WOMAN'S WOMB STOLEN FOR MONEY RITUAL MIRACULOUSLY RESTORED

Bishop David Oyedepo has mentioned this particular testimony on several occasions, but not many had any inkling as to which individuals were involved as he had never mentioned any names until the last day of Shiloh 2014. And if you have been a member of the Winners’ family for more than six months, you probably would have heard Papa recount a Shunammite-woman encounter that happened years ago. This is the amazing testimony of Mrs. Elizabeth Aremu, wife of Bishop Thomas Aremu, the second Vice-president of this commission, which she told a surprised and inspired crowd recently at the Fathers and Mothers of nation’s service, a specialized service during the just-concluded Shiloh 2014. It was a joyous woman who recounted how her
womb was “stolen” by a wicked woman and used for money rituals and how God rescued her from the devilish claws.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Mama Faith Oyedepo it was who called her to the podium to share this testimony, and she stunned the participants with her story which began in far-away Ghana.
“I grew up in Ghana under a very wicked woman whom I thought was my biological mother because I was very little when she took me to live with her. This woman was so wicked that she used my womb for fetish purposes to make money and prosper in her business. There were times when we got to her shop, as soon as we opened the door; money would begin to fall on the floor because my destiny in child-bearing had been used for this purpose to enrich her.”
That was not all, the wicked woman even boasted of her evil deeds. “She was so wicked that she boldly told me on several occasions that I should never bother about having children in life as it was impossible, but I was too innocent to understand what she meant at that time,” she recounted

THE BEGINNING OF MY ENCOUNTER WITH DESTINY
The unseen hand of God got to work in her life, even though she didn't recognize it yet.

“A time came in Ghana that the government asked all Nigerians there to return home. This I came to understand much later in life was by divine arrangement, I would have remained in Ghana and ended up wasting my life but I believe God moved the government of Ghana at the time to take such a decision for my sake as a medium to bring me home”, she shared.
Then came the moment of truth and self-discovery:
“Upon my return to Nigeria, my family members were shocked to see my state because I was the only girl from my parents (the rest were boys) yet I did not know this woman was not my biological mother because I was very little when I left home to live with her. My case was so bad that I used to pick lice from my head regularly because they were too many.”
She continued,
“Finally, one of my brothers decided to take matters into his hands and ‘stole’ me from this wicked woman's house and we ended up in Ibadan, Oyo state. Only God, my brother and I knew my whereabouts but somehow, this woman discovered and killed my brother through diabolical means and I became hopeless but this God that we serve is alive and He will always rescue His own.”
How was she rescued? One step at a time, God began to change her story and as God was blessing her, He was also dealing with the wicked woman.
“Years later, I met my husband and we got married. On the day of our wedding, immediately we were joined as husband and wife, this woman died mysteriously in the market place at noon time, without any physical contact. She just slumped with her neck twisted and she died,” recalled the mother of four.

MY ENCOUNTER WITH BISHOP OYEDEPO, THE PROPHET OVER MY LIFE
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,” the Bible says, “but the Lord delivers him from them all.” That was Mama Elizabeth Aremu’s testimony.
“After my marriage I could not get pregnant because of this woman's demonic acts in my life but one day, Bishop Oyedepo happened to spend two nights in our house while embarking on a preaching engagement.”
At this time, her husband was still a Deacon in this ministry. However, she was sensitive enough not to miss her time of visitation.
“I did not know much about Bishop Oyedepo at the time but I said to myself this man must be a man of God and I will make sure he is given the best comfort in our home. So I packed all the money and food we had at home to ensure he was happy during his entire stay,” just like the Shunammite woman in 2Kings 4:8-37.
And she was blessed after the order of the Shunammite woman, and more.
“When he was leaving, he joined my husband's and my hands and said, "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward." 
Even though he didn't know what was happening, Pastor David, as he was then, was sensitive in the spirit.
“Bishop Oyedepo did not know we believed God for the fruit of the womb at the time he said those words.”
And she took another step of faith.
“After he left, I went to the room where he slept and rolled on the bed proclaiming and confessing that I must have my children since a man of God had slept on that very bed who also prophesied over my life. That very night, two men appeared to me in my dream and said, "We have come to return what we took from you and they dropped something on me and left. That same month I became pregnant and 9 months later, I was delivered of a baby girl.”
And it was time for the twins to arrive.
“Much later, when my husband became a pastor in this church, Bishop Oyedepo, my prophet, held my hands at a pastors’ meeting of the church and said, "Behold the latest mother of twins in our midst" and I said "daddy no" but he said, "shut up, you don't argue when I make a proclamation over your life" and I said, "AMEN"
Did the twins come?
“And true to the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of His servant, Bishop David Oyedepo, exactly 9 months later, I gave birth to a set of twins.”
The humble wife of the Bishop in charge of Ibadan Diocese ended her testimony by sharing these words of encouragement with participants at the specialized service.
“Who told you your case is closed? The devil stole my womb as a sacrifice in his kingdom, but God restored what the devil stole and blessed me with children; to Him alone be all the glory.”
-Mrs. Elizabeth Aremu

What do all these have in common ?

Flashback.

 Buhari will die before the Election- Ayo Fayose

-Buhari is brain dead - Patient Jonathan

-If APC survives till October 2014,call me a bastard.- Doyin Okupe

-Mark my words, It will not happen for Buhari to rule Nigeria. - Doyin

Okupe.

-If APC wins, I will go on exile. - Bode George.

-Buhari can never win in Yorubaland. - Gani Adams.

-Jonathan will shock APC with defeat. - FFK

-If Jonathan loses, we would set Nigeria on fire. -Asari Dokubo.

-We instigated the 6 weeks postponement so that Jonathan can win. - Fasehun

-I will deliver 1 million votes to Jonathan in Ondo state. - Mimiko

-We shall deliver the South West votes to Jonathan. - Afenifere

--Tinubu is no longer a force in the South West. -Yinka Odumakin.

-Buhari at 70 wears diapers like my mother. -Fayose

-Jonathan already has Lagos votes.- Obanikoro.😀😁😁😂😂😂😂😂

What has Buhari/ Osibajo done ?

Copied from Awwal Kangiwa

"What has Buhari done?

Buhari administration identified the implosion and civil unrest that will happen with distressed 33 states owing salaries. He approved bailout funds to the state to help them pay salaries and pension arrears. For two years, the states have been given special funds and Paris Club refund in excess of N2trillion.

The administration paid N600b inherited fuel subsidy bill. Paid N60b inherited fertilizer subsidy bill. Paid inherited salaries and pension arrears of Federal workers. Started paying contractors that have not been paid since 2013 on Federal projects especially road construction across the country.

To diversify the economy away from crude oil, President Buhari insisted Nigeria must produce locally things we can produce easily and he anchored this on Agriculture and Solid Minerals. The two sectors have consistently grown in contribution to GDP in the last two years according to NBS quarterly reports.

Nigeria has cut import bill by more than 50 per cent on rice and ramping up production in wheat and other produce. The FG through CBN banned 41 items from accessing forex from official Windows. This was mercilessly criticized by the 'experts' but the Buhari administration is winning the argument today with increased local production and industrial capacity utilisation by factories/manufacturers sourcing raw materials locally.

With the rice and wheat success in Kebbi and other states especially in the north, private capital is flowing into the processing sector of the agriculture value chain. Wacot just opened N10b Rice Mill, Dangote opened Tomatoe Paste Factory in Kano, Olam will commission N20billion Livestock Feed and Chicken Hatchery Plant in Kaduna in September among other investors.

Buhari went to Morocco and signed a deal on Phosphate and Gas pipeline between Nigeria and the North Africa nation. The phosphate is a major component for fertilizer production. With the deal the FG working with the Sovereign Wealth Fund had reactivated 11 moribund fertilizer Blending Plants in Nigeria in the last 1 year that have created 50,000 jobs and producing 1.3metric tonnes of fertilizer. Today the N50b annual fertilizer subsidy is gone while a bag of fertilizer sells for N5,500 which is 30 per cent cheaper than what it used to sell while the FG no longer pay N6000 subsidy per bag for farmers. Six more dead Fertilizer Blending Plants will come back to life before end of the year and Nigeria will be in a position to start exporting fertilizer.

Segun Adeniyi, Chairman Editorial Board of Thisday and a Buhari arch-critic couldn't hide his praise in his recent Thisday Backpage Column where he wrote that a revolution is happening in Nigeria's agricultural sector under Buhari with millions of Nigerians now embracing farming and with increased local production of fertilizer from the 11 revamped Blending Plants.

On infrastructure, the government under Buhari is spending more money to revive abandoned projects - roads, power, rail, pipelines, housing etc. The Lagos-Ibadan rail project has started. The administration has negotiated foreign loan that will connect the entire country by rail network from Lagos to Calabar and Port Harcourt to Kano. The Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard Guage rail line that had been abandoned since 1987 has been reactivated and FG already set June 2018 as date when it will be commissioned.

Despite acute low revenue, the Buhari administration is saving more money into the ECA and boosting Foreign Reserve. The Foreign Reserve went up by over $500million by CBN records last week. To further stimulate the economy the administration recently approved N2trillion Bond to pay local contractors who have been owed by FG for 10years. A committee is working to verify all debts to contractors already.

The same government for the first time in our recent history is committed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and National Productivity with Executive Orders already yielding positive results with some MDAs such as Immigration, Customs, FRSC, FIRS, CAC, NPA etc.

If previous administrations had done what Buhari administration is doing now our development trajectory as a country would have been far better than we currently have.

The President is confronting corruption squarely. The administration is recovering billions of naira, hundreds of Millions in dollars in cash and real estate never done before. He confronted corruption in the Armed Forces and touched serving and retired Generals. He confronted corruption in the Judiciary and broke the unwritten code of Judicial untouchables. It is only a Buhari without a moral and corruption baggage that could do these.

