, anxiety and bitterness will continue across the nation.

“Justice delayed is justice denied’ is a legal maxim.

“It means that if legal redress or equitable relief to an injured party is available, but is not forthcoming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no remedy at all.

“It is only a truly independent judiciary that would bring the total much sought-after transformation in the sector’’, he said.

He said that in recent times there has been an avalanche of divergent viewpoints on how to confront the volatile matter of unacceptable delay in the dispensation of justice and the resultant fallouts.

“Nigeria is experiencing increasing demands for an improved institutional capacity to deliver effective justice.

“This demand presents a significant challenge as it reflects yawning gaps in the country’s capacity to deliver an efficient and responsive justice system’’, he told NAN.

The senior lawyer advised that judges should be encouraged to uphold the independence of the judiciary.

“The independence that seeks to ensure that judges are not subjected to pressure and influence when adjudicating matters and are free to make impartial decisions based solely on facts and law.

“Our criminal justice system has endured prolonged delay in the administration of justice, congestion of courts, inadequate infrastructure and lack of access to justice by the poor.

“Majority of these poor cannot afford the services of lawyers, hence, the congestion of prisons with the daily influx of accused persons or suspects awaiting trial’’, he said.

The senior lawyer also said that many of the country’s laws are outdated and out of tune with modern trends.

He said that many laws need to be revised to bring them in line with current realities, many of them now being outmoded and no longer relevant to today’s Nigeria.

He decried cases of arrest of suspects’ relatives in place of suspects, use of torture by the police to obtain confessions and alleged corruption amongst judicial officers.

Ndarani believed that with the appointment of the new Justices to the Supreme Court making a total of 21 justices by President Bola Tinubu, there should be an improvement in efficient justice delivery.

“The appointment of these justices during the tenure of Tinubu and Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in compliance with the provision of section 230 (1) (2) B has demonstrated their commitment to the rules of law.

“Also, the recent recommendation of 86 judicial officers for appointment by the National Judicial Council (NJC) will help tackle the backlog of cases more efficiently and ensure timely justice delivery for Nigerians.

“The appointment as required by law demonstrates the President’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary and ensuring its effectiveness and independence’’, he said.

He equally canvassed for a substantial increment in the salary and emoluments of all the Judges across the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, as well as the judicial staff.

“This will in no small measure enhance judicial independence by fostering greater independence for the judiciary, allowing it to perform its constitutional role without undue influence, and also boost judicial morale.

“It will equally contribute to a more robust and effective judiciary, which is essential for upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens’ rights, and promoting good governance," Ndarani said. (NAN)

Okechukwu Wokocha Family Alerts AIG Zone 8 To Potential Life Threats

……..How Wokocha’s family relationship turned sour over natural inheritance

The Okechukwu Wokocha and family have sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to the AIG, Zone 9 Umuahia, Nigeria Police Force, Umuahia, Abia State, against criminal conspiracy and trespass, conduct likely to cause a breach of the public peace, false allegations, threatening violence, and threats to the lives of Okechukwu Wokocha, Chinedu Wokocha, Nnamdi Wokocha, Chinjiuba Wokocha, Obodoukwu Wokocha, Alex Wokocha, Chinyeaka Wokocha, and Chief Mrs Polina Wokocha against Bright N. Wokocha, Chinonyerem M. Wokocha, Stanley N. Wokocha, and their cohorts.

In a petition from Emeka Nnaji & Associates signed by Jehu P. Nwangwa, Esq., on behalf of the Okechukwu Wokocha family, he called on the AIG Zone 9 to promptly intervene, investigate, and take action in order to save the lives of its clients (the Okechukwu Wokocha family) from imminent danger.

According to the petition, the once peaceful and cordial state of affairs between the two families immediately turned sour when their late uncle, Deacon Walter Wokocha, died a few years ago, as the suspects (Bright N. Wokocha, Chinonyerem M. Wokocha, and Stanley N. Wokocha) became hostile and declared a code war against the Okechukwu Wokocha family without any justifiable reasons.

The petition read partially, “Our clients, on seeing the new attitude of the suspects, had to respect themselves and avoid anything that would lead to a misunderstanding between the two families by all means.

