TheNewsGuru

Tag: AGF

  • Falana files contempt charges against AGF, others over refusal to release El-Zakzaky, wife

    Falana files contempt charges against AGF, others over refusal to release El-Zakzaky, wife

     

    Human rights lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), has filed a notice of contempt of proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Director, Department of State Services, DSS over their refusal to effect the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenah Ibraheem despite previous court pronouncements.

    The ‘Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Court Order’ Form 48 was served on January 20.

    It reads: “that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court of Justice Abuja, delivered on the 2nd December, 2016, which ordered you to release the Applicants in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 and its sister case Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/282/2016 within forty (40) days, inter alia you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

    No date has been fixed for hearing.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on December 2, 2016 awarded a cumulative sum of N50 million to the Zakzakys and ordered the AGF and IGP to provide him a new accommodation and security in any part of Kaduna or Northern region that they prefer within 45 days.


    El-Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeenah Ibraheem have been locked up without charge for more than a year following a clash between his supporters and the Nigerian military in which hundreds of men, women and children were killed.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that an Abuja Federal High Court had on Monday issued strict warnings to the AGF, IGP and DSS to release El-Zakzaky or go to jail.

  • Free El-Zakzaky, wife now or be jailed – Court warns AGF, IGP, DSS, others

    Free El-Zakzaky, wife now or be jailed – Court warns AGF, IGP, DSS, others

    Following the continued detention of the leader of the Shi’ite movement, Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat despite previous court ruling to release them, an Abuja Federal High Court has directed the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura to obey its order or go to jail.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that El-Zakzaky has been in detention since December 2015, after members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ite clashed with the Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com also recalls that the court had In December 2016 ordered the DSS to free El-Zakzaky and his wife but the Shi’ite leader has continued to languish in custody.

    The court also ordered a compensation which was to be paid within 40 days from the day the judgment was delivered.

    However, in a notice of consequence of disobedience to court order, the Federal High court warned the listed officials to release El-Zakzaky or face contempt of court charges which is liable to jail term.

    The notice sent to the trio, reads in part: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court of Justice Abuja, delivered on the 2nd December, 2016, which ordered you to release the Applicants in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 and its sister case Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/282/2016 within forty (40) days, inter alia you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

    Frowning at the refusal to release the Shi’ite leader, the court said, “you are yet to comply with the lawful order of this honourable court by refusing to release the following persons namely: Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and Malama Zeenat Ibrahim, in your custody. You are hereby directed to comply with the court order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court.”

    See court judgement order below:

  • Alleged Corruption: Magu replies AGF’s query

    ..as Buhari expects report later in the week

    Sequel to a query issued on Monday by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has filed in his response.

    Recall that the AGF issued a query to Magu based on the allegations levelled against him in the security report prepared and sent to the Senate by the Department of State Services.

    The Senate had on the basis of the DSS’ report rejected President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Magu as substantive EFCC chairman.

    Malami, whose office has a measure of supervisory role on EFCC, queried Magu on Monday following an order by President Buhari on Sunday directing the AGF to investigate some top Federal Government officials accused of corruption.

    According to a report by The Punch, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, is also believed to be part of the target of the probe ordered by the President.

    However, it could not be confirmed if the AGF had taken any action with respect to the allegations against Lawal.

    Sources close to Magu and the AGF who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the acting EFCC boss was given 48 hours to reply to the query dated December 19.

    One of the sources said, “The query was dated December 19 and delivered to Magu on the same date.

    “It was stated in the query that he must respond within 48 hours.”

    The president is however believed to act from the findings of the report on the fate of the officials of his administration accused of corruption.

     

     

  • Alleged Corruption: AGF commences probe of Magu, others

     

    The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami has started investigation of some top Federal Government officials over alleged corrupt practices.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday ordered the AGF to commence the probe of top government officials accused of corruption assuring that anyone found culpable will not escape prosecution.

    It was gathered that the AGF had on Monday, issued a query to the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    The Punch reports that the query was accompanied by allegations contained in the security report prepared by the Department of State Services, DSS and upon which the Senate had, last Thursday, rejected his confirmation as the EFCC chairman.

    “The AGF has started enforcing the directive by the President. I can confirm to you that the minister has taken the first step by querying the Acting Chairman of the EFCC,” a source in the Federal Ministry of Justice said.

    The source could not confirm the ultimatum issued to Magu to respond to the query.

    Another source close to the acting chairman of the commission said the anti-corruption officer had received the query.

    He said he had already commenced preparing his defence to the allegations raised by the DSS.

    The source added, “Yes, he has received the query with the DSS report sent to the Senate on him.

    “Ironically, the query only contains one of the letters written by the DSS to the Senate.

    “I think he has no problem with the query, but the question being asked by some people is that, he ought to have been given time to respond to the allegations before the Senate took that position.”