I should think these are what those who genuinely campaigned and voted for Buhari asked for and wanted him to do.

The local and global inventors' confidence in the economy is at an all time high because of the global approval rating of the President and the fight against corruption. Market Capitalisation at the Stock Exchange was at N13trilion last, week breaking 3 years record. Nigeria just reclaimed the 3rd position as the destination for FDIs in Africa with $4.6billion inflow in 2016 following Angola and Egypt after 5years year on year decline from 2010-2015 under Jonathan administration. The government that had unprecedented oil revenue and a super Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

All these happening in two years under an administration that was challenged with low revenue yet the administration is still investing in social intervention programs- School Feeding for primary school pupils which has taken off in 19 states, NPower which has employed over 200,000 jobless young people who are now adding value to the communities where they work and to themselves.

I recognize missed steps and areas where things should have been done better especially proper coordination at governmental and inter-agencies levels. These are not reasons to be disillusioned or regret voting out a government that wrecked Nigeria.

At this point i can only pray and wish President Buhari good health."

But some people will only talk about rats and rodents!

Meanwhile, what are your Governors doing?

Have you also been deceived to believe that your Governors are not your problem, but Buhari in Abuja?

OZUBULU MASSACRE: THE HIDDEN TRUTH REVEALED

B y Somuadila Ugwummadu || Biafra Writers

Following different versions of false news peddled by the Nigerian media and most regrettably, respected individuals, to narrate the very unfortunate incident that happened at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, Biafra Writers, in our culture has dug out the details of this event and how it deteriorated to the August 6 massacre.

Aloysius Ikegwuonu, presently a drug baron in South Africa, was born in 1981 to the family of Chief Ikegwuonu, Amakwa Ozubulu. He grew up in a very poor home and often helped his mother who trades at Orie Akpu market, Off Ugwu Orie Bus Stop, Amakwa Ozubulu.

'Aloyee' as fondly called by his friends in his early youth stage, first came to limelight in 1999 when he became the senior prefect of Comprehensive Secondary School, C.S.S., (formerly College of Basic Studies, C.B.S.) Egbema Ozubulu; a school founded by Reverend Father Nwabaju Izuchi, a United States based Catholic priest.

Right after his secondary school studies which he finished after his May/June WASSCE examination in the year 2000, he traveled out to South Africa on March 2001 where he became a multi millionaire within his first four (4) months of his stay there. He came back nine (9) months later (December 2001) and splashed his money around. This was the first major drug deal advert in Ozubulu, a land formerly known for the bravery of her indigenes, tranquility and high moral standards. (This seed Aloyee planted did not take time to bear fruits.)

With this, Aloyee attracted many friends to himself especially his school mates at C.S.S.. They indicated interest to serve him and do whatever he wants them to do as long as they will end up as 'successful' as he is and as quick as he made it. There was an exodus of Ozubulu youths to South Africa between the years 2004-2007. With these many people around him, Aloyee who had adopted the name 'Bishop' in South Africa needed someone he could trust better. He went for his best friend in the aforementioned secondary school, Ginika Nwoke.

Ginika, alias Giniyee, hailed from Mbaise in Imo State; he is an orphan and the only child of his parents. He grew up with his uncle, Ite Ego (a butcher at Orie Akpu market, Ugwu Orie Ozubulu) all through his childhood and adolescent age. He gained admission to study Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in the year 2001 and was living at an unpainted two storey building, a lodge for students, about 100 meters from Unizik temporary site junction. Due to pressure from Bishop, he abandoned his university education just after his 200 level. Giniyee's room mate at the University was Nonso Ewulu, alias Ajagara Igwe, who studied Political Science in the same university 2001-2005. Ajagara Igwe was also Giniyee and Bishop's classmate at C.S.S. Ozubulu.

Bishop's notorious act began with his own mother. He allegedly sacrificed his mother (who had rejected his ill wealth) to occult group. This allegation seemed more truthful when he refused to raised a stone at his mother's grave. Bishop leveled his father's home with an interlocking tiles months after his mother's death and till today, you cannot identify his mother's grave in his father's compound.

To douse this rumor, Bishop engaged in an aggressive philanthropic aid. He renovated most churches at Ozubulu (particularly St Michael's Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu) the Igwe's palace and instituted a charity foundation. He also penetrated the state government, donates to the state police and the local vigilante groups.

These events were happening so fast, Bishop was audacious, intimidating and energetic. His friends that traveled to South Africa had started complaining about him: his intimidation and oppression; killings had started; it has become the survival of the fittest, the jungle of beasts. More than six (6) people had died, all from Anambra State in some misunderstanding between Bishop's group of drug cartel and many more groups of drug cartel in South Africa. Even at this stage, no one took any information about Bishop so seriously. Life went on and on and on.

The peak of this crisis was in a clash between Bishop and his best friend, Giniyee. Bishop claimed he handed Giniyee a package (hard drug) to deliver to a buyer buy ended up with some cooked up stories with the intention of duping him. Giniyee denied this, but stated that Bishop's enemy ambushed him at the point of delivery (in what seemed more like a set up) and made away with the package -a package worth hundred of millions of naira.

It got so heated that it was reported to the Igwe of Ozubulu who summoned the two with their families and pleaded for all to exercise patience till the truth be revealed. Bishop rejected Igwe's verdict and swore that "isi ga ada" (meaning that 'head must fall') within some months if his money is not remitted back to him.

Few months later, the stunning news broke out, September 2015, Ginika Nwoke was shot died in the city of South Africa, the only child, an orphan with a wife and a little girl was killed. An Igbo adage says that "ihe mee onye ara, i mara na onwere mmadu" (meaning that when something happens to a mad man, you will know he has people). Mbaise indigenes made it clear that the only thing that will suffice them is a revenge, Bishop must be killed or a total war against Bishop and his kindred.

Situation started to deteriorate; between October 2015 and March 2017, Ozubulu youths were gunned down on monthly basis in South Africa. The owner of Vacarmata (located around Michael Junction, Egbema Ozubulu) Mr Obinna Ebuzeme, Mrs Nchedo (Nkwado's wife) and many others, especially the alumni of C.S.S. have been killed.

Since then, Bishop attends occasions with over 50 security personnels, very intimidating entourage, but Mbaise indigenes had not given up. In this latest event, he came back July 2017, he is still being tracked. Investigations revealed that he was to be gunned down on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, a church he built himself, from the foundation to the roof. Mysteriously, he got the news and escaped from Amakwa at mid night (Saturday, August 5, 2017).

The killers invaded his church still assuming he was there, opened fire and killed more than a dozen people. To prove it was targeted and purposed to get at Bishop, Bishop's father ran away the church building with a bullet shot but the killers chased after him and shot him severally to ensure he dies.

OBIANO'S ROLE

Bishop is a very good friend to Willie Obiano, the governor of Anambra State, so we are not surprised that Anambra State forwarded their report in less than two (2) hours. Yes, it's a drug war as they disclosed but we must disclose it here that Obiano has tactically exempted Bishop from the whole story. From intelligence, Anambra state government is about to frame an innocent young lad up (also an Amakwa indigene). We must speak against this and Bishop must face the wrath of the law.

OUR STAND

We should all take responsibility. Rather than caution Bishop and reject his wealth, he was celebrated and most regrettably, by churches and the government.

Just last year, he invited the murderer-in-chief of Anambra State, Willie Obiano (Governor of Anambra State), the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese and other traditional rulers to celebrate his 35th year birthday; all in a bid to cover up for his atrocities.

Having taken responsibility, we also believe that Igwe Ozubulu should have done better. This matter tarried for too long. It does not take a lot to set up a peace committee between Ozubulu and Mbaise. With this recent massacre, the death toll on Bishop's case has risen to over 40 people from 2015 till date.

ADVICE

From report, this notorious Bishop has stepped on many toes. This particular attack might not necessarily had come from Mbaise people. Many groups are chasing after Bishop. Hence, we advice Ozubulu elders to ostracize Bishop indefinitely till this matter is resolved.

Churches, the state government and individuals should dissociate themselves from Bishop to discourage our younger generation from desperation for wealth. Any bill board with his image at Ozubulu and environs should be taken down immediately.

We also entreat Ozubulu and Mbaise elders to set up a reconciliation committee. Ginika Nwoke's family must be approached with all humility, sincerity and respect; not because we believed Ginika's testimony but because we want peace to return to Amakwa Ozubulu for the sake of the innocent ones and Igbo tribe at large.

There is no amount of killings that will bring back the dead, rather, will provoke each other towards more killings. Therefore, any other group that feels aggrieved towards Bishop's action should be directed to Igwe Ozubulu for more and more reconciliations.