“The suspects, seeing that their plans to lure our client into any battle with them had failed, finally resorted to trespassing into our clients' land called UKWI AKILU," located in their backyard, which is our clients' natural inheritance from their late father. The suspects made the move some years after their deaths but were cautioned by other members of the family who were conversant with the history of the family land that had already been equally partitioned to the late father and partitioned to various families, with some portion,

“To our client's utmost chagrin, the suspect, after more than 3 years, came back again to encroach and trespass further into our clients, threatening that they must achieve their evil plans on the property, and this time around they openly told our clients that they would definitely wipe out the entire family, using their cult plans by all means. They are on 22/03/2024 boys, and nothing on earth can stop them from achieving their target of taking our clients' land by all means (which is on record), the suspects.

“That the suspects who are related to Senator Nkechi J. Nwaogu PHD, CON by blood, have further threatened that they have concluded plans with their sister, who is connected, to eliminate our client with the help of the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement agencies. By labelling our clients as kidnappers, terrorists, and IPOB members who are currently causing mayhem within the south-eastern region, they have on many occasions boasted that they will ensure that the entire family of late Chief Lazarus O. Wokocha is wiped out and all our clients will die a painful death. Hence, the reason for this petition, sir, is for your kind immediate intervention in protecting and safeguarding the lives of our client, who is currently in imminent danger. Especially going with their plans of labelling our clients kidnappers, terrorists, and IPOB members, which are weighty crimes or allegations the government does not treat with a solid hand.

“That what is more worrisome is the fact that our clients, ever since the suspects, who are very notorious for the nefarious activities within the village and outside, on several occasions have been getting calls from strange numbers warning them to be very careful with the suspects if they love their lives, and one of our clients was trailed by a car with tinted glasses on April 2, 2024, and narrowly escaped by dumping his car along the road to his house while running for his dear life. When he came off the bus, a passer-by who saw what happened told him to go and thank his God and be very careful, as the men inside the car were angry that he had escaped and vowed that he would do so next time. It is in the face of all these ugly developments that we plead that you intervene and will not be lucky enough to save the lives of our clients, as this life has no duplicate. Moreso, the suspects, who are so connected, have been boasting of how they will use their financial strength, connections, and contacts to deal with our clients.

The petitioner (the Okechukwu Wokocha family) called on the Nigeria Police to intervene in the matter by looking into the petition, investigating, arresting the suspects, and consequently prosecuting the suspects for these crimes so that the law can have its full course and save the lives of the Okechukwu Wokocha family from imminent danger.

Efforts to reach the suspects (Bright N. Wokocha, Chinonyerem M. Wokocha, Stanley N. Wokocha) at press time proved abortive.

Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, Says Wike Deserves To Be Named The Best-Performing Minister Of The Year

 

His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has received praise for his efforts and accomplishments from Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

From Ndarani's vantage point, Nyesom Wike is a valuable asset at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's disposal because of his extraordinary skill and commitment as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Ndarani, SAN, recognizes Nyesom Wike's noteworthy record of achievements in the Federal Capital Territory, with a keen eye for advancement and development. He highlights that President Tinubu made the right choice in appointing Wike to this important role because of his outstanding performance so far.

Known as "Mr Project" while serving as the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike carries on this reputation in the FCT with his active leadership. Residents of Abuja see firsthand the results of his endeavours every day, with new projects constantly being launched. Renovating the Vice President's home, building the outer southern motorway from the Villa roundabout to Ring Road I, connecting the FCT with bridges and solar panel lightening, rehabilitation of roads and bridges in the federal capital, totalling 135 roads in Garki, Wuse, Gwarimpa, and Maitama districts, putting other road and rail infrastructure projects into action, and the formation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which included the appointment of nine permanent secretaries, are a few noteworthy undertakings.

Ndarani, SAN, underscores the significance of Nyesom Wike's contributions to the enhancement of infrastructure and quality of life in the FCT. His proactive approach and unwavering commitment to progress have earned him widespread acclaim and admiration. As a result, Ndarani, SAN, confidently asserts that Wike's leadership has not only met but surpassed expectations, setting a high standard for public service in Nigeria.