    The letter, dated October 3, was addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, in response to a letter by the Senate, dated September 21, 2016, asking for Magu’s security check.

  • Alleged Corruption: Buhari finally wades in, says anyone found culpable will be prosecuted

    Alleged Corruption: Buhari finally wades in, says anyone found culpable will be prosecuted

     

    …as president orders AGF to probe SGF, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday ordered the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to probe all top government officials recently accused of corruption.

    This is coming after the allegation of corruption leveled against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachil Lawal and other top government officials of the Buhari administration.

    Following these allegations, there has been intense calls by several groups for the SGF and other accused to honourably step down for proper investigations.

    Revealing plans by the president to get to the root of the allegations, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a two-paragraph statement that any government official found guilty of the allegations leveled against them would not escape prosecution.

    The statement read, “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a number of reports in the media, in which various accusations of corruption have been levelled against some top officials in the administration.

    “In that regard, President Buhari has instructed the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate the involvement of any top government official accused of any wrongdoing. If any of them are liable, they will not escape prosecution.”

    While the statement did not clearly point at anyone, however, top government officials who have been recently accused of corruption so far, included the SGF, the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

     

  • Reps set to separate AGF’s office from Minister of Justice

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday, moved to separate the office of Attorney-General of the Federal (AGF) from that of Minister of Justice.

    The move followed the second reading of a Bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to introduce the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation separate from the Minister of Justice.

    Presenting the Bill, Rep Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), said that if passed, it would emphasise the independence of the AGF’s office and ensure it was not subjected to political consideration.

    Monguno said that separation of the AGF’s office would allow for effective separation of power, adding that the two offices would be given the necessary environment to function optimally.

    Monguno said, “The Attorney-General of the Federation, being the Chief Law Officer is empowered in Section 150 and 195 respectively of the 1999 Constitution to enter nolle prosequi.’’

    Nolle prosequi is an entry on the record of a legal action that denotes that the prosecutor or plaintiff will proceed no further in an action of suit either as a whole or as to some count or as to one or more of several defendants.

    The lawmaker added that, ‘’The power can only be exercised if office is free from any political interference.

    “The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is such an office that should be seen to be Independent and not be subjected to some political consideration,

    “His appointment should be seen to meet some standard in legal profession.

    “The fact that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) performs some quasi judicial functions hence, the need for the office to be separated from the Minister of or Commissioner for Justice.”

    According to him, the AGF is the Chief Law Officer of the federation and advises the government whether at the federal or state levels on matters relating to law generally.

    “Whereas, the office of the Minister of or Commissioner for justice is political in nature, if read alongside other ministers or commissioners.

    Monguno further advised that the office of the AGF should be based on merit and competence and the National Judicial Council be involved.

    “It should be shielded from the vicissitudes of political influence”.

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, referred the Bill to the Special Adhoc Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.

     

  • FG worried about allegations of sexual harassment in institutions — AGF

    FG worried about allegations of sexual harassment in institutions — AGF

    The Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, says the Federal Government is worried and deeply concerned about allegations of sexual harassment of students in institutions of learning.

    Malami made the statement at the 5th National Conference of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Umaru Waziri Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.

    “Government is worried and deeply concerned about allegations of sexual harassment of students, the monetisation of marks and degrees and absence of due process in the award of contracts by Polytechnic Governing Councils, provosts and other administrators ,among other allegations,” he said.

    Malami, who was represented by Dr Muhammad Isah of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, urged ASUP to take a leading role in addressing the issues through positive actions and advocacy.

    “Addressing these issues will in no doubt retain the relevance of ASUP within the educational sector,” he said.

    The minister said the union must also commit itself to support the Federal Government’s fight against corruption in all sectors, including the education institutions.

    He expressed the hope that the conference would strongly address the issues in line with its theme over the next three days.

    Malami urged the participants to make their contributions in an objective and patriotic manner in order to enrich the outcome of the conference.

    He assured the union of the government’s readiness to support all initiatives and resolutions arising from the conference designed to improve the educational sector for the sake of future generations.

    “The future of our dear country depends on the quality of education we can offer to our children,” he said.

    The Rector of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic , Mr Muhammad Aliyu, said the academic conference must be accepted as an important and potent platform for the cross- fertilisation of ideas and proffering solutions to problems .

    “It must also be a means for upgrading the living standards of our people,” he said.

    He emphasised the need to see more chief lecturers presenting papers in conferences.

    Aliyu implored governments at all levels to improve funding to polytechnics and encourage research in the institutions.

    The rector expressed the hope that the outcome of the conference would provide solutions to the challenges of the society.

    The theme of the conference is Sustainable Economic Policies and Management through Technological Innovations in periods of Economic Recession.

    NAN