CONCLUSION

If you do not believe this piece, if you are more interested in believing that Fulani herdsmen left every other church just to attack Bishop's church, we don't take your imagination out. We advice you go down to Amakwa Ozubulu and spend good time to make more investigations. If this story is true, if you don't believe it is true, if you think our report is not sufficient and you have things to add, send us you commendations or contributions (as the case may be), contact us on biafrawriters@ipob.org

#OzubuluMourns

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI: THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD By THEOPHILUS UTCHAYCHUKWU

PRESIDENT Mohammadu Buhari

 
A LITTLE WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR
BUHARI WILL NOT KILL YOU.
1. No doubt we are going through hard times as a
nation. PMB is slow and steady and we all want
change like magic. That notwithstanding,
CHANGE IS HERE.
2. For example, on Saturday, March 15th 2014,
the then government of Goodluck Jonathan
invited over 7 million Applicants for 4000 jobs, in
the most fraudulent manner lacking in standards.
Eventually, 16 innocent people died.
3. But today, Buhari's Government gave out 200,000 jobs using the E-method of application, and no casualty was recorded.
That is CHANGE
4. Despite that we are under recession, Buhari is paying seven years pension arrears, employing
200,000 graduates at cost of 6bn naira monthly,
and with 300,000 soon to follow.
That is CHANGE
5. Despite the recession, Buhari has released
N700 billion for capital projects to reflate the
economy,
N150bn for women entrepreneurship
development,
N30 Billion for Lecturers' Allowances and CBN is
giving 3 each to graduate entrepreneurs.
That is CHANGE
6. Buhari implemented The Treasury Single
Account (TSA) policy that past leaders were
afraid to implement because it will expose their
corruption.
That is CHANGE
7. Buhari Increased to 30% CAPEX and
Infrastructural Engagements Nationwide.
That is CHANGE
8. The Army under Buhari has fought Boko Haram to a standstill,
rescued some Chibok Girls,
sanitized Areppo,
forced Niger Delta militants to negotiation,
taught IPOB and MASSOB how to observe the
rule of law.
The untouchables like Tompolo are in hiding.
Those who thought they were bigger than Nigeria have understood otherwise.
Gani Adams, Dokubo Asari, Uwazuruike, Ateke
Tom and their likes now know the limit of their
shenanigans.
Even Nnamdi Kanu is secretly negotiating for
freedom.
9. Non of our territories are under the control of non state -actors. At best, all that those
COWARDS can do is to secretly go and bomb our
pipelines or send suicide bombers to IDP camps.
They are all afraid to confront the army under
Buhari.
That is CHANGE
10. Buhari is unwavering in his Anti-Corruption
War. We are getting results that have surpassed
all of the results of former regimes put together.
11. Today, the former National Security Adviser,
Sambo Dasuki and over 26 retired and serving
Army Generals are facing trial. That was unthinkable in the past. And their civilian
counterparts are not left out. With hooligans like
Obanikoro, Olisamethief, Fani-KayoStole and the
rest returning stolen monies and judicial criminals being arrested the battle is getting set.
That is CHANGE
12. Come to the energy sector, there are many
ongoing Power Projects that will over time make
Nigeria energy sufficient. Buhari has a policy of
Energy Mix, which will ensure that the sabotage
of power infrastructure in the Niger Delta is
tackled . That is CHANGE!
13. Other regions of Nigeria have identified
energy sources that will make them independent
of Niger Delta gas. Today wind and sun energy
are being harnessed from North-East and North-West, Coal in the South-East, Hydro power in the North
Central and the rest. In no distant future, one of
Buhari's ambitious power projects, Mambilla
3,000 plant will gush energy with ease. That is
CHANGE.
14. All these compared to I6 wasted years of
past administration in energy sector. These other
administrations spent over 36 billion dollars and
could not generate 3000 megawatts. Meanwhile
China spent 25 billion dollars in eleven years to
generate 22,000 megawatts. Meaning that given the same time Buhari has achieved a great feat.
That is CHANGE
15. By 2018, all our rice consumption needs will
be locally met. Tomatoes and many others too.
That is CHANGE
16. How about National Railway interconnectivity
project and the Recent $2.2billon GE PPP
agreement.
17. Many Federal Roads are being constructed.
Contractors who have not been paid since 20I2
have started receiving their checks.
The construction of Second Niger Bridge is under
way, Calabar to Lagos Rail, Lagos to Kano Rail, Ibadan
to Lagos Rail and many other ambitious projects
that will restore Nigeria to it's former glory are
being undertaken by Buhari.
That is CHANGE!
18. Buhari banned 41 Items in the Forex list to
help boost local production and protect Naira. If
you cannot take advantage, that is your fault.
This ban is in your interest.
And that too is CHANGE!
19. Subsidy removal was to stop the elite from
robbing you of the money we need to develop.
Past administrations refused to do it because
they were beneficiaries and they lack the moral rectitude to do it. Only an incorruptible man like Buhari could stand up to those elites who were
the beneficiaries of it.
That is CHANGE
20. Despite organized sabotage by corrupt
politicians and other ignorant elements in our
society, Buhari is trudging forward.
Although, President Buhari needs to speed things up and he needs to restructure our systems and
bring about true Federalism that will help
component units become productive and useful to the whole.
21. Nobody can fix Nigeria in one day. Even God believe in processes, He is not in partnership with magicians. Buhari has not solved all our
problems, but we are making progress.
DO NOT LET YOUR HATE BECLOUD YOUR SENSE OF VALUED
JUDGEMENT.

Adeboye’s stepping down: We are indifferent to FRC regulation, says ex-NSCIA Sec-Gen

Success Nwogu, Ilorin

The immediate past Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has said that NSCIA was
indifferent to the Financial Regulation Council Act which stipulated a maximum period of 20 years for the heads of registered churches,
mosques and civil society organisations.

He stated that the law was not strictly meant for religious organisations but for non-governmental Organisations.

He spoke in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Sunday on the sidelines of the 56th birthday anniversary
of General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Issa Aremu. The occasion also marked the public
presentation of two books written by Aremu.

Oleyede said, “I was a bit disturbed because rather than facing issues, we always divert attention. When people talk about this law, was it made by Buhari? The answer is No! It is not a new law, it has been there. When this law was made, our Christian counterparts approached Islamic group to ask for our reaction and our reaction was indifference.

“I believe our Christian counterparts went to the former President about it, what they did or failed to do is not our business. When I read it a daily today (Not the Punch) I felt a bit disturbed that they were not honest enough to say that this is was not a new law. I think some people are just hell bent in creating sensation and discrediting government. It is unfair. I felt very bad about the presentation because this is how people set the country ablaze.

Oloyede also said the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye should in his notification of his withdrawal as the GO of RCCG, Nigeria; should have explained that the FRC regulations was not a new act.

The former NSCIA Secretary general said an impression was given as if the law was made during the current administration of the President
Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, “With due respect to the overseer of RCCG himself, I think he should have made it clearer about the origin and the duration of the
existence of the law. The impression was being given as if the present government created the law. Whether the law is good or bad, that is
another thing and everybody can face that as it is.

“But sensitisation of their programme and given the impression that was bad, I was trying Alhaji Lai Mohammed (The Minister of Information) immediately I saw that. I wanted to ask him that I felt that some mischievous people could use that to discredit the
government.”

Oloyede said the law was not meant strictly for religious organisation but was meant for NGO to avoid extortion of the public.

He said, “My reaction to it is that the NSCIA was indifferent to it. Our position was if it was what is universally accepted, let it be, if it is not, as far as we are concerned, are we NGO or not? Was the law made for religious groups? No! It is made for NGOs and anybody that you know that NGO has become non-governmental individuals, they are using NGOs in a private and personal manner, extorting the public and if in the wisdom of the government, government felt that should be, you are either NGO, or not?

“If you create an organisation in your father’s name, nobody is going to ask you to obey. But they are saying that if you tell the public that this belongs to the public and there must be regulation governing it. What is my problem? To me, it is helpful to the Muslim community because it will eliminate situation that people use Islam to collect money from the public. Rather than being sentimental about this, the position of NSCIA on this matter so far up-til today is that of indifference.

“The law is no strictly targeted at religious organisations. Religious organisation is just one. It is meant for NGOs generally, it is not tagged religious, it is just that whoever registers as an NGO would have to obey the law or the law would have to be abrogated. But they are giving the impression that it was a law meant for religious organisations. No! It is a law meant for NGOs to regulate them and protect the public from extortion.”

PST. E. A ÀDEBOYE COMPELLED TO RETIRE BY NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATION.

Adeboye steps down, Oyedepo, Olukoya, Kumuyi, others to follow

January 8, 2017

Gbenga Adeniji, Bayo Akinloye andToluwani Eniola

It was a mixture of surprise and anxiety on Saturday for ministers in the Redeemed Christian Church of God when the respected cleric and General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, announced a new leader for the church arm in Nigeria.

Adeboye made the declaration at the church’s Annual Ministers Thanksgiving held at the Redemption Camp in Ogun State.

Adeboye’s story: From lecture hall to global pulpit

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that Adeboye started his speech at the service by telling the stunned ministers that he initiated a pension scheme for the church’s retired full-time pastors that would enable them earn 100 per cent of their salaries as pension.

He reportedly said that government had been meddling with the affairs of churches in Nigeria and he had to discontinue with the scheme when the government introduced a contributory pension scheme which the church later joined.

Ministers present at the gathering told one of our correspondents that Adeboye said the government also interfered in the administration of the church by stipulating mandatory office tenure for general overseers of all registered churches in the country through a regulation.

He noted that this regulation also extended to clergymen like Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide International aka Winners Chapel, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, among others.

It’s a big surprise – RCCG members

FRC regulation

It was gathered that the Financial Regulations Council had stipulated a maximum period of 20 years for the heads of all registered churches, mosques, and civil society organisations.

The FRC established by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, No. 6, 2011, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is responsible for, among other things, developing and publishing accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in the preparation of financial statements of public entities in Nigeria; and for related matters.

Governance Code 2016 of the Act encompasses three sectors: the private, the public and not-for-profit. It is the not-for-profit sector, sometimes referred to as the Benevolent Sector, the Third Sector or the Civil Society Sector, that religious bodies fall under.

Obayemi: RCCG’s new ‘Daddy GO’

 The code read in part, “The founder or leader of a NFPO (not-for-profit) occupies a special position in the organisation and is committed to the success and longevity of the NFPO. Accordingly, a founder or leader should not take on too many responsibilities in the organisation or have an indefinite term in the running of the organisation.