"As a minister, Wike's developmental project performances across FCT are beyond his functions as provided under Section 302 of the 1999 Constitution, his performance for just a few months as FCT minister is far beyond several years spent by his predecessors in that office. These are facts beyond the shadow of a doubt; I commend and encourage you, sir, to do more for the sake of humanity. “You are indeed a God-sent minister of FCT.

In conclusion, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed (SAN) extends his sincere appreciation to Nyesom Wike for his exceptional stewardship as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He emphasizes the pivotal role that Wike plays as an invaluable asset to President Tinubu's administration, showcasing exemplary leadership and dedication to the welfare of Nigerians. As the nation continues to navigate its development trajectory, the contributions of visionary leaders like Nyesom Wike remain integral to achieving sustainable progress and prosperity for all.

SAN Demands That Governors' Immunities Be Removed

 

……..seeks for amendment of federal structure and devolution of power; fiscal federation and revenue allocation among others

 

A senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed had called for the removal of the immunity clause for State Governors in the 1999 constitution.

In a memorandum titled “In respect of the proposed constitutional amendment” sent to the Deputy Speaker & Honourable Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review cited by our reporter, read, “With due regards, the above subject refers. We are a team of legal practitioners committed to the advancement of the constitutional jurisprudence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and have taken advantage of the call for submission of memoranda in respect of the proposed constitutional amendment.

“I hereby forward for your impartial consideration, 5 copies of our memorandum, which has already been sent to the electronic mail provided for the said purpose.

“While we appreciate your commitment towards achieving an egalitarian Nigeria through due process, please accept the esteem of our warm and professional courtesy.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria requested for amendment of the constitution on the Federal Structure and devolution of Power; Local Government and Local Government Autonomy; Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation and Revenue Allocation; Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security Architecture; Comprehensive Judicial Reforms; Electoral Reforms to strengthen INEC to deliver transparent, credible, free and fair elections; Traditional Institutions; Immunity, The National Assembly and any other matter that will promote good governance and welfare of all persons.

On Immunity, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed SAN said, “It is our submission that the immunity clause provided for the Governor and Deputy Governor under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution should be removed and abolished completely.

He reiterated further, “Standard research and findings by social and political scientists show that the immunity clause provided under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution is an open invitation to impunity, wanton violation and trampling under foot of the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens, an expressway to executive criminality, self-aggrandizement and unhealthy self-enrichment drives, which is the bane of our leadership crisis.

“The fact is that because it bars and exempts them from criminal and civil liability, it follows that the Nigerian Constitution shields our leaders from the long arms of the law and gives them an atmosphere under which they could and do commit havoc, both to the economy, social fabric and political health of the country.

“It is our contention that provided under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution is highly controversial, contradictory, undermines the corporate existence of the nation as an entity of equal citizens and it opens the way for various violations and abuse, hence this ought and should be curtailed so that it is either completely expunged or struck down, or it is qualified.

“That someone is the sitting Governor or a deputy does not and ought not to place that person above everybody else. The immunity clause does not rest on any known human ideal of equality, fairness and justice when it is understood that the occupants of the office of Governor and Deputy Governor in Nigeria continue to enjoy immunity for things done while in office even after they have left office.

“This is where the real danger lies as it simply means that these class of persons are sacred cows, untouchables. We agree with those who argue that "this wide latitude of immunity is a temptation for even the most sanctimonious of people given the high level of societal decadence." Nobody should or ought to be made above the law”.

Recall the House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas inaugurated the 43-member Committee on Constitution Review at an inaugural ceremony and citizens’ engagement organised by the Committee on February 26, 2024, in Abuja.

Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu identified certain critical areas that will be considered in the Constitution review exercise, such as entrenching the roles of traditional institutions in the Constitution, increasing the political representation of women, and State access to mines, among others. He assured that the Committee will ensure that every voice is heard, every perspective is considered and that every citizen is empowered to participate in shaping the future of the nation.

 

Attached is the Memorandum on  the review of the 1999 constitution submitted by Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN https://swiftreportersonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MEMORANDUM-ON-THE-REVIEW-OF-THE-1999-CONSTITUTION.docx