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.

Civil Defence Officer killed by palace guard in Jigawa State, residents seeks justice

By Emmanuel Daudu

An officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of the Basirka Division of Gwram Local Government Area of Jigawa state, Mr. Risilanu Ibrahim was allegedly killed accidentally on Monday 12th June 2023 by one of the palace guards escorting the Emir of Dutse, Hammeem Nuhu Sanusi while on a familiarization tour.

Africa Security Investigation News gathered that the incident took place during Emir of Dutse, Hammeem Nuhu Sanusi’s familiarization tour to Gwram town at about 20 minutes past 2 pm on Monday.

It was further gathered that after the incident the perpetrator was shielded by the palace authority by withholding his identity up till this moment while the victim passed on that same date in a hospital in Basirka.

It was also said that there has been no official statement issued in this regard by the Jigawa State Police command.

Residents also alleged that the Emir of Dutse Hammeem Nuhu Sanusi has neither condoled nor identified the culprit who allegedly disappeared into the crowds after the crime was committed.

It was also gathered that residents of Basirka town in the Gwram local government area have called for justice for Risilanu Ibrahim.

The youths in the area are calling on security agencies to come for justice and ensure that such an incident doesn’t happen again by curtailing the free flow and use of small arms.

Some residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, they have contacted some Civil Rights Groups, and security agencies to press for justice for the victim of the gruesome killing.

They promised to use all the legal instruments available to them in ensuring that, the culprit now at large is identified, arrested, and prosecuted for the crime.

Also, the family of the deceased has lamented the lack of response from the emirate on the matter, noting that, this action shows the insensitivity of the emirate towards its subjects.