“Where, for any reason, a founder or leader of NFPO also occupies any of the three governance positions of chairmanship of the board of trustees, the governing board or council, and the headship of the executive management (or their governance equivalents), the following provisions shall apply before the end of the organisation’s financial year in which this code takes effect.

“The founder or leader shall cease to occupy these three governance positions simultaneously. This is to ensure the separation of powers and avoid possible concentration of powers in one individual.

“The founder or leader may however choose – subject to the agreement of the organisation’s apex authority as expressed in the annual general assembly, annual meeting, annual stakeholder engagement, annual conference, annual synod, annual fellowship assembly or their equivalents – only one of these three governance positions subject to his current tenure.
This is to ensure a clear division of responsibilities at the head of the organisation between the running of the governing body and the executive responsibility for the management and fulfilment of the organisation’s mission.

“Where the founder or leader has occupied all or any of these three governance positions for more than twenty years, or is aged seventy years or above, the choice in the section above should only relate to the board of trustees as in section below, except the constitution of the organisation otherwise provides.’’

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that apart from Adeboye, the law would cause leadership changes in other churches, where their general overseers had spent more than 20 years in that capacity.

Kumuyi, Oyedepo, Olukoya, others to follow

Some of the general overseers to be affected by the regulation include
Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya  of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, who has spent 22 years as the general overseer;
Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (35 years);
Pastor Kumuyi  (43 years); Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of Word of Life Bible Church (29 years); Rev. Chris Okotie  of the Household of God ( 29 years);  Kingsway International Christian Centre’s Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo (24 years); 
Winners Chapel’s  Bishop David Oyedepo (35 years).

Others are Pastor Chris Oyakhilome  of Believers’ LoveWord International (26 years);
Pastor Samuel Abiara of Christ Apostolic Church (39 years); Pastor Sam Adeyemi  of Daystar Christian Centre (21 years); 
Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly (27 years);  House on the Rock’s Pastor Paul Adefarasin (22 years), among others.

When contacted by one of our correspondents, the Public Relations Officer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Mr. Segun Babatope, declined to speak on whether Pastor Kumuyi would also step down like Pastor Adeboye did.

He referred our correspondent to the church secretary, who also declined to speak on the matter.

Babatope said, “I cannot speak on behalf of the church. We are not fully aware of what Pastor Adeboye said and we cannot comment on rumours.”

Also, calls made to the mobile of Rev. Chris Okotie were not answered. He did not also reply the text message sent to his mobile as of press time.

Similarly, when contacted on Saturday, one of Pastor Olukoya’s media aides, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, did not respond to calls made to his mobile phone, neither did he respond to the text message our correspondent sent to him.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Adesina, who is an ally of Bishop David Oyedepo, told SUNDAY PUNCH that he needed to read the FRC’s code to give “an informed opinion” on the issue.

How the ministers’ meeting ended

Sources said after his speech at the meeting, Adeboye introduced Pastor Joseph Obayemi as the ‘new overseer’ of the church, Funsho Odesola as the new church secretary and Joseph Adeyokunu as the new church treasurer.

Adeboye reportedly said,
‘‘At least, nobody can stop me from being a general overseer in other countries of the world.’’

By the pronouncement, Adeboye ceases to be the General Overseer of the RCCG in Nigeria while he remains the church’s spiritual leader worldwide and general overseer of its international arm. The church has branches in about 190 countries.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the clerics, who were newly appointed into key positions in the church, were not allowed to speak to the gathering. But Adeboye asked the ministers to pray for them and he also did the same.

A statement reportedly issued by Odesola after the meeting stressed that the new structure was particular to Nigeria alone as Adeboye remained the spiritual leader and global missioner of the church.

Before now, there had been expectations in the church that Adeboye would name a successor after he clocked 70 — the stipulated retirement age by the church.

In a statement credited to Leke Adeboye, Adeboye’s last son and personal assistant, he cited the FRC’s law as the reason for the church’s decision, adding, however, that Adeboye remained the General Overseer of RCCG worldwide.

Adeboye is now 74. He became the church’s general overseer in 1981 after taking over from the church’s founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.

Our correspondent gathered that at the service, Adeboye asked the ministers to tell all members in their parishes to join any political party of their choice.

The revered cleric noted that by joining political parties, they would be able to partake in the making of vital political decisions at the ward level in order for the country to have good representation.

He also noted that their involvement in politics would check imposition of candidates.

Lawyers’ speak on FRC regulation

Speaking with one of our correspondents, a human rights activist and lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, who commented on the FRC law, said churches, mosques and other not-for-profit organisations, as long as they are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, were bound by the new financial regulation targeted at ensuring financial transparency and seamless succession.

Adegboruwa who is also an RCCG pastor, said, “The plan of succession must not be to the benefit of a family member. By law, churches are called incorporated churches with a board of trustees. It cannot be run by a family. Pastor Adeboye, of his volition, decided to obey the regulation by handing over to a successor. I must also state that the confusion being created by some people that Pastor Adeboye is the general overseer of the RCCG Worldwide is unnecessary. There is no such organisation as the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide. He is the Global Missioner and Spiritual Leader of the Church. There is nothing like RCCG Worldwide.’’

There were reports on Saturday that the Federal Government had suspended the not-for-profit governance code of 2016. The human rights activist and lawyer explained that the law was suspended in relation to the public sector and not for organisations like churches and mosques.

He said, “There was a stakeholders’ meeting where churches, mosques and civil society organisations met with the government. We actually challenged the regulation at the Federal High Court and we lost. We decided to comply with the regulation because we didn’t want the government to see Christians as people who do not want to follow a seamless succession system. We also do not want government to see us as people who have something to hide about their finances. The RCCG is a transparent organisation and that’s why it decided to comply.

“This (regulation) is not just about Pastor Adeboye. It concerns all the churches registered in Nigeria. Any church leader who has spent 20 years has to hand over to somebody else.”

Also, Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, stated that the agency’s regulation for religious organisations was still in force.

Another legal practitioner, Moses Alao, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the FRC regulation provides that a religious leader of a registered religious organisation should step down after 20 years in office or on attainment of age 70.

He said, “Whichever comes first, it is either the religious leader has turned 70 or has spent 20 years or more as the head of the organisation, he has to go. The person will stop being involved in administrative issues of the religious organisation.
He will only be a figure head with no real authority.
Pastor Adeboye, in the case of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, will still be the spiritual figure head but there will be a general overseer (a position he had relinquished).’’

Copyright PUNCH. 

"MY LORD, PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO KEEP YOUR BRIBE" A POEM BY PROF: NIYI OSUNDARE

Prof, Niyi Osundare

My Lord, Please tell me where to keep your bribe?

Do I drop it in your venerable chambers

   Or carry the heavy booty to your immaculate mansion

Shall I bury it in the capacious water tank

    In your well laundered backyard

Or will it breathe better in the septic tank

     Since money can deodorize the smelliest crime

Shall I haul it up the attic

    Between the ceiling and your lofty roof

Or shall I conjure the walls to open up

    And swallow this sudden bounty from your honest labour

Shall I give a billion to each of your paramours

    The black, the light, the Fanta-yellow

They will surely know how to keep the loot

     In places too remote for the sniffing dog

Or shall I use the particulars

     Of your anonymous maidservants and manservants

With their names on overflowing bank accounts

     While they famish like ownerless dogs

Shall I haul it all to your village

     In the valley behind seven mountains

Where potholes swallow up the hugest jeep

     And Penury leaves a scar on every house

My Lord

     It will take the fastest machine

Many, many days to count this booty; and lucky bank bosses 

     May help themselves to a fraction of the loot

                    

My Lord

     Tell me where to keep your bribe?

My Lord

     Tell me where to keep your bribe?

The “last hope of the common man”

     Has become the last bastion of the criminally rich

A terrible plague bestrides the land

     Besieged by rapacious judges and venal lawyers

Behind the antiquated wig

     And the slavish glove

The penguin gown and the obfuscating jargon

     Is a rot and riot whose stench is choking the land

Behind the rituals and roted rigmaroles

     Old antics connive with new tricks

Behind the prim-and-proper costumes of masquerades

      Corruption stands, naked, in its insolent impunity

For sale to the highest bidder

    Interlocutory and perpetual injunctions

Opulent criminals shop for pliant judges

     Protect the criminal, enshrine the crime

And Election Petition Tribunals

     Ah, bless those goldmines and bottomless booties!

Scoundrel vote-riggers romp to electoral victory

     All hail our buyable Bench and conniving Bar

A million dollars in Their Lordship’s bedroom

     A million euros in the parlor closet

Countless naira beneath the kitchen sink

     Our courts are fast running out of Ghana-must-go’s*

The “Temple of Justice”

     Is broken in every brick

The roof is roundly perforated

     By termites of graft

My Lord

     Tell me where to keep your bribe?

Judges doze in the courtroom

     Having spent all night, counting money and various “gifts”

And the Chief Justice looks on with tired eyes

     As Corruption usurps his gavel. 

Crime pays in this country

     Corruption has its handsome rewards

Just one judgement sold to the richest bidder

     Will catapult Judge & Lawyer to the Billionaires’ Club

The Law, they say, is an ass

     Sometimes fast, sometimes slow

But the Law in Nigeria is a vulture

     Fat on the cash-and-carry carrion of murdered Conscience

Won gb’ebi f’alare

     Won gb’are f’elebi**

They kill our trust in the common good

     These Monsters of Mammon in their garish gowns

Unhappy the land

     Where jobbers are judges

Where Impunity walks the streets

     Like a large, invincible Demon

Come Sunday, they troop to the church

     Friday, they mouth their mantra in pious mosques

But they pervert Justice all week long

     And dig us deeper into the hellish hole

Nigeria is a huge corpse

     With milling maggots on its wretched hulk

They prey every day, they prey every night

     For the endless decomposition of our common soul

My Most Honourable Lord

     Just tell me where to keep your bribe.

