Senator Bulkachuwa’s Admission Of influence over the Judiciary Must Be Investigated and dealt with according to law-Princess Hamman-Obels

…Safe our democracy today by addressing undue influence over members of the judiciary-
IRIAD, The Electoral Hub

By Emmanuel Daudu-Abuja

The Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and The Electoral Hub has strongly condemned any form of undue influence over members of the judiciary.

The Director of the both International organizations, Princess Hamman-Obels
made this known in a press statement she signed on Tuesday 20th June, 2023 following
Senator, Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa’s rain of thanks giving to his wife, retired Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, former President of the Court of Appeal. During a valedictory session. Senator Bulkachuwa thanked his wife for being tolerant, acceptant of his encroachment, and for extending her help to his colleagues while she was in office.

According to the press release, Princess Hamman-Obels said, “a thank-you message of this nature would ordinarily be of little interest to public discourse but his wife’s position as the former President of the Court of Appeal raises serious concerns about the integrity of the judiciary and questions the sanctity of Nigerian democracy. If, as insinuated, Justice Bulkachuwa’s position had been used to influence electoral adjudications and other judicial processes unfairly, it constitutes an electoral crime and the perpetrator should be prosecuted accordingly.

“The institution plays a
key role in upholding the principles of justice, fairness and the rule of law, and ought not to be tainted by outside influence. It is, therefore, very unsettling that a lawmaker entrusted with representing the interests of the people boasts about influencing the decisions of a high-ranking judge.
In the interest of our democracy and the sanctity of our electoral process, we call on relevant stakeholders to thoroughly investigate this anomaly and ensure the prosecution of everyone found culpable. Immediate action is required in the interest of public good. We specifically call on the Nigerian Police Force, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Nigeria Judicial Council to take steps towards restoring the trust in our judiciary. We implore these institutions to conduct a collaboratory review of actions or inactions of Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa while in office. This would help in establishing the basis on which judicial proceedings can be initiated and the sanity of our democratic experience restored

“It is our position that the inadvertent admission of guilt by Senator Bulkachuwa should not be allowed to go unaddressed. Relevant governmental agencies should act to restore public trust in the judiciary. Citizens and civil society actors should continually follow up the process and engage actively for action in the interest of our democracy.

“It is our position that the inadvertent admission of guilt should not be allowed to go unaddressed. Relevant governmental agencies should act to restore public trust. Citizens and civil society actors should continually follow up the process and engage actively for action in the interest of our democracy.
We reiterate that accountability, transparency and justice are major requirements for democracy, democratic consolidation and societal development. As such, we commit to continue monitoring this situation closely and ensuring fairness and impartiality in a judicial system that serves the best interests of all Nigerians”, she added.

BREAKING:

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Approves Dissolution Of Boards Of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions And Government-owned Companies

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest.

According to Willie Bassey, Director, Information
For: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the dissolution does not, however, affect Boards, Commissions and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

In view of this development and until such a time new boards are constituted, the Chief Executive Officers of the Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies are directed to refer matters requiring the attention of their Boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their respective supervisory Ministries and Offices.

Permanent Secretaries are directed, also, to route such correspondences to Mr President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Consequently, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the supervision of their respective Ministries/Offices for immediate compliance.

President Tinubu Retires All Service Chiefs, Advisers, Comptroller General Of Customs, Appoints New Ones

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect.

The press release signed by Willie Bassey
Director, Information
For: Secretary to the Government of the Federation today 19 June, 2023 contained
the newly appointed Officers, which are:
S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser
2 Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of Defence Staff
3 Maj. T. A Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff
4 Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff
5 AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff
6 DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police
7 Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence

Mr President has also approved the following appointments:
S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Col. Adebisi Onasanya Brigade of Guards Commander
2 Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja
3 Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State
4 Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger
5 Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja

Similarly, the President has approved the appointments of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows:
S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Maj. Isa Farouk Audu
(N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery
2 Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery
3 Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence
4 Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament
5 Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament

Mr. President has also approved the appointments of two (2) additional Special Advisers, and two (2) Senior Assistants, namely:

S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS
1 Hadiza Bala Usman Special Adviser, Policy Coordination
2 Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy
3 Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate)
4 Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.

It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.