*   Large, extremely tough bags used for carrying heavy cash in Nigeria

** They declare the innocent guilty

   They pronounce the guilty innocent

VACANCY: FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE INCLUDING DPR VACANCIES FOR EMPLOYMENT

The Nigerian Federal Civil Service has listed over 90 Jobs including the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR as having vacancies for recruitment or employments.To apply for a vacancy in any of the jobs, applicants must go through the Federal Civil Service Recruitment Portal.
Below is the breakdown of affected ministries that require applicants.
– Bureau of Public Procurement.
– Federal Ministry of Education.
– Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity.
– Federal Ministry of Finance
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
– Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
– Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
– Federal Ministry of Transport.
– Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
– Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
– Presidency
Completion/submission of application online is free and at no cost to applicants in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
The completion/submission will run for six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.
Updates:
Notice – 22/09/2016: The below information applies to new registration only. If you receive a successfully registered message after you click “Register” you will be automatically logged in and can proceed to available jobs, select and apply. Make sure your Email and Phone are accurate, this only means the FCSC will use in updating you about the status of your application.
Notice 20/09/2016: We’re now sending emails to all those who successfully completed the registration process. However, due to a significant backlog of emails, it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive your activation notice email.
Notice: 16/10/2016: All Registered Accounts have now been activated. If you registered and did not receive an activation email prior to yesterday, you can now use your email and password to log in and complete and application.
New Guidelines
For those having problems filling up the forms, the following guidelines should be followed:
– This recruitment portal has been optimised and is responsive to Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, PCs, etc. Therefore, you can complete your application using any of the above devices.
– However, take notice that your ability to connect and navigate the portal depends largely on the type of browser and internet/data services you have on these devices, including internet speed at a Cyber Café.
– If you seem to be having problems completing the form, you may need to switch to another device.
Suitably qualified candidates with character and integrity who are interested in making a career in the Federal Civil Service are invited to complete and submit the application on-line on FCSC Website – https://www.vacancy.fedcivilservice.gov.ng for any of the posts indicated in each of the MDAs.
Copyright @ Vanguard News.

VACANCY: FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE INCLUDING DPR VACANCIES FOR EMPLOYMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nigerian Federal Civil Service has listed over 90 Jobs including the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR as having vacancies for recruitment or employments.To apply for a vacancy in any of the jobs, applicants must go through the Federal Civil Service Recruitment Portal.
Below is the breakdown of affected ministries that require applicants.
– Bureau of Public Procurement.
– Federal Ministry of Education.
– Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity.
– Federal Ministry of Finance
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
– Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
– Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
– Federal Ministry of Transport.
– Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
– Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
– Presidency
Completion/submission of application online is free and at no cost to applicants in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
The completion/submission will run for six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.
Updates:
Notice – 22/09/2016: The below information applies to new registration only. If you receive a successfully registered message after you click “Register” you will be automatically logged in and can proceed to available jobs, select and apply. Make sure your Email and Phone are accurate, this only means the FCSC will use in updating you about the status of your application.
Notice 20/09/2016: We’re now sending emails to all those who successfully completed the registration process. However, due to a significant backlog of emails, it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive your activation notice email.
Notice: 16/10/2016: All Registered Accounts have now been activated. If you registered and did not receive an activation email prior to yesterday, you can now use your email and password to log in and complete and application.
New Guidelines
For those having problems filling up the forms, the following guidelines should be followed:
– This recruitment portal has been optimised and is responsive to Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, PCs, etc. Therefore, you can complete your application using any of the above devices.
– However, take notice that your ability to connect and navigate the portal depends largely on the type of browser and internet/data services you have on these devices, including internet speed at a Cyber Café.
– If you seem to be having problems completing the form, you may need to switch to another device.
Suitably qualified candidates with character and integrity who are interested in making a career in the Federal Civil Service are invited to complete and submit the application on-line on FCSC Website – https://www.vacancy.fedcivilservice.gov.ng for any of the posts indicated in each of the MDAs.
Copyright @ Vanguard News.

Many say there has never been such an election as this.
Whether that’s the case or not depends on when you lived. John Adams felt that if the country elected Thomas Jefferson as President, it was all over. Much of the country felt in 1860 that if Abraham Lincoln was elected, the nation could not survive. It almost didn’t. And throughout FDR’s four terms, people spoke of him in the bitterest of ways, calling him a dictator, saying whoever assassinated him was doing the nation a favor. We’ve always had tough elections and flawed candidates.
And now—in 2016—we have the latest incarnation of flawed candidates: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
An evangelist friend said this week that he finds both candidates repulsive. He plans, however, “to hold my nose and cast my vote” on November 8.
Clinton and Trump generate more negative responses than positive. Clearly, the country wants neither in the Oval Office. But it’s about to be stuck with one. For four long years.
Anyone who has spent any time on social media throughout this campaign knows how dangerous it is to speak out, supporting either candidate. The hate-mongers on the other side—those who see their point of view as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but—are quick to react. Try to introduce a sane note into the discussion and both sides attack. I’ve almost quit trying, but today, October 20, will try one last stab at it.
Subject: “What pastors can say to their people regarding this election, even though they must not and should not declare for a candidate.”
Why not go public with one’s choice? Therein lies a story.
My dad was in his 80s and was visiting in the church my brother pastored. A well-known evangelist was preaching, one we all liked a great deal. When he got up to preach, the guest spent a good 10 minutes telling jokes and put-downs about President Clinton, who was in office at that time. Dad was offended.
Dad, the coal miner and lifelong union member—which in most cases made him a Democrat—said to Ron and me, “What if a lost person in the congregation was offended by the preacher’s remarks because he liked Clinton? Because of this bit of foolishness by the preacher, this fellow hardens his heart and goes out into eternity lost! Where is the sense in that?”Indeed.
There is, however, much the preacher can say on the subject. Here are some thoughts…
The pastor must help his people keep a godly perspective.
Listen to proponents of either side and you come away believing the fate of the country is in jeopardy. Elect that one and it’s all over. Even God won’t be able to save us if this one gets the votes.
God is not limited. Let’s say that again: God is not limited.
…God is not limited to our two choices. I keep remembering something the disciples did after the Lord ascended into Heaven but before Pentecost. As they gathered for prayer in the Upper Room, they decided to go ahead and fill the vacancy left by Judas. So, they prayed, “Lord, show us which of these two men You have chosen to fill Judas’ place” (Acts 1:24). Scholars debate this, but for my money, the Lord wanted nothing to do with their coin toss. He had already ordained that Saul of Tarsus would be the 13th apostle, not someone named Matthias whom we never hear of again.
…God is not limited by the faith or the unbelief of our officials. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the Lord’s hand; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Read your Bible. God used all kinds of people to achieve His purposes.
…He is not limited by our choices, by our unbelief, by our elected officials. In Isaiah 45, God mentions Cyrus, king of Persia. “I have taken him by the right hand to subdue nations,” God said. “I will give (him) the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places.” However, Cyrus was no believer. Twice God says of this pagan ruler, “You have not known me” (45:4,5).
God is sovereign. He is in charge.
“Behold, the nations are like a drop (in) a bucket,” said God in Isaiah 40:15, “and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales. Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.”
“Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him; They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless” (45:15-17).
The Psalmist said, “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3).
We preachers have often gone to seed on 2 Chronicles 7:14 (the well-known “if my people” passage) as though that were the manifesto for revival for God’s churches. And it’s a great passage, don’t get me wrong. However, there is one thing more that must not be overlooked when we are calling God’s people to repent and humble themselves before Him: God is sovereign and requires nothing from no one before He can act. My unbelief does not limit Him if He had planned to do something. Now, it sure does limit me! But it does not shackle God.
So, God’s people must always be faithful in prayer.
In prayer, we are calling on God to do His will, whatever that is and however it would work.
We are not claiming to know His will in every case. As many have pointed out, in this crazy election, God may have chosen to given America the kind of weak or wayward or wavering President we deserve, not the one we need.
But whether this is God’s holy purpose or His permissive will for this country, we will drop to our knees and pray, “Father, may thy will be done in the United States of America as it is in Heaven.”
I like to remind God’s people that nothing tells the story on your faith like your praying.
Nothing is more of faith than prayer. In prayer, we talk to One we have never seen and cannot prove exists. We pull aside day after day, year after year, to tell Him the most personal things in our lives. And we do so believing that He is there, that He hears and cares, and most amazing of all, will answer. And the kicker is this: 95 percent of what we ask for, we will never know whether God answered it or not or how He did.
And yet we keep praying. That is faith.
But there’s one other thing: After an election where the “wrong person” was put into office, the one you despise and campaigned against, you are expected to pray for him. Or her. And to believe that your prayers make a difference. Without knowing in this lifetime whether or how they did.
Can you do that? Will you do that?
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority…” (I Timothy 2:1-2).
It’s not optional. It’s a command of holy scripture.
Only the faithful will keep this. The carnal and foolish will be so angry that God allowed that person to be elected, they will not pray. And that tells the story on our faith—or lack of it—like few other things.
Beloved, let us pray for America. And let us persist in prayer.

Copyright © 2016 ChurchLeaders.com.

Kalahari Reporters: Names of Rescued Chibok girls revealed.

Kalahari Reporters: Names of Rescued Chibok girls revealed.:  names of the 21 Chibok girls who were released on Thursday have been made public by the Federal Government. The names wer...

Names of Rescued Chibok girls revealed.

 names of the 21 Chibok girls who were released on Thursday have been made public by the Federal Government.

The names were posted on the official Twitter handle of the Office of Digital Engagement in the Presidency.

See full list below:

    Mary Usman Bulama.       
    Jumai John
    Blessing Abana
    Luggwa Sanda
    Comfort Habila
    Maryam Basheer
    Comfort Amos
    Glory Mainta
    Saratu Emmanuel
    Deborah Ja’afaru
    Rahab Ibrahim
    Helin Musa
    Maryamu Lawan
    Rebecca Ibrahim
    Asabe Goni
    Deborah Andrawus
    Agnes Gapani
    Saratu Markus
    Glory Dama
    Pindah Nuhu
    Rebecca Mallam

Kalahari Reporters: VICE PRESIDENT RECEIVED 21 RELEASED CHIBOK GIRLS

Kalahari Reporters: VICE PRESIDENT RECEIVED 21 RELEASED CHIBOK GIRLS:    Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja The Presidency on Thursday confirmed that 21 of the over 200 girls abducted from their school in Ch...

VICE PRESIDENT RECEIVED 21 RELEASED CHIBOK GIRLS

   Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

The Presidency on Thursday confirmed that 21 of the over 200 girls abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014 have been released.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists.

Shehu said the released girls were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services.

He said the Director-General of the DSS, Lawal Daura, briefed President Muhammadu Buhari of the development shortly before the President left for Germany.

The presidential aide added that Daura wanted the girls, who were very tired, to rest before he would hand them over to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

He attributed the release of the 21 girls to negotiations between the government and the Boko Haram sect brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government.

He said, “The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the the Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue.

“The President welcomes the release of the girls but cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.

“Lawal wants the girls to have some rest, with all of them very tired coming out of the process before he hands them over to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

“The President takes off shortly on a trip to Germany for a state visit. The names of the released girls follows shortly.

$2.1bn arms scam: Buhari may release Dasuki from detention soon By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

After being detained for close to one year, there were indications last night that President Muhammadu Buhari is no longer comfortable with the continued detention of former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd).

A top aide of Buhari, who dropped the hint in Abuja, said Buhari had already given instructions to the relevant organs handling Dasuki’s corruption case to take steps to recover the huge cash allegedly mismanaged by him and set him free.

“I can tell you that the President is not comfortable with the continued detention of Dasuki despite the offences he allegedly committed against Nigeria and its people,” the aide said.

“The only condition Mr. President has asked Dasuki to fulfil is to refund the huge sum of public funds which were allegedly diverted under his watch as the NSA.

“And I want to tell you that we have the approval of Mr. President to release him (Dasuki) from detention as soon as he brings the money,” the official said.

Answering a question, the source explained that there was no truth in the claim that Buhari was interested in keeping Dasuki in detention as long as possible to settle some scores.

“I can tell you that it was Mr. President, who even asked us the other day why the former NSA was still being kept in detention and we told him that the three cases he had in court were responsible for the incarceration.

“He then said we have to take necessary steps to recover the money Dasuki is said to have mismanaged and allow him to return to his house,” the security aide quoted Buhari as saying.

Buhari-Dasuki

Answering a question on the arrests of seven judges in relation to corrupt practices, the source asked rhetorically “If the judges were not taken in by DSS, who then has more authority to do so?

“Look, let me tell you that none of the existing Nigerian security agencies is more qualified to do what we did at the weekend because tackling corruption is a crucial step to ensuring the security and well being of the people.

“As you may or may not know, we are under oath to prevent the commission of heinous crimes, including looting of public funds, that may cause untold security problems for the generality of Nigerians.

“And let it be known to all Nigerians that we have no fear of anyone over what we did because it was done in the overall national interest of Nigeria,” the top official explained.

It will be recalled that apart from the charges preferred against Dasuki over the alleged diversion of $2.1 billion meant for the acquisition of arms for battling the Boko Haram insurgents, the former NSA also faces two other charges in the FCT High Court.

However, in an apparent bid to resolve the matter, the Federal Government last week, moved to consolidate all the charges against Dasuki, a move hailed by legal luminaries as a means of quickening the prolonged trial.

Judges are not immune from investigation and prosecution by Eric of The Nation

Attorney-General justifies arrest of judges

•’No one immune to investigation’

CRITICS of the night raid in some judges’ homes got an official reply yesterday.

It was all part of an investigation, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), said.

The Department of State Services (DSS) arrested some judges after storming their homes at night last weekend. The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) condemned the raids, which the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) described as “saddening” and “unfortunate”.

Malami argued that the judges’ fate was mere investigation of criminal allegations.

He contended that no one is immune to investigation under the law, noting that once an allegation of criminality was raised, it was the duty of the investigating agencies to carry out a probe.

The AGF spoke in Abuja shortly after inaugurating the “country expert review committee for the second cycle of the review of implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).”

Malami, who was asked by reporters to comment on the arrest of judges, said: “The fundamental consideration is whether there is an allegation of the commission of a crime; whether there is the need for investigation, and whether the relevant provisions of the law and indeed, all circumstances, as provided in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) are put into consideration in our conduct as regard the fight against corruption.

He said: “The bottom line is that we have a responsibility to fight corruption. Corruption is a crime and nobody, regardless of how highly placed, is exempted as far as issues that border on crimes and criminalities are concerned.

“The limited exceptions as we know constitutionally are the exceptions of immunity. And to the best of my knowledge those exceptions do not apply to investigation.

“For those that are conferred with the immunity, the right to investigate has not been taken away constitutionally.

“So, I think the framework and the circumstances within which we are operating are clearly whether there exists the right to investigate or not, and whether the action borders on criminality.”

“Once crimes and criminality are concerned, nobody is an exception. I think the undertone should be exclusively the consideration of the existence of a prima facie case; existence of reasonable grounds for suspicion of commission of a crime.

“And if there are, no member of the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive can definitely be exempted from investigation. I think where we are now is the point of investigation and that is what is taking place,” Malami said.

Inaugurating the committee, Malami expressed confidence in its members’ ability to execute their responsibilities.

Members of the committee are drawn from 22 agencies of the Federal Government

THE PROFLIGACY OF A NATION'S CENTRAL BANK By Henry Boyo

The report of 14 Nigerian banks which were appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria as ‘Asset managers’ of Nigeria’s reserves was carried on the back page of The Guardian newspaper of October 5, 2006.  Festus Odoko, the CBN’s Head of Corporate Affairs, confirmed in the report that “already, deposits worth $7bn representing part of the CBN’s ‘share of foreign reserves’, presently estimated at about $38bn, had been released to the banking consortium”.

Although Odoko confirmed that the appointment of the 14 banks was ratified by the Investment Committee of the CBN on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, the $7bn had apparently been quickly shared out the next day!

Thus, the CBN made good its promise to invite Nigerian banks with up to $500m consolidated capital base to a ‘foreign reserves banquet’, if they could also provide evidence of existing collaboration with internationally credible financial houses.  The Guardian report however failed to clarify if the expected collaboration included management oversight or was simply a formalisation of a glorified foreign correspondent banking arrangement!

“Nonetheless, critics have wondered if 14 banks which laboriously raised their capital base to N25bn could also quickly raise an additional N35bn to meet the $500m benchmark required to manage the CBN’s reserves. On hindsight, it seems the apex bank may have quietly dropped this steep requirement so as to pursue its earlier declared agenda!

“Nigerians are generally unaware that with a stroke of the pen, the CBN committed our country to possibly its largest single venture ever! The question however is, who will benefit from this huge upfront payment for an anticipatory promise to grow our economy with active support from beneficiary banks?  Yes, you have got it, the same 14 banks will smile broadly to their overseas partners’ vaults, since these banks recognise that the related cost, if any, of the $7bn largesse will certainly not exceed the usually very modest below three per cent prevailing international yield on such placements!

“Incidentally, the 14 favoured banks are not constrained to restrict application of the $7bn to address our own critical domestic infrastructural deficit, and they are therefore at liberty to invest internationally!  It is disturbing, however, that while we go cap in hand in search of foreign exchange inflow from foreign investors, we are, simultaneously inexplicably, exposing our precious $7bn, for minimal or nil return, to a consortium of Nigerian banks which have a consolidated capital base of less than $3bn, without demanding some measure of collateral/audit/managerial control or equity participation.  Curiously, the tenure and other details of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding this transfer of our vital asset have not been made public.

It will be foolhardy to expect that the largesse of an uncollateralised $7bn deposit or low interest credit will change the attitude of banks to supporting real sector investments, particularly the significant funding deficit of the SMEs.  The bizarre strategy of a minimal return below three per cent on a $7bn ‘placement/investment’ is clearly amplified by the CBN’s willingness to conversely, simultaneously, pay between 12 and 17 per cent interest on funds it borrows from these same banks!

“Nonetheless, even if the 14 banks are willing to repatriate all or part of the $7bn back to the Nigerian capital market, it is not difficult to predict where their interests would lie: yes; the obvious destination would be further patronage of government’s Treasury Bills and bonds on which they can earn returns of up to 17 per cent, even when ultimately, the CBN simply sterilises hundreds of billions of naira it borrows from any socially impactful use. Thus, we may ultimately be paying oppressive interest rates to the same creditors whom we gleefully ‘gifted’ our savings for minimal consideration. This may probably be seen as the ultimate strategy in worst central banking practice!

“Odoko, the CBN mouthpiece, also claimed, in the same Guardian report under reference, that, ‘The $7bn represents the apex bank’s share of Nigeria’s foreign reserves!’  I beg your pardon!  Apart from the very lucrative business of substituting naira for federally allocated dollars to build up reserves, what business did the CBN specifically do to earn $7bn? Evidently, Section 162 of the constitution does not distinguish any share of dollar reserves, strictly for the CBN. Our crude oil revenue belongs to the Nigerian people as constituted by the three tiers of government; thus, the National Assembly would have defaulted in their constitutional duties if the CBN is not invited to defend why $7bn of our reserves should be liberally advanced to 14 banks without oversight approval, while we still go cap in hand to beg for external loans!”

The preceding are excerpts from an article titled, “14 Nigerian banks to enjoy $7bn reserve”. The piece was first published in the Vanguard newspaper on October 9, 2006.  Not surprisingly, barely two years after Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s “celebrated” banking consolidation and confident assurances to the National Assembly that Nigerian banks were insulated from the global economic meltdown, most of our banks actually tittered on the verge of collapse.  There is yet no confirmation that the 14 banks have repaid the $7bn given away in October 2006 by the CBN before the banking crisis erupted in 2008. Consequently, it is possible that Nigeria’s $7bn reserves may have ultimately “gone with the wind” during the ensuing financial crisis!

Nonetheless, between 2009 and 2010, during Lamido Sanusi’s tenure as the CBN Governor, such probable default still did not stop the banking sector from receiving additional largesse in excess of N5tn ($30bn) liberally created by the CBN and channelled through its surrogate, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria as interventions to rescue the banking sector.

Thus, the CBN’s misguided generosity notwithstanding, the banking community has remained resistant to providing the SMEs access to cheap funds to stimulate industrial rejuvenation, economic growth and increase employment opportunities.  Incidentally, the CBN’s self-styled “own reserves” subsequently expanded well beyond $40bn to support the apex bank’s sporadic multi-pronged uncoordinated cash interventions to various groups. Paradoxically, soon after AMCON’s interventions, the banking sector bounced back with bountiful profit postings, despite a still largely comatose real sector. Consequently, unemployment, oppressive mass poverty and increasing national debt, unexpectedly have become increasingly burdensome! Ironically, in 2015, the banks also became prime beneficiaries of N600bn bonanza interest charges paid by the CBN for borrowing back excess naira balances which were earlier placed with zero interest by government and agencies in these same banks.

In the light of the severe economic implications of the current forex deficit, it is necessary for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take a closer look at the circumstances and ultimate fate of the CBN’s extraordinary “deposit/loan/placement” of $7bn to 14 banks in 2006. Nigerians surely have a right to know. After all, if the $7bn largesse to banks was a widely reported media affair, one should also expect that the refund or the successful liquidation should have been heralded by a much more “in your face” media blitz to assure Nigerians of the exemplary sectoral competence, so that the wisdom of the CBN’s provision of this facility to the banks in the first place, would be appreciated.

Regrettably, however, despite the $7bn CBN’s largesse and $36bn AMCON interventions, there are indications that with non-performing loans now in excess of the precarious threshold of 50 per cent, the banks may again be in trouble without having fulfilled the public expectations of powering growth of the real sector or promoting the creation of more jobs. Worse still, the CBN may be again compelled to soak up more toxic debts and create fresh cash injections to once more bail out these banks, even when recent history shows that such interventions may fail to recharge the economy.

Copyright PUNCH.

PRESIDENT BUHARI ALSO BEHOLDEN TO LEGAL TECHNICALITIES

In this interview with GBENRO ADEOYE, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), speaks about Nigeria, the economy, the law profession and other issues

You were at one time the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, looking back now, how well do you think the law profession has done since that time?

Before I became the NBA president, I was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, but I thank God for the NBA. But to me, the NBA should illuminate the darkness of Nigerians. It must act as the voice for the voiceless and the oppressed. To be the NBA leader is not a tea party; it is not like going for a picnic. I cannot see any NBA leader as good if he does not want to step on toes. When I was NBA president, it was under a democratic regime, which was supposed to be rooted in the constitution and constitutionalism. But before then, I belonged to the Alao Aka Bashorun (also a former President of the NBA) dynasty within the NBA. I was one of his boys and I stood by him and with him for the two years that he was president. And I liked his courage and appreciated his carriage. One day, while Femi Falana and I were at his office in Ebute-Meta, the telephone rang. There was no GSM at the time. He pressed the speaker button and from the other end, the person said ‘President’. Then Bashorun asked, ‘who is that?’ The person said ‘my name is Ibrahim’. Femi and I had known by that time that it was General Ibrahim Babangida’s voice. The person then said he was Ibrahim Babangida. Unconsciously, Bashorun stood up. That was reflex action. He said you are the President, sir. But IBB said the President of the NBA is the President of Nigeria. He said the fear of Alao Aka Bashorun was the beginning of wisdom. I’m telling you this so that you understand what the NBA presidency meant to a military dictator, for him to have said that. Babangida then said you are doing well for the NBA but we want you to come and serve. But Bashorun said, Mr. President, forget about that, I’m satisfied being the President of the NBA. He said, but one thing I will request of you. All the decrees that you churn out every day, please can you allow the NBA to have inputs? Can you send us the drafts of the decrees before you sign them? Babangida said Alao, take it as done. And from then on, every decree that Babangida wanted to pass, he would send to the NBA and we would debate it. So I became the NBA president, I knew the background I was coming from. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the President but I knew he was a military dictator. He had and still has military traits and tendencies- the military’s ‘know it all’ attitude. So I knew what I was prepared for. Some people thought that because he was a Yoruba President and I was Yoruba NBA President, I would be treating him with kid gloves, no. When we needed to respect him, we respected him and when we needed to criticise him, we criticised him. There was a time we visited him in his office in Aso Villa and he was harassing me while I was reading my speech, he did it three or four times, interjecting me and banging his fist on the table. But I didn’t want to be rude to him. Gen. Abdulsalami Abukakar and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN) were there. Obasanjo didn’t allow the press to come in. He was banging the table, saying No! No! No!

What did you say that made him do that?

We suggested to him to spend a term in office; to see how we would nurture our democracy. We pleaded with him. We said, for our democracy to have a smooth take-off, spend one term of four or five years in office and that the NBA was ready to assist him to see how we could amend the constitution. We made a lot of suggestions but he could not tolerate me any longer, he banged his fist on the table; it was bad. He said what kind of law are you talking about? Then it got to a stage, I said Mr. President Sir, I have a speech which I want to read, if you don’t want us, can we take our leave? At that time, I was packing all my files. Members of my executive were there. You could have heard a pin drop. Then Agabi and Abdulsalami had to come in and said the President would no longer interject you. After we left, I understand Obasanjo asked them who made that rascal the President of the NBA and that Agabi said he is not a radical, he is one of the best we have in the profession. That is why till tomorrow, I will always respect Agabi. I learnt that he defended us, the NBA. When a lawyer was being arrested, I gave Obasanjo 24 hours to release him, he released him. While I will commend NBA presidents that have come after me, I want to say that the NBA should not and never be for ‘bread and butter’ or ‘Yes people’. Although, we should not be rude to the government, the NBA president must be able to pick up courage because he has lawyers behind him. When an NBA president speaks, he speaks for all the lawyers in Nigeria, whether we like it or not. So I see no reason why NBA presidents will not be able to talk on issues relating to fundamental human rights, criminal prosecution, justice sector, economy, and so on. The NBA must always take a position; always. We are too big to hibernate. When Obasanjo increased the price of petrol, Adams Oshiomhole (former President, Nigeria Labour Congress) approached the NBA to defend him. Obasanjo took them to court; I went as NBA president, leading Falana and others to stand in for the NLC. Everybody has his own style; that was my own style. Today if an NBA president goes to defend the labour union, people may start lambasting him but the NBA president must first of all do it. You must be on the side of the masses. Ghali Na’Abba (former Speaker of the House of Representatives) could not believe what we did when the House of Representatives wanted to impeach Obasanjo. I left Lagos and sought audience with him. He said but this man (Obasanjo) does not like the NBA, I said NBA is above pettiness. It is a question of Nigeria and the stability of our democracy. He showed me all the allegations and in fairness, they were not just out to embarrass Obasanjo; they were not frivolous allegations. Some of them were provable but the NBA said no, don’t do it because of our young democracy that needed nurturing. So comparing then and now, I will say the NBA has been on the quiet side, even on matters that concern lawyers.

Recently, the Federal Government and some members of the public have accused the NBA and the judiciary of aiding corruption with delay tactics to frustrate the anti-graft law. Do you agree with that?

Nowadays, you see people talking about lawyers defending some people. A lawyer is at liberty to defend any person that briefs him. So you should not condemn the lawyers because it is Mr. A, it might be you tomorrow. Frankly speaking, the government and those condemning lawyers are very unfair to lawyers. Have they cast some people aside as lepers that are untouchable? A lawyer must muster sufficient courage whether in criminal or civil actions, to take up the defence or the case of his client without compromising it and without minding whose ox is gored, but it must be done within the ambit of law. He must not go outside that to do what is criminal simply because he wants to save his client or win a case for him. But within the ambit of the law, a lawyer has sufficient room to meander. And a lawyer must be fearless and resolute but he must not be rude. Otherwise, don’t come to the profession. Some people don’t know and some pretend not to know that law has its technicalities-both civil and criminal proceedings. They talk of technicalities and say that lawyers delay cases, look, without being immodest; I have been involved in a lot of cases in this country. I have defended a lot of people. During the run-up to the 2015 elections, I was one of the lawyers hired on pro bono basis to defend the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. We employed all the tactics available, employable and allowable in the legal profession; why didn’t they blame us then? If we didn’t, the election would not have held. If you do that today, some people, even within the profession, will blame you. I know what I’m talking about. The election was to hold on a Saturday and Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, said he was going to deliver his judgement on whether or not card readers should be used by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday, two days to the election. We filed preliminary objection, he overruled it. I was in court with Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akin Olujinmi (SAN), and Kola Awodein, (when) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu sent an aircraft to pick me in Akure, saying that if we were not in court, the election would not hold. There are things that need to be unveiled in this country. Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola (former Lagos State Governor), the Vice President (Prof. Yemi Osibajo), Lai Mohammed, the AGF (Abubakar Malami) were in the know. And Kolawole overruled us. Then he called the plaintiff and said, can you go ahead with originating summons? I will deliver my judgement tomorrow. Like someone who was possessed, I rose up and said I was applying for stay of proceedings. Then the other lawyer interjected and asked for my formal application. I gave him two authorities offhand that I could apply orally. That was two days to the election. Kolawole said well, whatever it is; I would want to listen to you. He listened to me. We did it pro bono in the sense that the APC hasn’t paid us. Nobody even wrote a letter to say thank you. Then thereafter, he wrote a ruling and granted stay of proceedings 48 hours to the election. The Supreme Court later held that, though the card reader was a good innovation, it was not yet in the law. Would Buhari have been President if we had not done that? What could be more technical than that? They filed action against Buhari, we looked at it; we raised objections and we were dragging that. Is that not technicality? And some people will now accuse me when I do it for other people that I’m defending looters. But when you do it for them, it is right; that is double standard. And what baffles me is that some high lawyers, who should know better, also accuse some lawyers of defending looters? To hell with anybody who has looted the treasury. I believe in my profession and I thank God for what I am. I am a fulfilled person and don’t want any position from any government, but then government should allow those of us who are privately engaged to do our work. In our offices in Lagos and Abuja, we have over 75 members of staff- professionals and supporting staff. We pay more than what the government pays and don’t owe workers. A cleaner in my office earns far more than what government calls minimum wage. And when you say someone is a looter, who is a looter? Anybody who loots will have his day in court and God will punish looters, but at the same time, judge not, so that you are not judged. And let the accused person defend himself. All religions give room for fair hearing. I grew up to know that when people came to my father to settle disputes, he would say ‘e je ko so tie, agba ti o gbo ejo enikan dajo, agba osika ni’ (let him say his side of the story; an elder who bases his judgement on only one side of the story is wicked). I grew up to know that. So you don’t want people to be heard? If that is the case, change the constitution. So once someone is accused, he is arrested and taken to prison. Then, abolish the courts. That is my position. And what goes around comes around. You may be the accuser today, tomorrow; it may be your turn to face accusations. Let the law take its course. It is tyrannical, dictatorial and smacks of militarism when you start accusing lawyers who defend people. You cannot have democracy without free speech and people having access to courts. You cannot be the accuser, the lawyer and the judge. They say lawyers and judges delay the prosecution of looters, then if they have already been adjudged looters, don’t prosecute them. It is only a court of law that can come to the conclusion that someone has looted the treasury after evidence has been produced.

So where does a lawyer find balance? How do you decide who to defend or who not to defend?

A lawyer is at liberty to defend any case and once he takes up the case, he must do it uncompromisingly to the best of his ability. No lawyer can be condemned for defending any person. But as for me, at times, I might decide not to take some cases because of the extenuating circumstances. Today, I have rejected a particular brief, but I won’t mention names because of the parties concerned. I cherish my independence. A lawyer must not be under the control of any person. My clientele cuts across tribal, ethnical, religious boundaries. Once I take up a case, I take it that there is an unwritten covenant between that person and myself supervised by God and I must not compromise his interest. That is at the bottom line for me. I don’t care what anybody says, I owe a duty to that client just as I did to Gen. Buhari as a candidate without seeing him. Some people briefed me on his behalf and I loyally served him.

Some people will wonder how you are able to handle briefs from people from opposing sides like when you defended Tinubu at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and by 2.30pm on the same day, you were defending former President Goodluck Jonathan in another court. How do you quickly shift allegiances?

What I give my clients is my knowledge, I don’t sell my conscience. I retain my conscience and independence. I cherish my liberty. I keep it. No client will tell me not to represent others, I will tell that client to go. Let me give you an example. Tinubu is not just my client, he is also my friend. I respect him and he respects me but he cannot say he wants to control me. He does not even discuss my professional jobs with me. The day you just referred to, I was at the CCT in the morning in a suit. Jonathan’s election petition was stood down till about 2 pm and immediately I finished addressing the CCT on Tinubu’s matter, I had to go and change for Jonathan’s matter. Jonathan would dare not ask me why I was defending his foe. But one thing I knew then was that there was no Nigerian that Jonathan’s government feared more than Tinubu.

Why do you think so?

I know. In fact, his camp believed they were contesting election against him, that he was the arrowhead of the opposition but they dared not ask me anything about his case. One thing I also noticed was that Jonathan’s team started withdrawing from me gradually because of the Tinubu factor. And I won’t go to anybody to beg for briefs. A lady, whose name I don’t want to mention, called me one day and said these people are in trouble, why are they running away from you? Who cares? I can be very committed to my clients. Former President Umaru Yar’Adua is dead; I was his lawyer since his days as Governor of Katsina State. He was a gentleman per excellence; he would have been the best president Nigeria ever had but he was overwhelmed by his illness. He was so humble, intelligent, honest and frugal. He was the one who appointed me as Pro Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and he told me, Wole, I know you are going to help me revive and revamp that place. Thank God we did that eventually. We changed the entire face of the university. Anytime Tinubu wants to make jest of me, he will say when it comes to law, nobody talks to you, I will say thank God you know that. He knows that when it comes to his case, I will not compromise his interest. Also, I defended Tinubu when the late Funsho Williams took him to the tribunal. He has been my client over the years. And if you are talking of technicality, we had a plan when we handled his CCT case. We had even planned against the ruling and ahead of the ruling. I had already prepared notice of appeal. I had prepared a notice of appeal, a motion for stay of proceedings, and that if the ruling went against us, we would say okay, let’s take a short adjournment, argue that motion for stay of proceedings. Would you say that is technicality? Is that not allowed in law? Today, if I do it for somebody else, would you now want to shoot me down? When people are in government, they appropriate all knowledge to themselves. And it is only they that are patriotic; that can’t be right. It is only God that is always right. I see a lot of us now, who believe that government is always right, that can’t be right. We must objectively critique the government, not to bring it down but to make it perform. Nobody has the divine right to govern over me, you do so through democratic means, therefore, you owe me a duty to do well and listen to me and my complaints. When government says 2 plus 2 equals 10, we clap. We don’t take the government up any longer; we must not be like robots. It is not in the interest of the government, it is not in our own interest and it is not in the interest of our children.

The Federal Government recently proposed the sale of some assets, which was largely condemned by Nigerians. What is your take on it?

I’m not an economist but I think I have some rudimentary knowledge of economics and what is commonsensical, reasonable and just and not hasty and scandalous. I’m a bit worried about how it came to the national front burner as a discourse. Who first hinted the idea? It was the business mogul- Aliko Dangote. Later, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, supported it and later on, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. As someone who has a stake in this country, I ask, was it accidental or were they acting in concert? I’m not happy with the way things are going on in my country. Dangote is a successful businessman but what is his leverage in economics? Saraki is a medical doctor by training but now a politician by vocation and practice. The Yoruba will say the witch cried yesterday, the child died today, who would not know that it was the witch that killed the child. Is it not a case of people trying to position themselves to buy the assets? We must not allow it to happen. We must not behave like prodigals. Does it make any sense to say you have kidney problem, someone now advises you to remove your brain to solve your kidney problem. Does it make any sense? Is it not nonsensical? Is it not stupid? We are talking about core national assets that are not even failing like the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, which fetches us billions of dollars annually. May the time not come when they will sell off Aso Villa and lease it back to us. I hope the time will not come when they will be selling off Nigerian citizens. I read that Obasanjo said that he agreed that they should sell off the assets but not to the cabals. Who constitute the cabals? They should let us know the beneficiaries of the assets that they have sold in the past. Let us have the list; let us know those who bought directly and those who bought through proxies. They are cheating this country and taking us for a ride. And I heard someone saying government will put a repurchase clause in it; they are insulting our intelligence. What an insult? Is there no law again? I sell this building and put a repurchasing clause that after 10 years, I will buy it back. Who will buy that from you? And which court will enforce it? Enough is enough. They are selling dummies to us every day and insulting the mentality of Nigerians. The CBN governor also said recently that the worst was over as regards recession; that is also insulting. People are hungry and angry and you are saying the worst is over. I have some questions to ask when you say that: are you now saying that before the end of the year, the naira will be restored to the position it was before the crisis? Are you going to give people, who have lost their jobs, the jobs back? Obasanjo must reveal the members of the cabals. And let government stop talking about corruption every day.

Don’t you believe in the anti-corruption fight?

I believe in anti-corruption, you know, I said earlier that woe betide anybody who has looted the treasury or any person who uses his position to amass wealth. But when you keep on describing Nigeria as a country that is corrupt, investors will stay off. And if you know some judges are corrupt, deal with them, but don’t go to another country to say that the judiciary in your country is corrupt; nobody will come there because it is about investment and the rule of law. And when you talk of corruption among lawyers, who are the people? It takes two to tango. Let every politician in Nigeria swear by the god of thunder that he has not tried to induce a judge. Let the President take a cue from the United States President, Barack Obama. George W. Bush squandered American funds on the Gulf War as President of the US because he wanted Saddam Hussein by all means –dead or alive- after the September 11 attack. The economy of the US was comatose when Obama took over, but did you hear him say any bad thing about Bush? He had his own agenda. He started issuing presidential orders and proclamations and within two or three years, the economy was revived without him condemning anybody. To me, government is a continuum. I’m not in the Peoples Democratic Party or the APC; I don’t even see any difference between the two of them when it is so easy for the PDP people to move to the APC and immediately become progressives. You don’t sell that to me. Mr. President should have an inclusive government.

Copyright PUNCH.